I purchased this unit and the first one that arrived was damaged in shipping. Fine, it happens. Received replacement unit and didn't have time for about 6 weeks to use it. First time I plug it in the fan DOESN'T WORK. I'm wondering why all this food isn't drying and start checking about 20 hours into drying. At first I'm thinking I didn't use it right, maybe using so many racks slows down the drying? Maybe it takes longer than it says? Nope, it's that the product is defective from the get go. I'm learning that the refund window from where I purchased it is expired and so I have a $300+ easy bake oven that's probably a fire hazard. Unfortunately can't recommend this product as I've never gotten to successfully use it.

I just got this one today and have already used it to dry peppers. It works great and I do really like the digital control and the clear door. I've been using Excalibur's for about 6 years now and my first one, which is a 3629TB, has never missed a beat. I bought a clear door for it recently, so now I feel like I have 2 new dehydrators.

Overall I like Excalibur but this unit has a major design flaw: it is extremely difficult to properly clean. Although the plastic surface cleans easily, the design of this unit allows liquids to flow into the area behind the fan's screen. In order to access that area, you will have to remove 8 screws and remove the metal back panel; then disconnect the wiring; then remove 4 screws and remove the metal screen; then clean the area, then reinstall the screen, reinstall the 4 screws, reconnect the wiring, reinstall the back panel, and reinstall the 8 screws. You get to do that every time you use the unit because there is no way to prevent the liquid from reaching that area. There is no lip in the bottom to reduce the likelihood of liquids flowing into that area. There is no tray available for that area either. But if you don't properly clean the unit, it can result in mold. It is also likely to attract ants and other critters. After all these years of experience manufacturing excellent dehydrators, Excalibur should know better than to release a unit with such a basic design issue.

The door will easily Break if not careful it will fall off, hard to clean

I just read another review and wanted to note that I have had this model for several years and have not had the problem with liquids getting on the fan. It has worked perfectly and cleans up easily for me.

I purchased mine a couple of years ago and am just getting around to writing a review. I used mine initially for jerky...my husband was deployed and I sent him fresh jerky every week and it did amazing. I now dehydrate fruit regularly in it and again you can't ask for a better product. I only have one quirk with it and that is I really need to order a new door... mine cracked and I need to replace that one part but it isn't on the replacement parts page.

I am disappointed with the quality of the Excalibur dehydrator compared to the price tag. The plastic trays are flimsy and cheap, they came jammed in my machine when shipped, and don't try drying anything remotely liquid in form on them (it's a mess!). It's a shame I have to pay $50+ for proper drying sheets labeled as "accessories" when they should be essential for proper use. It's noisy, not super loud but heard from the other room and annoying if you're not a fan of white noise. To be expected with a machine with a fan. Overall, it does the job but do not buy without the ParaFlexx drying sheets!

Our first Excalibur has an analog temperature and timer setting where our second one has the digital temperature and timer setting. Both work wonderful, during growing season they are kept busy dehydrating primarily green beans, corn, carrots, celery, onions*, bell peppers, hot peppers*, and kale to name a few items. Prior to starting we determine the amount of fresh vegetable we would want in a pot of soup. and only putting that amount on a tray. Once dehydrated we put the desired vegetable combination in a food saver bag with the appropriate oxygen packet then vacuum seal. In theory they will stay good for 20 to 25 years, we don't know as we make soup multiple times throughout the year. As my wife starts the soup we just open a pack of the dehydrated vegetable dump them in and by the time the soup is ready to eat the dehydrated vegetable have rehydrated and unable to be distinguished from fresh. We also do apples, bananas, pineapples, veggie chips, and a variety of flavors of jerky. We also do fruit leathers. Figuring our family consist of: my wife and myself, our Children and their spouses (10), Grandchildren and their spouses (14), Great Grandchildren (12), our Sisters and their spouses (6), Nieces and Nephews and spouses (8) and Great Nieces and Nephews (4). Hopefully I counted correctly that gives us a total of 56 family members. As I am writing this I have Kale in one of the dehydrators and need to harvest more. We have the silicone tray liners but I have also found that I can use parchment paper particularly for items that have a tendency to drip (Jerky); Fruit leathers I definitely use the silicone tray liners then when done I roll them in plastic wrap wide enough to twist the ends when rolled. Fruit leathers we have done include Apple, banana, blueberry, strawberry, and strawberry-banana. If you can a quart jar requires about 16 square inches and 112 cubic inches of space. A canner hold 8 jars requiring 128 square inches and 896 cubic inches of storage space. In that same space instead of 8 jars of a single item I can store approximately 120 packets containing a mixture of fruits and vegetables. I purchase food grade plastic buckets with lids to store the various dehydrated items in. You need at least 3 buckets: (1) vegetables except for peppers and onions, (2) .peppers and onions for obvious reasons, and (3) fruit. You need to store the buckets in a cool place with as little light as possible. Buy now you can understand why the title says "1 - 2 I'd like another" allowing me to do multiple items with different drying times and temperatures. * these items must be done outside away from your doors for obvious reasons, learned the hard way.

I bought this dehydrator 4 years ago. I absolutely love it. Excellent dehydrator. I love how easy it is to program. Everything is digital. The trays are easy to wash and dry. I also love that if anything breaks or wears out Excalibur has replacement parts. I have made so many different things in my dehydrator. Carrots ... mushrooms ... all citrus ... onions ... garlic ... herbs ... ginger ... sweet potatoes ... peppers ... tomatoes ... cantaloupes ... apples ... pears ... tomatoes ... kale ... beef jerky ... turkey jerky ... and so much more. Sometimes my dehydrator is in constant use as I get a lot of food by the case. I keep lots of things on hand so if I run out of fresh items I have it dehydrated and dont have to run to the store. That isnt always feasible when I am cooking for the soup kitchen twice a week. I highly recommend this dehydrator. I am 62 years old and I just love the ease and the features this dehydrator offers. If you spend more money on a quality dehydrator you will never be sorry. Excalibur is just awesome.

Great dehydrater! I think a best practice would be to rotate trays periodically as top tray dries a bit more than the lower trays. Did jerky. Great results. Fruit leather is great. Just use silicone mat and parchment paper so you can roll the dried leather. Let sit in zip lock bag for maybe a week. Will soften and be like what is sold in stores.