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PitcherCrab
Crescent Fresh



Registered: 12/02/06
Posts: 2,446
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Favorite dehydrator?
#27112008 - 12/28/20 10:35 AM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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So my trusty Nesco FD-75A dehydrator just died. It's been pretty good, but at time a little underpowered at 600w. I have a bunch of trays for it so it might make sense to get the same model as the higher wattage ones use larger incompatible trays... But that higher wattage would be really nice.
Do any of you have a favorite dehydrator or any recommendations?
-------------------- PC's LAGM 2021 (TOC & TWC)P. natalensis Growlog 2021Pans for PC Fall 2021 Growlog “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” - Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear
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TigerStrike
carpophore locator



Registered: 12/22/20
Posts: 315
Last seen: 1 year, 9 months
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An harvest right freeze dryer is where you wanna go. Taste and nutrients preserved. Have you ever considered freeze drying? VERY expensive. But Space mushrooms..
Edited by TigerStrike (12/28/20 10:40 AM)
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Sold Out Online
Stranger Danger



Registered: 09/05/20
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I’m looking at a mono tub that’s hopefully a week away from fruiting and wondering the same thing.
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Threads that have been useful to me: Clean Spawn checklist for new growers
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PitcherCrab
Crescent Fresh



Registered: 12/02/06
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Quote:
TigerStrike said: An harvest right freeze dryer is where you wanna go. Taste and nutrients preserved. Have you ever considered freeze drying? VERY expensive. But Space mushrooms..
Hmmm, yeah sounds kinda expensive. The max I want to spend is $150. Unless there is one out there I absolutely have to have. I pretty much run the thing 24h a day with the amount of Lions Mane I've been putting through it. The 600w model I had sometimes had a hard time getting the lower trays to dehydrate, so thats why I'm leaning towards the more powerful one.
-------------------- PC's LAGM 2021 (TOC & TWC)P. natalensis Growlog 2021Pans for PC Fall 2021 Growlog “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” - Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear
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NickShade
Macronutrient



Registered: 10/09/14
Posts: 272
Loc: Earth
Last seen: 3 months, 9 days
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I think ya might like this one mate
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-10-tray-deluxe-dehydrator
900W and right at the cutoff for your price range at $149.99
-------------------- bodhisatta said: figure it out listen to the cake
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Greens21
DayTripper



Registered: 05/03/07
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Re: Favorite dehydrator? [Re: NickShade] 1
#27112175 - 12/28/20 12:21 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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My favorite one is one that costs less than $8 at a thrift store. Purchased all my dehydrators there. My current one costs $90 on amazon, got it for $7. So many people buy dehydrators thinking they’re going to use them a lot, use them once or twice, then they end up in the garage for a year before being donated, so they’re pretty much always basically new
-------------------- I've been trying to justify you In the end I will just defy you
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PitcherCrab
Crescent Fresh



Registered: 12/02/06
Posts: 2,446
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Re: Favorite dehydrator? [Re: Greens21]
#27114479 - 12/29/20 03:35 PM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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I just stopped by the local Goodwill, unfortunately no dehydrators. Looks like I'll be ordering one pretty soon here.
-------------------- PC's LAGM 2021 (TOC & TWC)P. natalensis Growlog 2021Pans for PC Fall 2021 Growlog “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” - Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear
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bw86
Doesn't play well with others


Registered: 11/12/06
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My favorite dehydrator is one packed to the brim
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sh4d0ws
LSx


Registered: 02/26/08
Posts: 12,086
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Does the nesco just not turn on when you plug it in?
The thermal fuse probably blew. You can replace it fairly easily. You can determine that it's the thermal fuse by taking it apart and wiring the fan directly and seeing if the fan will run. Then it's a real good chance its the thermal fuse. If you have a multimeter you can also verify if the fuse is working after removal.
I just replaced mine. Got 5 fuses for like $10 with shipping costs. I have the exact same model as you. The only difference is the way my fuse was attached, probably just how the newer models are. I purchased it in 2018. Mine was just wrapped underneath the rivets unlike the video where there is a couple small clamps attached to the rivets. I was still able to remove it with a flathead screwdriver and was able to get my new one in pretty easily.
It's possible my new fuse may burn out quickly. I don't know. It's been running a few hours now since the fix. Even if it does, I have 4 more fuses to work with and it isn't that difficult to take the thing apart. You just need a phillips screwdriver. Just take a picture of the wiring after you cut the cable ties.
Edited by sh4d0ws (12/29/20 04:36 PM)
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BLINKfan420
Jedi



