What is the Excalibur Dehydrator like?

[Melindaxl]

Does it dehydrate bananas good for banana chips? I know most fruit turns out good, the only problems I've had with is dehydrating bananas. So I'm asking any of you that has this dehydrator if it dehydrates bananas good? If not do any of you know a dehydrator good for dehydrating bananas for banana chips? Please Help me if you can! Thanks in advance!
Melindaxl

[rawpriestess]

YES, and NO, if you are trying to make the white, hard crispy banana chips you find in the store, it will work great, but those chips aren't raw.

You see they use sulfites to make them white, and they use artificial sugars to make them crispy, plus they dehydrate them at around 160 degrees or so.

Bananas will crispy up, but if you do them raw, they will be dark brownish colored, and take several days to crisp up at 115 degrees.

So, the Excalibur will do the job, but it won't be the same as the cooked ones you buy in the health food stores, that are white and crispy.

You can choose to soak them in lemon juice, to make them white, but it changes the sweet banana flavor to tart.

[Melindaxl]

Thanks Rawpriestess, for your reply. Your the first one that answered me. The other day I did a reply like this and for some reason no one replyed to it! I understand banana chips aren't as good, but I also think there better then other cooked foods. Like bread, crackers, potato chips, etc. I think I'm going to wean myself off of them and just eat bananas with almond milk. I'll only have banana chips on holidays or events as a reward so it won't be depressed looking at my family and friends eating the cake, icecream, pies and cookies. I'll have my treat as well!!
I'm still not changing my mind about finding a good dehydrator though. They sure can make some good treats during the holidays. Plus I've always wanted to try the flaxseed cracker recipe!! Another thing is I want to get some good advice on what dehydrators are the best to buy and I know this site would know that!! Well thanks for your reply. Have a great day!
Melindaxl

[Arky]

I have never used a dehydrator but nevertheless, I have read many times that the temperature control of the excalibur is not accurate, so take care and check your temperature isn't excessive.

Also see here:

http://www.gogreen.org/compare.html


J.

[Revvell]

I have never used a dehydrator but nevertheless, I have read many times that the temperature control of the excalibur is not accurate, so take care and check your temperature isn't excessive.

Also see here:

http://www.gogreen.org/compare.html


J.

The temperature control as been fixed. That information is quite old.

R.

[sweetgoddess]

Melindaxl, I personally would get the Excalibur. I used a different kind and was always wishing I had the Excalibur.

I hear you on the banana chips. I love the storebought crunchy ones. I have tried many times making raw dehydrated banana chips and just could not like them. What I like now instead is Alissa's banana flax cracker recipe. To me, they substitute very well.

Best wishes on your raw journey!
Carmel

PS try spreading a banana with almond butter. YUM! :)

[rawpriestess]

I have 3 Excalibur dehydrators, my oldest one is 5 years old, and they all are exactly dead on in their temperatures. I have calibrated them with a thermometer.

The information about the Excaliburs being unreliable in temperature is many years old. so, don't let that deter you from buying the best.

I love my Excaliber and the one that I have from 5 years ago, is a 9 tray with temp but no timer, It goes 24/7 and I love it,

Because we love it so much, my hubby bought a new one, just a month or so ago, 9 tray with temp and timer, so he can dehydrater our herbs without taking all the room up in mine for foods, and crackers, then we also bought a baby 4 tray one, which is soooooooooo cute, with temp and no timer, so we can take it with us on trips, so we can have warm foods.

We love ours.

[Arky]

The temperature control as been fixed. That information is quite old.

R.

Fair enough :) Glad to hear the issue has been resolved, even though, personally, I choose not to dehydrate any of my food.


J.

