best dehydrator

[R2elk]

Have you tried Betalux tomatoes? they're the earliest tomatoes I've ever grown

The description I found is that it produces a 2 to 4 oz. fruit. I have no interest in a small tomato. The Northern Exposure produces up to 5" diameter tomatoes that can weigh more than 1 lb. They are the hardiest tomato that I have grown.

 

[tortoise]

Definitely not the same tomato. It lists the tomatoes as being for a shorter time to maturity and only 5 to 6 oz. fruits.

Bummer! I was hoping for magic! I hope you can keep your clones going!

 

[Britesea]

I'm using electricity while it's available, but I have some ideas about how to convert my Excalibur to non-electric if/when the time comes. Something like this, connected to the dryer itself, might work

 

[Hinotori]

If I could get anything to dry naturally Id be happy. Our humidity is always too high for that. I need to look up plans for a solar dehydrator. The added heat should make it work.

 

[Cecilia's-life]

Might I recommend a Harvest Right freeze dryer?

 

[tortoise]

A cheap one? I have never paid more than $10. They pop up in auctions and thrift stores. If I was going to spend money on a dehydrator, I would be looking for a low temp or no heat option. If I had patience for the maintenance, I would get a Harvest Right. DH ordered one as a birthday present for me a few years ago but when we read the manual we cancelled the order. Yikes.

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

A cheap one? I have never paid more than $10. They pop up in auctions and thrift stores. If I was going to spend money on a dehydrator, I would be looking for a low temp or no heat option. If I had patience for the maintenance, I would get a Harvest Right. DH ordered one as a birthday present for me a few years ago but when we read the manual we cancelled the order. Yikes.

I haven't ever seen any in the thrift stores around here, but I haven't been venturing out too much lately. I will have to keep my eyes open bc that is a good place to look.

I never thought of Cabela's @FarmerJamie but that makes sense, meat = jerky

 

[CrealCritter]

I have big one from Cabelas I bought a decade ago. I have a little round Presto that works awesome for herb drying.

I don't actually dry a lot.


This sucker holds 30 pounds of apples and is a workhorse. I need to get a new piece of plexiglass for it and Mom says I can have it.

View attachment 16825

😲 Wow, just wow - Montgomery Ward

 

[Hinotori]

Yes. I remember when they did and they liquidated the one in Virginia Beach. We actually shopped there fairly often but I guess it was one of the few doing ok.

 

[Britesea]

When I first tried Northern Exposure tomatoes they were similar to what you describe. I kept growing them because they were the best short season tomato I have ever found. I also kept growing them because once they were canned they were every bit as good as any other canned tomato. When I learned about azomite, it turned those tomatoes into some of the most flavorful and best textured tomatoes I have ever grown.

Unfortunately about 4 or 5 years ago Burpee's discontinued them. I am continuing to have them by cloning them at the end of the season.

Have you tried Betalux tomatoes? they're the earliest tomatoes I've ever grown