deer jerky dehydrator, need opinions
need a good dependable dehydrator. one that will work for yrs to come. looked at Wally World but they all look pretty cheaply made. just need at least 5 trays or more. not looking to spend more than 100$
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Had one from American Harvest. It endured pretty heavy use for about six years and then kicked it. I needed to replace the thermister once during that period, too. So that's not a rave review. It might have lasted longer if I'd been more careful not to let meat juice and vinegar drip down into it.
Can't remember the brand name of the current one I've got.
For $120, I don't really expect them to last more than about six years of heavy use.0 -
Joker;
I have a "Magic Chef". It's been goin-strong for 4 seasons, so far, and it only set me back $48.
For that money, if it goes 4 yrs. for you, it'd be worth it. 5 adjustable racks, round, and is 18" or so, across...Hope that helps U...0 -
thanks, i keep looking. been eyeing the people that make the Excalibur's, not wanting the really big one they have, but they do have one around 120 or so. anyone use from these people?
they have a 10 yr warrrenty as well and on sale if i order before 31st, can't beat that. To top the cake there made in USA0 -
i have 5 of the walmart specials and have had some of them for over 7 years. every other year i seem to get one of them and they all still work. that said if i ever by another one i want to get a bigger one. one like cabala's sells there 15 or 20 rack one because right now when i make jerky i have all 5 of them going for a weekend straight. a friend of mine had the big cabala's one and he can load it plump full and have it done in 4 to 6 hours mine take 8 to 12 hours. 0 -
I rec. amercian harvest gardenmaster. I've been using mine 5yrs now with no problems. Cabela's has them on sale, online for 99.99.I put 12 trays on mine and still works great. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by frog21
I rec. amercian harvest gardenmaster. I've been using mine 5yrs now with no problems. Cabela's has them on sale, online for 99.99.I put 12 trays on mine and still works great.
i'll look into it. no hurry as i'm still on vacation but want something soon after i get back0 -
I have a Nesco I purchased from Wally World a few years back, 500 watt I believe!!!
It works and holds well, found I needed more trays thou, five wasn't enough!!0 -
I too have the older American Harvester model with the heater/fan in the base unit (the newer models now have them on the the top). I've stacked them as high as 12 but have found that the ideal is 4 - 6 with plenty of space for air/heat circulation. I have used them on various meats and fruits. You might also want to get a jerky shooter. This allows you to use ground meat to make it into either strips or sticks. Good luck and enjoy! 0 -
Make sure the one you has has a circulating air heater in it. They usually are fixed temperatures at about 100-120 degrees. Find one of those wally world wonders for 39.00, that has 5 or 6 racks, and buy 2. 0 -
I have a rack system from Cabela's that is used in the oven. I can do about 12 lbs. of meat at a time and it works great.
I place the meat on the racks and set the oven to about 140 and leave the door cracked open just a bit. it takes from 4 to 8 hours for the jerky to be done depending on how thick you slice it.
It also make the whole house smell good while it is going.[:D]0 -
+1 on the American Harvester Garden Master, 4 years and still cranking out good stuff for me... 0 -
i saw the racks at tractor supply to use in the oven method,that git-er-done mentioned .looked like they'd hold alot of jerky .....
wrench0 -
I use a Nesco with the heater on top. It has been fine for many years. Don't get the bottom base ones. They're impossible to clean. 0 -
Similar to Git-R-Done, I use a regular oven, load up the marinated pieces in trays and set the temp to about 150 degrees for about 4 hours and finish it off on the smoker over mesquite or hickory for a couple of hours and bag it up. [;)][;)] 0
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