Excalibur is one of the most well known dehydrator brands in the market today. The company was founded in 1973, and since then they have been innovating and improving the technology and methods of dehydration. With the aim to give their customers the best value for money and the most ideal conditions for dehydrating a wide range of food, the company has been bringing out new and unique models of dehydrators.
Two of the notable ranges that the company has brought out in recent years have been the Economy and Deluxe range. The dehydrators in the 2000 series fall under the Economy range while those in 3000 series of model numbers fall under Deluxe range.
You can dry all kinds of foods in these dehydrators – whether it is fruits, vegetables, meat or nuts, these dehydrators are powerful enough to handle all kinds of drying tasks with ease. If you want to eat healthy dried snacks, a dehydrator can be a very useful device in your kitchen.
In this review, we’re going to have a look at some of the top dehydrators in the deluxe and economy range of dehydrators offered by Excalibur. We’ll also look at the pros and cons of each type of dehydrator so that you can make an informed decision about the dehydrator that best suits your particular needs.
The Differences Between Excalibur Deluxe and Economy Dehydrators
While on the surface these dehydrators might look the same, there are many differences in these that set them apart from each other. You can rely on these dehydrators for absolute performance and longevity, but it’s good to know the basic differences between both types of dehydrators so that you can make an informed buying decision.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Excalibur Food Dehydrators Review
The Deluxe range of Excalibur dehydrators include the dehydrators in 3000 model series, while the economy range includes dehydrators in 2000 series. Also, many of these dehydrators have the same design, but the internal components of the 3000 series are upgraded. Here’s a look at some of the differences between deluxe and economy dehydrators.
1) Improved Internals
The Deluxe Series has improved internals such better electrical wiring as compared to Economy series dehydrators.
2) Better Heating Elements
The 3000 series has upgraded heating elements as compared to 2000 series which leads to better heating and quicker drying of foods.
3) Added Warranty
The warranty on the 3000 series is 10 years, while the 2000 series comes with only 5 years of warranty.
4) Free Recipe Book
The Deluxe series comes with free Preserve It Naturally recipe book which costs .95 in the market. This book has a wide range of recipes for drying all kinds of foods. With detailed instructions, you can enjoy drying fruits, meats, vegetables, and much more.
5) Price
The 3000 series is made from high-quality plastics that do a better job at insulation for higher as well as lower temperatures. That’s why the Deluxe series costs more than the Economy series.
A Quick Overview of Excalibur Deluxe Dehydrators
| Serial No | Product Name | Temp Range (°F) | Wattage (watts) | Trays | Thermostat | Timer | Where to Buy? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excalibur 3900B | 105-165 | 600 | 9 | Yes | No | Check on Amazon |
| 2 | Excalibur 3500B | 105-165 | 440 | 5 | Yes | No | Check on Amazon |
| 3 | Excalibur 3926TW | 105-165 | 600 | 5 | Yes | Yes,26 hours | Check on Amazon |
Top Excalibur Deluxe Food Dehydrators
The deluxe range of Excalibur dehydrators offers a variety of features that set these dehydrators apart from their competitors in the market. In terms of functionality, ease of use, and reliability, these dehydrators are second to none. Whether you want to dry fruits, vegetables, meats or more, these dehydrators deliver a power-packed performance. Let’s have a look at some of the popular models in the deluxe range.
1) Excalibur 3900B 9 Tray Deluxe Dehydrator
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The Excalibur 3900B is a 9 tray dehydrator that uses Excalibur’s patented Hyperwave Fluctuation Technology to dry all kinds of foods in the best way possible. Unlike other dehydrators, the Excalibur 3900B dries food by varying the temperature so that every last bit of moisture is dried from the food. With 9 trays, you will never feel the lack of space for drying foods. Also, as the fan is mounted at the back, there is no need to move trays through the dehydrating session.
Features at a Glance
- Total 9 trays that offer 15 square feet of drying space.
- No need to rotate trays while the food is drying
- A wide temperature range from 105 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Control the temperature to perfectly dry fruits, vegetables, meats or flower.
- Square trays offer immense capacity for holding food.
- Powerful 7-inch fan
- The dehydrator offers 600 watts of power.
