Excalibur 2900 Economy Series 9 Tray Food Dehydrator

The Excalibur 2900 is a large dehydrator that sits just below its (more expensive) cousin, the Excalibur 3900.  With 9 large trays (each measuring approximately 15" x 15") the Excalibur 2900 has about 15 sq ft of dehydrating capacity, making it a good fit for families, people with active gardens, sportsmen, or people who dehydrate a lot of food on a regular basis.

The unit has a large 7" rear mounted fan and heating element, which blows air horizontally from the back to the front of the machine. This arrangement helps to provide an even dehydration process and eliminates the need to rotate trays because of the horizontal airflow. Also, because the trays are all removable, you can remove every other tray when needed to dry bulkier foods. Each of the 9 included trays comes with a mesh liner.

The design of the 2900 is basic but functional. The external case and trays are made from light-blocking polycarbonate ABS plastic. The controls are mounted at the top-rear of the unit, which could be a bit inconvenient when the unit sits on a counter under cabinets. The Excalibur 2900 does not have a power switch or timer, but it does have an adjustable thermostat that ranges from 85º - 145ºF. The front door of the 2900 does not have a hinge but rather lifts off the unit entirely to provide completely open access to all trays.

Note on comparing the Excalibur 2900 to the 3900 - these units have identical form factors and performance specs. However, the 3900 has several upgraded components and an optional extended warranty:

• Higher Cycle Life Thermostat
• Higher Duty Rating
• Heating Element
• Heavy Duty Motor
• Higher Grade Plastic Components
• 10 Year Extended Warranty Available