Is the Excalibur Food Dehydrator Worth It?
A Complete Guide

If you're thinking about investing in an Excalibur food dehydrator, you're not alone—it's a favorite among homesteaders, food preppers, and healthy snack lovers for good reason. Known for its even airflow, adjustable temperatures, and generous tray space, the Excalibur delivers reliable results whether you're drying fruits, meats, herbs, or even proofing bread dough.

✅ Quick Answer: Is the Excalibur food dehydrator worth it?
Yes—Excalibur food dehydrators are worth the investment if you want reliable performance, even drying, and a variety of model sizes. Their horizontal airflow, pull-out trays, and precise temperature settings make them ideal for everything from snacks to bread proofing.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the real pros and cons of using my own Excalibur 4-tray model and explain the differences across their lineup—so you can decide which size and features fit your needs best.


Excalibur dehydrator with four trays, front cover removedExcalibur dehydrator with four pull-out trays

I own the one above, namely the 4-tray Excalibur dehydrator shown in the photo.

This Excalibur dehydrator is the four-model tray but sadly has no on/off switch. Higher grade Excalibur food dehydrator models DO have an on/off switch.


How Does Excalibur's Airflow System Deliver Even Results?

Excalibur food dehydrator - 4-tray starter modelExcalibur food dehydrator with front panel inserted

One of the standout features of Excalibur food dehydrators is their Parallexx Horizontal Airflow Drying System. Unlike dehydrators with bottom-mounted fans, Excalibur places the fan at the back of the unit, ensuring even airflow across all trays.

Additionally, the larger the model, the more powerful the fan, allowing for faster drying times on higher-capacity units.

The plastic exterior body of the dehydrator is molded to look like leather (I think!) but admittedly my images make it look like it's dirty (it's NOT!)


Can You Really Control Temps That Precisely? Yep—Here's How

EXCALIBUR food dehydrator temperature selector ranges from 155°F down to 85°FExcalibur food dehydrator temperature selector

The temperature selector on Excalibur dehydrators is located on the top of the unit and features a wide range from 85°F to 165°F.

  • 85°F – 105°F is perfect for drying herbs and delicate flowers.
  • 105°F – 135°F works well for fruits and vegetables.
  • 135°F – 165°F is ideal for meats and making jerky.

Having precise temperature control ensures your food retains its nutrients and dries evenly without overcooking.

💡 Tip: Outside the U.S.? Most dehydrating temps here are listed in Fahrenheit — use our quick converter to see the Celsius equivalent for your machine.

The Hidden Perks of Pull-Out Trays and Rear Fans

I find the pull-out trays to be a really handy feature/bonus of the Excalibur dehydrator.

We can proof our bread dough in it, simply by taking out the top trays and just leaving in the bottom tray. Beneath that bottom tray, add a shallow foil (or glass) pan of water.

NOTE: Don't try proofing bread in a four-tray dehydrator model. There's not enough height to the unit—unless you're baking not-so-tall hot-dog buns; use a 9-tray model for proofing loaves of bread!

You can find this starter Excalibur dehydrator I use on Amazon.

EXCALIBUR with all four trays loaded with frozen hash brown potatoesExcalibur dehydrator loaded with frozen hash brown potatoes!

In the image above, I have filled four Excalibur dehydrator trays with frozen diced hash brown potatoes.

Notice that I took the time to spread them out so they would dry more evenly. Remember to rotate your trays - up and down - and turn 180 degrees. Why?

Look, even though just about ALL dehydrators on the market today state you don't need to rotate trays due to their 'superior fancy fans,' I still find that the food closest to fan dries out faster. That makes total sense, right?

In this case, the Excalibur's fan is at the rear. So that's why I say turn your trays around 180 degrees, i.e. put the current fronts of the trays to the back - rotate them every hour or so.

That's why I take the time to rotate my trays, whether I'm using my Excalibur dehydrator or my Nesco dehydrator (where I rearrange/reorder the stack) - so that the food on the trays dries evenly.

Why Bread Bakers Love the 9-Tray Excalibur

As I said earlier about my 4-tray model , 9-tray models are great for proofing bread. Simply set the dehydrator temperature to 115°F and let it warm up. Here's our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter again. Place a shallow pan of water on the very bottom and put one tray directly above it with the bowl of dough placed on that tray.

Cover your dough with a cloth to keep it from drying out! Let it sit for up to an hour—whatever your bread recipe calls for!

Keep on scrolling to read more about rotating your trays for even drying!

Excalibur DEHYDRATORS Available on Amazon

💡 Tip: Outside the U.S.? Most dehydrating temps here are listed in Fahrenheit — use our quick converter to see the Celsius equivalent for your machine.

Excalibur 2400 4-tray Dehydrator
Excalibur 2400 4-tray Dehydrator

Excalibur 2400 Food Dehydrator, 4-Tray Starter

This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, that boasts 4 square feet of drying space. Black textured plastic body. Remove the front panel for access to its four trays.

