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!
Nancy Zare, WellnessWiz wrote on December 4, 2009
I started with an American Harvester and when it malfunctioned, I purchased an 8-drawer VegiKiln. It has a temperature control, no timer, and is very quiet. If cost is a contributing factor, then consider this company. The drawers are plastic, and there are no spacers. However, the drawers are removable, so dehydrating larger items works. I’m extremely pleased with this dehydrator.
Zachary Domike wrote on November 17, 2009
We are very happy with the raw diet, & believe live enzymes greatly improve assimilation. I listened to my friends, and bought the Excalibur Dehydrator. Being very enthusiastic, I also borrowed a round Ezidri (AKA Harvest Maid or Harvester?), and made up double batches of everything. As I have a thermometer, I was able to check the max & min temperatures of each machine.
The Excalibur temps averaged the set temp of 114*F 45*C but got up to 125*F 54*C. As the Excalibur website, & Dr. Cousens piece explains, they allow wide temperature fluctuations. The Ezidri (made in NZ) kept an even temp, varying by only one degree.
I went an extra step and sprouted a collection of beans and seeds and dehydrated in each machine. Only the Ezidri samples were able to continue sprouting after dehydration, which shows that the enzymes were still alive. I returned the Excalibur I had bought, and will work with the round shape of the Ezidri, happy to keep my enzymes alive.
I am mystified by Dr. Cousens suggestion that temps above 115*F 45*C are only acceptable in the Excalibur; my sprouts died above that temp, which is not ideal. The Excalibur was apparently designed for beef jerky, not for raw foods. I am concerned that many Raw Foodies are buying a dehydrator that is killing the key enzymes, which will reduce the effectiveness of the whole Raw Movement.
From your page, most issues are addressed, but my experiments proved the reverse of the Excalibur claims. No doubt that square shape is more convenient, but air does not move evenly in squares! The Excalibur will be a fine machine, once they use a more precise thermostat, and put in a baffle so that the temperatures are less variable at different parts of the tray. Until then, round crackers with a hole-in-the-middle!
Susan wrote on November 17, 2009
Unless you have a more sophisticated (commercial) oven thermometer, the actual thermometer that you are using to measure the temperature can be off by 20 degrees. I have one and have marked on my own dehydrator where the temp needs to be set.
Michelle wrote on October 18, 2009
Susan – really glad you posted this as this was a question I had.
The only dehydrator I was familiar with is the American Harvest. That is what my mom had when we were growing up and I remember her using every year at harvest time quite a bit. (I think she had about 10 shelves for hers)
She created her own “filters/screens” for the trays by buying the plastic canvas material used for arts and crafts. Those came in useful for both things that were smaller in size as well as making it very easy to remove the food from once dehydrated.
I was wondering how useful it was though because of it’s circular shape with the “venting” through the center so I could see how a square one would be much more beneficial (as well as the tray height you mention).
Thanks again for this post!
Eco Mama wrote on October 16, 2009
The doors are built in (with the good4u) and I can’t find a lot of info either….just a couple of positive things on raw message boards. They have spacers so that you can still put big things in and supposedly really good customer service. And they’re supposed to be much quieter than the excalibur. I’m very curious!!
xo
Eco Mama
Trevor wrote on October 15, 2009
Awesome, practical article. Thanks!
Pure2Raw Twins wrote on October 15, 2009
O have 2 Excaliburs and love them, but they are a little loud. I have never heard of Harvest Essentials, I might just look into that when ready to get another one, thanks!
Marillyn @ just-making-noise wrote on October 15, 2009
I need to buy a new dehydrator soon myself. I have a used Coffee Maker brand that has been great for the last 3 years, but it is getting ready to poop out on me. Thank you for posting your thoughts and experiences with dehydrators. I really want to get the Excalibur and I don’t think the noise will bother me, but it is good to know about that!
I know I don’t post much, but I do enjoy your blog. I would love to have you as a guest on my blog sometime. I like a variety of recipes… vegan, raw, veggie & meats. I believe in a balance of everything.. that’s just my opinion :o)
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) wrote on October 15, 2009
This: I have found the Excalibur to be loud.
I totally agree!! And when I mention this to people they are like, oh but you’ll get used to it. Sort of, I have. But not completely and when I finally shut it off I am like ahhh, peace again in my home. It sounds like a freight train to me, really. Even in a 2000+ sq ft home when I am on the other side, I can still hear it. But I do love the results. Also following u now on twitter 🙂 Sorry that I always dont comment on your posts here but I also read…cuz we are both Minnetonka ladies 🙂
evergreen wrote on October 15, 2009
Your Pumpkin Seed Flat Bread looks awesome:)…must try it on my next ‘D’ day!
My one and only dehydrator is the the 9 tray Excalibur. I’ve had it for about a year and a half and I love it! I did buy an appliance timer for it, but have yet to use it. I am able to keep it in a spare room, so I can close the door if the noise or scents from it bother anyone else. It is easy to clean, and to flip and rotate the trays.
Does the Sausage Maker perform better than the Excalibur? I love the fact that it is stainless steel:)