[Melindaxl]

Thanks everyone for the info, I think when I get the money I'm going to order the 9 tray. It sounds good.
Sweetgoddess Thanks about the banana flax cracker recipe, can you send me the recipe. I would love to have it!
See another reason I like banana chips is because they taste like real potatoe chips to me. I get the organic kind that aren't sweetened! So they taste like potatoe chips without all that salt, but they still taste salty to me because they don't taste sweet like regular bananas. That's kind of good for me because it helps me get used to cutting my salt down, to where someday I hope I can go without salt completly!! I've noticed salt puts weight on me more then anything and makes fruits taste alot more sweeter too. So I think if I can get off the salt or inleast cut it down alot I can enjoy my fruits alot more again!
See I just got off a raw diet that only perferred lots of greens, nonstarchy vegetables and lots of good fats like nuts, seeds, avocados and cold pressed oils like olive oil, coconut oil and flax seed oil. The only fruits they perferred was grape fruits, lemons and limes. So I think that might be what did a change on my taste buds. Then I was using alot of salt too because I wasn't ready to eat my good fats and vegetables without salt. It put alot of weight on me plus gave me digestion problems, so I decided that wasn't for me. Fruits help me keep clean and help me lean away from salts. So I know I can't do without my fruit, plus nothing makes me more happier then fruit. Sorry so long. Everyone thanks again and have a great day!!
Melindaxl

[TimmyC]

I just ordered my 9-Tray Excalibur #3926T (http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/store1.htm) this morning. I can't wait to get it and start experimenting with it. I love all of the discussion going on around here regarding dehydrators. The experiences I've read about should help me greatly! I'll let you know how it goes.

Tim

[Maverick]

I just ordered my 9-Tray Excalibur #3926T (http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/store1.htm) this morning. I can't wait to get it and start experimenting with it. I love all of the discussion going on around here regarding dehydrators. The experiences I've read about should help me greatly! I'll let you know how it goes.

Tim


Tim, congrats on the new purchase. You will love it!!! :cool: I have had mine for a while, and I just started using it. Glad to see you got the 9-tray. Once you have it, you will be glad you did, because it does not take long to fill the 9 trays up. :)

[TimmyC]

Maverick,

Glad to hear that you like yours. I can't wait to use it that's for sure. Thanks I feel better about the purchase already!

Tim

[Sicilian Girl]

Tim,
I absolutely LOVE my 5 tray! It has been the best investment for me so far. You have to try the veggie nuggets when you get yours! They are divine.
:)

[TimmyC]

Ok veggie nuggets it is!


Thanks SG,

Tim

[berrienoire]

The Excalibur is FAB. I have the 9-tray, and it does get full pretty quick. I love making banana chips, makes the whole house smell divine. They never last long though...hubby munches on them as soon as they come out. I'll have to fill up all the trays the next time I make a batch just to make sure I get my share!



Since we are on dehydrating...

Just last week, I used mine for the first time to warm up food. I don't know what temp should be used for warming up foods in general. Anybody know?? I warmed up some pear sauce on 115 or so, and it took a while. Seemed like 40 min to warm up a lil ramekin of room temp pear sauce.

and...

Is it "okay" to start dehydrating at a higher temp (like 145) for the first hour or two (depending on the liquid content of the food item) and THEN turn the temp down to 118 or less? I have read different info. Some say to keep "bad bacteria" in very moist/wet food items at bay, start out higher; and then when there is less liquid, continue at a lower temp until complete.

I’ve been dehydrating at 115 in general. I thought ALL dehydrating should take place at 118 or lower. :confused:

[RawTruth]

There has been discussion here before about starting the dehydrator higher then lowering the temperature. I believe Gabriel Cousens discusses that in one of his books. You could probably find a previous thread with details.

However, I personally don't do that; I keep the temperature to around 100 degrees or lower. As to your concern, what foods in particular are you concerned with. What is so wet that it would grow bad bacteria in the time it takes to dehydrate?

[berrienoire]

There has been discussion here before about starting the dehydrator higher then lowering the temperature. I believe Gabriel Cousens discusses that in one of his books. You could probably find a previous thread with details.

However, I personally don't do that; I keep the temperature to around 100 degrees or lower. As to your concern, what foods in particular are you concerned with. What is so wet that it would grow bad bacteria in the time it takes to dehydrate?

Ah, then. :) I will do a search.

I don't have any particular foods of concern in mind, though I did "wonder" about things after coming across the info. I lost track of exactly where I saw the info on the net (it's been so long now), but I happened to remember about it when I read this thread. That's what I get for clickity-clicking web links without bookmarking! :o :D


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EDIT:

I found the thread on here where dehydrating temps were mentioned. Mystery solved! :cool: