Excalibur Dehydrator - I think I'm gonna do it...

[Mikey_H]

First off I apologize if this is repetitive, I know there are probably several dehydrator threads out there... but I think you guys can help me feel secure with a purchase if it's the right thing to do.

From research I've done it seems like Excalibur is a pretty decent way to go, it seems relatively high quality and not TOO bad for cost.

http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/Dehydrators-37-cat.htm

I'm struggling between the 5-tray w/ timer or the 9-tray w/out timer... I wanna get a decent model without spending too much money.

For those of you with dehydrator experience or who know about the Excalibur, how has it been for you? I expect to use it relatively often, especially for this upcoming holiday season. Especially for sprouted seeds/grains, gourmet dishes, veggies, fruits, the usual etc etc.

Any feedback would be great! Thanks!

[seria]

if u look at the recipes they require sometimes 6-8 hours dehydrating therefore i think timer is essential so ur not tied to the machine we bought a 9tray from the fresh network with timer and sheets they offer money off my husband likes to use shopboots and fresh network was the cheapest 9 tray with timer excalibur
good luck

[rawrawks]

I love my nine tray dehy..I would never use a timer on it if I had one. Best to you!! Good choice!!! You wont be sorry.

[Veganforlife]

9-tray w/timer - definitely. I'm only 1 person and so glad I did for cobblers, lasagna and "deeper" dishes. timer is a must too...I think...

[anniez]

9-tray! I don't have a timer and don't miss it.

annie

[rawrawks]

I dont even know what I would use a timer for. I take the recipes out when I like the texture/taste or whatever. And sometimes I shut it off while I vaccuum so no dust gets in it. Then turn it on a little later. I dont know what a timer would do for me the way I use my dehy....hmmmm

[Veganforlife]

I like to set it and go...but each of us un-cooks to their own blender beat...;)

[DebB]

I dehydrate mostly for myself and I love my 9 tray with timer. I use and enjoy the timer function as I have things shutting off after I go to bed or while I'm gone during the day. But with or without the timer - I'd recommed the 9 tray!

I ordered mine directly from Excalibur and haven't been sorry! *Ü*

[SevenKindsOfCookie]

There is always the option to get a separate timer. They are quite cheap.

http://www.hydro-gardens.com/images/Timers1.gif

[Mikey_H]

So I did it, and went all out for the 9-tray with timer today, straight from the site.

Why not, I know I'll use it a LOT and hey, it's almost the holiday season so I got a lot of people to please.

Thanks everyone, can't wait till it gets here!

[anniez]

So I did it, and went all out for the 9-tray with timer today, straight from the site.

Why not, I know I'll use it a LOT and hey, it's almost the holiday season so I got a lot of people to please.

Thanks everyone, can't wait till it gets here!

You won't be sorry. You will be amazed at what you can do with it. Do you have Alissa's book? She has great things in there - breads, crackers, cookies....... and all delish!

Annie

[Veganforlife]

Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rawrawks]

yipeeeeee as Bette hears hers running in the background...or is it foreground...hahaha Well its a running away!! Ut oh gotta go catch it. bye bye

[DebB]

You're going to enjoy it so much - and I think you'll be so glad you went for the 9 tray. Mine's going right now with the Famous Onion Bread - our whole home smells WONderFUL! *Ü*

[Green_Woman]

You are going to LOVE your Excalibur. It is my second most-used kitchen appliance, right after my Vitamix.

I didn't USED to use it at all... but now I make crackers almost every day! And I use it to heat my "pasta" dishes and glaze my cheezy foods... it's just the best little thing ever, and I LOVE it!

[anniez]

I use mine almost every day, too. Just did a batch of Cheezy Kale Chips - used a couple of Alissa's cheeses and massaged them into the kale and then dehydrated. Oh, yum! And so easy!

Annie

[Beth]

So I did it, and went all out for the 9-tray with timer today, straight from the site.

Why not, I know I'll use it a LOT and hey, it's almost the holiday season so I got a lot of people to please.

Thanks everyone, can't wait till it gets here!

Enjoy!!! You've got me thinking about it now...:)

[Mikey_H]

This dehydrator has been one of the best investments ever and I've only had it a week!

I've been going through round after round of differently seasoned sprouted seeds and sprouted seed/veggie flat breads... I got 3 different kinds in there right now for tomorrow.


I'm trying to find RELIABLE information on exact or estimated temperatures for keeping food completely raw.
I've kept my dehydrator at about 104/105 degrees as some sources say raw food is maintained at around 105 yet some other sources say more around 115 or 118 degrees.
I know fruit/veggies/seeds, etc probably have different denaturing temperature levels but if anybody has a source or pretty good experience with raw dehydrating it would be awesome.
Until then I'll keep it safe at 104...

[RawKnitster]

Good for you! :) It is a great investment and a great tool for making delicious foods to help stay on the raw path.

There is an article from Excaliber that is posted on a recent thread. It is about raw and dehydrating temps. It states that the temp gauge is for the temp of the food, that the air temp will flucuate up to 20 degrees higher. I have to wonder if the raw recipes I've seen published by other raw authors that say to turn the temp up to 125-145 for the first few hours are aware of this. Not all dehydrators are equal and other companies certainly don't have the understanding about raw that Excalibur does.

If I remember correctly, the same article explains how testing done on dehydrated foods has found that the enzymes are destroyed when the foods are exposed to high temps while still wet. After foods are dry the enzymes can live through much higher temps.

I thought it was interesting. Sorry I can't locate the article to link it here. Maybe someone else can remember what thread the link was on.

Happy Dehydrating!!! :)

[Xanadu]

We love our Excalibur, got it right over the burners on my electric stove, fits perfect. I am always sticking something in it if it's only some fruit or tomatoes that are getting overipe or some basil I can't use fast enuf or some soaked nuts I want to get crunchy again or warm a raw dish. Just mixed up some raw crackers and put in there last night. I just wouldn't be without it although just like you I needed some encouragment to go for it at first! I got the 9 tray (and it's just my husband and I now) without a timer which wasn't available when I ordered mine and I don't see any use for the timer anyway.

[apb1172]

This dehydrator has been one of the best investments ever and I've only had it a week!

I've been going through round after round of differently seasoned sprouted seeds and sprouted seed/veggie flat breads... I got 3 different kinds in there right now for tomorrow.


I'm trying to find RELIABLE information on exact or estimated temperatures for keeping food completely raw.
I've kept my dehydrator at about 104/105 degrees as some sources say raw food is maintained at around 105 yet some other sources say more around 115 or 118 degrees.
I know fruit/veggies/seeds, etc probably have different denaturing temperature levels but if anybody has a source or pretty good experience with raw dehydrating it would be awesome.
Until then I'll keep it safe at 104...

Glad to hear that you are enjoying your dehydrator. Quick question for ya because I am considering the 9 tray myself, did the paraflex sheets come with the unit or are they separate?