Dehydrators - Recommendations?

[Que]

I'm new to the Raw Health world and was wondering what people think about their dehydrators. I'm hoping to get a good opinion on what's out there before I commit to one. I'd love to know what everyone thinks... Also on a quick other note, what is the word on drinking herbal and greens teas? Yay or nay?

[rawpriestess]

Okay, I drink herb tea, but I only warm to finger warm, not above 115 degrees, or they aren't raw, I don't drink green tea because it has caffeine, however I know other who do like the hot teas, hot and their green tea, but technically it isn't raw.

I have 3 Excalibur dehydrators, all a little different all for different purposes.

I have one 9 tray with a temp control and no timer, I love it, I've had it 5 years, and it works great, but I needed a couple more as It goes about 24/7, so
my hubby bought me another 9 tray with a temp control and a timer, so he can do his herbs and stuff like that, he likes to be able to know it will shut off after a day or so.

then we also have an Excalibur 4 tray, so we can take it with use when we travel and we can have warmed foods. so each one has a specific use, and we love them all, couldn't give us a differnt kind.

But that is just us, others have different ones, and seem to be happy with them.

[Revvell]

For me, the Excalibur 9-tray.

As far as teas go, not knowing how the teas have been treated/dried, I don't know if they are raw or not. Certainly not if one uses boiling water to steep them. IF you wish to drink herbal teas, you might consider steeping in sunlight (if you have some). I also don't do green tea because of the caffeine.

If you wish, there is a search feature here (banana) where you can type in "green tea" and/or "caffeine" and possibly view many discussions on this topic.

Welcome to the forum!

R.

[Arky]

Comparison here:

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


J.

[Que]

Thanks for the input. I know exactly what I am looking for now. I'm so glad to have people with such experience to ask these questions to. I've never been a part of such a community before. This is quite exciting for me. Thank you.

[Jo-anne]

Que, I've also got the Excalibur 9 tray and love it! I'm looking at getting another one later down the track as mine is usually going 24/7 making cookies and crackers, we eat them faster than they cook or should I say uncook ;)

[misslinda]

Sadly, the snackmaster I have dehydrates at one set temperature which is not "raw" by all means BUT, i just noticed that Alissa's store has the the Excalibur 9 tray for $199.00 as oopose to the retail of nearly $300.00. I really like the tray idea---I bet it's alot more clean,organized and simple than those round ones.

[mellyc37]

I am new to this, I recently bought the American Harvest. Until I determine how much I am going to use it I do not want to invest in a more expensive one. Its not the one in the picture from the link. The link shows the motor and air circulating from the bottom, my has the motor on the top so I do not have the problems mentioned.

For the money, (less than $40) I am enjoying it, the apples never seem to make it out of the dehydrator. I am a little nervous about how good the temp control is so I tend to keep things really low and just let them take longer to dry.

[Sheryl]

We started with the 4 tray Excalibur - and upgraded to the 9 tray within months... it's so much better to make large batches every once in a while instead of having to make stuff every day! Love my Excalibur 9 tray!

Sheryl

[Ariannah]

I'm satisfied with my Excalibur 9-tray. It suits the transitioning needs for our family. (4 children full-time, husband), and I am able to make some nifty things with it.

[fiddler]

Here's a few thread from this forum that may be helpful -->
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4469&highlight=Dehydrator
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6930&highlight=Dehydrator
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7388&highlight=Dehydrator
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7132&highlight=Dehydrator
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7047&highlight=Dehydrator
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=586&highlight=Dehydrator

The majority of RAW fooders go with the Excalibur 9-tray and for good reason. The machine is lightweight, has lots of surface area, is easy to slide trays in and out during operation and has been a quality appliance for many years.

Good luck with your choice. I'd recommend the Excalibur 9-tray.
fiddler