Best Food Dehydrator? Nesco vs Excalibur Review

I do a comparison and review of the Nesco and Excalibur food dehydrators.
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Disclaimer
Any opinions expressed in this video are mine and mine alone and are not related to my employer or any other organization or individual. I have not been paid to make this video or to endorse a product. If I am ever paid for an endorsement or provided other compensation, I will state it clearly in the video. Any advice or demonstration I provide is just advice. The viewer should take responsibility for their own actions, follow any manufacturers warnings and directions and act safely and responsibly when travelling in the backcountry.

[@valentinechenus3914]

Hey Kevin! New subscriber here. This was super helpful. Thank you!! Keep doing what you do.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks I am glad this was useful.

[@dawoobler]

Wow! This was a fantastic review/comparison. Thank you for this, Kevin. After years of keeping this purchase on back burner, I now feel confident in my decision to buy a dehydrator. I'll be purchasing this from your store, and I am excited to see what other items you recommend. Thanks for putting this together!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

You are so welcome. I am glad this was informative!

[@richardwildeman1267]

I've been hoping you'd do a video like this for quite some time, and it was well worth the wait, it was extremely interesting! And not only because you are a foremost authority on the subject of dehydrating meals for the backcountry, but because of the thorough scientific method you always employ with your reviews. I'm extremely happy with the Nesco FD-75A I got this winter along with your phenomenal book, and expanded it to 9 trays, which seems to be the sweet spot for accomodating many of the meals I make, but I will get two more yet -- which brings me to the one little critisim I have on it -- it comes with 5 trays, can expand up to 12 trays, but the trays and sheets are sold in sets of two! And about your book, the recipies are so good that I make some of them regularily at home now, and I've had someone ask for the recipe after tasting one to make at home as well. But I especially love how you don't just give a man a fish with recipes, but teach a man to fish, so-to-speak. I've been having a blast experimenting with converting recipes I've done for decades at home to backcountry dehydrated meals. Thank you so much for putting all that hard work into that book, I really appreciate it.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yeah, isn't it strange that it comes with an odd number of trays but is expandable with pairs up to 2. I guess one needs two machines. :)

[@crazyhorsejohnny1974]

I’ve had both as well and for me it’s the Nesco all day. I’ve had the same one for years without any problems. The fan on my Excalibur died after 2 years and it was a pain to get it replaced/repaired. And for me the size of the Nesco is perfect. Thanks for sharing. Take care and stay safe.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Crazy Horse!

[@JD_Danzer]

Love the detail in all your videos. Thank you!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much.

[@suzannewood1518]

Thank you for such a wonderful video. I have two Nesco’s . Some day would love the Excalibur.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Both are good dehydrators. The Excalibur is a bit better but the Nesco does a great job for the price.

[@lcastleberry]

Thank you! I inherited my Nesco from my daughter several years ago. Couldn't be happier. Your book is due to be delivered today! I'm SO excited! Happy Mother's Day from my oldest She's my camping/traveling twin and is so excited for me to dehydrate more of your recipes.😊

[@KevinOutdoors]

Very cool. So nice to hear!

[@craigrobertson6082]

Great information, Kevin. I use a Nesco and couldn't be happier with it. Simple to use and clean. Put it in the garage and away you go.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yeah, they are great dehydrators, especially for the price.

[@trollgrgg2672]

Very informative and well presented - helps me to make my decision - thank you

[@KevinOutdoors]

I am glad you found this useful!

[@LostLakes]

Really solid vid. Great point about the trays fitting in the sink. Been a Hamilton Beach user but it's so-so. Tried the cosori C267-FR this season and I really like it so far. Stainless, works well, very quiet, a lot more affordable than Excalibur.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Jon, I have no need for another dehydrator but I have heard good things about the Cosori. I might pick one up just for a comparison video - and extra total capacity.

[@darlenedavis2256]

Kudos to you - a scientific review and the only one I've ever seen. I ended up buying the Nesco for all the reasons you mentioned and the fact that another site where the author also uses Nesco and backpacks sealed the deal for me. No, I don't backpack but I live in an RV and space is limited. Although the Excalibur is nice, if I bought one I'd have to rent another space in the park just for it! Love your channel.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much. I am glad I could help you come to your decision.

[@dwrivers47]

Great scientific review. I have the Nesco with the bottom heater & fan. I love it, easy to clean. Mine has a power switch. I think the bottom heater and fan are better due to the thermodynamics of heat rising for efficiency but I could be wrong. Thanks Kevin !

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Derek, I have been leery of the bottom heater and fan because stuff tends to fall into the bottom tray. They must have something to capture that. I have a friend with one of those but I have no first hand experience.

[@Thereal111t]

Woah dude. This is a solid comparison! Thanks! I have a nesco that I’ve used for years. I’m generally pleased with it. I used to have a cheaper type dehydrator with round stacking trays. That one had the heating element at the bottom. That was the big advantage I saw with the nesco. Having the heating element at the top means no goop dripping into it. I think that’s worth a bit of efficiency.

[@KevinOutdoors]

I completely agree. I don't think I would buy a dehydrator with the fan and heater in the bottom, unless I was completely convinced it was well shielded and easy to clean.

[@steveallison7950]

@@KevinOutdoors I have two of them. I would not call cleaning them "easy" but it is not terrible either. Considering they are usually garage sale finds (or similar), I can deal with it for the huge reduction in price.

