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Farm Kitchen:  dehydrators-which do you recommend?  |
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 08 2011 : 12:43:07 PM
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i live alone and am thinking seriously of buying a dehydrator for this coming summer's bounty.... i really don't know much about them, don't have lots of money to spend or lots of room to store-however i know that i want one- electrically powered. i don't want to buy one tooooo small but i don't have room or need for the whoppers!
please share your input -good or bad -of dehydrators you have used?
thx!
Farmgirl # 2139
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2011 : 1:38:33 PM
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Penny, I have an American Harvest that I have had for years. Bought it at WalMart. I am posting a series of articles with photos on dehydrating starting tomorrow on my blog, if you are interested. Address is below. Just click on the blog link to the Welcome page.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2011 : 3:03:53 PM
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thanx mary beth- i figured it was time to start learning-
Farmgirl # 2139
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2011 : 3:39:16 PM
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I went to the website Freecycle and posted that I wanted a dehydrator. I was offered one in about 2 days for free! I love freecycle since so many people have things like that and don't really want them. I have also found homes for a lot of my unwanted but still good items! Check it out before you go shopping for one.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2011 : 3:49:11 PM
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i plan on it-freecycle and craigslist are both tops on my list of websites- however ; i really would like to learn about teh diff models- example- the ronco dehydrator that's on sale at menard's for under $30.00 this week---is it too small? does it work? does anyone have one????
i don't mean to sound fussy- i want to be able to dry vegs and herbs and fruits- not necessarily leathers but basics for soups and etc....
well- i guess i am fussy! if i end up paying for one i hope to get one recommended already!
btw angela--i love your signature!!!!!!
Farmgirl # 2139
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
Edited by - Penny Wise on Jan 08 2011 3:50:54 PM |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2011 : 4:04:03 PM
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Margo, the Nesco American Harvest comes with 4 trays, but you can purchase more trays. I have 4 more for mine for a total of 8. They just stack one on top of the other.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2011 : 4:09:49 PM
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I have the ronco one. It's small with 5 trays. It isn't nearly big enough for my family of 6, but it works well enough. I'm gonna add a second one this spring.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 05:50:17 AM
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thx gals..the ronco might be great for just me then????????
not buying this week- still looking--also wondering about ease of cleaning??????
Farmgirl # 2139
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 08:22:33 AM
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Margo, I can't recall the name of mine but I did find that I prefer the one that has a temperature control on it. Mom found one at the Restock store and brought it home. It burned everything. Too hot. So my recommendation is control, no matter the brand. I'll lok tonight for the brand on mine.
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 08:38:09 AM
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Good questions and info - everytime I talk about buying one my husband says "oh, we can build one" as his dad did back in the 70's. Well, that's nice honey but his track record with follow-thru is not inspiring - there is a pot-rack in my basement that has been there for 18 months now among other things - but I really want to be able to dry some stuff so if I could find a dehydrator that was reasonably priced and functional that would be great!!
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 11:13:28 AM
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mary beth; i visited the OPC again today-i can get lost there--but didn't see ddehydration...saurkraut ,ade me hungry!
amy grace--the only thing i DO know about what i want in a dehydrator is electric vs solar!i can imagine that might be what your hubby has in mind!
we'll keep learning!
Farmgirl # 2139
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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Mother Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Cindy
Peck
ID
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 7:10:31 PM
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Margo, I've had the Nesco American Harvest (which is white and has a thermostat to adjust the temperature) and I've had one that was a smokey brownish color don't know the brand of it. I made jerky in both at the same time......what a huge difference! The meat was cut all the same but the jerky dehydrated in the Nesco American Harvest dehydrator was done in about 6 hours (with the temperature control set to the meat setting) while the smokey brown dehydrator with no temperature control had to run for 24 hours to get to the same amount of "done-ness" as the NAH. Consequently I gave away the smokey brown one and bought some extra trays for the NAH. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
If initial money is tight and you can't afford the NAH brand then start with the other one and save up for the NAH, I really think you'll be thrilled you did. At least the brown one will get you started in the meantime though.
Cindy
FARMGIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2011 : 03:34:04 AM
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cindy; thx for the input- i got sidetracked yesterday and had to quit researching for a bit- will continue tonite after work!
i value the experiences you all have had -money is tight and if i am spending, i certainly want to be prepared !
Farmgirl # 2139
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2011 : 06:37:26 AM
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I looked and have the same one as Cindy. I really like it and think it worth the investment.
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2011 : 10:13:03 AM
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I just looked at mine and it dosen't have a brand name on it. It has a trademark (logo) a man with his arms streched out. It is gray, has 6 trays and is 17" X 11". I bought my first dehydrator at a health food store in 1991. It lasted about 12 years. One day I had all trays filled and it wouldn't come on. I came to the computer and looked it up and the company was no longer in business but there was one just like it at a company in Nebraska. I called them and they sent it out that day via UPS and I got it the next day. I didn't have to unload the trays or anything. I think it was around $100.
OK, I have said all this to say I don't know the brand of mine but that I just love it and don't know what I would do without it. I use it year around. When I find that I have fresh veggies or mushrooms that need to be used, I dry them. Perfect for soup and stews later.
Belle |
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2011 : 6:54:30 PM
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My son got a new dehydrator for christmas. He loves making beef jerkey. It works much better than his old one. The name of it is Open Country Sportsman Kitchen. His girlfriend got it for him at Bass Pro. His old one was broken. This one dries much quicker. 4 hrs compared to his old one which took about 12 hrs. He made loads of beef jerkey all week end. It has 7 trays. She paid about $40.00 for it.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
Edited by - Dorinda on Jan 10 2011 6:55:56 PM |
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SuzieQ
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Suzie
Texas
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2011 : 8:42:56 PM
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| Mary Beth, I love your site. I got a dehydrator for Christmas and have done some apples and bananas. Now I want to do so much more and thanks for the tip about celery. My family don't like it raw, but love it in soups. |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2011 : 07:44:29 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Okie Farm Girl
Thanks Suzie!! They are fun, aren't they?
Margo, the new post on dehydrating was put up yesterday morning. It is the first in a series. You can access it at http://www.oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog/?page_id=2 where you will click on "enter the blog"
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
thank you thank you!!! i peeked in and will go back when i have time to read!!!!! i love it!!!!!!!!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19
Farmgirl # 2139
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2011 : 07:53:46 AM
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My dehydrator is an Excalibur. It does a marvelous job, but is not a dehydrator that you can fill and leave. It has to be watched and the trays rotated. I have not made any fruit leathers since my kids were home, but the rest of the stuff I have dried has worked out well. I would not advise doing onions in the house. I do most of my drying in the garage. Onions create a whopping smell.
Betty in Pasco |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2011 : 09:14:02 AM
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Margo, be sure an leave a comment and that will enter you in the giveaway which includes canning utensils. :-)
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2011 : 12:20:40 PM
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The second in my series on dehydrating is up and there's a recipe to use the dried potatoes too. You can use fresh 'taters as well, but it is fun to have the dried which last forever! :-) You can access it at http://www.oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog/?p=2645
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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Farm Kitchen: dehydrators-which do you recommend? |
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dehydrators-which do you recommend?
