Thought on the American Harvest Snackmaster Dehydrator?

[julesmoz]

Since I am now including more dense foods in my diet in order to put weight back on, I am thinking about buying a dehydrator. What are people's thoughts? I've heard that Excalibur is the best, but of course it's also the most expensive. I'm considering American Harvest's Snackmaster, but I heard (I think it may have even been from the company itself) that by the time the food dehydrates, it's actually hotter inside the dehydrator than the temperature control says.

Does anyone have a Snackmaster or know anything about it?

[greenfeline]

I have a snackmaster and it works fine for me. I have not heard about the temperature thing though. Why don't you look for an excalibur on ebay or something?

[rawpriestess]

alot of people on this forum have them, and they seem to work fine, I'd say, buy yourself the dehydrator AND a small thermometer, and stick it in the food, and check for yourself.


I did this with my excalibur and I found the food was waayyyyyyyyyyyy less warm than the temp said, so I now dehydrate at a much higher temp than I used to. and the food gets warm now, and no grains spoil anymore, learned this from a Gabriel Cousins' book, good info.

[rachelmh]

I have the snackmaster, and it is fine for me. But now I am a bit worried, so I am going to get a food thermometer to make sure it isn't too high. I think it's not -- only because it usually takes longer to dehydrate than a recipe says it should.

[julesmoz]

Great advice, rawpriestess. I didn't think about how I could just turn down the temp if it dehydates higher than it says (stupid, I know . . . why is it that the most obvious things sometimes slip under our radars?)

[julesmoz]

I've been doing more research, and again found that some people say the chamber actually heats to 145 degrees, even on the lowest setting. Rachel, I'd be interested to see what you find if/when you test the temperature on yours.

[Rawkinlocs]

Julesmoz,

I doubt very seriously that the temp gets to 145 at the lowest setting (95 degrees). I own an American Harvest S.M. (with temp. control) and I've NEVER had food to be that hot. If it was heated to 145, believe me, you'd (I'd) know it!

[pamojamo]

Is this the brand that many people find at Walmart? I checked my local Walmart and did not see any dehydrators.

[Rawkinlocs]

Is this the brand that many people find at Walmart? I checked my local Walmart and did not see any dehydrators.

Yep, that's the one...maybe they were out or just don't carry them. Did you ask a salesperson if they usually carry them at all? If not, www.Walmart.com has them.

[pamojamo]

Thanks, Rawkinlocks. I didn't ask a sales person, but I will now. Also, can you cut those texfex sheets to fit this brand of dehydrator? I want to start out with a less expensive model and try things while saving money for the more expensive Excalibur.

[moonstone523]

Okay I have a couple questions about this dehydrator....

Please help and advise.

Yes, I too, want to know about the teflex sheets. If you can't get them, is there something else you can use I want to dehyrdate something "gooy"

Also, I would getting it shipped overseas. What is the voltage?

Thanks, moonstone :cool:

[rawcanadagirl]

I bought the american harvest last year, thinking that I would "upgrade" to an excalibur if I used it enough. I definately use it enough (It's on 3-4 days a week continuously), but I really like it, and don't see the need for the excalibur. I bought 2 "teflex" sheets, and 2 small mesh screens when I got it, and then eventually bought some additional trays too. You can buy all items for the snackmaster. You can even buy spacers for them, if you want a double or triple height space. I have occasionally used a double (for warming stuffed peppers etc), but I don't make really large loaves or things like that. I find they take a ton of time to dehydrate, and will often be less than appetizing on the inside (where the temp is much cooler). I always check that the temp is accurate in any dehydrator I use, and many can be a few degrees off - mine is a touch cooler, but only by a few degrees.
Also, on a side note, I really like the round shape! (for pizzas, pies, etc)
RCG :D

[moonstone523]

can you buy all the accessories at wally world too???? aka walmart

[rawcanadagirl]

I'm not sure whether you can get those accessories at Walmart (I got mine elsewhere) - but make sure you get the one with the temperature guage! Walmart sells a few brands, and some just have a set temperature.

[Rawkinlocs]

I haven't seen the accessories at Walmart, but you can get them from either www.nesco.com or www.everythingkitchens.com (probably other places too, but those are the two sites I've ever ordered from)

[julesmoz]

Wow, guys! Thanks for the reviews. You've convinced me. I'm gonna go get one right away :)

[lissomllama]

I own a brand new American Harvest snackmaster and I have found that the food inside is actually at a lower temperature than what the temp on the control is set at. I really like it and I'd rather not spend the money for an excalibur.