Dehydrator Question

[Beachhunter]

I have been reading various threads on the benefits of a 4, 5 or 9 tray dehydrator but have not seen any posts on whether a built-in automatic timer is beneficial. I realize an automatic timer is not necessary but am wondering if I am going to spend the money for a good dehydrator should it include an automatic timer???

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[Maria]

Beachhunter,

That depends on your schedule. If you're not home to monitor the dehydrator you might want a timer so that you don't over "cook" your items. I usually do my dehyrating overnight and the stuff is ready in the morning.

Maria

[oceanee]

I do mine at night as well. It's hard to over -do. Sometimes it may need another hour and I just turn back on when I get home from work. If a timer costs more I wouldn't get , but that's my opinion.
Oceanee

[Beachhunter]

I do mine at night as well. It's hard to over -do. Sometimes it may need another hour and I just turn back on when I get home from work. If a timer costs more I wouldn't get , but that's my opinion.
Oceanee

I just did a quick search and found that the built-in automatic timer on a 9 travel excalibur is about $30 more.

[Revvell]

I have it, I like it.

Revvell

[StarFire]

I don't have a timer and I don't miss it. I like to check my food and often end up dehydrating it longer than the recipe calls for - so if it turned off -before I thought it was done .... I would find that bothersome! :D

[lore-ah]

My husband bought me a dehydrator as a surprise gift today! I'm so excited :) I have those pesto mushrooms from Alissa's book in there as we speak

[mulch]

i have the one with the timer. it is true that you really can't over due it. i just like things to be turned off when i want them to.

[sueko]

I've got a timer on mine, and I find it annoying when I come home after 14 hours at work and it has turned itself off, or it has turned off during the night. Not having had the option of no timer, of course, I don't know if that would bother me either.

[CaliRaw]

I have the 5-tray with timer and it's worth the extra money to me. If I have any doubt or concerns about the recipe needing more time, I give it more time. The timer dial has 26 hours on it.