dehydrator

[Up In Smoke]

hello all,
haven't been around for a while but was considering learning to do jerky.
i was trying to figure out which dehydrator to purchase, not just for jerky but a good
all around dependable unit.....this forum led me to the bradley smoker which was a major winner.
i felt like i could count on the good people here for accurate information.
if you have the time and don't mind i could use your input.
                                                                               thanks,
                                                                                     jerry

[Gizmo]

Depends on how much you want to spend.  If you want to go a bit cheap, get the Nesco American Harvest snack master express with a fan and variable heat control.
You can have a total of 12 trays.  I have been using one for many years.  There are better units out there but you will have to spend another $200 to get there.

http://www.nesco.com/category_449f7f01f1ea/subcategory_9a621d433b83/product_db21f85c8f63/session_e6b803c618a1/

[Mr Walleye]

There are a few people on the forum with the 80L Cabelas Commercial Dehydrator including myself. I have owned a few dehydrators over the years and this is clearly the best I've ever used although it's a little bit more expensive. Here's a link....

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?id=0019202&navCount=1&parentId=cat570005&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat602009-cat570005_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat570005&rid=

Mike

[NePaSmoKer]

As with Mike i have had many dehydrators. My cabelas 80L is the best i have had.



nepas

[DrtiBird]

hello all,
haven't been around for a while but was considering learning to do jerky.
i was trying to figure out which dehydrator to purchase, not just for jerky but a good
all around dependable unit.....this forum led me to the bradley smoker which was a major winner.
i felt like i could count on the good people here for accurate information.
if you have the time and don't mind i could use your input.
                                                                               thanks,
                                                                                     jerry

Jerry,
First of all, I have absolutely no experience with dehydrators, but when searching for InstaCure I found this site and they had a good article on comparing the round & square dehydrators.  They also have a good selection of both.
http://www.harvestessentials.com/whicdehisrig.html
Good Luck!

[Smokin Soon]

I am saving my pennys for a Cabela's 80 litre dehydrator. Nepa, are the extra drying screens they sell necessary or is it pretty much ready to go? Also did you purchase the cart in the pic from them?

[NePaSmoKer]

I am saving my pennys for a Cabela's 80 litre dehydrator. Nepa, are the extra drying screens they sell necessary or is it pretty much ready to go? Also did you purchase the cart in the pic from them?

Yes SS you will ned the screens if you plan on jerky ro smaller food items. The racks that come with the unit, the squares are about 3/4" x 3/4". The screen is around 1/8" to 3/16" food grade screen.  I bought the cart at cabelas too.

nepas

[Mr Walleye]

Wow!

That is "so" my luck as well Smokinrookie.

Sorry to here about it but hopefully everything gets sorted out.

Mike

[sherlock]

 ;D
You will be very happy with the unit. I have had mine for almost a year and can't imagine being without it.
Nathan

[tsquared]

So what do people use their dehydrators for? I have an American Harvest that I used to use to dry fruit when we owned a place that had a lot more fruit trees than our current place but I haven't really used it much since then.
T2

[La Quinta]

Hey T2...I do herbs in mine...dried herbs are so amazingly expensive in the store...I just grow them outside in "EarthBoxes"...bring them in and dehydrate...and fill those bottles!! I've also done fruit...we have lemons, limes, mandarins and "normal" oranges in the yard...haven't tried the Mexican key limes yet...they're kinda dense to start...but...heck...you can dehydrate your shoes if ya want!!!  ;D

[tsquared]

After a walk in the woods in our local rainforest this time of year, I just may try dehydrating myshoes! :D
T2

[NePaSmoKer]

Hey T2...I do herbs in mine...dried herbs are so amazingly expensive in the store...I just grow them outside in "EarthBoxes"...bring them in and dehydrate...and fill those bottles!! I've also done fruit...we have lemons, limes, mandarins and "normal" oranges in the yard...haven't tried the Mexican key limes yet...they're kinda dense to start...but...heck...you can dehydrate your shoes if ya want!!!  ;D

LQ

I do herbs in my dehydrator too. I grow em in the aerogarden.

aerogarden right behind meeoowsers.



nepas

[NePaSmoKer]

fantastic!,
dehydrator made it and its a winner!!!
now all i can do is hope that the people here are very patient.
i have many, many questions.
according to the advise book with the unit the jerky product
should be preheated before entering the dehydrator,
i plan on doing a little bs time before i dry it is this acceptable?
is there anybody out there that can help me get started.
not afraid to spend time on the phone chatting if necessary.
but.....not gonna post number here even though i respect all of you
im still scared. :D :D :D :D

Hi smokinrookie

I use my cabelas dehydrator alot and have never had to pre heat. It comes up to temp very quick. I work at Cabelas so i get alot of hands on. Did you get the dehydrator screens to put on the metal racks.


nepas

[beefmann]

here kitty  here kitty ... nepas great looking  garden with your cat as well,,, is  that an attack kitty ????