Excalibur dehydrator

A range, not one fixed specification

Excalibur is a maker-branded range of electric food dehydrators. Its current catalogue divides products by tray count and presents different cabinet forms and controls, so the name alone does not identify one universal size, thermostat or capacity. One documented example is the 3900B: Lowe's lists it as a black nine-tray model with fifteen square feet of drying area. That figure belongs to this model, not every Excalibur.

The 3900B listing describes square 15-inch trays, a seven-inch fan and a thermostat range of 105–165°F. It gives overall dimensions of 17 × 19 × 12.5 inches and electrical power of 600 W. Those details help when comparing this cabinet with counter or storage space. Other Excalibur models have different tray counts, doors, timers or digital controls. Check the model plate and manual before applying a specification or accessory recommendation.

How the airflow dries food

The ordinary task is to move warm air across food arranged on removable trays, carrying away moisture as it evaporates from each exposed surface. Excalibur describes its Parallexx system as drawing in cool air, heating it and distributing it horizontally over the trays. Its guidance says this arrangement is intended to spread airflow across the load without rotating trays. That is the maker's account of the design, not a guarantee that every food load dries identically.

Drying depends on preparation and conditions. Excalibur names time, temperature, air circulation and food preparation as the four main factors. Its guide says to cut pieces to consistent thickness: slices with similar surface area are more likely to dry at a similar pace. The maker warns that raising heat too much can cause case hardening, in which the outside becomes leathery and slows moisture leaving the interior. A hotter setting is not a simple substitute for evenly cut pieces, room for moving air and suitable drying time.

The maker also explains that wet food can be cooler than surrounding air because evaporation removes heat from its surface. As air temperature fluctuates, water leaves the surface and moisture from the centre moves outward to replace it. Excalibur says the dial is calibrated to food temperature during dehydration; it is not a continuous direct reading of air temperature. This applies to a drying load where moisture is evaporating, not every use of the cabinet.

The maker's jar-yogurt method

Excalibur publishes another use: holding capped jars of cultured milk in the warm cabinet. The recipe heats half a gallon of milk to 185°F, cools it to 115°F, mixes in four tablespoons of yogurt with active cultures, then transfers the mixture to lidded glass jars. It removes every dehydrator tray and places the jars inside. The setting is 110°F for nine hours, followed by refrigeration; the yogurt thickens as it cools.

This is a specific maker-published recipe, not evidence that every model is a purpose-built yogurt maker. The recipe gives a controller setting and elapsed time, but no temperature measured inside the jars. Since the jars are capped rather than exposed as a drying load, the maker's evaporative-cooling explanation for wet food should not be mistaken for a measured jar temperature. The linked set-yogurt page provides a reader-facing account of the product made by this method.

Materials, geography and model-specific care

The manufacturer says its products are manufactured in the United States and China using materials sourced from the United States and elsewhere. Its FAQ identifies #5 polypropylene tray screens and a polycarbonate case. These statements describe the maker's range; they do not identify the factory or material specification for an individual unit. The company sells through its factory and selected stores and provides a separate route for international buyers. This records a contemporary product with international sales channels, not a guarantee of availability in every market.

For products covered by its FAQ, the maker says trays can go on a dishwasher's top rack or be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild detergent. It suggests soaking tray inserts before rinsing and wiping the cabinet with a damp sponge. Follow instructions supplied with the exact appliance and accessories, particularly where a model or tray material differs. The sources reviewed do not date the first Excalibur dehydrator; current listings are not launch records.