Have you ever received an appliance as a gift and you had no idea that you needed it until you tried it? Perhaps it was that margarita maker that you got for your wedding, or the multi-purpose pressure cooker that your friend swears by. Today, however, we’re going to talk about food dehydrators — the Excalibur Res10 Dehydrator, to be precise. What is it about this household appliance that makes it so useful, and what are its most notable features?
What is a Food Dehydrator?
The title itself is pretty self-explanatory, but if you’re unfamiliar, a food dehydrator removes all the moisture from foods — or dehydrates them — by heating them at a very low temperature for several hours. A fan evenly distributes the temperature throughout the unit to dry all items at a steady pace; this is how foods like jerky, prunes, sun-dried tomatoes and raisins are made. People who garden a lot of produce, like to hunt for game or simply enjoy making their own organic foods at home are the perfect target audience for a dehydrator.
The Excalibur Res10 Dehydrator, however, is not for total beginners. It is a slightly intermediate piece of equipment that takes some trial and error to get used to, so don’t expect to plug it in and be happily dehydrating foods a moment later. Ensure that you read the owner’s manual and get used to the system as a whole before you use it for the first time. Also, it’s worth noting that there are two different models: A commercial dehydrator model for restaurants and professional food establishments, and a household model for the people like you reading this article.
What Are Some of the Best Features on the Excalibur Res10 Dehydrator?
Thanks to the ten trays that are included, a lot of good usage can be put into this item. The total square footage of the trays comes out to 9.3, which means that you have so much space to work with and can dehydrate many different foods at the same time. Use as many or as few trays as you want and adjust them to make room for the oddly-shaped ones that might stick up a little higher. You can also see what’s happening inside the machine as it’s doing its magic; the doors are clear, offering a great view so you can see the progress. More good news: The doors are also removable, which means that cleaning is as simple as removing the trays and door.
The unit is powered by a 600-watt motor with a rear-mounted fan, which is both a good thing and a bad thing: Good, because it ensures that there’s plenty of power to the 10 tray dehydrator; bad, because those 600 watts can be noisy. It’s typically better for the even distribution of air to have a rear-mounted fan, so what you lose in a quiet appliance you gain in the superiority of the air circulation. However, since the unit measures at only 16 x 12 x 16 inches, this means that it’s small enough to be considered portable and hidden out of sight when it’s not in use. Equally important, it is mostly rectangular, which means that it will easily fit in whatever cabinet or shelf it will live in the meantime.
If you know anything about food dehydrators, then you have probably heard that the dehydrating process causes foods to lose their natural nutrients and vitamins. The Excalibur Res10 Dehydrator has made this a non-issue thanks to the opacity of the unit itself while keeping the doors clear. Another feature is the low and slow setting to aid in this process, preventing foods from being cooked any higher than 115 – 118 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that you can dehydrate whatever you want without the fear of them losing their enzymes and good-for-you vitamins.
The panel is smooth and digital, showing you the menus and numbers in bright LED letters. It allows you to set a maximum dehydration time of 99 hours and 59 minutes, or roughly fourish days. That might sound crazy, but think about people who hunt and have a lot of meat to make jerky out of; it can take a lot longer than you might realize. One cool feature regarding the panel is that it allows you to save and store up to 30 recipes, which means that if you’ve got special settings for the things you dry the most often, all you need to do is navigate to that area on the menu.
Pros
- This Excalibur Food Dehydrator has a 10-YEAR limited coverage.
- It has ten trays with 9. 3 square feet of dehydrating.
- Can dehydrate fruits, meat for jerky, herbs, nuts and more in large quantities.
- It has a clear double door for easy viewing.
- Quality products, the Excalibur has been making food dehydrators since 1973.
Cons
- Some foods get stuck when dehydrating, but you can fix that by buying dehydrator sheets.
- Another downside? It’s a big dehydrator, so you’ll need plenty of countertop room or a high shelf if you plan on storing it. So make sure you check your measurements before investing in one!
Features
- This high quality food dehydrator has a digital display screen.
- It has 9.3 sq. ft of dehydrating space.
- It comes with ten trays that measure at 11.4 x 14.
- It has two timers (up to 99 hours 59 minutes)
- It has an adjustable temperature (85°-165°F)
- It comes with dual drying zones.
- On this dehydrator, you can program and save 30 recipes.
- The power of this device is 110 voltage and 550 watts.
How to Use the Excalibur Res10 Food Dehydrator
Take control of your culinary destiny with the Excalibur Res10 Food Dehydrator, a top-tier appliance designed to elevate your food preparation game. Its unique features, such as dual-zone drying, adjustable thermostat, and 10-tray capacity, make it the ultimate tool for creating dehydrated delicacies.
Safety First
Before we embark on our dehydration journey, let’s ensure safety. Always place the device on a flat, heat-resistant surface, away from water sources or flammable materials. Never leave the dehydrator unattended while in operation.
Setting Up Your Excalibur Res10
1. Power up: Connect the dehydrator to a power source. The Excalibur Res10 operates on standard household voltage.
2. Heat settings: The adjustable thermostat ranges from 85°F to 165°F. Lower temperatures work best for herbs and spices, while higher temperatures are ideal for meats and fish.
