- Made in the USA with USA and globally sourced materials.
Faqs
- We sell Excalibur direct from our factory and through some select stores. We do offer factory direct specials through our website. For information on where to buy Internationally, visit our International page. Contact Us Form
- In an Excalibur, just about anything. Fruits, most vegetables, meat, fish, make your own fruit roll-ups. Make vegetable powders. Dry herbs and spices. Make your own soup mix, trail mix, and salad dressings. Dehydrate grains and dairy products. Make all types of crackers. Use for arts & crafts, such as drying flowers for potpourri, or dough art, or drying photos. Make home-made pet treats for your dog, cat, horse, birds, etc. Dentists dry plastic molds in our Excalibur!
- For the most part, YES! It costs 1-tenth to dry your own instead of buying at a store. For most people eating dehydrated foods, the dehydrator pays for itself within 4 months vs. buying dehydrated foods at a store. Read the list of ingredients in commercially prepared “dried” foods. You may find added chemicals used for preservation, as well as saturated fats indicating the food may have been fried rather than having the moisture removed.
- The most critical aspects of the process are (1) the difference between air temperature and food temperature and how the evaporation process keeps food temperature cooler than air temperature (2) the working of the thermostat and how it causes the air temperature to fluctuate up and down (3) understanding at that the enzymes are most susceptible to destruction by heat in the wet state. After food is dehydrated the enzymes can withstand much higher temperatures.
- In general, food temperature is about 20 degrees cooler than air temperature. This is due to evaporation. As the moisture on the surface of the food evaporates, it cools the food. We have discovered this through hours of testing and measuring the air temperature and food temperature simultaneously during the dehydration process using a Doric Tendricator with type j thermal couples. The temperature reading on the Excalibur dial refers to the food temperature. If you set the Excalibur at 105F, you are setting it to hold the food temperature at 105 but the air temperature may get as high as 124F.
- The Excalibur thermostat was never originally designed to hold an accurate air temperature. It was designed to control an accurate food temperature.
- Through our research, we have found that in order to preserve the enzymes and reduce risk of mold and bacteria, there must be a fluctuation in temperature. Enzymes and microorganisms thrive at the same temperature, so during dehydration we have to accomplish two things: (1) keep the food temperature low enough not to harm the enzymes (2) elevate the air temperature high enough to remove moisture quickly to stop the growth of mold or bacteria. The air temp rapidly rises to the high point, so moisture is quickly evaporated off the food’s surface. As the temperature lowers, the dryer surface pulls moisture from the center of the food and becomes saturated again. Because of the up and down fluctuation of air temp and constant evaporation, the food temp remains at a lower temperature. After all the food moisture is evaporated, the food temperature will rise and equalize somewhere in the middle of the air temperature fluctuation. This will not kill the enzymes. Remember, the enzymes are only susceptible to damage in the wet state. Once food is dehydrated, the enzymes become dormant and can withstand much higher temperatures. We spoke with Viktoras Kulvinskas about this and he confirmed we are right “dry enzymes can survive well up to to 150F.” Viktoras tested our Excalibur and found it high in enzymatic activity. We have done our own tests with various seeds, dehydrating them at different temperatures, soaking them again, to see if they sprout and they did. Proving the enzymes are alive.
- Excalibur’s founder, Roger Orton, worked with Ann Wigmore on our Excalibur Dehydrators. Ann said that food temperature had to go above 120F for a period of time before enzymes were destroyed. Viktoras confirmed the same. Ann tested many dehydrators and confirmed Excalibur to be the best for Living Foods. She found the best technique to save enzymes was to set the temperature higher initially, then turn it down after a few hours. However, most people will not know when to turn it down. Ann’s recommendation is to set the temperature at 105F for the entire cycle. That way, the food temp will never go above 120F even after its dry.
