Lem Big Bite dehydrator

[Sack1971]

Looking at the Lem Big Bite all stainless steel dehydrator. Looks promising. Wondering how it dries vs excaliber or cosori. Im fine paying a few hundred more, if its worth it. When doing jerky, are stainless steel trays a must? Thanks from Minnesota

 

[pineywoods]

Not sure about the LEM Dehydrator but most LEM stuff is good quality. I have the 80-Liter Commercial Dehydrator from Bass Pro and it does a good job. A friend has the 160-Liter Commercial Dehydrator from Bass Pro he and a friend of his went together and bought it and they really like it.

 

[BGKYSmoker]

I had a LEM years ago, good dehydrators but the SS lid in front rattled and was noisy. dont know if they fixed the issue.

 

[jcam222]

I popped over and looked at that. Looks awesome but I noted two things I wasn't thrilled with 1) I hate the door design. Slides up and down on a track and no ability to see inside while in place 2) max temp is 150 and I prefer those that go to 160. Looks very well built though. I'll still consider one if I decide to move on from my commercial Weston unit.

 

[crazymoon]

S1971, Can't comment on a LEM but I love my nine tray Excalibur.Trays are plastic but sturdy,it's over 15 years old and no problems.

 

[02ebz06]

I have an ancient plastic one with 8-10 trays.
Don't remember exactly how may as haven't used it in years.
Worked great when we use it.
Use Smoker now instead for Jerky.

Last thing I remember using it for was drying Hatch chilies.
Then ground them into power for adding to stews, etc.

 

[flatbroke]

I have 2 of the same kind Piney has and no complaints

 

[SmokinEdge]

I have the Denali Beast. Really nice stainless unit with glass door and a light to keep an eye on things. See link below.

https://denalicanning.com/products/the-beast

 

[ChasP]

What do you guys use your dehydrators for? I was thinking beef jerky, but will try that on a smoker.

 

[SmokinEdge]

What do you guys use your dehydrators for? I was thinking beef jerky, but will try that on a smoker.

Jerky, fruit, herbs and at the moment I have some cooked pork rind in there dehydrating to fry tomorrow for chicharron

 

[flatbroke]

Jerky, fruit, herbs and at the moment I have some cooked pork rind in there dehydrating to fry tomorrow for chicharron

All of that and sometimes SS to dry before smoke.

 

[Culinary Otter]

What do you guys use your dehydrators for? I was thinking beef jerky, but will try that on a smoker.

I initially bought my Excalibur to make my own camping/backpacking meals.

However I'd say watermelon is hands down the best thing I've ever made in the dehydrator.

 

[Fueling Around]

I have a round Presto unit similar to American Harvest or Nesco.
Wife got it for free (for me) as an anniversary gift from her former employment.
I don't use it a lot. I only need to dehydrate peppers every 2-3 years.
I naturally air dry my herbs.
If I dry herbs in the Presto, the fan tends to blow them around and shatter the leaves.
I tried drying tomatoes, but found I prefer them smoked and oil packed.

If I was buying a unit to use a lot, I would avoid the round stackers.
The rack style are great, but really think about how much you plan to use it before dropping a lot of coin.
I lost the romance pretty fast.

 

[ChasP]

I have a round Presto unit similar to American Harvest or Nesco.
Wife got it for free (for me) as an anniversary gift from her former employment.
I don't use it a lot. I only need to dehydrate peppers every 2-3 years.
I naturally air dry my herbs.
If I dry herbs in the Presto, the fan tends to blow them around and shatter the leaves.
I tried drying tomatoes, but found I prefer them smoked and oil packed.

If I was buying a unit to use a lot, I would avoid the round stackers.
The rack style are great, but really think about how much you plan to use it before dropping a lot of coin.
I lost the romance pretty fast.

Great feedback. I was leaning towards using my pellet smoker to make jerky instead of a dehydrator.

 

[Sack1971]

Great feedback. I was leaning towards using my pellet smoker to make jerky instead of a dehydrator.

Good advice. I decided to hold off on a smoker. Yes those dry rub ribs look fantastic, but I wouldn't use it enough to justify a purchase.

 

[Sack1971]

I popped over and looked at that. Looks awesome but I noted two things I wasn't thrilled with 1) I hate the door design. Slides up and down on a track and no ability to see inside while in place 2) max temp is 150 and I prefer those that go to 160. Looks very well built though. I'll still consider one if I decide to move on from my commercial Weston unit.

I agree about the door design. Why can't they make a design similar to a fridge. Just total lack of common sense in design.