Excalibur 4 rack dehydrator

[Piper's mom]

Bit of a back story here...I'd cancelled my Walmart order (229 there) because I'd seen the same one on Facebook marketplace for 175. I was going to go get it this morning but I had such a gut feeling it was the wrong thing to do. I'd gone to the bank and gotten the cash and was about to go pick it up when I decided that I had to listen to my gut...it was telling me it was a bad idea (especially after the last one dying on me!).
I went to our local big hardware store (Canadian Tire for you in Canada) and it was also 229. Went to checkout and it scanned at 149! Definitely a good idea I listened to my gut! With tax it worked out to $4 more than a 5 year old used model AND a 5 year warranty!
I'm drying chicken breast for the dogs (book says 4 hours) and 5 chicken breasts cut up only filled 2 1/4 trays so impressed with the amount it holds. Next I'm being brave and am going to try salmon.
Very quiet, much more so than the Nesco and trays are 12" x12". It did come with 2 silicone liners for doing sticky or fruit rolls. I will update on chicken time to see if faster than Nesco, the Nesco took at least 8 hours (when it still worked lol).
So far I'm very impressed (although its a hard plastic, not metal as I'd originally thought)

 

[Chris]

We love ours, too!

 

[Calliesmom]

I think I like the square shape better- looks like you can get more on a tray...........

 

[Piper's mom]

I think I like the square shape better- looks like you can get more on a tray...........

Your absolutely right Calliesmom, I found that I could fit way more on a square than the round shape. The round I found I was always trying to find the best way to fit everything, square held so much more.
Hard to say yet if it dries faster. The salmon it dried in 4 hours, that was definitely faster. The chicken took 7 hours but I don't think I cut it thin enough. The dogs love it of course lol.
I definitely like the Excalibur better, better design and warranty although you are limited to the number of racks you've got, can't add more. I did like the Nesco...I just think I got scammed. Strange that it worked a couple times and then the heater died. I will never NEVER buy a used electrical appliance again!
On the plus side I sold my trays for that one and my old one so was only out $40.00, of course I bought $20 worth of meat for the dogs so....

 

[Piper's mom]

I dehydrated 3 pounds of apples...ended up with 6 1/2 ounces in weight (volume they filled a pint and a bit so about 5 cups). Also did a bunch of bananas (6)...they were for the dogs but man are they ever good! Two for me, one for them...
6 bananas only filled 2 screens, could've been a bit riper, more flavour when dried. Nice and crisp, only took about 10 hours.