- Unit Dimensions: 12-1/2 H x 17 W x 19 D (inches)
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2) Excalibur 3500B 5 Tray Deluxe Dehydrator
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The Excalibur 3500B is a deluxe dehydrator that has only 5 tray capacity but it doesn’t compromise on power and performance. This is the perfect dehydrator for small families that want a useful device that doesn’t take up a lot of space either.
This is an easy-to-use model as the users can set the temperature as per the recipe of the food items they wish to dry. The flexible poly screen tray inserts make it easy to dry food as nothing sticks to these trays. With this dehydrator, you can cook small batches of dried food for your family and enjoy healthy, wholesome snacks that are free from any preservatives and additives.
Features at a Glance
- The dehydrator comes with 5 trays dehydrator
- It offers 8 square feet of drying space
- The on/off switch is built in
- Adjustable thermostat for selecting temperature
- Durable poly screen inserts
- Works on 110V voltage
- Small size
- Easy to clean
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3) Excalibur 3926TW 9 Tray Dehydrator with Timer White
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The Excalibur 3926TW 9 Tray Dehydrator is a classy appliance that will look good in any modern kitchen. It has a 9 tray capacity and it comes with a 26-hour timer so that you can leave things for drying without the need of supervision. With 15 square feet of drying space, you can rest assured that you will be able to dry all the fruits, vegetables, and meats that you want.
If you have a large garden with a lot of product of is you want to make fried foods for your whole family, this is the perfect dehydrator for you. The patented Parallex Horizontal Airflow technology gives an even result for all drying sessions and there is no need of rotating trays in middle of drying session.
Features at a Glance
- Adjustable temperature from 105°F to 165°F
- Durable construction in classy white color
- Comes with 9 large trays with an area of 15 square feet
- Inbuilt 26 hour timer for longer drying sessions
- Inbuilt On/Off switch
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Pros of Excalibur Deluxe Dehydrators
1) Temperature Control
Excalibur dehydrators come with a varied range of temperature at which you can dry foods. You can easily choose the temperature according to the recipe given in the cookbook.
2) Powerful Performance
Excalibur dehydrators are designed to offer optimum performance for all kinds of food drying tasks. From the tray design to the powerful fan in the back of every dehydrator, everything is focused towards providing the best drying experience to the customers.
3) Extensive Warranty
The Deluxe range of dehydrators comes with a ten-year warranty from the date of the purchase. This warranty means if there any snag or fault in the dehydrator it will be repaired without any cost to the user.
4) Ease of Use
It’s extremely easy to use these dehydrators. All you need to do is cut up the food or fruits you want to dry. Simply place the food in the dehydrator, but don’t forget to check which temperature would be ideal for the foods that you’re drying.
5) Ample Drying Space
The drying sheets for these dehydrators offer ample space for drying foods. Whether you buy a 9 tray dehydrator or a 5 tray model, you can rest assured that Excalibur dehydrators are the best in the market.
Cons of Excalibur Deluxe Dehydrators
1) No Expendable Tray Capacity
The Excalibur dehydrators have fixed capacity for trays. You can choose from 5 or 9 tray dehydrators, but there is no option for adding more trays for expanded capability.
2) High Price
For the performance offered, the price of these dehydrators might be a bit on the higher end for casual consumers and first-time buyers. For people who pursue dehydrating as a serious hobby, the high price means they’re getting a dehydrator that will pay its value back in performance through the years.
3) Noise
As these are high capacity dehydrators, operating them for long durations might result in the noise if the dehydrator is not placed properly on a level surface. Often, the reason for noise is some food particles stuck in the fan or trays if they’re not cleaned properly.
4) Low Tray Clearance
Certain models offer low tray clearance, but that’s only to ensure the slices of food or meat kept in the dehydrator are not too thick. Thick slices might take a longer time to dry and these might not even dry properly. Make sure you consult a recipe book while cutting the slices of fruits, meats, or vegetables.
