In case you are looking to find out the best dehydrator out there in the market to cater to your particular requirements. Good News! You are at the right place. Here we have for you an exhaustive comparative review on two of the best food dehydrators available in the market which are Excalibur 2500ECB and Excalibur 3500B.
When talking about dehydrators, Excalibur has been the market leader for a good number of years now and the manufacturer still continues to dominate the dehydrator market. So, indeed we are comparing one of the best models with another of the best in a separate category, there is much you can learn about the two models and choose the one which suits your needs.
To begin with, essentially the 2500ECB (B is synonymous to Black, the color in which the model is available) is an economy class dehydrator; while 3500B/3500W (the model is available in both Black and White colors) is a deluxe class dehydrator.
We have covered all the aspect and parameters of comparison here to give a clear picture about the features, functions, and makeup of both these models, 2500ECB and 3500B/3500W, however in case you want to have a detailed look into review of each of these products, then I would recommend you to check out our full review articles of Excalibur 3500 B and Excalibur 2500ECB #5th and #6th product review respectively.
Comparison Chart Between Excalibur 2500ECB Vs Excalibur /3500W
| Parameter | Excalibur 2500ECB Dehydrator | Excalibur 3500B/3500W Dehydrator |
|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 440 Watt | 440 Watt |
| Timer | No Timer | No Timer |
| Item Weight | 15 pounds | 15 pounds |
| Color Available | Black | Black and White |
| Warranty | 5 Years Limited Warranty | 10 Years Extended Warranty |
| Material | Plastic | Plastic |
| Product Dimensions | 19 x 17 x 8.5 inches | 19 x 17 x 8.5 inches |
| Manufacturer | Excalibur | Excalibur |
| Temp Range | 85°F - 155°F | 85°F to 155°F |
| No of Trays | 5 Trays | 5 Trays |
| Max Trays | 5 Trays | 5 Trays |
| Accessories Included | Flexible Polyscreen Tray Inserts, Instruction Manual | Flexible Polyscreen Tray Inserts, Instruction Manual, “Preserve It Naturally" -200 Pages book worth USD 25 |
| Air Flow | Horizontal (Back to Front) | Horizontal (Back to Front) |
| Thermostat | Adjustable Thermostat | Adjustable Thermostat |
| Read Our Full Review | Our Full Review | Our Full Review |
| Where to buy? | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Similarities Between Excalibur 2500ECB and Excalibur 3500B/3500W
The leading brand, Excalibur, offers both the economy range (2500ECB) and the deluxe range (3500B/3500W) dehydrators with a few similar features which are as follows:
1) Dimensions and Weight
The dimensions of both the food dehydrators models are 19 x 17 x 8.5 inches. Their weight is also identical which is 15 pound. Both the 2500 and the 3500 dehydrator models provide the user a 8 square feet of drying space which is perfect for family and small gatherings. Both the appliances look sophisticated and would nevertheless give your kitchen a modern look.
2) Wattage
The Excalibur 2400ECB food dehydrator and Excalibur 3500B/3500W food dehydrator both have the similar wattage of 440 watts.
3) Temperature Range
Both the dehydrator models offer the same temperature range which is 85°F to 155°F which is high enough to safely and adequately dehydrate meat and moisture retaining fruits.
4) Number of Trays
Both the models 2500ECB and 3500B/3500W come with five plastic trays which are rectangular in shape and therefore provide sufficient surface area to accommodate the fruits or vegetable slices properly without the need of overlapping.
5) Air Flow
Both the Excalibur dehydrator models 2500 and 3500 have a horizontal airflow pattern, owing to the in-built fan at the back coupled with a heating element. The airflow is from the back to the front. This is an ideal scenario as this ensures even drying on all the trays and prevents the need to rotate the trays from time to time. Aided by the fan, a good circulation of the hot air gives good drying results.
Differences Between Excalibur 2500ECB and Excalibur 3500B/3500W
1) Warranty
The warranty period offered for the 2500ECB model is 5 years while the warranty period for the 3500B/3500W model is 10 years.
2) Price
The price of the 2500ECB model is slightly lower than the 3500 owing to upgraded features offered by the manufacturer in the deluxe series as compared with the economy dehydrator
3) Better Insulating Plastic Body
The 3500B/3500B model has a plastic body with better insulation capability. This means that the dehydrator is capable of retaining more heat generated by the heating element within it. This prevents the heat lost by dissipation, therefore reducing the overall time required to run the dehydrator.
4) Color Choice in 3500 Dehydrator Model
The manufacturer offers to the buyers of the 3500 dehydrator model a choice of color. This model is available in both white and black color, while the 2500ECB is only available in a single color – black color.
5) High-Quality Motor in 3500
The 3500 dehydrator model is equipped with an upgraded motor as compared with the 2500ECB model. The upgraded motor is more powerful and helps the better circulation of the air. This aids in achieving good drying results. Additionally, this improves the overall lifespan of the dehydrator.
6) Superior Quality Heating Element
The heating element in the 3500 model is of a superior quality as compared to the 2500ECB dehydrator model. A good quality heating element automatically corresponds to great drying results to food items as well as an increase in the efficiency of the dehydrator. Also, this ensures the longer and durable dehydrator lifespan.
7) “Preserve It Naturally” Guide
The 3500B/3500W deluxe model is accompanied with a “Preserve it Naturally” book, which is a detailed guide on how to dehydrate a variety of food stuffs like different fruits and vegetables, recipes and all about dehydrating. This is especially useful for new dehydrator users. The book is about a 200 pages and is a worth of USD 25.
Pro’s and Con’s of Excalibur 2500 ECB Dehydrator
Excalibur 2500 ECB Pros
- 5 Years Warranty
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Horizontal Airflow
- Appearance of the appliance is amazing
Excalibur 2500 ECB Cons
- Non-Expandable
- No Timer
- Less drying space
- Noisy
Pro’s and Con’s of Excalibur 3500B/3500W Dehydrator
Excalibur 3500B Pros
- Accessories offered like the guide on dehydrating food worth USD 25
- Adjustable Thermostat for temperature control
- Horizontal flow of air
- Fast Drying
- Easy to clean
Excalibur 3500B Cons
- No Timer
- Non-Expandable
- Noisy
- Less drying space
Excalibur 2500ECB Vs Excalibur 3500B/3500W Comparison Video Review:
Conclusion
Excalibur 2500ECB or Excalibur 3500B/3500W – Which one is best to buy
After going through the features in detail of each of the dehydrator models, I would highly recommend you to the opt for 3500 model as gives an extended warranty of 10 years and is a sturdy model with a better insulating plastic body and superior quality heating element as compared with the 2500 model.
Having said that, if you are really on a tight budget and you can go ahead with the Excalibur 2500ECB, as essentially both offer similar drying space and are highly efficient dehydrators out there in the market space.