Should I get a new dehydrator?

[mtrose]

I've been on the raw foods diet for 2 months, but I am getting frustrated. Partly because I haven't had any successes with dehydrating. The crackers, etc. don't seem to turn out. I've tried three different recipes.

I have an old dehydrator. The kind that is round with a hole in the middle. It says it's 1000 watts, but I am wondering if I would have better success with an Excalibur. I'm more than willing to buy one if I thought it would make a difference in the crackers, breads, etc.

I'm on the fence on this one. Any thoughts and suggestions? Would there be a big difference between the round kind and the Excalibur?

Thanks. I don't want to fall off the diet as I am seeing some good results, but I'm tired of eating the same things over and over because of so many recipe failures.

[snoops]

I wouldn't think there is much difference in how the dehydrators work. Possibly just convenience of the square trays etc in the Excalibur. I have an Excalibur and I find I am not dehydrating much because I have found most of the cracker recipes not very good. If you are looking for a cracker substitute I don't think you will find it. I make kale chips and occasionally corn chips and that's about it these days. I'm sure your round one would be fine for those.

I wouldn't spend the money for the Excalibur unless you are sure you will like what you are making.

[pnj]

What exactly is the problem with the foods you are trying to make?

[DebB]

I went from an old round dehydrator (Ronco brand) to an Excalibur and there is NO, repeat, "NO" comparison - lol!!

The Excalibur dehydrates circles around the old one (no pun intended). Really - there's no comparison.

I tell ya - you might want to Google Krazy Kracker Lady - I'm looking at her eBooks and will probably end up getting them. Her crackers and chips have CRUNCH and look delicious...

If you're wanting to dehydrate - go ahead and get an Excalibur. You won't be sorry. I'd recommend the 9 tray. Mine's got a timer and I'm glad it does, I use the timer all the time. *Ü*

[levamssg]

Try this flax cracker recipe and see how it goes
measure 2 cups of flax seed into a large bowl, I mix light and dark, but it doesn't matter

In a vitamix, measure 3 to 3-1/4 cups water. Throw in a large hunk of onion, (i use about 1/2 a large onion), 3Tbl nama shoyu, Some garlic cloves (I use 3 large ones) and some jalapeno pepper ... I use a whole one, but you might want to start with just a small piece.

Blend this concoction until everything is liquified. Pour into bowl with flax seed and stir well. Let set all day or overnight.

Then stir it up really really really really well, so it is completely uniform. Drop by large spoonfuls onto teflex sheets. I have an excalibur, and do 9 per tray. This recipe yields about 45 crackers. When you drop them on the tray, leave space between them. Don't attempt to spread them out, just space them out. They will spread out on their own.

Dehydrate overnight or all day, then flip trays and remove teflex sheets. Continue to dehydrate until crispy (another day or overnight). These are really tasty. They are thin and crunchy. You control the spicyness by how much jalapeno pepper you put in.

Note: Since I only have had an excalibur dehydrator, I can't make a comparison between it and another brand. But I do know that the excalibur works wonderfully. I have the 9-tray.

[pnj]

if the issue is flavor, I don't see any reason to purchase a new one. If the issue is something else, such as uneven drying etc. then a new one might be in order.

[mtrose]

You all said the right things to help me make my decision.

I miss having sandwiches so I really want to dehydrate breads and crackers but they seem to come out gummy no matter how long I dehydrate them.

I'm so excited about the raw food way of eating. I've been vegan for over 25 years, but continued to have migraines. Since doing raw foods (75%) for two months the migraines have been fewer and further between! Amazing!

Thank you so much for your help everyone!

[mtrose]

Do any of you have the White Excalibur? Any down side to buying that instead of the black?

Thanks

[DebB]

My 9 tray is all black, however I have a small 4 tray (just got it at Goodwill for $10!) and it's white with a black door.

I'm a "white" person, but I'm glad my big one is all black... I prefer that. Maybe because it's completely black and not 2 toned? *Ü*

[mtrose]

I like the white one, but I wonder if it will turn yellow over time, but a big black one sitting in my light colored kitchen might be too much.

Your comment about two-tone set me to thinking though....guess I could always make a cover for it to use when it wasn't in use.

Did your little white discolor?

Thank you!

[DebB]

Hi ~ I don't know if it's discolored because I just bought it a couple weeks ago, used. And I can't take a look at it as I loaned it to my friend yesterday.

