Food dehydrator recommendations?

[Mom+Me]

Hello!

Years ago we used to dehydrate with a round Nesco dehydrator. For the most part we were happy with it, but it also had its flaws. Also purchased an Excalibur dehydrator that we sent back because it was running a lot hotter than it showed it was on the knob position.

I realize that a lot of air fryers nowadays are also food dehydrators, but I am thinking about getting just a dehydrator again. I've scoured Amazon's website and almost put a Nesco in my cart, but then didn't, and then almost put a Hamilton Beach in my cart...but I'm not certain.

So, then I had the idea, what about my fellow McDougallers? Do you have a dehydrator? Which one? Do you like it? It it a more recent purchase? Favorite things to dehydrate? Etc..

Thanks in advance!

[ch47gunnergirl]

I've got an old, probably mid-1970s Excalibur 5-tray dehydrator that I got used (Craigslist or Ebay?) many years ago that I think still works great. I process a lot of hot peppers every year in it, either on the back patio or detached garage to keep the fumes out of the house. I'm thinking about making a solar dehydrator only because it takes many hours to dry whole chilis and saving electricity would be great. I'd also like to start dehydrating many other veggies like carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes. Here's a few examples of solar dehydrators: https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/sol ... z14jjzmar/ https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/sol ... z06aszraw/ https://www.luckybelly.com/diy-solar-food-dehydrator/

[Mom+Me]

I've got an old, probably mid-1970s Excalibur 5-tray dehydrator that I got used (Craigslist or Ebay?) many years ago that I think still works great. I process a lot of hot peppers every year in it, either on the back patio or detached garage to keep the fumes out of the house. I'm thinking about making a solar dehydrator only because it takes many hours to dry whole chilis and saving electricity would be great. I'd also like to start dehydrating many other veggies like carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes. Here's a few examples of solar dehydrators: https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/sol ... z14jjzmar/ https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/sol ... z06aszraw/ https://www.luckybelly.com/diy-solar-food-dehydrator/

Nothing like an extremely late reply, huh? I'm sorry. Thank you for replying and for the links! I did read everything and really admire people making their own! But at this point in my life, I think that just a conventionally bought one will be best for me. Hoping you'll be able to make one sooner rather than later, and then maybe you can share pictures, results, and observations?