eat-bolete Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 I might buy one. Any suggestions? Tips? Brands and models? I know nothing about them so anything will be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dualsetters Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 I used to have one but ruined it making jerky. Now I just use some wire mesh grill trays and the oven. Usually turn it on the lowest setting (170*) until it's done preheating, turn it off and walk away for 2 days or so. I finished my trumpets on 220 for 20 minutes taking Dave Ws advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianf Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Just make sure it has a heating coil versus just air. You can buy a useful one for 50-60$. I just bought 2 more cheap ones from a liquidator type department store to deal with the overload at 30$ a piece. They'll get me through the summer if I don't end up buying a large capacity one. My original one was just a small, oval shaped 6 tray one. It more than gets the job done, it's been running non-stop for a couple of weeks, and it recently got dropped onto a hard surface from about 4 feet, it runs fine. It's just an inexpensive "Waring" I got as a gift a couple of years ago. On top of mushrooms, we're always picking and dehydrating herbs and shortly it'll be time to dehydrate some garlic, chilis, and cherry tomatoes. So it will run non-stop through the summer into the fall. Great investment. Oh, the two cheap ones I picked up literally just said "Food Dehydrator" both on the box and on the units themselves. I assume as long as I handle them carefully, they'll last long enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1shotwade Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 I visit a homesteading site. They always talk about the "Excalibur".(check spelling) Other than that,I know nothing! Wade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedric Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 I just string them up and put a fan in front. Or make a wind tunnel with some boxes. 2-3 hours and they are bone dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eat-bolete Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 I like Cedric's solution the best so far haha, quick and cheap. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4rum Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 I have a very inexpensive one that I would hesitate to recommend. It works ok, but I doubt it will last long. It was all that was available locally. I live in a very small town. I like Cedric's setup too. I'll be experimenting with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adawg Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 String drying will only work under optimal conditions . Low humidity, and high temps . Works great in Arizona, but iffy in Georgia .. I hunt too hard to risk it .I have had this model for 4 years, and it may be a cheapo, but it has worked great . . http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002OKDWO/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=53317801488&hvpos=1t3&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7706981630072113500&hvpone=69.36&hvptwo=27&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_wfw60fvhp_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 DaveW has a great one that he built for minimal expense using a light bulb. The heat forces warm air up to create air flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eat-bolete Posted July 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Ah, ingenious! Thanks Adawg, I'll check it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Well, I didn't build it. A friend of mine who'se a sign maker built it. We call it the "800 P". He also has one just like mine. It even has 800 P written on it. There was a contract for signs for some business at 800 Prescott St, and the deal fell through. He used the materials meant for a couple of metal signs. Uses two 75 watt light bulbs. Heated air rises up to the top through plastic grates/trays, and out some holes drilled in the plexi-glass lid. Works great! Although sometimes I air-dry material that's kinda wet before putting it into the 800 P. When I have more mushrooms than fit into the 800 P, I hang the rest of the slices on mono-filament strung across a south-facing attic window. The 800 P is positioned just below the window, so the warm air flows upward toward the hanging mushroom slices. Hanging material eventually gets finished in the 800 P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianf Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Dave. The 800p is awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eat-bolete Posted July 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Wow, awesome! How many 75W bulbs does it require? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Two light bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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