25 dehydrating newbie (Read 10314 times)
Kerry
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 427
Location: Toronto
Joined: May 13th, 2010
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #20 - Nov 15th, 2013 at 4:41am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I have an Excalibur.  Absolutely fantastic.  Solid, well built and designed.  Everything they say it is and well worth the price in my opinion.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Joe_Schmeaux
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 395
Location: Alberta
Joined: Mar 23rd, 2010
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #21 - Nov 16th, 2013 at 8:58am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I have a Nesco, with two extra trays added to the "standard" model.

It wasn't very expensive and works fine in every respect.

Whatever you get, make sure it has a temperature control.

Most people recommend 700W as the minimum size (entry level). I have a 500W, and it's good enough for me, but only because I live in a very dry climate.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
HighnDry
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1058
Location: Minneapolis
Joined: Apr 29th, 2013
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #22 - Nov 18th, 2013 at 12:36am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Kerry, JS - Thanks! Had same impressions of both of those models but had no idea about wattage requirements and potential impact on drying out certain foodstuffs. I live in a fairly humid climate and a better or higher functioning unit might be worth the extra cash....thanks again for the feedback!
  
Back to top
IP Logged
 
BillConner
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 665
Location: Thousand Islands
Joined: Apr 12th, 2010
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #23 - Nov 18th, 2013 at 3:01pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I have a Nesco at 700 watts with fan - another important feature - and it's great.  About $70 at farm and fleet.  I know the Excalibur's do more at once and maybe faster, but for a one or two trips for 2 to 4 people a year, I could never justify the additional cost and don't miss anything.  Besides for 50 weeks a years in storage and two weeks on the kitchen counter, it's a lot more compact.  We're I dehydrating food for large groups and many trips a year, I'd probably get the Excalibur.
  
Back to top
IP Logged
 
Puckster
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1208
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Feb 10th, 2009
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #24 - Nov 18th, 2013 at 9:40pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
A bit off topic, but not too much: I just butchered a big spike buck, and have a pile of prime venison set aside for making jerky in my dehydrator! 

I've never been a jerky fan, but my family and friends love it.  This stuff disappears like a bucket of candy in a kindergarten class. 

prouboy
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
solotripper
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 8126
Location: clarkston MI
Joined: Mar 14th, 2005
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #25 - Nov 18th, 2013 at 11:39pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Quote:
with fan - another important feature - and it's great.


I have a DAK turbo dehydrator that I bought from Sharper Image years ago. I don't think they even make it anymore.

Lot's of good models out there driven by more and more people getting into dehydrating for a variety of reasons.

Whatever model you get, make sure it has a FAN.
Older models basically just had a heating element and to get the most efficiency out of them, you needed to flip thicker items ( jerky etc) which is a real pain.
The fan feature eliminates that as long as you don't crowd the trays.

  I also bought extra trays and when doing jerky of any kind, I put an empty tray between loaded trays. It seems to speed the dehydration process.

Biggest problem making homemade jerky is the smell as it's drying. Hard not to over sample. Wink Grin
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
knafelc
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 148
Joined: Apr 22nd, 2011
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #26 - Jan 3rd, 2014 at 11:53pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
...what does one do for needed dietary fat on extended trips to avoid cannibalizing your muscle mass and to provide longer term slow release energy , ,especially in the shoulder seasons?     Huh
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
HighnDry
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1058
Location: Minneapolis
Joined: Apr 29th, 2013
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #27 - Jan 4th, 2014 at 2:11am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
a healthy mix of nuts could be one suggestion...they're tasty too!
  
Back to top
IP Logged
 
db
Web-lackey
Inukshuk
Voyageur
Offline



Posts: 5465
Location: Just off the beaten path.
Joined: Sep 14th, 2002
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #28 - Jan 4th, 2014 at 8:57am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
knafelc wrote on Jan 3rd, 2014 at 11:53pm:
cannibalizing your muscle mass

I usually gain at least 5 lbs and lose ~2" around my midsection on trips. Mine are slow burns I guess so my metabolism doesn't go back to 'norma'l for a couple months afterwards. When I was skinny, I'd shiver and shake at the slightest cold snap.

Hey, I was offered Packer tickets today. All I needed to say was thanks for thinking of me ... enjoy the game and thanks (edit) but no thanks.  Thumbs Upup
  
Back to top
IP Logged
 
knafelc
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 148
Joined: Apr 22nd, 2011
Re: dehydrating newbie
Reply #29 - Jan 5th, 2014 at 11:04am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I notice that Kessilring cooks bannock with lard, and a fellow who calls himself "Wintertrekker" on youtube cooks with olive oil to obtain the benefits of a slow, even energy release, and to temper the up and down energy delivery of carbs-  especially simple carbs like sugar.
   Of course bears will' just kill' for fat in cooler weather , so the old timers practice of carrying a quantity of bacon or salt pork (close your ears,Mountenpaddeler Grin) is probably not that great of an idea , besides it's heavy. Peanut butter can get pretty bulky, and the only available fatty fish in canoe country is lake trout, and good luck with always coming up with those.
   So if your out for 4-5 weeks, or longer, super skinny  is probably a given ? That's good if you're carrying extra weight like am these days, but after a point,  it's not.
   Whadaya think?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 

 
  « The Put-In ‹ Board  ^Top