Raw Food Equipment Questions: Dehydrators
Often I am asked to recommend equipment, especially dehydrators. As soon as our store is up, I will be able to point you there. But in the meantime, I will share with you what I know. There are many different types of equipment out there, I only have experience with what I have used. I would love for you to comment on what blenders, dehydrators, etc. you are using, how you like them and how you feel they perform.
I will start with dehydrators. Many people like the Excalibur. It is a great dehydrator and was the second type I bought. I am now on my third. I also have an American Harvest. It was my first dehydrator. I now use the TSM dehydrator. There are big differences in all of these dehydrators. These are some of the options you will want to consider when choosing your dehydrator.
Temperature Control: It is very important to have a dehydrator that has temperature control. We don’t want to heat foods above 116 degrees while dehydrating to retain the optimal nutritional value.
Shelf Configuration: While the American Harvest is a good dehydrator when dehydrating smaller pieces, the circular shape makes it more difficult to use when making flat breads, etc. Mine also doesn’t have shelf spacers, I don’t even know if they have them. You are limited to making food that is only 1″ high. Some of the breads, etc need more space than that. You also couldn’t put a pie crust in because you just don’t have the space with the circular dehydrators. Both the Excalibur and the Sausage Maker have removable shelves that are square, giving you the most flexibility and options.
Timers: This is an option that I really use. I can set the timer, go to bed and not worry about something getting over-dried. It is an option that adds more expense but I think it is well worth it. Before I had a timer, I had considered using a lamp timer. Never tried it but I think it could work.
Size: A 4 or 5 shelf dehydrator gives you quite a bit of room. If you are going to do a lot of dehydrating you might want to consider a bigger unit. I outgrew my 5 shelf very fast. That said, I do try to use my dehydrator very economically. I will make more than one thing at a time and also heat up soup or melt coconut oil while other things are processing. I really like the extra room. I also spend a lot of time working on recipes for the web site and up coming cookbook, so mine gets a lot of use.
Noise: I have found the Excalibur to be loud. The Sausage Maker is almost silent. If this is something you need to consider, I would highly recommend the extra cost for the sausage maker. If you get the Excalibur and find the noise unpleasant, you can always put it in another room, or even the basement, if you have the space.
I would love to hear your comments on what you use, why you like it and how it has performed for you. As we venture into the colder months, I know I will be using mine more!
Eco Mama wrote on October 15, 2009
Susan,
Have you heard of the Good4U Dehydrator? I’m curious about that–it’s supposed to be quieter than the Excalibur and better customer service. I have the 9 tray Excalibur and have yet to really embrace it.
As for other equipment, I LOVE my Blendtec blender and my Breville juicer.
When is your cookbook coming out? I’m so excited!!
xo
Eco Mama
Susan wrote on October 15, 2009
I wonder about how efficient it is with out that front door. And can you put bigger things in it? I can’t find a lot of information.
Mary Turtle wrote on October 15, 2009
Since I have none of the necessary equipment I am really interested in getting everyone’s input on the dehydrators. If I decide to buy one at least I’ll have lots of guidance in what to buy. Thanks, everyone, for your opinions.
Akemi - Yes to Me wrote on October 15, 2009
I checked their website and called them too right now 🙂
It sounds good. The only remaining Q about sausage maker is: is the thermostat calibrated properly? Have you checked the temp inside by independent thermometer? Often, machines are out of calibration by 10 degrees or so.
Akemi - Yes to Me wrote on October 15, 2009
This is interesting. I was about to buy Excalibur, but if it’s noisy, maybe not.
Never heard of sausage maker (Hey, I’m a vegan!). Where is the heat source? In the back like Excalibur? Does it keep the shelves dark like Excalibur? Is the temperature set right and stable? Is it easy to clean?
Susan wrote on October 15, 2009
The fan is in the back, it is very quiet, the shelves are all removable and it is dark inside. You can click on the link in the post to see more. It is quite a bit more but I really love it.
mandy wrote on October 15, 2009
I have an American Harvest as well, was in the market for an excaliber and my mother in law told me she had one in the closet. It was still in it’s box, never been used. I like it, it definitely does the job. I just wish it had spacers, I want to make bigger things and can’t. I have found some little mini silicone quiche molds and use those for quiches and pies, it works well. I also have made mini carrot cakes in a tiny bundt mold but had to only fill half way or so to fit…so I’m working with it! My next one will have removeable shelves..but can’t complain..it was free!
Kerry wrote on October 15, 2009
I love my Excalibur, though I agree, it is way noisy. The design is great – easy to clean and use. The trays are square which makes them incredibly easy to take in and out. I’ve only had mine for about two weeks (5 drawers) but I’ve gone dried fruit crazy. Best so far, surprisingly were oranges. Also have done tomatoes, pears, apples and bananas – all delicious.
Caleb wrote on October 15, 2009
Is the Sausage Maker quieter than the Excalibur? When I bought mine I was sold on it because the horizontal trays. I was told with dehydrators like the the American Harvest required rotating the trays because the fan was at the bottom. I actually never thought of flat breads at the time, but now for that reason I am even happier with my Excalibur.
Susan wrote on October 15, 2009
The sausage maker (funny name) is almost silent. I love that.