Hey gents, I'm looking for a new dehydrator for the wife. We grow a lot of herbs, fruits, & vegetables that we dry annually. The little Ronco just isn't cutting it anymore, and the wife has resorted to drying 4 racks of herbs in the oven 3-4 days a week for the last 6-8 weeks. I was thinking about an Excalibur, but wanted to get some input on what ya'll have and used.

Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator

I have owned a couple of those round trayed deydrators....one I think actually was a Ronco. The other.....I can't remember, but it was a bit larger. I now have the Excaliber. It is fantastic. I am not into fruit leathers and whatnot, but I usually do a lot of mushrooms and herbs. and vegetables. It is a handy outfit.

Excalibur, Has been up to anything I have asked it to do.

If you need fine mesh tray liners, Look at hobby Lobby or other Craft stores for Plastic Needle Point Mesh.

Much more affordable.

Air friers can be used as a dehydrator…at least you could have a dual purpose unit then.

Mine has that option. But, my air fryer pulls so much electric it dims the lights when I turn it on, lol. Not sure dehydrating in it would be cost effective.

We have a Nesco Food & Jerky dehydrator, been working good for us

excalibur.

My first was a Nesco and it's still going. Never had a chance to try another brand yet.

I have 2 of those Nescos and they work great even though mine came from the thrift store, also ha e a Ronce and it works at peak I often have all 3 going at the same time, would be nice to have one large one instead but what I have works

For the last few years I've been using a cuisinart but also looking for another one. Was looking at the cabelas ones this past weekend

Excaliber that is 5-6 years old. Goes +/- continuously for nearly two months every fall with fruit, veggies, herbs and jerky. So far, very happy with it.

Jack

Nesco here also. I only make deer jerky

I like to dry apples but my grandson highjacked my dehydrator.

I have two Nescos. I keep hoping they die so I can justify buying an Excalibur but they just keep ticking, lol.

10-4 gents. I use to dry bushels of apples and pears and it would take weeks to get it all done. We have been drying herbs for 6 weeks straight now (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, etc), wanting to do the last of the tomatoes & peppers in the garden too. Thanks for the input.

Nesco

FWIW I dangled a thermometer into the old Nesco and it holds steady at 160 degrees.