Looking for experience with dehydrators

[mels]

Hi all I just joined after lurking around here for several days.
I am looking for info on dehydrators.

I have been looking at Nesco brand, Excalibur and the Good4U but its hard to figure out the pros and cons to each so I was hoping to get some input from you all.

To be honest I am kind of leaning toward the Good4U but just can't take the plunge so I was really hoping that some of you that I saw who bought one can update me on if you like it still and any issues you have found with it.

Also which size is the best to go with?

Appreciate all the help and info you all can give me.
Look forward to hearing back from you
mel

[Crazy Healer Lady]

I have a cheap Nesco "Food and Jerky" dehydrator. I love it! Making flax crackers right now ^_^ It's super quick and quiet, too. The only reason I would upgrade would be to get an Excaliber in a few years. Mostly, so I can make bigger raw dishes (like breads) or warm large foods in there, as well as have a square shape, but that last one's a little shallow of me *blush* lol :)

[eachpeachpearplum]

I have had a few and for me the shape became an issue. I really prefer a flat square/recatangle vs the round with a hole in the middle.

I am actually about to buy another (I currently have an Excalhibur) for additional space and will be going with the Excalhibur again despite it being slighly more expensive than the Good4U brand, which I have heard good things about.

Why? Well it all comes down to the door. I need to be able to remove shelves for large loves of bread or a high sided baking dish and still have the entire front close with the door. With the Good4U the "door" is integrated onto each shelf. So removing several shelves would leave a big open gap. Having said this I do believe that the Good4U brand has recognised this problem and are going to be selling a solid door. Also the excalhibur has more sq ft of drying space 15 vs 10.5. and for me that's very important.

Saying all that I do think that the new Good4U that Alissa sells here on her site looks to be a great deal and design.

[jacsam]

For me the size is really important....when I make a batch of crackers, I want to really make a huge batch so I'm not making them in another week or even two weeks. When I dehydrate extra produce from my garden (tomatoes, apples etc), I want to do as much as I can at one time. I love the 9 tray excalibur and eventhough it sounds like the Good4U is great, I'd probably still go with what I have (excalibur) because it is bigger.

[juliebove]

I have the Nesco and I don't think anything bigger would fit in my kitchen. It works fine for me.

[LotsaRaw]

I also have a Nesco - I bought extra shelves, so can expand up to 12 (so the manual says) - but I only have 10! I can attest to using all 10 at a time, but not often (glad I did buy them!) My next one will probably be an excalibur - only because of the shape. I use wax paper for my flax crackers, corn chips and tortillas. The only thing I don't like is there is no power switch - just plug it in and adjust the temp. (make sure yours has an adjustable temperature)