A Food Dehydrator
Veggie Offline
Super Pest Controller
#1
I'm still trying to decide whether to buy a Dehydrator and if I do, how much to spend on one.
Someone I know from the freebie site posted a photo of a cupboard she wanted to give away (without the contents). Every shelf was full of jars of dried foods, fruits veg, even apple peelings.  I asked her what dehydrator she had  -  she has 3!!! A Vonhaus/Vonshef, a Jack summat and an Excalibur that she bought with Gift Vouchers.  She suggested the Von haus because its not too big or expensive to start with until I know whether I really want one.

Looking around I can get a Vonshef 5 tier  for £52 https://www.amazon.co.uk/VonShef-Tier-Fo...B078B42MXZ
A second hand 4 tier Excalibur for £100 but I'd have to collect it from about 20 miles away. (a gallon of petrol trip).
There's a Lakeland one with a 3 year no quibble money back if you don't like it guarantee £60
A plethora of dehydrators, both new and display models at https://www.ukjuicers.com/dehydrators

The more I look, the more confused I become.
What should I look for? What do you like/dislike about the ones you have, please? Metal or plastic trays for a start.
The Moneyless Chicken says:- 
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
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Proserpina Offline
South Yorkshire
#2
I have the Lakeland one. It's okay, but it's quite slow and you can't make things like fruit leathers without buying separate tray liners. Kicks out a fair bit of heat too.

If I were going to buy a new one, I would probably go for an Excalibur though I don't have personal experience with them.
Formerly self-contained, but expanding my gardening horizons beyond pots!
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Small chilli Offline
Super Pest Controller
#3
I’ve had one of those tier dehydrators. A different make to any of your links. Something James, can’t remember now. Quite slow. A bit noisy. I found it best to swap tiers around half way through because stuff at the top was still soft stuff on the bottom almost done. And cleaning the bottom where the fan & electrics were was a pain. Could never get all the chilli seeds out of the fan.
Definitely go with plastic trays. I’ve never experienced metal ones but I can’t see them being any easier to clean.
I now have a 9 tray Excalibur. Love it. A lot quicker. I think quieter. No tray swapping. Easier to clean as nothing drops onto the fan.
Builder that would like to go play in the garden.
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Bren Offline
Member
#4
I've been thinking about replacing my Round stackable one bought from the charity shop for £5  Big Grin  but like you say Veggie there's so much choice but I do like the Excalibur ones.
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Veggie Offline
Super Pest Controller
#5
Thanks everyone for helping me make up my mind!
I've ordered a 5 Tray Excalibur, Display Model reduced to £159 from £219 & 3 Tray liners
https://www.ukjuicers.com/exdispdh02

Better make some space for it now. Big Grin
The Moneyless Chicken says:- 
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
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Vinny Offline
Geordie living 'ower the watter'
#6
I have one somewhere along with a foot spar, a George Foreman grill, a sandwhich maker and lots of other items i have used once, then abandoned! Rolleyes

From memmory, most of the stuff I tried in it came out black! Cry
"The problem with retirement is that you never get a day off"- Abe Lemons
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Veggie Offline
Super Pest Controller
#7
Thanks for those positive words, Vinny. Tongue
The Moneyless Chicken says:- 
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
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Small chilli Offline
Super Pest Controller
#8
You’ll need to study this in preparation  Cool 

https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=151
Builder that would like to go play in the garden.
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Veggie Offline
Super Pest Controller
#9
Thanks SC. I found that thread the other day, after I'd seen the contents of the friend's cupboard - and now I'll be able to post about a dehydrator too.Big Grin
Friend also said that it was worth getting a vacuum bag thingy for small quantities.............and making soup mix. She told me how they'd given their son one of those water heating gadgets you can use in the car to make a brew and how her son had laughed at her when she gave him some dried veg and fruit to keep in the car for emergencies. Apparently, he stopped laughing after being stuck in traffic on the motorway for 9 hours . Smile
The Moneyless Chicken says:- 
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
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Vinny Offline
Geordie living 'ower the watter'
#10
(12-03-2022, 04:16 PM)Veggie Wrote: Thanks for those positive words, Vinny. Tongue
I strive to please! Big Grin
"The problem with retirement is that you never get a day off"- Abe Lemons
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