Dehydrator?

[lakota]

Can anyone recommend a decent dehydrator in the $50-$75 price range? I want to get one before garden season to dry veggies and herbs and make a little jerky. I

[bobg]

   I have a Harvest Maid dehydrator that i use for the same thing you want one for. Had it for years. Think i got it at Gander. Nesco is another one that comes to mind. Google dehydrators. Lots of them in your price range.

[subdjoe]

If you are handy, you might consider making your own.  Google "home made food dehydrator" or "how to make food dehydrators."

Here is one from Mother Earth News  http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/preserving-food-homemade-dehydrator-zmaz75jazgoe.aspx#axzz2Nh6bOROI

[reliquary]

I bought a NESCO Snackmaster model FD-60, in that price range, last year.  Works well.

[uncowboy]

I have the NESCO as well and it has made many lbs of jerkey. They go on sale this time of year. Cheap enough to buy two and do twice the work fast. J.Michael

[Empty Quiver]

I had one years ago. It was little more than nesting trays, and a very small heating element. The element was so small I took to parking it on the hot water radiator and that devil would go then.


I would size a light bulb to a box and build trays to fit in there. Avoid hot spots and I believe you would be good to go

[lakota]

I bought a Nesco Snackmaster today. I had a coupon for 20% off so that pretty much sealed the deal. I am thawing out some venison now for the first run of jerky.

[Lloyd Smale]

i bought a cheap one from harbor frieght and its about usless. It takes over 24 hours just to dry out some apple chips. I think jerky would mold before it was done. If i was going to fool with it further id look into one of those box style units like cabelas sells. there not cheap though.

[blind ear]

for sun dried mom would wash a sheet of corrugated tin and spread her apple slices over it and in a couple of days the fruit was leathery. She could tell by touch and feel if it was done. Elevated up too high for ground critters. should work for tomatoes ans such also. No screen cover, open to dirrect sun and air. ear