If you’re looking for the best dehydrator for your kitchen set collection, you might want to consider one by Excalibur. This renowned brand offers devices that aren’t only budget-friendly but prevent food waste. Below you’ll discover a handful of models in the Excalibur dehydrator reviews, as well as some other helpful shopping information.
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Excalibur Dehydrator Reviews
Excalibur Dehydrators come in all shapes and sizes, but these five are what stand out the most. Here are my top five picks.
Excalibur RES10 Dehydrator – Best for Those Willing To Splurge
Excalibur RES10 Food Dehydrator Electric with Programmable Smart Digital Controller Features Two Drying Zones with Adjustable Time and Temperatures, Save up to 30 Recipes, 10-Tray, Black
Features
- SPACE - 10 trays with 9. 3 square feet of drying space provides extra capacity to dehydrate fruits, meat for jerky, herbs, nuts, etc
- FEATURES - Clear double door opening lets you view progress without interrupting the drying process
- LOW AND SLOW FOR IMMUNITY BOOST - Cooking foods at a temperature no higher than 115-118 degrees in a dehydrator preserves nutrients and enzymes
- DRYING - Adjustable thermostats ranging from 85 degrees Fahrenheit to 165 degrees Fahrenheit
- CUSTOMIZED - Dual chamber features two zones that can run simultaneously with unique drying times and temperature settings Each zone can be set for two times and two adjustable temperature settings
The Excalibur RES10 Dehydrator features 10 trays and two drying zones. You can use this setting to split the dehydrator into two separate drying sections which allows the appliance to dehydrate different types of food at once. To activate it, simply choose one of its two temperature settings.
Inside is a 4.5-inch fan equipped with Parallexx Horizontal Airflow. This encourages air circulation to flow through it evenly.
This dehydrator by Excalibur can reach temperatures anywhere from 85-165℉. This vast range allows you to dehydrate everything from nuts to fruit. It also has a 100-hour timer, so you don’t need to keep checking on the contents.
The top buttons allow you to adjust the temperature and other settings. You can also type in up to 30 recipes on its keyboard and save them for future usage.
Pros
- This model is easy to use.
- It comes with an owner’s manual that will guide you through the set-up process.
- It’s large.
- The fan runs quietly.
- The trays are made out of BPA-free plastic.
Cons
- It’s a bit pricey.
- You need to buy separate dryer sheets for it.
- This dehydrator is somewhat heavy at 33 pounds.
- Sometimes the front doors might not line up well when they close.
Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator – Best for Large Quantities
Excalibur 3926TB Electric Food Dehydrator Machine with 26-Hour Timer, Automatic Shut Off and Temperature Control, 600-Watt, 9 Trays, Black
$295.99 in stock
Features
- Large Capacity: Equipped with 9 Excalibur dehydrator trays, this large food dehydrator boasts 15 square feet of drying space
- Versatile Uses: Features a 26-hour dehydrator timer and an adjustable thermostat with a range of 105 to 165 degrees F – low enough for fruits and vegetables but high enough for dehydrating meat
- Low & Slow for Immune Boost: Cooking foods at no higher than 115-118 degrees in a dehydrator preserves nutrients; it's the perfect dehydrator for food and jerky, as well as dried fruit leather, fruit roll-up puree, all-natural pet treats, homemade yogurt, veggies, nuts or to even raise bread
- Faster & Easier to Use: This meat and fruit dehydrator features exclusive Excalibur Parallex Horizontal Airflow technology, which dehydrates food faster, retains more nutrients, and helps food look and taste better without requiring tray rotation
- Includes: Guide to Dehydration and 9 flexible non-stick polyscreen tray inserts; Made in the USA with USA and globally sourced materials
This dehydrator features nine trays you can place food on along with BPA-free trays that measure 15 x 15 inches. Each tray has a thick edge and a thin mesh screen in the middle. This mesh screen holds items and prevents the food from dripping on the lower levels. The mesh screens are washable.
On the side of the product are small vents. These incorporate Horizontal Parallax Drying technology to ensure that the moisture evaporates quickly. Its seven-inch fan runs on 600 watts.
Its glass door will lock in place and allows you to watch the food as it dries. When it comes time to remove the trays, you can grab the two handles on the sides of the glass door and lift them off. You can then replace the door by sliding it back on.
The Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator can reach temperatures between 105-165℉. You can use the dial on the front to change the temperature.
Next to the temperature dial is its 26-hour timer. Both of these dials are easy to access and give you complete control over how the device works.
Pros
- It comes with two books to help you use the dehydrator.
- The product comes with a 10-year warranty.
- There is plenty of space inside so you can do large batches at once.
- It’s durable.
- The dials are easy to reach.
- It has a vast temperature range.
Cons
- The product might be a little loud sometimes.
- The temperature dial sometimes sticks in place.
- It could be a bit pricey.
Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator – Best Air Circulation
Excalibur 5-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator, White
Features
- CAPACITY: The 3526TW 5-tray dehydrator equaling 8 square feet of drying space is perfect space for preserving extras from the garden
- EVEN DRYING: The 5-inch fan, heating element and thermostat are in the back of the unit, so cool air is drawn in, heated and then distributed evenly over each tray
- TIME AND TEMPERATURE: Convenient 26-hour timer and adjustable thermostat. The thermostat ranges from 105 degrees F to 165 degrees F. Temperature range is low enough for fruits and vegetables and also high enough for dehydrating meat for jerky
- PATENTED: Hyperwave Technology and Horizontal Parallexx Airflow is exclusive to Excalibur and helps the food dehydrate faster, retain more nutrients, and look and taste better. No tray rotation required
- ACCESSORIES: Includes a flexible poly-screen tray inserts to prevent foods from sticking and trays do not need to be moved or rotated during operation
The Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator comes in a sleek white design and features five trays that measure 15 x 15 inches. These spacious trays are BPA-free.
This Excalibur model offers temperature options from 105-165℉. They also have a timer on the top to activate the temperature settings, which gives you up to a 26-hour time frame for drying.
Inside the dehydrator is a five-inch fan, which encourages better air circulation throughout the device. The fan uses powerful Hyperwave technology that works to remove moisture quickly.
This product comes with a 10-year warranty. It also includes a small pamphlet called Guide to Dehydration.
Pros
- It’s a simple and affordable model.
- The timer is a helpful safety feature.
- The warranty is impressively extended.
- It includes high-tech settings to make the process go faster.
- The device comes with a useful cooking guide.
Cons
- The door is solid.
- It can be a little noisy.
- For some thick food options, it might take a little longer than usual for the machine to dry them.
Excalibur Stackable Dehydrator – Best Compact Option
Excalibur ECB50B EZ Dry 5-Tray Stackable Electric Food Dehydrator With Temperature Control Featuring Heat Sensor Includes Mesh Screens, Yogurt Cups and Fruit Roll Sheets BPA Free, 5-Tray, Black
Features
- Convenient front access control panel
- Controlled heat sensor
- Adjustable thermostat and 26-hour timer
- Includes 5 mesh screens, 4 yogurt cups, 2 fruit roll-up trays
- 1-Year limited warranty
The Excalibur Stackable Dehydrator includes five trays that measure 12 x 12 inches. While a little smaller than some of their other models, it’s an easy-to-use option.
You can stack the five drying sheets on top of each other when you slide them into this product. Despite their closeness, they won’t rub against each other which would otherwise cause unsightly scratches and chips.
This dehydrator has a small control panel built into the front, featuring a black and gray color scheme. To turn the machine on or to shut it down, simply switch the dial to “on” or “off”.
Next to this dial is the temperature setting. You can slide the dial to a temperature anywhere from 90-165℉.
To help you use this Excalibur model to its highest potential, it comes with various extra goodies. These include mesh screens and yogurt cups.
Pros
- The Excalibur Stackable Dehydrator comes with an instruction manual.
- It’s compact.
- The product is easy to clean.
- It runs quietly.
- The dehydrator is affordable.
- You can take the lid off.
- The drying sheets are removable, so you can scrub them off.
Cons
- There could be a slight plastic smell at first when you run it. You might want to run the dehydrator for a few hours or place a test item inside to remove it.
- Sometimes food does stick to the sheets.
- It’s not the most durable.
- It only comes with a one-year warranty.
Excalibur 4-Tray Dehydrator – Best for Beginners
Excalibur Food Dehydrator Electric with Adjustable Thermostat Accurate Temperature Control and Fast Drying, 4-Tray, Black
$119.99 in stock
12 used from $91.40
Features
- Compact: Equipped with 4 Excalibur dehydrator trays, this food dehydrator boasts 4 square feet of drying space
- Accurate Temperature Control: Features an adjustable thermostat with a range of 95 to 165 degrees F – low enough for fruits and vegetables but high enough for dehydrating meat
- Low & Slow for Immune Boost: The perfect dehydrator for food and jerky, dried fruit leather, fruit roll-up puree, pet treats, homemade yogurt, veggies, nuts, and even bread, it cooks food at 115-118 degrees max, which preserves nutrients and enzymes
- Efficient & User Friendly: This meat and fruit dehydrator dehydrates food faster, retains more nutrients, and helps food look and taste better without tray rotation thanks to patented Excalibur Hyperwave technology and horizontal Parallex drying
- Includes: Digital download Guide to Dehydration, so you can quickly and easily learn how to dehydrate all types of foods; Made in the USA with USA and globally sourced materials
This Excalibur dehydrator features four durable trays. These trays have a thick outer frame that surrounds a diamond mesh screen. The unique diamond design carefully holds the food while preventing crumbs and other particles from escaping.
Because the mesh screens are somewhat close to each other, it’s ideal to only use flat or small items on them. This dehydrator works well for fruit slices and nuts.
