Best dehydrator I can get for less than $60?

[veggietales]

Hi :D
I will be getting a Vitamix blender this month (yay!) and want to have a hydrator here before it gets here. It would take months to save for one such as the excalibur which seems like most peoples' favorite, and I do not want to wait that long, and I also could not keep it on the counter...no room :(.

Therefore, I am looking to get the best I can afford. They have a Nesco at one of the big box stores near me that *does* have the adjustable thermostat. I have copied the quick stats and model # below.

I really would love opinions on dehydrators in my price range :) Also...I really want to be able to do CRISP crackers etc. Did I mention I want one that will make crispy things really crisp? LOL Will these less expensive models do that for me? LOL

Thank you for all the help! I am learning so much from this wonderful forum!

VeggieTales

Nesco Professional 700W 5-Tray Food Dehydrator, FD-75PR
•5 trays expand to 12
•Even drying; no rotating trays
•95-160 degrees adjustable thermostat

[k8sl8]

I had the nesco prior to my Excalibur. It is a decent product and it will do the job for you. Its main limitation is when you want to do a main dish and there isn't room between the trays. I did consider cutting out the bottom of a portion of tray and probably would have... The nesco is for sure better than nothing!!!!! And I did keep it as an extra and back-up.

[veggietales]

Thank you!

I am happy to hear it will be worth it :D

I wonder if I can get some plastic *dowels* and leave out the bottom tray and *prop* up the last tray with the dowel rods for support to add room for a taller container for warming? Not sure that made any sense at all! LOL

I plan to save for the Excalibur, but that will be next year... Just want to be sure I can get things crispy!
Thanks again!




I had the nesco prior to my Excalibur. It is a decent product and it will do the job for you. Its main limitation is when you want to do a main dish and there isn't room between the trays. I did consider cutting out the bottom of a portion of tray and probably would have... The nesco is for sure better than nothing!!!!! And I did keep it as an extra and back-up.

[tiggerbounce]

I used to have an american harvest with the round trays. They actually sold trays that the bottom came off of so that you could expand the space between trays as much as you needed to. You might check to see if that is available with the Nesco as well.

What is nice about the excalibur type dehydrators is that the trays are not round and it is just easier to work with that way. And you can slide each tray in and out separately, also nice.

Have fun with your new toy! :)

[qwerty988]

Nesco also makes a square one.

The Good4U and Weston/VeggieKiln dehydrators are almost half the price of the Excalibur, btw, and from what I hear they're just as good. I believe Alissa stopped selling the Excalibur in favor of the Good4U. I got a 10-tray Weston (under brand name Prago) on the QVC site for $120.

[Traceyraw]

Isee them sometimes on craigslist.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Unless the dehydrator has a temperature control, it is best that you don't buy it. Typical dehydrator are set about 125 F, set point and more. Save your money and just buy your crackers on line or at your health food store for now. In no time, you will have the amount you need for a good dehydrator. Good idea to look for a second hand one.

All the best

[k8sl8]

Unless the dehydrator has a temperature control, it is best that you don't buy it. Typical dehydrator are set about 125 F, set point and more. Save your money and just buy your crackers on line or at your health food store for now. In no time, you will have the amount you need for a good dehydrator. Good idea to look for a second hand one.

All the best

Her original post said this one has a thermostat. I second the square one - that's what I had, just didn't think to mention that as the round is the 'same only different'.

[Raw Angel Mom]

I had a round one that my friend gave to me. This one didn't have a thermostat and when i measure the temperature with a digital thermometer that has many memory, the average was 135F. If the one she has, do have a thermistor, then of course she cans use it and it will be good enough, until she cans afford a 9 trays excalibur or equivalent.

[hippie]

I purchased a round dehydrator from evil-mart for about $40. IT.WAS.CRAP.

What I found out from a phone call to the company is that the temp is 1 not controlled, and 2 ranges from 140 degrees to 185 degrees. They have no way to tell you the accuracy.

I returned that iish.

I then purchased the square american harvest temp controlled dehydrator. Works like a charm! I bought it off of amazon, got free shipping and paid a total of $60.

BTW: I can work the hell out of a budget (full time college student and single mom) and I set up my raw kitchen for under $125. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

[michigan roman]

checked out the square american at amazon and gets rave reveiws , plus can add trays til it gets 8 trays tall at 7 per tray : http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-American-FD-80-Square-Shaped-Dehydrator/dp/B00179DCCQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328845934&sr=8-1

[Papa2X]

checked out the square american at amazon and gets rave reveiws , plus can add trays til it gets 8 trays tall at 7 per tray : http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-American-FD-80-Square-Shaped-Dehydrator/dp/B00179DCCQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328845934&sr=8-1

I bought this last night... not sure how I will use it yet. It should be here by Wednesday.

[qwerty988]

I bought this last night... not sure how I will use it yet. It should be here by Wednesday.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :excited:

I highly recommend trying some kale chips.... very easy and SERIOUSLY DELISH!

[Papa2X]

LOL, I just got congratulated for buying a dehydrator.... in a million years I would not have guessed that prior to finding this site. :)

[qwerty988]

LOL, I just got congratulated for buying a dehydrator.... in a million years I would not have guessed that prior to finding this site. :)

Hahahahhahaaa -- I know, right?! :LOL:

[michigan roman]

PAPA2X its so cool here like that because its been women ran / owned site from the get go , always the coolest people

plus most vegans women so always more civil enviroment

heres a good kale chip page for new dehydrator , besides kale chips the next fave is onion / flax seed bread / crackers . ive seen 100's love both , way beyond any other recipes . link :

http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2010/03/nutritional-yeast-nooch-info-10-recipes.html

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