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dreamaker
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« on: January 04, 2015, 06:11:16 AM » |
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Does anyone dehydrate food, if so what brand do you use, how do you rate it 1-10. Is it worth the trouble? I considered it for camping carry on food, kind of plan B. How many layers do you have? Reasonable cost for one?
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2015, 06:23:01 AM » |
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I've got 2 that I use for making jerky. I've tried fruit but I never did very well with that. The 1 I have is pretty old and basic. It has a heating element on the bottom and no fan. The other has a heating unit and fan on top, it works better and faster. I don't have to rotate near as much with it as I do the other unit. I don't remember the brand of the first one, I think the second one is "Nesco". I've tried lots of different jerky recipes and I usually come back to a very basic teriyaki marinade. It's fun and the kids and grandkids love it.
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Bugslayer
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« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2015, 06:47:17 AM » |
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We also use our dehydrator for beef jerky. I honestly don't know the brand name. It's white, and has five trays. Just make sure it has a fan as well as a heating element. The first one we got only had the heating element, and it took a lot longer to finish a batch of jerky.
Our jerky recipe is one bottle soy sauce, one bottle liquid smoke, and a few table spoons of brown sugar. Let the meat soak at least over night. ......... YUM!
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dreamaker
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« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2015, 06:55:25 AM » |
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Man that sounds great, are they made of plastic, myself I would rather pay a few cent more and not get one that has plastic in it.
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BobB
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« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2015, 06:59:14 AM » |
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We have had a five layer dehydrator for many years. Not sure of the brand, but they are so simple that I don't know how they could fail. We have made jerky, banana chips, dried peaches and apples. It's great for health conscious kid treats and camping snacks.
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LadyDraco
Member
Posts: 1994
TISE
Bastian, VA. Some of the best roads in the East
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« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2015, 07:03:53 AM » |
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We have a Harvest Maid that is 36 yrs old. it's a round one 4 layers.. I use it all the time...  I have NEVER used meats in it  ... I use it for fruits and Pumate (dried tomatoes)and other Vegies.. Fruit roll ups....banana chips.. peaches, apples.. peppers... celery and so on... Get a good one and it will last a life time... |
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Life is what you make of it~If it don't fit make alterations...
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This is the way
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Misfit
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« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2015, 07:29:42 AM » |
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I have two Excalibur dehydrators. Nine trays each that equals 30 square feet of surface. These are very good units. Fans and heat are located I the back and all trays remove from the front. No stacking. |
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12768
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2015, 07:44:27 AM » |
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Bonnie uses an Excalibur every few days making kale or flax with cayenne chips, dehydrating this and that including various herbs and such like calendula or a field of red clover we may wild pick We have never used ours for meats either We keep it in the unheated garage and doggone it if the garage is not warmer while the thing is running |
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
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When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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dreamaker
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« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2015, 07:48:38 AM » |
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Bonnie uses an Excalibur every few days making kale or flax with cayenne chips, dehydrating this and that including various herbs and such like calendula or a field of red clover we may wild pick We have never used ours for meats either We keep it in the unheated garage and doggone it if the garage is not warmer while the thing is running What is red clover good for? |
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sandy
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« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2015, 08:12:17 AM » |
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Just set it on a rock in the desert in AZ in June.
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dreamaker
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« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2015, 08:26:34 AM » |
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Just set it on a rock in the desert in AZ in June.
You know people do that, I have seen them use like window screens and stack them on layers and it works, my state, Mich. is not going to happen. |
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gordonv
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Posts: 5766
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2015, 12:47:33 PM » |
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I have a Ronco from about 20+ years ago, I bought new when the kids where young. In storage and don't use to often.
I've tried the fruit leather (roll ups), dried fruit, but mostly use it for beef jerky.
I've seen them used for $5-$10 in the local Value Village (2nd hand donations) and odd times in CL.
Don't cut the meat too thin, or you end up with a dried chip (crispy) instead. I think I was doing it at 3/16" thick.
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« Last Edit: January 04, 2015, 01:05:35 PM by gordonv »
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2015, 03:40:00 PM » |
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Bonnie uses an Excalibur every few days making kale or flax with cayenne chips, dehydrating this and that including various herbs and such like calendula or a field of red clover we may wild pick We have never used ours for meats either We keep it in the unheated garage and doggone it if the garage is not warmer while the thing is running What is red clover good for? Red clover is a good green manure and its grows good deer antlers ! |
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2015, 03:41:37 PM » |
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We dry our fruit in the oven and smoke fish or meat in the 'Little Chief '.
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Gavin_Sons
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Posts: 7109
VRCC# 32796
columbus indiana
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« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2015, 03:54:18 PM » |
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dreamaker
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« Reply #15 on: January 04, 2015, 05:01:40 PM » |
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That Cabelas one looks nice!!
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FryeVRCCDS0067
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« Reply #16 on: January 04, 2015, 05:10:48 PM » |
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I've had several over the years, all have been used almost exclusively for making jerky, usually venison jerky. The one I currently use is by far my favorite. It's made by "home essentials", is round and has 5 rotating plastic trays and adjustable vents in the lid. The rotating part is a big deal and makes it much easier as do the adjustable vents.
On tough meats or when I need to slow it down to fit my schedule I close the vents up a little or a lot depending on what I want. With tough meat, I run it with vents closed for 8 hours or so to try to tenderize the meat somewhat. Then I open the vent up partiality to let the meat dry. If I'm going to bed or to work I'll close it up to slow it down.
I spray the trays with pam before starting to make them easier to clean. The "dishwasher is your friend" when cleaning them up.
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"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And... moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.'' -- Barry Goldwater, Acceptance Speech at the Republican Convention; 1964  |
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12768
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #17 on: January 04, 2015, 05:38:17 PM » |
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lol
Bonnie makes me a tea with red clover, oats, lemon balm and hawthorn berry for when I come home after a really really crazy day
Red clover is good for the cleaning the lymphatic and digestive and reproductive systems
Mostly I like it cause it tastes really good.
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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dreamaker
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« Reply #18 on: January 04, 2015, 08:15:05 PM » |
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lol
Bonnie makes me a tea with red clover, oats, lemon balm and hawthorn berry for when I come home after a really really crazy day
Red clover is good for the cleaning the lymphatic and digestive and reproductive systems
Mostly I like it cause it tastes really good.
I will have to check it out. What is Patrick talking about in his reply?? |
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dreamaker
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« Reply #19 on: January 05, 2015, 08:26:43 AM » |
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I have some concerns about the dehydrators, two things I don't use in cooking and never cook in. Aluminum and plastic in any form, aluminum explains it self, the plastics because of BPA and phthalates. So I like to get one maybe with 5-6 tray with no plastic. I know!! just precaution.
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Gavin_Sons
Member
Posts: 7109
VRCC# 32796
columbus indiana
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« Reply #20 on: January 05, 2015, 06:30:45 PM » |
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Pretty sure mine is BPA free. If I jumped through as many hoops as you to eat healthy and watch what I cook on id starve to death.  |
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dreamaker
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« Reply #21 on: January 05, 2015, 06:58:59 PM » |
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I don't eat that healthy, but I try to stay away from the chemicals.
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Gavin_Sons
Member
Posts: 7109
VRCC# 32796
columbus indiana
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« Reply #22 on: January 05, 2015, 07:03:21 PM » |
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Cant blame you for that.
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