Registered: 07/06/12
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Re: Favorite dehydrator? [Re: sh4d0ws]
#27114575 - 12/29/20 04:32 PM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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I use a Hamilton Beach that I can add or remove racks in. I've dried quite a bit over the years with it. Works for me. But its not anything fancy. You can also purchase extra racks separately. Alas, it is only 500 watts. But man it sure does work great for LOADS of cubes.
Hamilton Beach dehydrator on Amazon
BLiNK
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  All my pictures are drawn from imagination. I don't even know what a mushroom is.
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Greens21
DayTripper



Registered: 05/03/07
Posts: 437
Loc: The Void
Last seen: 3 years, 22 days
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Quote:
PitcherCrab said: I just stopped by the local Goodwill, unfortunately no dehydrators. Looks like I'll be ordering one pretty soon here.
If you’re definitely going to need a dehydrator in the next few days, then yeah, ordering one is your best bet. But if you won’t need it until the end of a grow in a few weeks or more, keep checking thrift stores when it’s convenient and not way out of your way. A dehydrator could literally be put on the shelf every 20 minutes and you wouldn’t know if you didn’t check. I’ve never needed to buy a new dehydrator though I have had to visit the thrift stores several times before one popped up before. As long as it’s not way out of your way (I drive past two on my way to work), a few trips is well worth the $80+ you’ll save.
Also, check Craigslist, offerup/letgo, Facebook groups, even eBay. All will be more expensive than a thrift store but significantly cheaper than buying new while most will be basically new.
-------------------- I've been trying to justify you In the end I will just defy you
Edited by Greens21 (12/29/20 04:55 PM)
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mushhead
Potato Devourer



Registered: 08/22/14
Posts: 2,215
Loc: Dimension X-124
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Re: Favorite dehydrator? [Re: Greens21]
#27114650 - 12/29/20 05:20 PM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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sh4d0ws
LSx


Registered: 02/26/08
Posts: 12,086
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Re: Favorite dehydrator? [Re: mushhead]
#27114714 - 12/29/20 06:14 PM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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I own two 9 tray excaliburs
They are pretty pricey but if you don't have time to build your own DIY dehydrator they are pretty kick ass.
The 160L from cabelas seems like a better deal when it's on sale though
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PitcherCrab
Crescent Fresh



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Re: Favorite dehydrator? [Re: sh4d0ws]
#27114759 - 12/29/20 06:57 PM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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Quote:
sh4d0ws said: Does the nesco just not turn on when you plug it in?
The thermal fuse probably blew. You can replace it fairly easily. You can determine that it's the thermal fuse by taking it apart and wiring the fan directly and seeing if the fan will run. Then it's a real good chance its the thermal fuse. If you have a multimeter you can also verify if the fuse is working after removal.
I just replaced mine. Got 5 fuses for like $10 with shipping costs. I have the exact same model as you. The only difference is the way my fuse was attached, probably just how the newer models are. I purchased it in 2018. Mine was just wrapped underneath the rivets unlike the video where there is a couple small clamps attached to the rivets. I was still able to remove it with a flathead screwdriver and was able to get my new one in pretty easily.
It's possible my new fuse may burn out quickly. I don't know. It's been running a few hours now since the fix. Even if it does, I have 4 more fuses to work with and it isn't that difficult to take the thing apart. You just need a phillips screwdriver. Just take a picture of the wiring after you cut the cable ties.
Yeah, it just doesn’t turn on when I plug it in. I’ve been running it at the lowest setting pretty much 24/7 drying Lions Mane and switched it up to dry some orange slices. I think the increased heat threw it for a loop and it stopped functioning. I’ll definitely check out the fuse situation it would be great to not have to buy a new one. I got mine back in 2009, so perhaps it has the old arrangement like yours. I’ve been hemming and hawing about getting the 1000w model, but haven’t bought it yet because the trays aren’t compatible. Thanks for the tip!
What kind/size fuse did you buy for yours?
Quote:
sh4d0ws said: I own two 9 tray excaliburs
They are pretty pricey but if you don't have time to build your own DIY dehydrator they are pretty kick ass.
The 160L from cabelas seems like a better deal when it's on sale though
That 160L Cabela looks glorious... a little more than I want to spend though!
-------------------- PC's LAGM 2021 (TOC & TWC)P. natalensis Growlog 2021Pans for PC Fall 2021 Growlog “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” - Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear
Edited by PitcherCrab (12/29/20 06:59 PM)
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squishy_zorro
Stranger

Registered: 02/22/20
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Re: Favorite dehydrator? [Re: sh4d0ws]
#27114855 - 12/29/20 07:52 PM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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I was gifted a 9-tray Excalibur for Christmas, and am loving it so far. It's a huge upgrade from the dehydrator I used to use, where all the racks stacked one on top of another. It's much more convenient to have the racks slide out independently, especially if you're dehydrator multiple varieties.
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RhYzo
D1g1t@l Dw3ll3r



Registered: 01/30/19
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Loc: Wormhole
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Presto is what I got. Ol reliable. Cheap, not overkill, does the job overnight, efficient.
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Nichrome
I'm a torso!