Trays and Loading
The Excalibur Res10 comes with ten trays, providing ample space for all your dehydration needs. Position the trays evenly and ensure no food overlaps, as this could lead to inconsistent drying.
Monitoring Your Dehydrator
Keep an eye on the dehydrator’s progress through the clear door. If you notice uneven drying, simply rotate the trays.
Achieving Consistent Drying Results
Patience is key here. The drying time of food increases as its thickness increases. Fruits take 4 to 12 hours, veggies 6 to 12 hours, and meats require anywhere from 5 to 15 hours.
Cleaning Up
Once you’ve got the perfect dehydration, it’s time to tidy up. Give those trays a clean with some warm, soapy water. Then wipe down the inside of your dehydrator with a damp cloth for that extra bit of sparkle!
Essential Tips, Tricks & Common Missteps to Avoid
Avoid these common missteps:
- Overloading: This leads to uneven drying. Less is more.
- Not rotating trays: This ensures even drying.
- Ignoring temperature settings: Different foods require different temperatures.
Unlock the full potential of your Excalibur Res10 with these tips:
- Pre-treat foods: This enhances color and flavor.
- Slice uniformly: This promotes even drying.
Master your Excalibur Res10, and you’ll command the world of food dehydration. Happy dehydrating!
Alternative: Excalibur EXC10EL
Unleash the power of dehydration with the Excalibur EXC10EL. This electric food dehydrator machine is a game-changer in the culinary world. Engineered with a timer and temperature control, it allows you to cook food at lower drying temperatures, thereby increasing the immunity-boosting vitamin content of your meals.
The EXC10EL is not just any food dehydrator; it’s a state-of-the-art tool that brings you 600 watts of drying power. This machine is packed with advanced features, thanks to its cutting-edge horizontal air flow drying technology and a 6 1/2″ fan. It’s one of the best on the market for providing efficient drying results!
This stainless steel marvel offers ten 15 x 15-inch trays, providing ample space for dehydrating a variety of foods at once. The digital controls and a 99-hour timer ensure precision and convenience, and the clear doors allow you to monitor the progress without interrupting the drying process.
The Excalibur EXC10EL isn’t just built to perform; it’s built to last. Its exceptionally solid stainless steel case and tray construction provide durability, ensuring that this dehydrator is a long-term investment for your kitchen.
Excalibur has been a trusted name in dehydrators since 1973, designing and manufacturing their products in Sacramento, California, USA. Their Adjustable Thermostat leverages the power of Hyperwave™.
So, if you’re looking for a powerful, efficient, and reliable dehydrating solution, the Excalibur EXC10EL 10-Tray Dehydrator is a great alternative worth considering. It may not be the cheapest model out there, but it delivers exceptional value for those seriously invested in the art of dehydration.
Where to Purchase the Excalibur RES10 Food Dehydrator: Top Retailers and Online Marketplaces
Elevate your culinary capabilities with the Excalibur RES10 Food Dehydrator. This innovative appliance is available at numerous online and physical retailers, ensuring you can easily access this game-changing kitchen tool. Here’s where you can buy one:
- Amazon: A leading online marketplace that offers quick shipping and a user-friendly experience. Visit the product page to grab yours.
- Excalibur Dehydrator Official Website: Purchase directly from the source on their website.
- Sam’s Club: An excellent option for bulk shoppers and bargain seekers. Check out the dehydrator on their website.
- Home Depot: Known for its comprehensive home improvement items, they also carry the Excalibur 10 Tray. See it here.
- Equippers: Specializing in restaurant equipment, you can find the dehydrator here
- eBay: This auction site often has new or gently used products. Check out the availability here.
Additionally, if you prefer shopping in person, consider checking your local Walmart Supercenters.
As for the company itself, rest assured that Excalibur is still very much in business, continuing to manufacture quality dehydrators with the same passion that’s defined the brand since its inception. These products are designed and manufactured in Sacramento, California, USA, setting the industry standard for over 40 years.
Remember, when buying a food dehydrator, look for brands that offer durability, adjustability, and superior performance – all of which you’ll find in the Excalibur RES10. So why wait? Start your journey towards healthier, preservative-free snacks today!
A Learning Curve
Again, like any new appliance, it’s best that you read the manual and start small when you familiarize yourself with the unit. For example, instead of trying to make beef jerky for the first use, why not start with some berries? The better you get to know ideal temperatures for specific foods, the easier it will be for you to work your way up to get the most out of your unit. Don’t expect to be an expert the first time that you use it; there will be a bit of a learning curve, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Besides, wouldn’t you rather your food turns out perfectly and evenly-cooked instead of sloppy and uneven because you were too impatient to learn how to use it?
A Great Unit That You Can Trust
At the end of the day, it will all come down to your personal preferences and how you tend to use the unit. You know yourself best; will this investment be something that you take the time to learn and understand to make efficient use out of it? If the answer is yes, then the Excalibur is a fantastic model to work with. Built to retain the best, healthiest parts of your foods while doing its job to dehydrate them at the same time, you’re getting an item that performs its task admirably. Just remember that you need to understand it and get to know how it works before diving in and dehydrating everything in your freezer. It takes some time, but it’s worth it.
