Food dehydrator- excalibur??

Question

I am wanting to purchase a food dehydrator for making snacks (veggies, jerky, fruit, raw crackers). I think I am settled on the excalibur even though the comments on amazon are not too favorable. I am very undecided as to what size (the 5 tray or the 9). IF you have any personal experience, I would love to hear about it. My main dilemma is that if I have a small batch to make, I wont want to run the big ol 9 tray and waste energy...but if I have a bunch to make, the big tray would save energy....hmmm....

Answer 1

Ours is just a Ronco or something like that.  We have 5 trays with 2 extra.  This is our 2nd one and we like it much better cause it has a fan in it.  Makes for much more even dehydrating than the regular ones.  A bit more expensive, but much worth the extra cash.  

Answer 2

I have a friend with an excaliber and she loves it.  BUT she has an older one.  The newer models aren't like the older ones, so beware.  For the money, you are best going with another brand as mentioned.   My friend has a 5 tray model and says it does all she wants, no need for more.  

Answer 3

I have the American Harvest brand and I love it.  Get the extra trays for the one you buy, you don't have to use them all but you'll be glad you have them.

A note, the more food you are processing the longer it takes since there is more moisture to remove so you really won't be saving much - if any - energy by making larger quantities.

My favorite jerky is taking the "done" strips, dipping them in a thick bottled BBQ sauce and placing back on the dehydrator.  It's sooooo good.