The Excalibur 3548CDB is a game-changer for anyone looking to delve into the world of food dehydration. This 5-tray food dehydrator with a digital 48-hour timer in sleek black is designed to make creating your own dehydrated foods a breeze. Equipped with Excalibur’s proprietary Hyperwave technology and horizontal Parallex drying system, this dehydrator maintains the ideal drying temperature while providing continuous circulation of warm air that is thermostatically controlled. Whether you’re preserving fruits, vegetables, nuts, or meat for jerky, this dehydrator offers versatility and precision. Discover how the Excalibur 3548CDB can transform your kitchen into a hub of healthy, homemade snacks and meals.
Key Features of the 5 Tray Food Dehydrator
- Dehydrate like a pro with the Excalibur 5-Tray Food Dehydrator, making your own dehydrated foods with no added sugars or preservatives. This innovative appliance allows you to enjoy healthy snacks that retain their natural flavors and nutrients. Whether you’re looking to preserve seasonal produce or create delicious homemade treats, the Excalibur dehydrator is your go-to solution.
- 5 plastic trays with enough room to dry a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meat for jerky. These trays are designed for optimal airflow, ensuring even drying across all layers. With a total of 8 square feet of drying space, you have ample room for large batches, making it perfect for families or avid food preservation enthusiasts.
- Clear polycarbonate door for easy view of drying progress. The transparent door lets you monitor the dehydration process without interrupting it, helping you achieve perfect results every time. This feature is particularly useful for those who are new to dehydrating, as it provides a visual cue to the drying stages.
- Unit automatically adjusts after the first setting and turns off when the second setting is complete. This dual-stage timer is a game-changer for those who want to set it and forget it. By automatically transitioning between two temperature settings, it ensures that your food is dried evenly and thoroughly without the need for constant supervision.
- Increased air circulation with horizontal Parallex drying and continuous circulation of thermostatically-controlled warm air. The Excalibur’s patented Hyperwave technology works in tandem with horizontal Parallex drying to remove moisture efficiently, preserving the flavor and nutrients of your food. This system prevents the growth of mold and bacteria, ensuring your dehydrated foods are safe and long-lasting.
Features
- 440W dehydrator
- The excalibur 5 tray dehydrator weighs 17 pounds
- Dimensions: 17 x 19 x 10 inches
- Five trays
- 8 sq. ft capacity
- Trays measure 15 x 15 inches
- 48-hour digital timer
- Adjustable thermostat with temperature range 95°F to 165°F
- Fan for optimal air circulation
- Limited 10-year warranty
- Made in the USA
Pros
- Versatility: low-temperature range allows preservation of fruit and vegetable enzymes, upper range allows for safe preservation of jerky
- Clear front door for easy viewing of progress
- Allows for one timer to be set at one temperature and another timer afterward for a different temperature
- Clear and user-friendly controls
- Patented Hyperwave and Horizontal Parallex technologies allow water to be removed from food through a continuous flow of temperature-controlled air
- Multiple uses
Cons
- The Excalibur 5 tray food dehydrator, while offering a multitude of features and benefits for food dehydration enthusiasts, has a few drawbacks that potential buyers should consider. One notable downside is its weight; at 17 pounds, this dehydrator is quite heavy, making it less portable and more challenging to move around the kitchen or store away when not in use. This might be inconvenient for those with limited counter space or who need to frequently relocate their kitchen appliances.
- Another consideration is the space it occupies. The Excalibur food dehydrator has a relatively large footprint, which means it can take up significant space in your kitchen or spare room. If you have a smaller kitchen or limited storage space, this could be a concern, as it might require you to rearrange your setup to accommodate the dehydrator comfortably.
- Additionally, the Excalibur 3548CDB can be noisy during operation. While this is common with many dehydrators due to the fans and motors involved in the drying process, it’s something to keep in mind if you prefer a quieter kitchen environment or plan to use the dehydrator frequently. The noise level might be particularly noticeable if you’re dehydrating foods for extended periods, which is often the case with larger batches or when using the dual-stage timer for optimal results.
Digital 48 HR Timer and Temperature Control
- The Excalibur 3548CDB’s 48-hour digital controller is a standout feature, allowing you to set two distinct times and temperature speeds, making it incredibly versatile for different drying needs. Whether you’re drying delicate herbs or robust meats, this flexible timer ensures optimal results every time.
