Dehydrator
Comparison Chart
Frequently asked Dehydrator Questions:
What is the difference between
the Excalibur 2400, 2500 and 2900? They look like they do the same thing?
Basically the dehydrators are all the same design. The only aspects that
are different are their size, heating element, fan size, and the amount of space in each
unit available for drying. The larger the unit, the larger the fan, and heating element.
Why is there a drastic jump in price
between the 4 tray and the 5 tray Excalibur model?
That is just how the manufacturer sets the pricing.
Pricing on the dehydrators, are "mandated" by the manufacturer to us. If
you look at the TOTAL drying space, it is actually double the space even though its only 1
more tray, this is due to the larger tray size.. Look at the 9 tray model, its almost 4
times the space of the 4 tray, not just double, as you might think (this is because the
size of the trays are larger on the 5 and 9 tray models.
What's the difference between the
Lequip dehydrator and the Excalibur Dehydrators?
The main difference is the air flow, the Excalibur units have a
vertical air flow(from the back), while the lequip has a vertical air flow (heat source at
the bottom). The size and shape of the trays are also different. Lequip claims
you do not have to rotate the trays if using just 6 trays, since the unit will maintain
the same temperature throughout the trays (We have found differently). You can ADD
up to 20 additional trays (available from the manufacturer- about 2 for $30) to the lequip
for more space.
Why do you feature the Excalibur
dehydrators?
After testing many dehydrators, we found the Excalibur units to
provide the most even drying due to the parallel air flow technology used.
In addition, the Excalibur units are one of few brands that have an adjustable
thermostat. This is a very important feature in our opinion. In
a dehydrator we purchased at a discount store, the temperature was non-adjustable, and we
measured it at 170 degrees F. We believe this is just too hot. To preserve
enzymes in food, we believe a temperature of about 110 degrees should be used when
dehydrating fruits/vegetables/herbs and nuts/seeds to maintain enzymes and nutrients.
If you want to make jerky, these machines will also do that.
Specific information is included in the instruction booklet that is included with the
Excalibur dehydrator.
What are teflex™ sheets? Do I
need them?
Teflex™ sheets are non-stick, solid sheets. They are
washable and re-useable. They are used for dehydrating liquids (such as blended
fruits- to make fruit roll-ups) or really sticky/gooey items that would
normally drip through the mesh sheets that are included with the dehydrator.
They are also useful for making sprouted essene breads and crackers. They are
available separately. Click here to learn more about teflex™
What size dehydrator do you
recommend?
We recommend the Excalibur 9 tray model, for an average size
family. Since the cost per square foot of drying space is the least
expensive. With the Excalibur units, you can't add more space, but when your
dehydrating, you can quickly run out of space. You can always run the dehydrator
when it is not full. Of course, if your not going to dry much, the smaller 4 or 5 tray
model would probably be best.
Will the 600 watt unit (9 tray) dry
faster than the 220 watt unit (4 tray?)?
Not necessarily. Efficiency of design is most important.
Too much heat can cause the outside of the fruit to caseharden, like searing in
juices in steak. This greatly lengthens the drying time. All EXCALIBUR models
have their heating elements properly sized for highest efficiency, lowest energy
consumption and fastest drying time.
How long does it take to
dehydrate foods in the Excalibur dehyrator?
Dehyration times varies, and depends on several factors. Please see the dehydration times page for guidlines.
What is the space between the
trays on the Excalibur?
About 3/4" between trays. The trays above the tray you are using the dehydrate
may be removed for extra space (if you want to put a dish or dehyrate a thick bread
dough).
Do all the trays need to be filled in
order to use the Excalibur Dehydrator or can you use just a few of the trays?
You can run the machine mostly empty, half empty or full. You can fill the
trays partially full, or all the way full. It does not need to be filled in order to
run. I reccomend purchasing the largest size dehydrator you would ever need,
since you can run it partially full, but you can not add space if you get one too small.
How much does it cost to run
the dehydrator?
