Looking at dehydrators

[fixin]

I was thinking about buying one,but there's a big price range.I would use it to make jerky and probably some seasonings(peppers).I probable wouldn't use it a lot,but would hate to buy a peace of $rap.Any recommendations?

 

[ndemge]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/ <br /><br />I have the 5 drawer method, I love this thing.<br />You can set the thermostat to the temp you want and it's fan forced, and I got it for under $90 on ebay a few years back. <br /><br />I've tried the ones that only have a heating element on the bottom, you will usually mold meat before you dry it, jerky taking 2-3 days, that's dangrous.<br /><br />The excalibur one has jerky done fast, thin stuff in 2 hours, thick in 5-6. My wife has banana's on tehre today, they take 10 hours at 135. Jerky at the high setting of 165.<br /><br /><br />There's my $.02<br /><br />I wish I had the BIG one for when I do jerky, the 5 drawer will hold about 6 lbs of meat cut up. (a full gallon ziplock dried)

 

[fixin]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

It looks like some of them are controlled by some kind of vent on the top?<br />The excalibur looked like the way to go,but i don't know how much I would actually use the thing.Wally-world has one for $39.95<br /> Accessories Included <br /> <br /> Four trays, recipe book, fruit roll sheet, 2 jerky spice and cure packets <br /> <br /> Description <br /> <br /> Sleek, contemporary design features a top-mounted fan and 500 watts of drying power to generate maximum drying speed for dehydrating fruits, vegetables and jerky with no mixing of flavors<br />Patented Converga-Flow drying system eliminates tray rotation <br />Expandable to 12 trays <br />Adjustable thermostat lets different foods dry at the proper temperature <br />Thermostat range of 95° to 155° F has flexibility to produce the best drying results <br />Opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block light, which can destroy the nutrient content of food <br /><br /><br />is that a decent heat rang?

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

I have the wally world special. I do about 2.5 lb of jerky in one session. Mine has five trays. I season and cure the meat for 24 hours then use the dehydrator for about 5 to 6 hours depending on how humid out it is. I have tested some of the jerky outside of the fridge in room temp and it lasts for about 2 weeks before mold starts to show up. In the fridge I have had it last for 2 months. After making Jerky I see why it is so expensive. 2.5 lbs dries down to about one pound. I dont care though because my homemade is much better then any I have found in the store. I also make fruit roll ups with apples and lemon. I use tons of cinamon and rehydrate it into a syrup for ice cream and pancakes.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

The wallyworld ones work okay but over the years the plastic trays get very brittle. It is not a "durable" unit but you get what you pay for.<br /><br />The metal unit will last longer and thermostat contol is nice.<br /><br />What a dry subject!<br /><br />Bob

 

[ndemge]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

The excaliber is mostly plastic too. I really like the fan forced heat for drying. Does the walmart one have a fan?

 

[fixin]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

ndemge..<br /><br />The one at walmart has a top mounted fan<br /><br /><br />

 

[one more cast]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

Thats the one I have (Nesco) and it works great, has temp. control and does jerky in a hurry. I've recommended it to several people. I also made a tray liner out of alum. screen so I can dry chopped garlic for my pepper mill.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

OMC, Like the garlic idea. Hadn't thought of that and we have a dehydrator and LOVE garlic!<br /><br />Thanks for the idea!

 

[one more cast]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

snagerwaker, Its the best garlic power you will ever have. we store ours in zip lock bags and use it for cooking and grinding .don't put a lot in the pepper mill because if it gets humid out the garlic gets soft and plugs up the grinder. I found a flat top grinder at wally world (can't find any more though) and I keep it in the kitchen window up side down so any moisture can escape.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

I was going to dry some onions next week to make onion flakes. Will ahve to try the garlic too<br /><br /><br />OMC... My brother used to keep a coffee grinder in the kitchen for grinding up pepper instead of using a peppermil, wonder if that would work for your garlic poweder.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

Thats how my dad did his, he also dried hot red peppers and ground that. Not in a coffee grinder but in a blender or food chopper. I like the pepper mill myself. It works great in the fall, winter and spring just not when it gets hot and muggy. we have no air conditioning.

 

[fixin]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

I went to the local Wall-mart to get one,but just my luck they don't have any(had to explain what it was)I guess I'll try Bass Pro tomorrow for something similar.now I really want one.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

fixin, order direct from their site and have it shipped.<br /><br /> http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1120727

 

[neumanns]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

We used to do lots of dehydrating when I was a kid but havent in a few years. Just this week I was Eying dehydrators as I intend to do 30+lb of elk jerky. I opted for the jerky cannon and the oven method. I grind the meat in five pound batches ad mix and dry at 200 degrees for less than two hours, then it is on to the next batch. But since I have a family of my own comming on strong a Dehydrator is still on the must have list but is not necessary if your main objective is Jerky. Let me add two more reasons to get a dehydrator though, My personal favorites are Apple leather and dried sweetcorn...Yum better than candy, even to a kid.

 

[fixin]

Re: Looking at dehydrators

ndemge, I thought about that,but I'm a very inpatient person.I pay for something I want it now or it drives me crazy.