Does anyone here have a favorite that they can recommend? Conversely, any warnings about what NOT to buy?

None of the ones I've seen have timers, though. I'm afraid that I'll forget when it's done, or for some reason I won't be home when it's done drying, and I'll ruin my food.

One I've put on my Amazon wish list is an American Harvest Nesco (forgot the model numbers) for $69.99.

I guess this wasn't a good idea after all. :-(

I just got an American Harvester (the Encore model - FD-61 if memory serves) for 59 bucks and it seems to be just fine for me, unless of course it dies. But it's certainly no toy and you'll find many people here who are perfectly happy with their 'cheap' dehydrators that they have been using for years and years with great success. You don't need high technology to dry food.

Anyway the golden rule seems to be get one with an adjustable temp gauge and a fan.

jt

Zabby ;-)

I would guess that it is running 45 days of the year. Since I believe in low temp (130°F and below) drying it takes longer. 4 days for most things.

jt

Now, on the other hand, for those that have used, and burned out the cheaper units: It's time to get an Excalibur or one like it. They are absolutely wonderful for drying and you will be amazed.

Kim

Several years ago I ran across a $20 dehydrator (similar to the harvester) at Bass Pro Shop during Christmas. I used it very heavily for two years when the gears froze up and it wasn't worth fixing. Luckily this was at the end of the season, but unfortunately it was just as I was going to dry apples. So no dried apples last year. So for Christmas my DH surprised me with the 80 liter dehydrator shown on the attached link. I LOVE IT!!! Yes it was pricey but I've already dried 5 qts strawberries, 3 qts apricots, cherries, herbs (loads) and zucchini (actually quite good) And it didn't take many many batches I was able to dry each fruit at one time. As I had fruit left over from canning I would dry what was left. I can't wait to dry apples. The only drawback is the size. We tried it in the basement..but it was awkward taking the trays down steps. We tried it in the room with our computer (where the last one was) but it over heated the room. So it is now in the garage and works great. When not in use I cover it with an other tablecloth.

Incase I didn't already mention it, I LOVE IT!!! Just as much as I do several other time savers like my Mantis tiller & dishwasher.

I think the inexpensive one is OK if:

1) You're not sure how much you'll really use it
2) There's only a few products you want to dry
3) Limited budget

Deanna

And money is a concern. I just bought a laptop, and I did spend money on that because I'll probably use it all the time, and in my life and my line of work, a laptop is a bit higher priority than a food dryer.

And because I just bought the laptop, there's not a whole lot of money left over.

I just sent away for the American Harvester dehydrator. It had good reviews on Amazon. Hopefully the squirrels will leave me some peaches to slice and dry.

jt

Did you order the Excalibur? If so, please report on how you like it!

I'm not so much in the dehydrator market myself but two of my siblings were asking about them recently.

Zabby

Zabby,

I did order the Excalibur. Also dismantled one of the 3 Nesco dehydrators that I still have and believe that can cobble together two of them to make one that works. That will be on hold though. Should have the new unit early next week.

jt

A tray of Bhut Jolokia is drying at 125° as we speak. The world's hottest pepper & I wore rubber gloves to halve them. I never wear gloves, but have been warned about 7 Pod & Trinidad Scorpion (also growing) damaging the skin and causing pain for days. I licked the knife and got a real lip and tongue buzz.

Back to the dehydrator. The trays are small at 12" x 12" and only 4 of them, but I think am going to like this design. I always dehydrate in small batches anyways. Am curious to see if this one will dry as fast as the claims. The real test will be with thick-fleshed jalapeños or rocotos.

jt

Did a great job and the temp didn't vary more than 2° during the drying. For peppers the test is whether or not the seeds will powder as they are the last to fully dehydrate. I have some just made Annie's Salsa that I want to dehydrate for powder next. Need to construct a suitable tray insert first.

Just tried a disposable Dixie plate and should work just fine!

jt

Did you ever get a dehydrator ?

If so, how did you like it and how much
have you used it ?

Too bad most things you want to dry come along in the summer, the top of our soapstone woodstove would be an excellent temperature for drying things. I really should dehydrate some food, just for variety from all the canned and frozen stuff we have. FIL has a dehydrator, we should borrow it sometime.

Marcia

ML

I understand about the cost factor as I looked into MANY other models before purchasing this one. It is just my hubby and I (the cat doesn't count here) so the 4 trays are an OK size for us and our garden. Maybe I'll get an extra 2 trays for Christmas??? =) If I were using it to dry tomatoes from a big garden, spinach, apples from a tree, etc, etc the size would def. be a complaint and I would spend more on an Excalibur.

Think about what you are going to use it for and how often. If you, say, are making your own tomato sauce or tons of fruit rolls be sure to add in the extra cost of those special sheets or extra trays that may come "standard" in pricier models. You may find the cost balances out.

I agree with Ken - too slow for many things and increased risk of spoilage. There are much less expensive and better models available.

Even the old Ronco would work faster and better than this one. ;)

Dave

1. It dries evenly... no more re-arranging trays.
2. It dries much faster than cheaper brands.
3. The slide out trays are a MUCH better design. I can't even begin to tell you how much more convenient they are.

We are considering making one of the solar ones, but out of nice materials that we already have (not cardboard). The main model plan that is going around the internet has a tilted black air duct, it should work just by the principle that hot air rises. Also, it is very sunny and very dry where I live, so solar should be good for us, save energy and avoid heating the room in the summer. The food is confined so critters should not be a big problem. Has anyone had any experience with the solar types? any advice?

Thanks.

Dave

There is also a deluxe model that is being sold in a few places at:
http://www.builderssquare.com/xp_1546038-Ronco_5_Tray_Food_Dehydrator_As_Seen_On_TV_FD1005WHGEN.aspx