Your actual cost will depend on your local utility company, and how much they
charge per kW/hour. The dehydrators use 600, 400 and 220 watts for the 9,5, and 4
tray models. With our current utility prices here, the 9 tray works out to be about
3 cents and hour to operate.
Why don't the units you offer include
a built in timer?
Excalibur does not let any retailer sell the dehydrators with
built in timer. What we recommend is that people go to a local store (Radio Shack,
Home Depot, Wal-mart, Sears or Kmart) and obtain a "appliance timer", these
generally cost about $5-$10, depending on the features. These external timers can be
used for other uses (ie: turning on and off lights when you are on vacation).
(The units with built in timer are about $60 more than the units than we
offer)
Do you offer the Excalibur in White?
Excalibur does not let any retailer sell the white dehydrators.
Do you sell the Excalibur 3000 series
dehydrators? Is the 3000 better then the 2900?
Excalibur does not let any retailer sell the 3000 series
dehydrator. They choose to sell that model direct to the end user (at higher prices).
The only difference in the 3000 model and the 2900 model we sell is that the 3000
model comes in a WHITE color, and comes with an 26 hour timer. (see above). The 3000 and
the 2900 uses the exact same thermostat and heating element. I personally feel the
26 hour timer can be a limitation for people in to living and raw foods. This is
because the lower the temperature you are dehydrating at, the LONGER it takes to
dehydrate, in some instances, with the timer model, the unit will shut off before your
item being dehydrated is ready.
I have heard
that if you set the excalibur temperature knob at 105 degrees it may not be 105 degrees
inside the dehydrator? Is this correct?
Yes, we have had reports of the
same problem. I have spoken with the owner of excalibur about this subject.
According to Roger Orton, the owner of Excalibur, "Excalibur was never really
designed for Living Foods... Its designed to work on the upper end..."
What happens is that the temperature knob setting on the
dehydrator is the "average" temperature that will be maintained during the
dehydration process. We have heard incidents that the temperature can fluctuate as
much as 15 degrees. In another case, we have heard that the machine is not
calibrated correctly from the factory, so setting the machine at a certain temperature
(say 100 degrees) will result in a constantly hotter or colder temperature(110 degrees or
90 degrees). You would think that if you set the dehydrator at a certain
temperature, it would maintain that exact temperature... This is simply not the case
with the Excalibur. For this reason, we recommend that everyone who is concerned
about the temperature at which their food is dehydrated take matters into their own hands
and monitor the temperature of their dehydrator regardless of where the thermostat on the
dehydrator is set. For this reason, we offer the Taylor
Digital Thermometer and Timer. The digital thermometer will constantly show the
temperature inside the dehydrator (and food temperature) as well as alert you if the
temperature gets hotter than you would like. In addition, the timer option will help
to assist in letting you know when your dehydration job is done. The Taylor
thermometer/timer has a lifetime warranty. In addition, you might want to read the statement excalibur came out with at the International
Living and Raw Foods Festival regarding the thermostat and temperature.
Im into raw foods, and am considering
the 4 or 5 tray, which one is better?
According to Roger Orton, the owner of Excalibur, he doesn't recommend the
2400 (4 tray) for raw food, low temp drying because it's so small. It works better
at higher temperatures and is designed for "treats and jerky." He said the 5
tray and 9 tray work much better. In our opinion, its better to have more
space, and run the dehydrator half full, than to run out of space. We feel the
12" x 12" tray size on the 4 tray model is just too small.
What dehydrator do most people in
Living and Raw Foods Use?
The short answer... They
use Excalibur. You can read some testimonials
here.
Do you have any hints and tips for
Living and Raw Foodists and dehydration?
Yes, you can read our special web page that
have special dehydrator tips and techniques for raw foodists.
How much is shipping?
We pay for UPS GROUND Shipping is to the continental US 48
states for the Excalibur dehydrators.
Excalibur®, Parallex™ and
Teflex™ are registered trademarks of Excalibur/Killer Baits Inc. |
