Dehydrator Recommendation

treillw

WKR
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
1,933
Location
MT
Any recommendations on a good dehydrator that will last?

Would like to use it for jerky, morels, and anything else I can think of drying.

Thanks!
 

mproberts

WKR
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Messages
393
I will 100% second the Cabela's commercial grade dehydrators. I own the smaller of the two, I believe it's listed as the 80L. I run 20lbs of jerky at a time in that thing, which is about all I can personally handle in a day. I have run it pretty hard over the last 5 years with no issues at all.

I do all ground jerky blasted from a gun for uniform drying and flavoring (so much easier than whole muscle), I thaw out 20lbs of meat the day before. Mix up 4 - 5lb batches - each a different flavor/seasoning then let them dehydrate. Normally takes like 5-7 hours of drying. Between prep, drying, cooling and vacpacking it takes about all day but I end up with 20lbs of jerky out of it.
 

Jskaanland

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Staff member
Joined
Mar 19, 2016
Messages
1,700
Location
Washington
Excalibur has been amazing for my family. We have a cylindrical sunbeam too, it works but very inconsistent. I always have to move trays and item to keep the sunbeam from leaving some stuff wet and others rock hard.
 

Roy68

WKR
Joined
Jul 20, 2012
Messages
496
Ditto on the cabelas. Mine is going on 10 years old now. I had to block off the 80% of the upper vents on the back with sheet magnet otherwise it would not hold a temp above 100F. The new ones are designed different to correct this issue. Last weekend I cured 26# of sliced beef jerky (top round) on my smoker and then dehydrated. Works as good today as it did 10 years ago; albeit modified slightly
 

Owenst7

WKR
Joined
Jun 19, 2017
Messages
513
Location
Reno
I have nothing but good things to say about my Excalibur. It is basically just a toaster with a fan, so I'm sure there's a lot of good products out there.

Excaliburs are made in Sacramento. It's awesome that it's made in America, but I'm concerned that it's going to rob me.
 

mtnkid85

WKR
Joined
Jul 31, 2012
Messages
917
Location
Beartooth Mtns, MT
Another Excalibur here too. We went to it from some little bitty 3 shelf deal. The excalibur is a set it and forget it dehydrator, very uniform. Seems like a quality product.
 
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
5,824
Coming from the other end of the spectrum, I went with a Cabela’s consumer grade one for my first. My model has been replaced but it was about $70. It suits me as I am only doing 10-15 pounds of jerky a year and some other random stuff. I haven’t felt the need to upgrade yet but it has its limitations.

I generally believe in the buy once and cry once philosophy but this has been a good starting point for me as I build up my meat processing equipment.
 

Backyard

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
698
Location
Minnesnowta
Excalibur 4 tray that I have is going on 16 years and still operates like new. Works great! I done everything from burger, to fruit leather, to stews and chili in it. Simple to operate and clean.
 

ghost338

FNG
Joined
Feb 3, 2017
Messages
89
Excalibur 9 tray digital here. Program and walk away. Been very happy with the performance.
 

Rick

FNG
Joined
Sep 9, 2013
Messages
73
Location
SouthWest WA
I have used the Sportsmans Warehouse Open Country model with eight trays for the last five years. I put 40-50 pounds of fruit through it each year. I'll probably get the same style again when this one dies.
 

dv808

FNG
Joined
Jun 21, 2018
Messages
82
Location
honolulu
I got the cheap 6-tray Cabelas for jerky. It handles about 5# of meat without any problems. I'll probably spring for the commercial version when it needs to be replaced.

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