Is the Excalibur Food Dehydrator Worth It?
A Complete Guide

The Excalibur Food Dehydrator has been a trusted brand for over three decades. They offer a variety of dehydrators, ranging from compact 4-tray starter models to larger 9-tray units designed for serious food drying.

If you're wondering whether an Excalibur dehydrator is the right choice for your kitchen, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

I own the one above, namely the 4-tray Excalibur dehydrator shown in the photo.

This Excalibur dehydrator is the four-model tray but sadly has no on/off switch. Higher grade Excalibur food dehydrator models DO have an on/off switch.

How Excalibur’s Parallexx Airflow Improves Drying

One of the standout features of Excalibur food dehydrators is their Parallexx Horizontal Airflow Drying System. Unlike dehydrators with bottom-mounted fans, Excalibur places the fan at the back of the unit, ensuring even airflow across all trays.

Additionally, the larger the model, the more powerful the fan, allowing for faster drying times on higher-capacity units.

The plastic exterior body of the dehydrator is molded to look like leather (I think!) but admittedly my images make it look like it's dirty (it's NOT!)

Temperature Control: Perfect Heat for Every Food

The temperature selector on Excalibur dehydrators is located on the top of the unit and features a wide range from 85°F to 165°F.

• 85°F – 105°F is perfect for drying herbs and delicate flowers.
• 105°F – 135°F works well for fruits and vegetables.
• 135°F – 165°F is ideal for meats and making jerky.

Having precise temperature control ensures your food retains its nutrients and dries evenly without overcooking.

💡 Pro Tip: Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

Why the Excalibur Food Dehydrator’s Pull-Out Trays and Rear Fan Make Drying Easier

I find the pull-out trays to be a really handy feature/bonus of the Excalibur dehydrator.

We can proof our bread dough in it, simply by taking out the top trays and just leaving in the bottom tray. Beneath that bottom tray, add a shallow foil (or glass) pan of water.

NOTE: Don't try proofing bread in a four-tray dehydrator model. There's not enough height to the unit—unless you're baking not-so-tall hot-dog buns; use a 9-tray model for proofing loaves of bread!

You can find this starter Excalibur dehydrator I use on Amazon.

In the image above, I have filled four Excalibur dehydrator trays with frozen diced hash brown potatoes.

Notice that I took the time to spread them out so they would dry more evenly. Remember to rotate your trays - up and down - and turn 180 degrees. Why?

Look, even though just about ALL dehydrators on the market today state you don't need to rotate trays due to their 'superior fancy fans,' I still find that the food closest to fan dries out faster. That makes total sense, right?

In this case, the Excalibur's fan is at the rear. So that's why I say turn your trays around 180 degrees, i.e. put the current fronts of the trays to the back - rotate them every hour or so.

That's why I take the time to rotate my trays, whether I'm using my Excalibur dehydrator or my Nesco dehydrator (where I rearrange/reorder the stack) - so that the food on the trays dries evenly.

9-Tray Models are Great For Proofing Bread!

As I said earlier about my 4-tray model , 9-tray models are great for proofing bread. Simply set the dehydrator temperature to 115°F and let it warm up. Here's our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter again. Place a shallow pan of water on the very bottom and put one tray directly above it with the bowl of dough placed on that tray.

Cover your dough with a cloth to keep it from drying out! Let it sit for up to an hour—whatever your bread recipe calls for!

Keep on scrolling to read more about rotating your trays for even drying!

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Tips for Even Drying: Rotate Your Trays!

Although Excalibur’s airflow system eliminates the need for tray rotation, I’ve found that rotating trays still helps achieve the most even drying results.

Trays positioned in the middle tend to dry faster than those on the top or bottom. To ensure consistency:

• Turn each tray 180° every hour to allow for even exposure to airflow.
• Swap middle trays with top or bottom trays halfway through drying for more uniform results.

These small adjustments make a big difference in achieving perfectly dried food.

Dehydrator Size: Which Model Is Right for You?

Choosing the right dehydrator size depends on how much food you plan to dry and how often.

If you only dehydrate small amounts of food for personal use, a 4-tray model is perfect. But if you frequently dehydrate in large batches, a 9-tray model will save you time and effort.

A larger model is especially useful for proofing bread, fermenting yogurt, or making jerky in bulk.

Final Thoughts: Is the Excalibur Dehydrator Right for You?

Excalibur food dehydrators are well-built, reliable, and efficient, making them one of the best choices for food preservation. If you’re looking for a high-quality dehydrator that provides even drying, easy-to-use temperature control, and large capacity options, an Excalibur is a fantastic investment.

Get Your Free Guide to Dehydrating Food!

Don't forget to grab your free Six Simple Steps eBook! It’s packed with tips for dehydrating everything from fruits and veggies to dog treats. Get it here.