What type of dehydrator to get?

[c'estlaviebelle]

Hello all! I'm having a hard time deciding what type of dehydrator to get. It seems everyone gets the Excalibur dehydrators, but is it ok for me to get a cheaper one like this from target?

http://www.target.com/NESCO-Snackmaster-Entr%C3%A9e-5-Tray/dp/B0000665TM/sr=1-9/qid=1200802204/ref=sr_1_9/602-7665136-7391824?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Adehydrator&page=1

Long term I might get the excalibur one, but until then is this cheaper one ok?

Or is there a reason raw foodists use the excalibur ones?

On another note- I just bought my first food processor! Yay!! So excited :)

AND- I found a juicer at a garage sale today for only $10! I am convinced the universe put it there for me :p

Thanks for any help!

[Rawkinlocs]

Sure, you can get a round one but a word of caution...the one at Target does NOT have a temp. control dial and the pre-set temps are usually higher than what is acceptable to be still considered raw.

So, look into the Nesco American Harvest Snackmaster WITH temperature control so you can set the temp. rather than it being set for you.

I know there are mixed feelings on Walmart but if you are not opposed, check them and/or their website. If you prefer not to shop there, you can order directly from nesco.com or everythingkitchens.com

But when I first went raw, I started out with the Nesco Snackmaster w/temp. control (still have and use it) until I got an Excalibur and it was just fine! There are some limitations with it compared to the Excalibur, but there are ways to work around many of them!

[c'estlaviebelle]

Wow! Thanks for the fast response. I hadn't thought about the temp control but I can see how that would be an issue. Perhaps I'll start with the same one you did.

What do you think of this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Aroma-Food-Dehydrator/dp/B0002OKDWO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1200802023&sr=1-13

[Rawkinlocs]

That one doesn't seem to have a temp. dial on it either...all I saw was an on-off switch and I didn't see any reference to temp control listed amongst the features or the description either. Keep in mind that most manufacturers of dehydrators are marketing them towards cooked food eaters who usually make meat jerkey in them. So be very careful and look for a temp. dial or at least mention of that feature when looking for a dehydrator.

[c'estlaviebelle]

Oh, I looked at it again and you are right! I think this is the one you mentioned you started with:

http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-American-FD-61-Snackmaster-Dehydrator/dp/B000CEM3WM/ref=pd_sbs_hg_title_8

This one says it has a dial and it is only $60 (much more affordable for me at this time). How was the power on this unit? Did it use a lot of electricity?

Thanks so much for all of your help! :) This newbie needs all the help she can get!!

[lanettasmouse]

i got the nesco american harvest snackmaster from walmart.com and i think it was a little over $50 plus shipping, but you can have it sent to a store close to you for pick up and tehn they on't charge you for shipping, (if i remeber that right :confused: ) that or check ebay, that should have them on there too. i like mine and its getting its use for sure, but i will invest in the excalibur when i have the money to do so.

[mousebandit]

Also watch your local craigslist and freecycle for cheap or free excaliburs! I got a freaking STEAL on my excalibur via craigslist! Or, if you ever head up I-5 to so. oregon, I have an older one (works great) built like an excalibur with temp control that I will sell you cheap! I just don't want to try and pack it up to ship to sell on ebay, LOL!

Mouse Bandit

[subbacultcha]

I considered getting a cheaper dehydrator but I am so glad I waited until I could afford the Excalibur! I think using one that didn't work so well would have discouraged me.

[Tirza]

I have been waiting to hear about Alissa's dehydrator. Did that get delayed?

[deberaw]

...I have a Nesco that I got at Bed Bath and Beyond....We're {my hubby, family} fairly new to Raw, but it has been just fine...we've used it a lot this Winter.....crackers, drying fruit pulp from fruit juices, now I'm making onion bread..........just can't make very high loaves or warm much in it............we wanted to see how much we use it before investing in the Excaliber...which is on my list for down the road, but right now, this is just fine......We do go thru quite a bit of wax paper which I use when making crackers and goopey things...just cut it to size on the trays...I'm going to be ordering extra fruit roll trays and the mesh screen type tray.....enjoy!!! {make sure it has a dial that you can set the temp. though}