A Quick Overview of Features of the Excalibur Economy Dehydrators
| Serial No | Product Name | Temp Range (°F) | Wattage (watts) | Trays | Air Flow | Thermostat | Timer | Where to Buy? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excalibur 2900ECB | 95-155 | 440 | 9 | Horizontal | Yes | No | Check on Amazon |
| 2 | Excalibur 2400 | 95-155 | 220 | 4 | Horizontal | Yes | No | Check on Amazon |
| 3 | Excalibur 2500CB | 85-155 | 400 | 5 | Horizontal | Yes | No | Check on Amazon |
Top Excalibur Economy Dehydrators
The Excalibur Economy range of dehydrators is older than the Deluxe range but it boasts of high-quality components and amazing performance too. These dehydrators cost less than similar dehydrators in the deluxe range. For people pursuing dehydrating as a hobby, the economy range is the best as it introduces them to the world of dehydration without putting a dent in their budget. Let’s have a look at some of the popular Excalibur dehydrators in the Economy range.
1) Excalibur 2900ECB 9-Tray Economy Dehydrator
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The 2900E CB 9-tray dehydrator is a power packed appliance with an immense drying capacity. This dehydrator has 9 trays that can be used for drying all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and much more. For people that need to dry large quantities of fruits and vegetables from their garden, this is the ideal device. It has an adjustable thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature depending on the recipe or the kind of food you’re drying. With 15 square feet of combined drying space, you’ll never feel for the lack of space to dry the produce from your garden.
Features at a Glance
- Includes 9 trays with overall 15 sq feet of drying area
- Perfect for large families with additional drying requirements
- Comes with adjustable thermostat
- Poly screen tray inserts that are durable
- Works on 110v with 440 watts of power
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2) Excalibur 2400 4-Tray Economy Dehydrator
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If you’re looking for an introduction to the world of dehydrating but don’t want to spend too much money on buying a dehydrator, then this is the ideal dehydrator for you. The Excalibur 2400 is a 4-tray dehydrator that works just like bigger dehydrator but at a reduced capacity. It is a simple to operate the unit with an adjustable thermostat that allows you to choose the drying temperature.
This dehydrator is essentially a dehydrator for beginners, but if you’re looking for an additional dehydrator that won’t affect your budget, you can choose this one without any doubt. The poly screen tray inserts make it easy to dry small sized nuts and fruits and these are easy to clean as well. What’s more, the dehydrator also comes with Guide to Dehydration.
Features at a Glance
- Comes with 4 trays that provide 4 square feet of drying space
- Temperature range- 95◦F to 155◦F
- Back mounted 4-inch fan
- Includes 5-year warranty
- Silent operation
- Weight – 8 pounds
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3) Excalibur 2500ECB 5-Tray Economy Dehydrator
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The Excalibur 2500CB 5 tray dehydrator is ideal for small families and hobbyist dehydrators. Simply slide up the door and place the food in the trays. You can choose the temperature as per the food that you’re dehydrating. The powerful fan in this dehydrator dries all kinds of foods quickly and efficiently.
This is an easy-to-use dehydrator with no complex functions and a large drying area. Whether you want to dry out fruits, vegetables, meat or nuts, you can do it all in this dehydrator. It is especially useful for making fruit rollups and fruit leather. If you’re fond of jerky, you can also use this dehydrator to make jerky with a range of recipe variations.
Features at a Glance
- Includes 5 trays that offer 8 sq. ft. of drying area
- Wide Temperature range from 85 to 155 degrees
- Adjustable thermostat
- 5-inch fan for uniform drying
- Powerful unit with 400 watts of power operating at 110Volts
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Pros of Excalibur Economy Dehydrators
1) Simple Operation
The economy range of dehydrators are simple to operate as these don’t have any complex functions. Most of all, there would be a temperature and a timer toggle. All you need to do is slice your fruits or vegetables and place them on the trays. And switch on the dehydrator. That’s all!
2) Ideal for Beginners
If you want to dabble in dehydrating but don’t know where to begin, the economy range has just the dehydrators for you. These are easy to use, easy to clean and come with an extensive warranty. These dehydrators also make great gifts for children or teenagers who want to try their hand at dehydrating.
3) A Wide Temperature Range
Even though the dehydrators are in economy range, these offer extensive temperature range to dehydrate all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and meats. You can make jerky, dried nuts, fruit leather and much more in these dehydrators.