There is a removable door on the front. You can take it off by holding onto the small latch built into the bottom. To put it back on, make sure the small piece on the top of the door clicks in place on the dehydrator’s front opening.
The Excalibur 4-Tray Dehydrator uses a four-inch fan that runs on 220 watts. The machine can go up to temperatures anywhere between 95-165℉.
There is a small dial built in the upper right corner for you to change the temperature. This lies next to the power switch. You can safely change the temperature throughout the process.
Pros
- It’s compact and portable.
- It’s affordable.
- The trays are BPA-free.
- The fan runs quietly.
- The product has an extensive warranty.
- The front door is removable and easy to put back in place.
- The drying trays are durable and have a strong frame to prevent scratches.
Cons
- It’s not suitable for large projects.
- The door is not see-through.
- While not common, sometimes the dehydrator’s fuse could blow out. If you notice that the dehydrator runs cold even at a hot temperature, this could be the problem.
- There is no timer.
Conclusion
If you’re on the search for an excellent Excalibur appliance for your kitchen, be sure to keep the models above in mind, especially the Excalibur RES10 Dehydrator.
While a bit pricey, it features over 10 BPA-free trays. Unlike a few other options, this durable model comes with plenty of useful settings that will make dehydrating food effortless. These include a wide temperature range and a strong fan. You’ll also find that its technology allows you to save up to 30 recipes in it, and its sizable clear door will enable you to watch your food as it dries.
This is why the Excalibur RES10 comes the top choice for budding cooks to invest in.
The Benefits of Food Dehydrators
There are plenty of benefits food dehydrators offer hobby chefs.
They Help You Save Money
One perk of food dehydrators is that they save you money. Because they preserve food, it prevents food waste. This way, you won’t have to spend hundreds more on your grocery bill to replace stuff.
It Clears Up Space
When you dehydrate food, you remove moisture from it. This doesn’t annihilate its flavor but it does shrink it. You’ll find that this can open up a room in your fridge, freezer, and pantry.
They’re Portable
Food dehydrators are portable. If you need to move the device to a different area in your kitchen or take it with you on a trip, you can easily do so.
After you’re done using the dehydrator, you can slide it inside a cabinet until you need to use it again.
It’s a Safe Way to Protect Food
Some food preservation methods can be tricky. This puts you at risk of food spoilage or contaminating the area, especially if it’s raw meat. Food dehydrators prevent this problem by completely evaporating moisture from food that might contain dangerous bacteria.
What to Look for in a Food Dehydrator
Before you invest in a food dehydrator, it’s essential to consider a few things.
The Size
One aspect to consider is the device’s size. If you plan to use it for large or multiple items, you’ll need to make sure it’s big enough to hold them. On the other hand, if you only plan to use it occasionally or want to dehydrate small pieces, a compact model is probably ideal.
Keep in mind that while these products are compact and generally lightweight, some models could be a little heavy. If you are unable to transport heavy items, it’s crucial to invest in a small one. While small-scale, they are usually much more lightweight.
The Price
Dehydrators range in their costs. It’s important to consider your needs, so you invest in the right one. Cheaper models tend to be good for beginners who are just attempting this process. Pricier models usually have more settings and are bigger. This makes them perfect for those who already have experience dehydrating food and need it for many things.
How Fast it Works
You’ll also want to look at how fast the dehydrator works. While the majority will need a few hours to finish the job, some might take a bit longer than others. If you want fast results, make sure that the food dehydrator can finish the task quickly. For some models, the fastest you can get food dehydrated is within five hours.
The Noise Level
Food dehydrators will make noise as they run. This is due to their motor and fan. Some models will make very little noise, while others might have a higher decibel range.
You can check the noise level by referring to the dehydrator’s owner’s manual. This will tell you the model of the fan and the motor it runs on.
If There are BPA-Free Screens
It’s important to ensure that the dehydrator screens are BPA-free. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that acts as a severe endocrine disruptor. Despite these concerns, it’s still commonly used in plastic materials because it’s a strong bonding agent.
While BPA won’t leak at first, over time, it will. This could cause the dehydrator to have a plastic smell. It could also result in BPA particles absorbing into your food. Because of this, it’s essential the dehydrator’s screens are BPA-free to protect your health.
Can You Clean a Dehydrator?
You can clean a dehydrator, but there are a few steps you’ll need to follow it closely to ensure that you do so safely.
The first thing to do is to check the owner’s manual. By checking it, you can make sure that it doesn’t require you to follow a specific procedure or use certain cleaning agents.
After you do this, ensure that your dehydrator is unplugged. Then, open it up and remove the trays. You can try to scrub them off with a brush before you soak them in warm water. While Excalibur allows you to put them into the dishwasher, make sure the cleaning temperature isn’t too hot as it could warp them.
As the trays soak, use a clean brush or towel to remove crumbs and other debris inside the appliance. Don’t forget to wipe off the exterior too.
Once you’ve cleaned and dried the dehydrator, carefully insert the trays. Double-check the device to ensure everything is dry before you turn it on.