[@kathyvangogh4034]

EXCELLENT REVIEW. THX SO MUCH

[@KevinOutdoors]

My pleasure!

[@alanbierhoff6831]

I started with a Presto (because I’m cheap) and I have so many different trays (and I found another identical, complete unit at a thrift store for $10USD) that I just can’t bring myself to invest in another brand. Also, with the comparably small amount of dehydrating I do these days, the Presto meets my needs. When I first found your KZbin channel I came very close to switching to a Nesco. This is a very informative video 👍🏻

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing Alan. If your dehydrator works, then there is nothing wrong with it :)

[@Worsdier]

Good quality review. Thanks.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thank you.

[@cliffspicer6555]

I’ve been using the Nesco one for years and been very happy. The thermo imaging showing the heat loss made me think if you made sure not to block any necessary vents I wonder if a cozy made out of reflectix if it would drastically improve the efficiency of the Nesco and help with the variance in temperatures? Great work Kevin.

[@KevinOutdoors]

I think you might be the third person (4th including me) to think of doing that. This may be my weekend project. :)

[@86beeman]

Thanks Kevin for that great review. I've been researching dehydrators for a while now - trying not to break the bank but between your video and Jon's @LosLakes talking about his Hamilton Beach, I decided on the Nesco and ordered it through your Amazon store. ordered you book too. Steppin' it up a notch!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Awesome, I think you will be happy with the Nesco, in my opinion it is the best value and gives almost the same quality as the very expensive Excalibur.

[@MeetMeOutside]

Absolutely love my Nesco !

[@KevinOutdoors]

Awesome!

[@jamiesykes1115]

Thanks Kevin

[@KevinOutdoors]

You are welcome.

[@neemancallender9092]

I have the Nesco Does a fine job I like the flexibility of having between 12 to 4 trays Just finished dehydrating 20 days worth of food

[@KevinOutdoors]

Solid reliable dehydrator.

[@dnjuneau]

Thank you very much for that very « professionnal » comparaison, definitely i ll go for the Nesco, for « amateur » use. I will look also at those Air Fryer like the Ninja FD 400 8 L but i dont think its comparable……. Thanks again

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad the video was helpful.

[@AJKPenguin]

Good morning Kevin. Thank you for a great way to start the week. : ) PS: how are you all doing?

[@KevinOutdoors]

You are welcome. Everyone here is doing great.

[@AJKPenguin]

@@KevinOutdoors Most excellent.

[@Woodswalker1965]

For the money Nesco works for me👍

[@KevinOutdoors]

Absolutely. 👊

[@1967AJB]

Fantastic film, I love your reviews, although I’m surprised you didn’t check the accuracy of the thermostats. Excalibur are going to hate it though! I used to have one like the Nesco, I don’t think that brand is available here, but moved it on to get an Excalibur, and agree with everything you’ve said. Which is a bitt of a shame as I too was sold the story of the Excalibur being in a different league, which I’m not sure it really is.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Andy, both dehydrators are very good in my opinion. But I agree, I was surprised at the variability of temperatures in the Excalibur. It is faster and I think that is more noticeable on users than the variability. Somehow speed masks the variable temperatures. There may be more testing in the future.

[@kennethlabelle2141]

Hi Kevin ,Really like your videos. I can relate to many of them as I also went to school for forestry and also enjoy the BWCA. So, what if I make a "coozie" for the Nesco dehydrator? Ken

[@KevinOutdoors]

Ha, that is a thought I had too. I might experiment a bit with that. I think if more heat could be retained it would dry faster.

[@lavandamuc]

Another great video with interesting information! We bought an Excalibur from a local dealer. Not overly content with it. What you described matches my observations. You don't happen to have taken the overall power draw over a set amount of time, lets say 4 hours? Even if the Excalibur draws less energy, if the heater would kick in more often, it'll add up and may be more than the Nesco at the end? I'm especially curious about the energy consumption, as we're off grid way up in Northern Canada and always wait for very sunny days (and spring) to start the machine. 😅 Cheers

[@KevinOutdoors]

I am curious too. I think my power meter can do that. Perhaps there is a sequel to this video in the works.

[@bw7754]

Can we get an update video on the beavers?

[@steveallison7950]

Maybe the Nesco needs a reflectix-style pot cozy side with room at the bottom to breathe. That might close the efficiency gap.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Something I might test in the future.

[@cwetfeet]

I'm curious, did you check the accuracy of the thermostat? It doesn't really matter but would be interesting. I have two Nescors.

[@KevinOutdoors]

I didn't and you aren't the first one to suggest it, so it may be a future video. Once I figure out how to test the thermostat :)

[@blipcat3382]

*NESCO PRO*..................is the way to go for my drying.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Great dehydrator!

[@Benanslandon]

Hey Kevin. How can I buy a copy of that book?

[@KevinOutdoors]

You can find it on amazon, or through my publisher. There are links in the description or on my website www.Backcountry-Eats.com Thanks for the interest!

[@SmoothIsFast791]

FIRST :)

[@KevinOutdoors]

Nice!

[@SmoothIsFast791]

Ha, sorry to be that guy but i couldn't help it! Big fan of all your videos, just made and am dehydrating some chili mac for a future trip, couldn't have done it without you.

[@KevinOutdoors]

@@SmoothIsFast791 Very cool, thanks!