- “Living foods” are healthy foods containing living enzymes. Excalibur’s Adjustable Thermostat lets you dry foods at temperatures low enough to keep enzymes viable in fruits and vegetables. It also lets you set temperatures high enough to dry meat for jerky. The temperature on the Excalibur is the average temperature. The air will fluctuate above and below that. In the case of meat, if the temperature is set at 155F, the air temperature will hit the USDA safety recommendation of 160F.
- YES! The temperature setting on the Excalibur is the average temperature. The air will fluctuate above and below that. In the case of meat, if the temperature is set at 155F, the air temperature will hit the USDA safety recommendation of 160F. Most dehydrators do not reach the minimum safe temperature for meat.
- Most ovens don’t have a low enough temperature setting for Living Foods. Ovens don’t heat evenly, you’ll have to constantly flip and rotate your load of jerky. Heating an electric or gas oven is expensive and you waste energy overheating the kitchen. Excalibur runs at an average 4 cents per hour and won’t heat up the kitchen. An oven has 1 or 2 shelves; Excalibur has up to 9 trays. Excalibur is easy-to-clean with a damp sponge.
- Yes. We use polypropylene #5. It’s the safest plastic for food contact. For the case material, we use polycarbonate because it’s virtually indestructible. Food does not come into contact with the case material. Food will only come into contact with the polypropylene #5.
- Yes. The case material is safe and doesn’t give off harmful fumes when used under 160F. Other manufacturers use a lower-quality plastic that does give off harmful fumes. The polycarbonate we use is recognized as safe by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Food, United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and other regulatory agencies Worldwide. *Always be sure you have FDA approved food contact polycarbonate. There are many different types of polycarbonates.
- Yes. In the top tray of your dishwasher. Or clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. The tray inserts are also easy to clean by soaking in the sink, then rinsing with a quick spray from the sink sprayer.
- With a round dehydrator, the heating element is at the bottom. This collects drips and spills. The trays stack-up in sections, causing obstruction to air flow circulation. They usually have no fan or thermostat regulating the unit. Temperatures can vary 50F from top to bottom. This means tray rotation is necessary. Most round dehydrators have limited headroom because of the stacking, so you can’t dry tall items. It can take up to 10x longer to dehydrate in a round dehydrator versus an Excalibur.
- It’s the only home dehydrator that has Parllexx® Horizontal-Airflow Drying System. The fan and the adjustable thermostat create excellent airflow, each tray receiving its own “jet stream” of forced air. Most other dehydrator radiate heat; they don’t direct it.
- Yes. Just set it, and forget it. We use a premium quality, motor driven timer. If the power should go off and on, the timer keeps track of the actual drying time.
- Yes. The Excalibur has three separate circuits to protect them from electrical malfunctions.
- With an Excalibur dehydrator you can control the time and temperature. Traditional canning methods subject foods to higher temperatures. When raw food is heated to an internal temperature of 120F or higher, much of the nutritional value is lost. In addition, canning leaches out water soluble vitamins and minerals, further depleting the nutrients found in raw food. Canning & freezing also requires investment in a freezer and repeat investments in kettles, jars, lids, boxes.
- YES! The advantage is that the foods taste sweeter but actually contain the same amount of sugar as the original fruit. One dried apple equals one fresh apple. Follow your Doctor’s recommendations.
- As a general rule, no. As long as the electric cord is not frayed or the unit is not damaged. With some of our older models a drop or two of lightweight machine oil may be needed on the fan shaft. If your Excalibur is over 20 years old, give us a call, we’ll confirm that a little oil will benefit your unit, as well as provide “how-to” instruction.
- The 2400, 2500ECB & 2900ECB come with a 5 year warranty. All 220-240 Volt international dehydrator units come with a 1 year warranty. All other dehydrator models come with a 10 year warranty (except for international voltage units, 2400, 2500ECB & 2900ECB). Please check the warranty page for more details on our warranties.
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Warning Label:
You may have seen the following warning associated with certain Excalibur products, as well as on other products purchased from other manufacturers:
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
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What is this warning about?
