dehydrator question?

  • jigging_jag
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 203
    April 28, 2011 at 2:36 pm #1272007

    Looking at buying a dehydrator for fruits and mushrooms. Would like something of good quality, any suggestions on brands where to buy? Thanks in advance

    mark-bruzek
    Two Harbors, MN
    Posts: 3875
    April 28, 2011 at 2:54 pm #961540

    I have been very happy with my Open Country brand dehydrator. It has an adjustable heat range as well as a circulation fan. I do not recall the price but I must have found it to be fair otherwise I would not have purchased it 3-4 years ago.

    I have used one with out a circulation fan and a programable heat and I will say you will want those features. They are faster and turn out a much more consistant product. -Mark

    stuwest
    Elmwood, WI
    Posts: 2254
    April 28, 2011 at 2:58 pm #961543

    Not sure there is a lot of quality variance in what is on the market. I’d go to Fleet Farm and buy their top end.

    DO make sure you have a fan speed control as well as a temp thermostat. Both important.

    Also, buy an extra set of racks. Can double capacity or cut loading time in 1/2.

    randeye
    Hudson
    Posts: 59
    April 28, 2011 at 2:58 pm #961544

    I purchased a $30.00 model from Fleet Farm a few years ago. Since then I have purchased another one (same model). It came with 7 stack trays. I make jerkey with ours and a lot of it. They are 2 and 3 years old and still work great. I can check to see what the brand name is tonight when I get home. This particular brand sell 2-3 different models at Fleet Farm. The ones I got were cheap and work great. 7 hours for 13 lbs of jerkey x2= 26 lbs every 7 hours and we normally dehydrate around 80-100 lbs a year.

    SLACK
    HASTINGS, MN
    Posts: 711
    April 28, 2011 at 3:17 pm #961558

    it doesn’t matter what you get as long as it’s a nesco

    chomps
    Sioux City IA
    Posts: 3974
    April 28, 2011 at 3:33 pm #961563

    I am using the Gardenmaster, works like a charm Mushroom hunting this weekend she will get a work out again.

    bzzsaw
    Hudson, Wi
    Posts: 3484
    April 28, 2011 at 3:43 pm #961574

    I’ve got a Nesco also. I’ve had mine for more than 5 years. It only has an on/off button. I added a couple extra trays. I dehydrate lots of beef jerkey. I paid around 40.00. I have no reason to get a different one.

    stuwest
    Elmwood, WI
    Posts: 2254
    April 28, 2011 at 3:47 pm #961576

    The reason for controls is to adapt to different stuff you are drying. E.G. thinly sliced tomatoes dry at a different rate than morels, than thick venison jerky… Just gives me more flexibility.

    gary d
    cordova,il
    Posts: 1125
    April 28, 2011 at 5:13 pm #961623

    Farm and Fleet brand. Nesco American Harvest/ with control for temperate. I have had my for several years for making all kinds of jerky. Works very well.

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