Dehydrators

Does it do a good job on meats/jerky?

I have a smaller biochef that I bought second hand. It’s the older model of this one
www.biochef.com.au/biochef-arizona-6-tray-food-dehydrator/

I started with the sunbeam one -
www.binglee.com.au/sunbeam-dt6000-food-lab-electronic-dehydrator?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2-zlxuaI5AIVxQ0rCh0udgXtEAQYASABEgIiyPD_BwE

Then I wanted something bigger and decided on the biochef that you’re planning on getting. They look great and are so much cheaper than the Excalibur. Came across the smaller biochef cheap second hand and figured I’d just keep the two.

The biochef Arizona (that I have) and the sunbeam are basically identical except the biochef has metal racks which I prefer and as my biochef is older it has a dial. My guess is same factory.

I love both the machines. They’re excellent. It works well for me to have the two as I do things like rise bread in them too so it means I can have 2 different things going, although a little larger for my bread tin would be nice.

If I were buying again I would get a biochef. I can’t justify the expense of an Excalibur and I have had no problems with either of my machines.

I don’t do meat so can’t give feedback re that.

I swear by my Ezidri - www.ezidri.com.au/Products/EzidriFoodDehydrators.aspx

I have about 15 trays on it, plus spacers, the rings for liquids and mesh for leathers. I haven't found one as expandable as this before or since. The only negative is as it's round it's not as space-efficient as a square/rectangular model. But the fact I can have 15 layers drying at once is a massive bonus. Three temperature levels also helps.

This thing has made jerky, dried fruits, dried tomatoes (yes, I know it's a fruit too). Apart from beef jerky my tip is to slice persimmon and remove any seeds. It's my favourite of all the dried fruits.

Great combo. Love my food saver.

You may already know this - you can get an attachment for the food saver to vac seal mason jars. This isn’t to replace water bath or pressure cooker preserving but for when you want to use jars instead of bags for vac sealing dry goods/dehydrated food.

Tim, can you please provide more info on how you do the eggs, and breadcrumbs - curious.

For the Cabelas brand units each tray has 2 "liquid" trays. We have farm eggs, meaning a rooster in residence, so each egg is cracked in a bowl before use. Sweetie will crack and beat about a dozen eggs in the Kitchen Aid mixer until well blended. Each of the liquid trays hold about 3 eggs worth of mix comfortably. This will dry to a crusty yellow. A quick buzz through the food processor until a reasonably fine powder and stored in vacuum sealed canning jars. About 1 lightly rounded table spoon in 1/3 cup water = a large egg.. Or close..

About the dame process for bread crumbs. Dry the bread in the dehydrator, buzz in the food process or and store in canning jars vacuum sealed. A cup of crumbs with 2 Table spoons Italian seasoning is a nice coating for baked chicken legs and thighs. I love, love meatloaf, so bread crumbs in meatloaf that extends it enough for left over meat loaf sandwiches the next day is great.

Hamburger gravel is browned, well drained, fine crumbled burger. Rinse in a colander with hot water to remove as much fat as possible. Dry fine crumbles until they come out like ..... gravel..... It takes a bit to re-hydrate in a recipe. Soups and wet stews work best. With a touch of beef bullion or beef soup base it is good enough protein..

Loving the dehydrator. Jerky worked out really nice.

I bought a Eurolab 5 tray dehydrator about 6-7 yrs ago off Ebay - think I paid about $25 for it incl. delivery. Still works great. It's not huge - takes 4 trays to dehydrate 1kg mixed frozen veg ( todays project ). Have even done jerky on it.