4) Economical
There are times when you want a dehydrator but don’t want to spend too much money on it. The Excalibur Economy range has several dehydrators that cost just right amount that doesn’t feel like a burden. And the advantage is that you can keep using these dehydrators once you get into serious dehydrating.
Cons of Excalibur Economy Dehydrators
1) Cheap Construction
For the price point, the 2000 series of dehydrators might feel they’re made from cheap plastic materials. While these are ideal for drying, if not taken care of the plastic might show signs of breakage.
2) Noise
For longer dehydrating sessions, the dehydrators might start to make noise. Often, the reasons for noise are faulty components, but other times an unclean dehydrator with leftover food particles in it can also make noise.
3) Not Expandable
There is no option for adding more trays to these dehydrators because of their design. If you feel like you need to dehydrate more food, then you’ll have to buy a dehydrator with better capacity.
4) Large Size
Even the dehydrator with 4 trays can be large in size as it offers plenty of area for the trays. If you have a small kitchen, you might want to place your dehydrator in your garage or any other room that has space for the dehydrator.
Deluxe VS Economy – Which Is the Best Dehydrator for You?
Finalizing on a type of dehydrator can be a confusing decision. There are so many models, each with its own pros, cons, and set of features. How can you decide which range of dehydrator will best suit your purposes? Here are some questions you can ask yourself to figure out which dehydrator to buy.
1) Budget
This is the first factor that matters when buying a dehydrator. The Economy range is comparatively cheaper than the Deluxe range because of the components, features and functions in these dehydrators. While the Economy range is in no way lacking, if you’re strapped for cash, or you want to save your money for buying other kitchen appliances, you can choose a dehydrator from the Economy range.
If you’re thinking about dehydrating in a serious manner, then you can spend money to buy a dehydrator from Economy range that has better inner components as well as higher drying power. Once you start drying fruits, vegetables, and snacks in your dehydrator, you will realize that it pays back for itself over time. You will no longer need to buy dried food from the market and you can make healthy and nutritious snacks for the whole family.
2) Requirement
The purpose that you’re going to use the dehydrator for can be a determining factor in choosing a dehydrator from Deluxe or Economy range. Whether you want to dry food weekly or you want to keep your dehydrator running 24/7 and make large batches of dried food, you can find a suitable dehydrator in the Economy as well as Deluxe range.
If you don’t plan to dehydrate much, you can go for a small capacity dehydrator from the Economy range, but if you want to make large batches, a 9 tray capacity dehydrator from Deluxe range would suit your purposes. If you need to dry fast and more efficiently, a dehydrator from the Deluxe range would be the best bet for you.
3) Features
The feature set of Economy series definitely differs from the features that you will get in Deluxe range. Several models in the Deluxe range come with a timer so that the dehydrator will shut down automatically once it’s dried the foods properly. With the Economy range dehydrators, you have to keep an eye on the foods or use a separate timer to ensure the food doesn’t get over dried.
4) Warranty
The warranty is a big factor when it comes to choosing a dehydrator type. The Deluxe series of dehydrators come with 10 years of warranty, but the Economy series comes with five years of warranty. If you plan to upgrade your dehydrator in a few years and you don’t want to spend too much money, you can get a dehydrator from the Economy range. But if you’re planning to use the dehydrator for a long time period then you can consider getting a dehydrator from the Deluxe range.
Conclusion
A Deluxe or an Economy Dehydrator?
Choosing a dehydrator from the Deluxe or the Economy range depends on the kind of usage you want from the dehydrator. While both types of dehydrators are solid, powerful, and useful devices, if you’re buying a dehydrator for the first time, it’s best to go with a simple dehydrator from the Economy range. But if you’re a seasoned veteran in the area of dehydrating, it’s best to go with a bigger and more powerful device that can last you for years to come and give you the performance you’re looking for.
It goes without saying that Excalibur as a brand has done extensive research and brought out the best dehydrator models for both Deluxe and Economy range. What you ultimately choose depends on your budget, requirements, and expectations from the end product. But you can rest assured, whether you choose a Deluxe or Economy range, you will never go wrong with an Excalibur dehydrator.