This warning is the result of a unique law passed in California in 1986 called “Proposition 65.” Proposition 65 requires a warning to be included with any product sold in California that may contain any of the 900-plus chemicals that State of California regulators (as opposed to federal and other state regulators) consider harmful. As explained below, failure to provide a warning can result in significant costs and penalties in California.
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Is this product safe to use?
Yes, it is safe to use as instructed. This product and all Excalibur brand products meet federal and state laws (including California’s) for safety and restricted substances. A Proposition 65 warning is a notification that a product may include a substance on California’s Proposition 65 list. The list is broad and encompasses products purchased in California that are used or consumed in everyday living. For example, warnings have been required for coffee, vinegar, and fish.
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I purchased this product outside of California. Why are you providing the Proposition 65 warning to me?
Excalibur products are sold throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Each distribution warehouse can and does serve multiple states, including California. To avoid the potential Proposition 65 costs and penalties if a product without a warning is brought into California, we decided to include these warnings, regardless of origin of purchase.
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If the product is safe, why does Excalibur include this warning?
For purposes of Proposition 65, the fact that the product meets federal and state safety standards is irrelevant. If there is even a trace amount of a Proposition 65 chemical in the product, it is up to the manufacturer to prove that the amount falls below California’s minimum exposure level. What constitutes “exposure” is poorly defined and the decision is left to the courts. For a manufacturer, the legal fees to contest a Proposition 65 case are significant. Because providing a warning removes all of these potential costs and litigation risks, West Bend and many other manufacturers have opted to provide the Proposition 65 warning.
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Doesn’t the State of California require evidence of harm to humans prior to placing a chemical on the Proposition 65 list?
No. In fact, California regulators require no evidence of harm or even likelihood of harm to humans prior to placing a chemical on the Proposition 65 list. Instead, evidence from animal testing has been deemed sufficient, even when those tests on animals are conducted with outlandish dosages. As an example, California’s initial decision to add BPA (Bisphenol A) to its Proposition 65 list is based on a 2008 study of high dose BPA testing on rodents. The dosage on rodents in that study was equivalent to a human consuming 264,000 cans PER DAY of food lined with BPA for a lifetime. Although that very same study concluded that there was insufficient evidence to treat BPA as a developmental toxicant to humans, California has used it as a basis for adding BPA to its Proposition 65 list.
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What is BPA?
BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical first approved by FDA in the early 1960s. The resins are used to protect foods from microbial (botulism) and other contamination by coating the inside of metal products, such as some food cans. It is also used in the production of hard, clear, heat-resistant polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Excalibur Tray Screens are BPA-free.
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Can a chemical be on the Proposition 65 list even though it is considered safe by the FDA and the EPA?
Yes. BPA once again provides an excellent example. In August 2008, the FDA released a draft report finding that BPA remains safe in food contact materials. Thereafter, $30 million was appropriated under the 2009 stimulus budget to perform more studies on BPA. The EPA commissioned a study that was released in 2011. That study used humans rather than animals as its test subjects. Each subject was asked to ingest high doses of BPA. By monitoring blood and urine, the scientists found that the BPA was detoxified and eliminated from the body and was undetectable. Links discussing these studies can be found at
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In the fall of 2014, FDA experts from across the agency, specializing in toxicology, analytical chemistry, endocrinology, epidemiology, and other fields, completed a four-year review of more than 300 scientific studies on BPA. The FDA review has found no information to prompt a revision of FDA’s safety assessment of BPA. FDA scientists have also recently determined that exposure to BPA through foods for infants is much less than had been previously believed and that the trace amounts of the chemical that enter the body, whether it’s an adult or a child, are rapidly metabolized and eliminated. In summary, the FDA and EPA have each performed extensive research on BPA. Despite this overwhelming scientific evidence that BPA is safe, California has chosen to ignore these findings and placed BPA on its Proposition 65 list.
