Okay, let’s get real. I’m a bit of a food preservation fanatic. I’ve wrestled with more dehydrators than I care to admit, from those cheap stackable jobs that take forever to dry anything evenly, to those sleek, stainless steel models that look great but don’t always deliver. So, when I finally got my hands on the Excalibur 9-Tray, I was ready to be impressed… or disappointed.
Right out of the box, it’s clear this ain’t your average dehydrator. It’s not winning any beauty contests with its basic black plastic, but it’s HUGE. This isn’t for a handful of apple slices; this is for serious food preservation.
And the capacity? Forget about it! Remember that summer my zucchini went crazy? I was practically drowning in the stuff. Usually, that means endless zucchini bread (which, okay, isn’t the worst thing), but the Excalibur? It handled the entire harvest, no sweat. I’m talking trays and trays of perfectly dried zucchini chips, and still had room to spare!
What really sets this thing apart is the horizontal airflow. My old dehydrator? A constant tray-rotating dance. The Excalibur? Dries everything evenly, from front to back, top to bottom. Jerky? Perfect. Dried fruit? Amazing. I even got adventurous and made vegetable powders – seriously, game-changer for adding nutrients to soups and sauces.
Now, let’s talk temperature. I’m a firm believer in keeping things low and slow, especially when it comes to herbs and greens. You want to keep those nutrients intact, right? The Excalibur lets you dial in the exact temperature you need, which is a huge win. And that 26-hour timer? A total lifesaver. Load it up before bed, set it, and wake up to perfectly dehydrated goodness.
Okay, not everything’s sunshine and roses. That plastic? Feels a little… cheap. I wouldn’t want to drop the door, let’s put it that way. And it’s not exactly whisper-quiet. It’s got a hum, so maybe don’t put it right next to your bed.
But honestly? Those are minor quibbles. The Excalibur 9-Tray Food Dehydrator? It’s the real deal. If you’re serious about preserving food, this is the machine you want. Yeah, it’s an investment, but it’ll last you for years and the results are just… chef’s kiss.
So, who’s this for?
- Gardeners buried under mountains of produce.
- Families trying to ditch processed snacks for healthier options.
- Anyone who wants to get creative with dehydrated foods.
The Good Stuff:
- Massive capacity.
- Dries everything evenly.
- Temperature control is on point.
- Timer saves your sanity.
- Made in the USA (always a plus).
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Plastic feels a bit flimsy.
- Not super quiet.
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Bottom line? If you’re ready to take your food preservation game to the next level, the Excalibur is worth the splurge. You won’t regret it.