  • 220 watts of drying power
  • 4 removable trays
  • 16.25 x 13 x 6.5 inches (LxWxH)
  • Temperature range: 95°F – 165°F
  • Comes with: 4 trays, a digital download guide to dehydration
Excalibur 2900EC Dehydrator
Excalibur 2900EC Dehydrator

Excalibur 2900ECB 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator

This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, that boasts 15 square feet of drying space. Black textured plastic body. Remove the front panel for access to its nine trays.

  • 400 watts of drying power
  • 9 removable trays
  • 19 x 17 x 12.5 inches (LxWxH)
  • Temperature range: 105°F – 165°F
  • Comes with: 9 trays, a digital download guide to dehydration
Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator
Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator

Excalibur 3900B 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator

This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, that boasts 15 square feet of drying space. Black textured plastic body. Remove the front panel for access to its 9 trays. Has a built-in on/off switch.

  • 600 watts of drying power
  • 9 removable trays
  • 19 x 17 x 12.5 inches (LxWxH)
  • Temperature range: 105°F – 165°F
  • Comes with: 9 trays, a digital download guide to dehydration

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.


Excalibur ACCESSORIES Available on Amazon

Silicone 14
Silicone 14"x14" Solid Fruit Leather Sheets

Excalibur Solid Sheets

Excalibur 14 x 14 inch Fruit Leather Sheets, beige centers and green outer edges.

  • 5 pk of solid sheets
  • high-grade silicone, excellent non-stick properties
  • Check the red Amazon link to see which Excalibur models these Fruit Leather Sheets fit
Silicone 12-pk 14
Silicone 12-pk 14"x14" Dehydrator Sheets

Excalibur Mesh Sheets

Lova brand mesh dehydrator sheets for Excalibur Dehydrators, Cosori Dehydrators, Magic Mill Dehydrators, white.

  • 6 pk of mesh sheets, can be cut to fit
  • high-grade silicone, excellent non-stick properties
  • Check the red Amazon link to see which Excalibur models in particular these mesh screens fit
Excalibur 14
Excalibur 14"x14" Mesh Screen Inserts

Excalibur Mesh Sheet Inserts

Excalibur 14 x 14 inch Polyscreen Mesh Tray Screen Inserts (black tray NOT included).

  • 9 pk of mesh screen inserts/trays
  • 100% FDA Food Grade Material
  • Check the red Amazon link to see all the Excalibur models these Excalibur-brand mesh tray sheets fit

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

Do You Still Need to Rotate Trays? (Yes—Here's Why)

Although Excalibur’s airflow system eliminates the need for tray rotation, I’ve found that rotating trays still helps achieve the most even drying results.

Trays positioned in the middle tend to dry faster than those on the top or bottom. To ensure consistency:

  • Turn each tray 180° every hour to allow for even exposure to airflow.
  • Swap middle trays with top or bottom trays halfway through drying for more uniform results.

These small adjustments make a big difference in achieving perfectly dried food.

Which Excalibur Dehydrator Size Fits Your Kitchen Goals?

Choosing the right dehydrator size depends on how much food you plan to dry and how often.

If you only dehydrate small amounts of food for personal use, a 4-tray model is perfect. But if you frequently dehydrate in large batches, a 9-tray model will save you time and effort.

A larger model is especially useful for proofing bread, fermenting yogurt, or making jerky in bulk.

My Verdict on the Excalibur Dehydrator (After Real Use)

Excalibur food dehydrators are well-built, reliable, and efficient, making them one of the best choices for food preservation. If you’re looking for a high-quality dehydrator that provides even drying, easy-to-use temperature control, and large capacity options, an Excalibur is a fantastic investment.

Got Questions About Excalibur? Let’s Clear Them Up

What makes Excalibur better than stackable dehydrators?

Excalibur uses horizontal airflow and pull-out trays, which means even drying and no need to unstack trays to check doneness.

Does the 4-tray Excalibur work as well as the 9-tray model?

Yes, but with limited space. The 9-tray offers more versatility for large batches or proofing bread, while the 4-tray is great for smaller jobs.

Can I dry meat and fruit at the same time?

It’s best to dry them separately to avoid flavor transfer and because they require different temps and drying times.

Is it noisy?

It hums quietly, like a bathroom fan—noticeable, but not disruptive.

How long does an Excalibur dehydrator last?

With proper care, many users report 10+ years of reliable use. Excalibur is known for durability.

After using my own Excalibur for years, I can confidently say it’s a solid choice for home dehydrating. Whether you’re drying veggies, whipping up jerky, or even proofing a batch of bread dough, the performance is steady and dependable.

If you’re still unsure, try out a few of our recipes using any dehydrator you have—and don’t forget to grab the free 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love PDF (below). It includes my go-to favorites: carrot soup, minestrone soup, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and banana cinnamon rolls!

Grab 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love

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