Registered: 12/17/18
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Re: Favorite dehydrator? [Re: RhYzo] 2
#27114928 - 12/29/20 08:43 PM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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window screens and a space heater.
-------------------- “Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one.”
Freedom is not the right to do as you please, but the liberty to do as you should. ~Emerson
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sh4d0ws
LSx


Registered: 02/26/08
Posts: 12,086
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So, yours may have a different type of fuse in it but I doubt it. The easiest thing to do is to open it up and read the label on the fuse itself. If you follow the youtube video for taking it apart it's not too difficult (although I had taken mine apart before I found the youtube video, so if you're handy at all you can probably manage without it)
The fuse in mine was labelled sf139e 142°C
Here's a link to the same seller/listing that I purchased from. The only thing is it took about 30 days to reach me from China with holidays and all. I'm in Canada though. So if you are needing to dehydrate a harvest soon you may still need to find another dehydrator
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/5Pcs-NEC-Microtemp-Thermal-Fuse-142-TF-Cutoff-15A-250V-SF139E/170855711366?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
If yours has the small clamps on each end of the rivets between which the fuse is set (check the youtube video for more info) then yours will actually probably be easier to fix. The fuses I purchased are almost too short with the newer method they use where they just wrap the fuse around the rivet itself. I still managed to make it work though. Since yours is from 2009 it is probably like the video. If you do have the kind without the little clamp pieces I can take pictures for you if it helps. If you have the same setup as the video, you can just pry the clamps apart carefully and then use pliers to clamp the new fuse in place when you get it.
Mines been running about 8 hours now with no issue 
edit: fixed the fuse #
Edited by sh4d0ws (12/29/20 09:49 PM)
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PitcherCrab
Crescent Fresh



Registered: 12/02/06
Posts: 2,446
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Re: Favorite dehydrator? [Re: RhYzo]
#27114951 - 12/29/20 09:01 PM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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Quote:
RhYzo said: Presto is what I got. Ol reliable. Cheap, not overkill, does the job overnight, efficient.
Yeah, I was looking at this one... I wonder if the tray size is the same as the one I’m having issues with. I already have 11 trays and it would be super nice to be able to use them with whatever I figure out as a replacement.
Quote:
sh4d0ws said: So, yours may have a different type of fuse in it but I doubt it. The easiest thing to do is to open it up and read the label on the fuse itself. If you follow the youtube video for taking it apart it's not too difficult (although I had taken mine apart before I found the youtube video, so if you're handy at all you can probably manage without it)
The fuse in mine was labelled sf169e 142°C
Here's a link to the same seller/listing that I purchased from. The only thing is it took about 30 days to reach me from China with holidays and all. I'm in Canada though. So if you are needing to dehydrate a harvest soon you may still need to find another dehydrator
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/5Pcs-NEC-Microtemp-Thermal-Fuse-142-TF-Cutoff-15A-250V-SF139E/170855711366?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
If yours has the small clamps on each end of the rivets between which the fuse is set (check the youtube video for more info) then yours will actually probably be easier to fix. The fuses I purchased are almost too short with the newer method they use where they just wrap the fuse around the rivet itself. I still managed to make it work though. Since yours is from 2009 it is probably like the video. If you do have the kind without the little clamp pieces I can take pictures for you if it helps. If you have the same setup as the video, you can just pry the clamps apart carefully and then use pliers to clamp the new fuse in place when you get it.
Mines been running about 8 hours now with no issue 
This is awesome. Thanks for the info! I’ll definitely be trying this out and will report back. Getting a fuse sooner than 30 days would be nice, I don’t have anything specific to harvest soon, but I am running a continuous flush Lions Mane grow where I have a ton of cutoffs to dehydrate each week, otherwise I just compost them. So sooner is better. I may just fix my old one and buy a new one so I can run 2 dehydrators.
-------------------- PC's LAGM 2021 (TOC & TWC)P. natalensis Growlog 2021Pans for PC Fall 2021 Growlog “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” - Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear
Edited by PitcherCrab (12/29/20 09:05 PM)
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sh4d0ws
LSx


Registered: 02/26/08
Posts: 12,086
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Yeah two is always nice. I run my two excaliburs and the nesco still and still wish I had more room. 
I messed up the fuse # in my previous message, I edited it, but the one in your quote is wrong. It's not sf169e its sf139e
I did actually find some on amazon but they were outrageously expensive, not worth it so I went with ebay/china
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