Are they still 2 toned? That's a neat idea about making a cover for it if it doesn't blend in! *Ü*

[mtrose]

Terry,

Thank you for the recipe...I'll try it before buying the Excalibur just to see how it works out in my old dehydrator.

[revdrcyn]

I bought my Excalibur on eBay (from Excalibur - seller name = excaliburdehydrator):

http://shop.ebay.com/excaliburdehydrator/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340


They offer "cosmetically blemished" dehydrators at a discounted price. I have looked at mine inside-out and upside-down and honestly, I cannot see any so-called blemishes.

I bought the 5-tray and now wish I had gone for the 9-tray.

Also, the timer is a plus - could not live without that!

Go for it!!!

[sidrah]

10 bucks is a great price! I had one of those black round ones years ago and have absolutely no clue where it is now. Must have dumped it when we moved. I remember making banana chips and chunks of pineapple with lemon so it didn't turn brown....I rememebr using it for a week and never again have a memory of touching it.

Now, I wish I had it. If for nothing else, I plan to make thigns to take if I eat out on the road this summer, so I could have a "hamburger" patty or something added to the salad I can get.

I need no glasses for my hindsight! :eek:

[Basenjimamma]

I have the 9 tray white one and I love it..the big black square blob in my kitchen didn't strike my fancy too much, so the white although with black door looks better I think. Either way it will work great and make you tons of good food.

[mtrose]

Great! 9-tray, white with timer it is. Hate to spend the money but I'm committed to eating this way and will do whatever it takes to keep me interested and motivated.

I think the better air flow system on Excalibur will help with more successes in dehydrating. Everything in my old one always came out gummy no matter how long I dehydrated the crackers, etc. Can't wait to try some Alissa's recipes again.

Thanks for all your input. It really helped me!

[DebB]

Congratulations on your new purchase!! You're going to be so surprised at what a better job it does - and - so much faster! At least that what I found vs. my old round Ronco (no fan).

What's the first thing you're going to make? *Ü*

[mtrose]

Thanks DebB.

I won't get it until next week, but here's what I am going to try first:

Alissa's pizza bread (I tried it before, loved the flavor, turned out gummy in my old dehydrator though).

As you suggested, I got the Krazy Kracker Lady's two books on crackers and cookies, so that should be fun. Won't even bother trying it until I get the new Excalibur, but the recipes sound so yummy.

Just so many recipes in Allissa's book...still my fav raw foods book and I don't know that I would have gotten this far without it!

I was starting to fall off the raw food diet so this will help me return to it because I know it's the right thing for me.

Thanks again for your encouragement. It makes it so much more exciting to have people cheering you on!!

[DebB]

Wow! You got Krazy Kracker Lady's ebooks! Ooooh - shiny! lol

Were you able to watch any YouTube videos with her showing her crackers and chips? *crunch* Good for you jumping right in and getting those eBooks. I hope to do the same real soon!

I've never tried Alissa's pizza bread, but now I want to! *Ü*

[mtrose]

Yes, I watched the videos which sold me on buying the ebooks. Alissa has a lot of delicious cracker recipes too, so I will be making lots and lots of crackers!

I'm not a dessert addict, but some cookies would be nice. What fun!! Can't wait to get the new dehydrator!

[snoops]

I just bought the Crazy Cracker Ladies ebooks. I really want to be able to make good crackers. It is the one thing I really miss. Thanks for this thread. It has renewed my quest for a good cracker and will have my D running again!!

[mtrose]

I talked to customer service at Excalibur about the white color and she said that just be sure to keep it away from direct sunlight and it shouldn't discolor.

[snoops]

The barbeque chips are in. Recipe was supposed to make 4-5 trays and 100-200 crackers. Mine only made 3 trays and 75 so I think they will have to dehydrate longer than the 24 ish hours. But that's OK. The batter tasted really good. I have hope again that I can find a good cracker/chip substitute!!

[DebB]

The barbeque chips are in. Recipe was supposed to make 4-5 trays and 100-200 crackers. Mine only made 3 trays and 75 so I think they will have to dehydrate longer than the 24 ish hours. But that's OK. The batter tasted really good. I have hope again that I can find a good cracker/chip substitute!!

Oooh - yer killin' me! lol I'm just kidding. Thanks for posting about one of the recipes. Be sure and let us know how they are! That's encouraging that the batter was so good! *Ü*