Re: What dehydrator would you recommend?

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I used to have an American Harvest... about 2 years ago now by my best guess

- not the Gardenmaster but a model below it. I had some issues with the

quality of the plastic they used - it didn't break, but I felt it was overly

porous. After using it with marinaded meat a few times, not only was I

unable to get the smell of the marinades out of the trays, they remained

greasy/tacky no matter what I tried to clean them with. As a last resort I

soaked them in a large bucket with some dish soap and that only made the

issue worse. I ended up giving the dehydrator away to a friend. I never

ended up purchasing a replacement (as much as I'd like one) - I used a plain

oven for what little dehydration I did after that.

Based on my experience I'd say the American Harvest would be fine for fruits

and veggies, and maybe even plain, low fat meats - just not marinaded meats

or fatty meats.

-Lana

On 5/19/08, mom4him48 <mom4him48@...> wrote:

>

> My dehydrator died this week end and I am needing to replace it.

> These are the ones that I have been looking at and complentating.

> Excalibur™ Dehydrator Model 2900

> L'EQUIP® Model 528 Food Dehydrators

> American Harvest Gardenmaster Model FD1020 Food Dehydrator

> They can all be found at http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/dehydrators.aspx

> I have had the Lequip for about 18 yrs and it has done a good job but

> it doesn't have a temp control. I do believe that the newer ones do.

> All the dripping so fall on the fan/motor area though and we are

> pretty sure that this was its demise.

> The excalibur can do yogart although the gal that I get my milk

> products from has been doing my yogart up for me and then bringing it

> in to me so that isn't a big issue right now.

> What one do you use and why do you like it or not? Please share.

> Be blessed

> Sandy

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Based on my experience I'd say the American Harvest would be fine

for fruits

> and veggies, and maybe even plain, low fat meats - just not

marinaded meats

> or fatty meats.

>

> -Lana

>

Thanks Lana, I will X the Amer. Har. off my list.

Sandy

[Guest guest]

I have the 9 tray Excalibur dehydrator. So far, I've used it to

dehydrate liver pieces for our pups treats, and also recently made

crackers from the NT book.

>

> >

> > Based on my experience I'd say the American Harvest would be fine

> for fruits

> > and veggies, and maybe even plain, low fat meats - just not

> marinaded meats

> > or fatty meats.

> >

> > -Lana

> >

>

> Thanks Lana, I will X the Amer. Har. off my list.

> Sandy

>

[Guest guest]

What I like about the Excalibur is that the fan is in the back, so it

is easy to clean out. Mine has the timer and the temperature gauge

and a drying guide which I really like. This is the only brand I have

had and would recommend it. I did some research before buying it and

read or hear positive reviews. I bought mine direct from their

website. I also bought the accessory sheets for doing fruit roll-ups

and they worked great for the crackers I made last week. I haven't

made the fruit roll-ups yet, but it is high on the list.

What all do you use your dehydrator for?

-- In , " mom4him48 " <mom4him48@...> wrote:

>

> My dehydrator died this week end and I am needing to replace it.

> These are the ones that I have been looking at and complentating.

> Excalibur™ Dehydrator Model 2900

> L'EQUIP® Model 528 Food Dehydrators

> American Harvest Gardenmaster Model FD1020 Food Dehydrator

> They can all be found at

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/dehydrators.aspx

> I have had the Lequip for about 18 yrs and it has done a good job but

> it doesn't have a temp control. I do believe that the newer ones do.

> All the dripping so fall on the fan/motor area though and we are

> pretty sure that this was its demise.

> The excalibur can do yogart although the gal that I get my milk

> products from has been doing my yogart up for me and then bringing it

> in to me so that isn't a big issue right now.

> What one do you use and why do you like it or not? Please share.

> Be blessed

> Sandy

>

[Guest guest]

Thus far I have mainly dried nuts. I have done some fruit several

years ago but really want to do more of that again and I would like to

find a REALLY good/safe recipe for jerky and give that a try.

Sandy

> >

> > My dehydrator died this week end and I am needing to replace it.

> > These are the ones that I have been looking at and complentating.

> > Excalibur™ Dehydrator Model 2900

> > L'EQUIP® Model 528 Food Dehydrators

> > American Harvest Gardenmaster Model FD1020 Food Dehydrator

> > They can all be found at

> http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/dehydrators.aspx

> > I have had the Lequip for about 18 yrs and it has done a good job but

> > it doesn't have a temp control. I do believe that the newer ones do.

> > All the dripping so fall on the fan/motor area though and we are

> > pretty sure that this was its demise.

> > The excalibur can do yogart although the gal that I get my milk

> > products from has been doing my yogart up for me and then bringing it

> > in to me so that isn't a big issue right now.

> > What one do you use and why do you like it or not? Please share.

> > Be blessed

> > Sandy

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I also have a nine tray Excaliber. I have had it for about five

years and it runs a lot. Each week I make crispy nuts, jerky, and

various dried fruits. Yogurt making is simple, it comes with the

directions. I also make crackers, but not as often since we don't

eat much grain.

HTH,

Sal

[Guest guest]

I have 3 9-tray Excaliburs and am seriously into dehydrating. They maintain

temperature very well, don't absorb odors and are efficient. There's

nothing I haven't dehydrated include meal worms for pet food. You still

need to rotate trays and I'm not thrilled that the top tray has less

clearance than all the others, but still, I find it to be a great product.

I had an American Harvester for a dozen years. I can't imagine ever going

back. I appreciate the support that Excalibur offers, and the research

they've provided on proper dehydration. HTH.

Sharon

On Mon, May 19, 2008 at 11:40 AM, mom4him48 <mom4him48@...> wrote:

> My dehydrator died this week end and I am needing to replace it.

> These are the ones that I have been looking at and complentating.

> Excalibur™ Dehydrator Model 2900

> L'EQUIP® Model 528 Food Dehydrators

> American Harvest Gardenmaster Model FD1020 Food Dehydrator

> They can all be found at http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/dehydrators.aspx

> I have had the Lequip for about 18 yrs and it has done a good job but

> it doesn't have a temp control. I do believe that the newer ones do.

> All the dripping so fall on the fan/motor area though and we are

> pretty sure that this was its demise.

> The excalibur can do yogart although the gal that I get my milk

> products from has been doing my yogart up for me and then bringing it

> in to me so that isn't a big issue right now.

> What one do you use and why do you like it or not? Please share.

> Be blessed

> Sandy

>

>

>

--

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have plenty to eat.

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