American Harvest Snackmaster

[Rawkinlocs]

Fightyorke,

I have made the pizzas like three times and I always just spread the dough on the sheets as normal. I just end up with a big pizza with a hole in the center! But I dehydrate it, put the toppings on, dehydrate a little longer and then slice it in somewhat rectangular slices. Just like if you were making fruit leather or crackers, you'd just spread the mixture around the sheet as it's shaped...same with the pizza dough.

Now, I do plan to get an Exacalibur in the near future, but this got me started, was good practice to getting the hang of dehydrating, etc.; but the main drawback is the fact that if I wanted/needed to do something that requires more room height-wise (like making a loaf or putting a pan in there) I can't do that whereas with the Ex. you can remove trays to have that room like an oven almost.

That's something to think about. But to get started, I'd get the American Harvest (unless you can afford to spring for the Ex. NOW) because you can always either use both or sell the Am. Harvest on eBay or something.

I plan to either give mine to my mom when I get my new one or pass it on to my kids so they can have their own little dehydrator to make their fruit leathers and other things they like...OR...I could just make use of both of them since I plan on doing raw food prep later and will need to make food for other people. sorry for rambling!

[greengirl]

I have an American Harvest dehydrator, too, and I just discovered that you can order a "convert-a-tray accessory pack" (only $14.95) that will expand the dehydrators height capacity! The website is www.nesco.com

You can also buy additional "flexible screens" ($6.95 for 2) and "fruit roll sheets" ($8.95 for 2).

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks greengirl. Yeah I've seen those on their site before, but I will still get the Excalibur someday just cause I really want one! ;)

[greengirl]

I want an Excalibur too! Someday I'll have the funds... :)

[Curtis]

lol okay where can you get an Excalibur for $100? :)

[glad_2beme]

I found a 4 tray one at $109

http://www.everythingkitchens.com/fooddehydrators.html

[Melissa]

For those who have one, is your Excalibur noisy? Mine is, though perhaps other dehydrators are noisier...I have nothing to compare it too. There is a loud sound of air blowing. It doesn't bother me so much (maybe because it's mine and makes my food) but my partner remarks negatively when it's on -- "It's so LOUD"...or, when I turn it off, she'll sigh as if saying "Finally, it's quiet" She's otherwise very supportive of my raw lifestyle but just finds that the constant whooshing sound changes the peaceful mood. Wish I could put it somewhere else in the house but I really need it in the kitchen. Just thought I'd ask because maybe I got a "lemon" and everyone else's Excal. is quiet.

[qetta]

I wouldn't call my Excalibur (5-tray) quiet by any means, but it doesn't disturb us either. My husband actually likes it when it's on. He calls it the cracker-making white noise machine.

[Curtis]

Quetta is the 5 tray large enough for one person?

[Olive]

My excalibur isn't too noisy, though you can sort of hear it from the next room. I actually find the noise soothing, lol!

[qetta]

Quetta is the 5 tray large enough for one person?

It's definitely large enough for just me. Plus - it's physical size is larger than I expected it to be. I imagine the 9-tray is huge-o. I wouldn't have had room for anything bigger than the 5-tray in my kitchen.

[qetta]

My excalibur isn't too noisy, though you can sort of hear it from the next room. I actually find the noise soothing, lol!

I enjoy the "noise" of it too!

[Melissa]

Hi again...I don't mind the "white noise machine" (!) either. My partner is a little stressed at the moment and wants more tranquility and less noise in general...and along comes my (yes, it is) BIG, whooshing appliance. Oh well. :o I NEED those crackers right now, you know what I'm saying? Sigh.

[qetta]

Maybe try telling your partner that the dehydrator noise is actually the sound of your health becoming better? Or put one of those electric water fountains on top of it to bring some tranquility to it... (Sorry - I'm feeling snotty this morning :p )

[greengirl]

Few things in life are as comforting to me as the sound of my dehydrator hard at work! ;)

[SimplyRawesome]

Melissa,

Tell your partner that one of the benefits of a raw food lifestyle is peace and patience! LOL. Just kidding! ;)


Hi again...I don't mind the "white noise machine" (!) either. My partner is a little stressed at the moment and wants more tranquility and less noise in general...and along comes my (yes, it is) BIG, whooshing appliance. Oh well. :o I NEED those crackers right now, you know what I'm saying? Sigh.

[Melissa]

Good suggestions all. The dehydrator is unfortunately the tip of an iceberg right now (14 yrs has to include some bumpy patches I guess) but I will pass on these points to her.

[corky]

I just received my excalibur here in Canada--i ordered the new model with a timer and although i ordered white, i got black--oh well. I was surprised by the noise and wish i had it when i had my babies!! Think it would have lulled them off to la la land!! Anyway, it is the 5 tray and so far i made Allissa's choc. chip cookies and lemon poppy seed ones. Prefer the choc. chip as i put too many poppy seeds and lemon in the other ones--will modify. I did put it in our laundry room on the dryer which is close to my kitchen and i can shut the door--perhaps you have a place you can put it nearby and shut the door??