Food dehydrators

[Hoffer]

Hey all-

In the market for a food dehydrator. I will probably use it about 80% for just making jerky.

I did a little research on them - and apparently a big factor can be where the brand locates the fan...in the back vs. in the top or bottom etc...

I guess the "excalibur" models are nice - but I think just the starter ones are close to 200.00

So, if anyone has a model they really like or also would care to comment on if these make decent jerky - any feedback, comments or advice would be awesome!

Thanks-

Hoffer

[reinhard1]

i think there is a thread on dehydraters on the cooking forums that might help you. i have a Nesco and it is less than the $200 that you mentioned. it has 6 layers and works fine for me for jerky. good luck.

[fishfearme]

The big C had a digital one on sale that had 10 trays for $129.

[SpecialK]

I have the nesco as well and it works fine. You can also buy extra trays for them to expand them from the 3 they come with.

[clownshack]

I make a lot of venison and beef jerky every year. No commercial dehydrator. Google "Alton Brown jerky recipe". Watch the you tube video. He explains why food dehydrators are just cooking the meat, not real jerky. It uses a box fan and a bunch of cheap furnace filters. We have been using this system for 2 years, best jerky you will ever make.

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

I have the Open Country, its a digital version of the Nesco. The most important part is the Watts. I wouldnt buy one that wasnt 1000. The open coutry even has a timer option. I looked on line at Amazon they have a link at the bottom that you can click and it will show you competitors prices as well. I printed off the cheapest and took it to the local retailer and they matched the price. like $134 and change. The extra $15 is worth it to get the digital version. Not sure about you, but I dont want to get up at 3 0r 4 am to turn it off.

[Hoffer]

Hey thanks all - I will check this stuff out! I may make a trip to the C store this weekend. I am due to get there anyway. Any other comments welcome...

[bikeoutback]

I've got a Nesco 700 watt dehydrator with 5 trays. I've made venison and beef jerky in it so far and have turned out good. I got it as a gift but I know it was bought on sale for under $60. No fancy digitals or timer but does the trick. I've filled all five trays and usually start my jerky on a day I work from home around 7am and it's been done by 2-3 in the afternoon = no getting up at 3 in the morning.

Again it's not as fancy as the others and would probably be in the budget class but I've got nothing bad to say about it, does the job for me.