- With a temperature range from 95°F to 165°F, this dehydrator offers the optimal drying temperature for a wide variety of foods, including herbs, fruits, vegetables, and meats. This range ensures that you can preserve the natural enzymes in fruits and vegetables while also safely dehydrating meats for jerky.
- The adjustable thermostat provides precise temperature control, allowing you to tailor the drying process to the specific requirements of each food type. This precision ensures that your foods retain their natural flavors and nutrients, making them healthier and more delicious.
- The digital 48 HR timer in black is designed for ease of use, featuring an intuitive interface that simplifies the dehydrating process. This user-friendly design makes it easy for anyone to start dehydrating foods at home, regardless of their experience level.
- Dehydrate seasonal fruits,healthy vegetables,crunchy nuts, meat for jerky, fruit puree for fruit roll-up snacks, raise bread, or make your very own homemade yogurt. This versatile dehydrator allows you to experiment with a wide range of foods, ensuring that you can enjoy a variety of snacks and meals. Whether you’re a fan of crunchy apple chips, chewy beef jerky, or creamy yogurt, the Excalibur 3548CDB has you covered. Its ability to handle different textures and moisture levels makes it an ideal tool for any home chef looking to expand their culinary repertoire.
- Thermostatically controlled warm air for even drying and optimal results. The Excalibur 3548CDB ensures that every item placed inside receives consistent heat, which is crucial for preserving the texture, flavor, and nutritional value of your food. This feature is particularly beneficial when dehydrating delicate items like herbs or thinly sliced fruits, where precise temperature control can make a significant difference in the final product.
- Continuous circulation of air for faster and more efficient dehydration. The constant flow of air within the dehydrator reduces drying times, allowing you to prepare large batches of snacks and meals quickly. This efficiency not only saves time but also ensures that your food is dried uniformly, preventing any spoilage or uneven textures.
- Horizontal Parallex drying for increased air circulation and better results. This unique drying system enhances the overall performance of the Excalibur 3548CDB by promoting even air distribution across all trays. It helps maintain the integrity of your food, ensuring that each piece is dried to perfection. Whether you’re preserving the vibrant colors of bell peppers or the rich flavors of marinated meats, horizontal Parallex drying guarantees superior results every time.
Benefits of Using a Food Dehydrator with Digital Timer
- Make healthy foods with no added sugars or preservatives. By using the Excalibur 3548CDB Food Dehydrator, you can create snacks that are not only delicious but also free from unhealthy additives. This ensures that you and your family enjoy wholesome treats that retain their natural goodness.
- Create your own dehydrated foods, including fruit roll-ups, jerky, and homemade yogurt. The possibilities are endless with this versatile dehydrator. You can experiment with various recipes and flavors, allowing you to craft personalized snacks that cater to your taste preferences and dietary needs. From sweet fruit roll-ups to savory jerky, the Excalibur 3548CDB enables you to explore a wide range of culinary creations.
- Easy to use and clean, with a clear polycarbonate door for monitoring drying progress. The user-friendly design of the Excalibur 3548CDB makes it accessible for everyone, regardless of their experience level. The clear door provides a convenient way to keep an eye on the drying process, ensuring perfect results without the need to open the unit. Plus, the easy-to-clean trays and components make maintenance a breeze, so you can spend more time enjoying your homemade snacks.
- Increased food storage and preservation options. With the Excalibur 3548CDB, you can extend the shelf life of your favorite foods, reducing waste and saving money. This dehydrator is an excellent tool for preserving seasonal produce, allowing you to enjoy fresh flavors all year round. Whether you’re stocking up for emergencies or simply want to have healthy snacks readily available, the Excalibur 3548CDB offers a practical solution for long-term food storage.
Design and Build Quality
- Durable and compact design with a small footprint. The Excalibur 3548CDB is engineered to fit seamlessly into any kitchen setup without taking up excessive space. Its robust build ensures that it can withstand frequent use, making it a reliable addition to your culinary tools. Despite its compact size, this dehydrator packs a powerful punch, delivering professional-grade dehydration results.
- Five-inch fan for increased air circulation and faster dehydration. The powerful fan is a key component of the Excalibur’s efficient drying system. It ensures that warm air circulates evenly throughout the unit, reducing drying times and guaranteeing that all food items receive consistent airflow. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who want to dehydrate large quantities of food quickly, as it maximizes efficiency without compromising quality.
