Nesco Dehydrator

[livin]

Does anyone here have a Nesco Dehydrator? If so, how do you like it? I know it's not the best, but I'm wondering if it's worth the $40 price at Wal Mart, since it looks like I could box it and put away when I'm not using it. It's the only one I've seen in a local store.

I decided some time ago not to invest in a more professional dehydrator for several reasons, but I do see a benefit in dehydrating.

[Veganforlife]

I bet if you do a search you will find a ton of info on those dehydrators here.
:D

[windyhills]

I have a Nesco that I got at Ace Hardware and it does a good job. I paid about $40 for mine; and it didn't come with a fruit roll up tray. I got 2 fruit roll up trays off Ebay for $7, and $6 shipping. So far I have made fruit roll ups and want to try flax crackers next.

[livin]

Thanks Windyhills & Veganforlife.
I thought I had read something about Nesco here, but somehow the search I did before starting this thread didn't provide the info.

I really appreciate the feedback to help my purchase decision.

[juliebove]

It works fine for me, but... I purchased a lot of extra trays, mesh sheets and solid sheets. When I use it, I usually pile enough trays on it so it comes right up under my cupboards. That being said, I don't use it a lot.

[HereAndThere]

I have a Nesco and I think it's ok, but not fabulous. It's an older one and the trays are very hard to clean and the dehydrator dehydrates at 170 degrees. Much too high to be raw as I understand it. I used mine for quite a while until it started sparking every time I turned it off and on (I could see the spark down inside the motor). There's one from Open Country that I'd love to get that's 500 watts and with adjustable temperature (from 95* - 155*). Their 1000 watt model seems quite nice, too. On the site, they're pretty expensive, but if you watch the adverts from your local outdoor shops, you might be able to find one cheaper.

Sorry about the ramble, but when it comes to Nesco, I'd rather use my oven.

[EZ rider]

Walmart also sells a temperature adjustable Nesco: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10982697
I don't have a dehydrator but I book marked this one to consider if I ever decide to get one.

[HereAndThere]

Walmart also sells a temperature adjustable Nesco: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10982697
I don't have a dehydrator but I book marked this one to consider if I ever decide to get one.That one looks pretty nice, too. Even has nice reviews with it. I think I may have to re-think my position on Nesco products.

[anniecat]

Nesco/American Harvest makes pretty good dehydrators for the price, as long as you get one with a temp control. It usually only their cheapest model that doesn't temp control. I used their older style ones, with the heat & fan at the bottom for a couple years and they were a big improvement over the Mr Coffee dehydrator I had started with.

[Nymue]

I bought the square version of the Nesco, thinking that I would not have to work around the hole in the middle of the tray. I was wrong! Even the fruit leather tray that comes with the square version is round. It's basically the same as the round version but with corners. The problem I have with it is that the trays are stackable - this means that you cannot control how much space you have between one tray and the next. This is fine if you are only making very flat items such as crackers and fruit leather, etc. However, even my curly kale chips ended up hitting the tray above them.
I had also been looking forward to warming up my cold leftovers in the dehydrator, and there's just no way to do that in the Nesco, as there's just not enough room.

I had originally thought to use the Nesco for awhile, and to eventually get an Excalibur (maybe as a Christmas or birthday gift). But then it seemed that the $70 or so I'd spent on the Nesco would just be a waste. So I returned the Nesco and went for the 9 tray Excalibur. SUCH a world of difference! It dries much more quickly and evenly, and I LOVE that I can take some of the trays out to make room for larger items.

Probably not what you wanted to hear since you are not looking to invest in a professional dehydrator right now, but that's my 2 cents.

[Seedy]

I have a Nesco dehydrator. I use it to make raw granola from sprouted buckwheat, flax crackers, fruit rolls, corn chips, warm marinated mushrooms, etc. I've even made sprouted manna-style bread (although it was really thin). Works fine so long as what you put in isn't too thick.
Seedy

[HereAndThere]

Nesco/American Harvest makes pretty good dehydrators for the price, as long as you get one with a temp control. It usually only their cheapest model that doesn't temp control. I used their older style ones, with the heat & fan at the bottom for a couple years and they were a big improvement over the Mr Coffee dehydrator I had started with.That must be the one I have - an older style one. I went on their site to see what model number it was and it wasn't even listed.