If you dry in volume, the Excalibur 9-Tray is the one to buy. Fifteen square feet of trays and horizontal airflow dried food evenly in TechGearLab's test, where it scored highest for dehydrating. The trays are plastic, the controls are dials, and it's harder to clean than newer models.
Key specs
| Excalibur 9-Tray | |
|---|---|
| Price | $279.99 list |
| Type | Shelf (rear fan) |
| Trays | 9 plastic, 15 × 15 in |
| Drying area | 15 sq ft |
| Temperature | 105–165°F |
| Timer | 26 hr |
| Power | Not listed |
| Warranty | 10 years (limited) |
| Notable | Horizontal airflow, made in the USA |
How it dries
Nine 15 × 15 in trays give 15 square feet of drying space. Excalibur's horizontal airflow crosses every tray, and the thermostat runs from 105 to 165°F with a 26-hour timer. Note the 105°F floor: it's at the top of the range Missouri Extension recommends for herbs.
Test results
TechGearLab gave it the highest dehydrating score of any model it tested (9.1 of 10) and its Editors' Choice for full-size dehydrators, but low marks for ease of cleaning and ease of use.
Build
Plastic trays, a removable door and dial controls. Excalibur says it's made in the USA from USA and globally sourced materials.
Price and warranty
$279.99 list from Excalibur. Limited 10-year warranty, the longest of the shelf dehydrators we compare alongside Tribest's.
After it's dry
Whatever you dry, cool it, condition it and pack it airtight. Our sister site covers vacuum sealing dried food and vacuum sealing mason jars.
This review is based on Excalibur's published specifications and independent test results (we name whose test each figure comes from), compared against the other dehydrators we track. We'll add hands-on notes as our own testing progresses.
Questions
Is the Excalibur worth it over the Cosori?
For big batches, yes. For everyday use on a normal counter, the Cosori is easier. See Excalibur vs Cosori.
Does it dry herbs?
Yes, but its lowest setting is 105°F, the top of the 95 to 105°F range Missouri Extension recommends.