- 8 square foot capacity for large batches of food. With its generous drying space, the Excalibur 3548CDB accommodates substantial amounts of food, making it ideal for families or individuals who love to prepare and store homemade snacks. Whether you’re drying fruits for a healthy snack or creating batches of jerky, this dehydrator provides ample room to meet your needs. The spacious design also allows for the simultaneous drying of different foods, enhancing convenience and productivity.
- Excalibur’s patented Hyperwave technology for optimal dehydration results. This innovative technology sets the Excalibur apart from other dehydrators on the market. By fluctuating temperature and airflow, Hyperwave technology ensures that moisture is efficiently removed from food while preserving its natural flavors and nutrients. This method prevents the growth of bacteria and mold, resulting in safe, long-lasting dehydrated foods. It’s an essential feature for anyone serious about food preservation, offering peace of mind and superior results.
Summary
The Excalibur 3548CDB is a high-quality mid-sized home food dehydrator. 8 square feet of drying capacity and 5 stacked trays allow for a lot of versatility in dehydrating fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meat.
The system is also very user-friendly with clear controls that are easy to use. The extended timer function also means that it is suitable for home use, as it can be left to run with an automatic shut-off time.
One of the major benefits of the Excalibur 3548CDB is its versatility. The temperature range of 95°F to 165°F allows you to treat each dehydrated product differently.
For example, the lowest temperature on the thermostat will allow you to dehydrate fruits and vegetables while still preserving their natural enzymes. This means the fruit and vegetables retain their nutritional value.
However, the high end of the thermostat also allows you to dehydrate meat safely. Meat needs to be dehydrated at sufficient heat to meet health standards. To learn more about dehydrating meat, check out this quick 5-step process for making jerky.
You can also learn more about how to dehydrate fruit and how to dehydrate vegetables with these guides.
Compare Dehydrators
When considering how you can start dehydrating your own food, it is important to compare dehydrators.
Here, we compare the Excalibur 3548CDB to three other home dehydrators to give you an idea of the differences that may make the Excalibur 3548CDB more or less appropriate for your needs.
The Excalibur 3548CDB is a lot larger than other food dehydrators with similar functions. For some families that want to dehydrate a lot food, this may be perfect. However, there are also smaller food dehydrators available on the market.
For example, the Waring Pro DHR30 weighs just 7.6 pounds compared to the 17 pounds of the Excalibur 3548CDB electric food dehydrator. The Waring Pro model allows for portability that is not available to the Excalibur model.
In terms of features and functions, the Excalibur 3548CDB is similar to other food dehydrating products on the market of a similar size. However, the Excalibur model does provide some benefits not available on competitor models.
The Ivation 9 and Chefman dehydrators are both competitor models that feature 5 trays and are approximately the same size and weight.
However, these two models only offer a maximum timer of 19.5 hours. The Excalibur model features a 48-hour digital timer.
This can make a big difference to someone using a dehydrator at home. It means they can set the dehydrator at a lower setting for a longer period of time without worrying about it.
One of the other features that distinguish the Excalibur from these models is its higher temperature limit. These models can only reach 158 degrees Fahrenheit. The Excalibur 3548CDB can reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This difference can make dehydrating meat a lot faster and more efficient.
To compare further, have a look at our other food dehydrator reviews.
Excalibur 3548CDB Verdict
The Excalibur 3548CDB is a home food dehydrator that offers higher functionality than competitor models of a similar type. In particular, it offers the user great options in choosing temperatures and timers.
These features give the amateur dehydrator a lot of versatility in dehydrating fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meat. This means that you can get maximum health benefits from each different type of dehydrated food.
If you are unaware of all of the health benefits of dehydrating your own food, check out these 10 incredible health benefits of using a dehydrator.
As well as being versatile, the Excalibur 3548CDB is also much easier to use than other products on the market. It features clear and simple controls that make it perfect for the home user.
However, it also has great technology incorporated into it to allow the amateur dehydrator great options for making high quality dehydrated food.
In particular, the dehydrator offers a very advanced feature of a double timer. This allows a user to first set the dehydrator to a high temperature for a certain time period, and also to set a second timer at a different temperature. This function allows you to dehydrate food without compromising on food quality or your time.
For many people, the possibility of dehydrating their own food just seems too good to be true. Dehydrated food has so many health benefits, as well as being really tasty. Of course, buying dehydrated food from health stores can be really expensive.
However, with a product like the Excalibur 3548CDB, dehydrating your own food is an enjoyable and affordable option. So, why not start dehydrating your own food today?
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