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snowdeuce Camp Cook
Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 119 | TRs | Pics Location: on top of a hill, Seattle |
Flybynight, I'm using the Nesco FD 61, and I love it. I can't tell you how much it costs; I found mine in the "free pile" at my apartment building, brand new and still in box. I've been completely satisfied with its performance so far (3-4 years of occasional use.) It comes with 5 shelves to start and holds up to 12. You can buy additional shelves and drying screens or fruit leather sheets in 2-packs on Amazon. It has a temp control so you can dry meats on high, and use lower temps for fruits, veg, pasta.
Thanks for the tip about papaya. I'm not a fan, but I might try that with some other fruits like mango or pineapple.
Repeal the parking fee for WA state public lands! The Ninth Circuit court has said this isn't allowed for federal public lands; why are we allowing it at the state level?
Repeal the parking fee for WA state public lands! The Ninth Circuit court has said this isn't allowed for federal public lands; why are we allowing it at the state level?
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:21 am
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flybynight wrote: | researching dehydrators maybe some feedback on products. Ultra light packers by design do not spend time thinking about cooking from my observation |
You'd be surprised. If anything, UL often means over thinking...lol.
As for dehydrators, while one can buy pricey ones, the cheapie Nesco ones work well. Often Amazon carries one for under $50, it is a workhorse. And made in the US as well.
PS: On lining trays? Go to Costco and buy a roll of parchment paper. Cut out circles and line your trays with it. Works a lot better than those dumb inserts do....
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renegadepilgrim Member
Joined: 09 Apr 2011 Posts: 302 | TRs | Pics Location: Portland, OR |
I heard a great tip at the ALDA West Winter Ruck. Go to Goodwill. People buy dehydrators and never use them. You can get them for cheap.
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:48 am
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That and bread makers
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DestinationUp Gearluster
Joined: 26 Jul 2012 Posts: 343 | TRs | Pics Location: 110 miles from the Teanaway |
I'd be happy to trade our very decent breadmaker for a dehydrator. At my place, fresh bread = gluttony.
Geek, wife, mom, Venturing Crew Advisor, perennially waiting for meltout.
Geek, wife, mom, Venturing Crew Advisor, perennially waiting for meltout.
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:35 pm
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Lol...so understand on that!
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DestinationUp Gearluster
Joined: 26 Jul 2012 Posts: 343 | TRs | Pics Location: 110 miles from the Teanaway |
But seriously folks...
If I go to Goodwill, and find a dozen dehydrators gracing the shelves, are there any models that I *shouldn't* get? I know Mr. Coffee makes one but is there anything that would be utterly frustrating to use?
Geek, wife, mom, Venturing Crew Advisor, perennially waiting for meltout.
Geek, wife, mom, Venturing Crew Advisor, perennially waiting for meltout.
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snowdeuce Camp Cook
Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 119 | TRs | Pics Location: on top of a hill, Seattle |
From what little I've read, I'd recommend holding out for a Nesco or American Harvest machine. They're a popular brand, and additional shelves, etc. are easy to order online, whereas I wouldn't expect to be able to find extra parts for a Mr. Coffee brand machine. Aside from that, I would not bother getting a machine that doesn't offer a range of temperature settings, and, of course, plug it in and check the fan/heat before you buy.
Repeal the parking fee for WA state public lands! The Ninth Circuit court has said this isn't allowed for federal public lands; why are we allowing it at the state level?
Repeal the parking fee for WA state public lands! The Ninth Circuit court has said this isn't allowed for federal public lands; why are we allowing it at the state level?
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nuclear_eggset Member
Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Posts: 2206 | TRs | Pics Location: Eastside |
I got one of those fancy-schmancy Excalibur machines. But the cheaper one, because they aren't cheap. This one: http://www.amazon.com/Excalibur-2400-4-Tray-Economy-Dehydrator/dp/B0047WOWHE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1394247522&sr=8-5&keywords=Excalibur+Dehydrator
Honestly. I LOVE it. I've had it for ... 12 years now? Runs great, dehydrates great. Not too loud. Easy to fit in my kitchen when I'm using it. Easy to clean up. (And do, do clean them... Mine attracted ants one year... Just EWWWWW.)
I've even thought about getting one of the larger models, because I really like it. (Being gluten and dairy free, I use a number of raw recipes. So, it gets used a fair amount, even though I'm not making backpacking food right now. I made some kale chips/crackers the other day with kale, carrots, garlic, onion, almond meal, and salt (and something else?) the other day. OH so yum!
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:48 pm
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If buying used, yes, look for Nesco/American Harvester (same brand ) and look for one with both a fan, and an adjustable range of temperature settings. Avoid any dehydrator with only one temp. setting. Those dry at "Sahara Desert" ;-)
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flybynight Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2013 Posts: 6 | TRs | Pics Location: Indiana |
Thanks for info this is just for trail food
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ranger rock One of the boys
Joined: 14 Dec 2011 Posts: 2550 | TRs | Pics
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I've been dehydrating my own food for close to 30 years now. I started with an American Harvest machine that my Grandma gave me. It lasted about 20 years. I've had a few thrift store machines since then. Ditto on getting one with a temperature regulator. I can't believe the prices on the Excalibur Machines but they look nice enough. My Grandpa had the square aluminum machine that he used to make fruit leathers with.
Last year I was gifted with a very nice American Harvest machine. I make all my own backpacking food. It's so easy to just take left overs from dinner, put them in the dehydrator, bag them up and then take them hiking. I often don't have to buy any food at the start of a short hiking trip because I already have so much stuff on hand.
I don't like Freezer Bag Cooking. There are too many nasty chemicals in all plastics, and heat is what releases them into your food.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/03/bpa-free-plastic-products-estrogen/1
You can start soaking your dehyrated meals a fews hours before if you're anticipating being in a hurry at dinner time. I'm MSG sensitive so I don't trust any of the store bought dehydrated backpacking meals. I had a Mountain House meal once, it was insipid.
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Sun Mar 09, 2014 1:27 pm
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Psssttt.....dehydrators are made of plastic Just sayin.....
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sarbar Living The Dream
Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 8055 | TRs | Pics Location: Freeland, Wa |
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sarbar
Living The Dream
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Sun Mar 09, 2014 1:32 pm
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And as for those concerned about plastics and FBC - that is why when I develop recipes I list 2-3 methods of cooking, be it FBC, Insulated Mug or in a pot. To say one doesn't like FBC is shutting out MANY recipes. They don't have to be prepared in a bag!!
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ranger rock One of the boys
Joined: 14 Dec 2011 Posts: 2550 | TRs | Pics
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Well I guess it all depends on how you define FREEZER BAG cooking. If you define FREEZER BAG cooking as cooking in something other than a FREEZER BAG.. well, I'm not quite sure what to say about that.
I sometimes will passive cook my meals in a metal pot with a cozy, I don't call that FREEZER BAG cooking. I call that passive cooking.
Some dehydrators are plastic yes. But they don't reach temperatures high enough to boil. Did you even read the article, or did you just do a knee jerk? High heat combined with plastic is the problem.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3222987/
"This leaching of monomers and additives from a plastic item into its contents is often accelerated if the product is exposed to common-use stresses such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight, microwave radiation, and/or moist heat via boiling or dishwashing. "
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