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View Full Version : Oven instead of dehydrator?


Summer444
01-08-2009, 05:23 PM
Hi, I tried out the Excalibur dehydrator but got rid of it because it just didn't work the way I thought it would. Took forever to dry the food and didn't dry evenly. I'm looking to get into making my own breads and crackers but don't want to spend the money on another dehydrator that I'm not happy with. Can I use an oven set on the lowest setting with the door open? I read that in one of my raw books, but never heard of anyone trying it. Thanks!
contessa20
01-08-2009, 06:41 PM
Honestly, because you won't be able to easily regulate the temperature of the oven I personally just wouldn't do it. I love my Excalibur and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Summer444
01-08-2009, 07:01 PM
What model do you have? Maybe I had an earlier, inferior model than you? Do you have the 9-tray? I know many have raved about the dehydrator, but my experience was not as good. It seemed like a cheap piece of plastic and didn't heat evenly. I had the 4-tray. Thanks.
Revvell
01-08-2009, 07:27 PM
If it was defective, they'd take care of it for you. Not sure what you mean by "heat evenly". The outsides will dry first, then move to the insides.

Yes, it take longer to dehydrate than cook because of the low temp.

For more information on using an oven instead of a dehydrator, do a search on this forum.. try the words "oven dehydrate" or some such combination. It's a pretty frequent topic.

Revvell (http://letstalkraw.com)
contessa20
01-09-2009, 05:21 AM
What model do you have? Maybe I had an earlier, inferior model than you? Do you have the 9-tray? I know many have raved about the dehydrator, but my experience was not as good. It seemed like a cheap piece of plastic and didn't heat evenly. I had the 4-tray. Thanks.

Yes, I have the 9 tray. I'm not sure of the model number but I've only had it maybe 3 yrs. so it isn't that old at all. Revvell is right though, the edges will dry first and then the interior. If that's what you mean by drying unevenly then it is completely normal.

In my exerience, you kind of have to get used to using the dehydrator because it's so different from an oven but then, it's your best friend.

Best of luck to you!
lsadeseyens
01-09-2009, 08:54 PM
I have the 5 tray with a timer. I love my excalibur. It definitely does not cook the same way as an oven does. Many times, I will put something in around mid=afternoon and set the timer for 18 hours or so, and leave it in overnight and check it in the a.m. when I get up, if it needs more dehydrating I leave it in, if not, then I gorge ~~:D