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Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator

Excalibur

Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator

  • 9 stainless steel trays, 15 square feet of drying space
  • Adjustable thermostat, 105°F to 165°F
  • Parallex horizontal airflow
  • 26-hour digital timer with auto shut-off
  • Mesh screen inserts available
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On this page

Is the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator worth it?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator ranks #1 in our Best Food Dehydrators for Jerky list (top pick). Its biggest strength: 9 separate trays make it easy to dry many herb varieties at once without flavor crossover. The main caveat: 105°F floor is higher than the NESCO, COSORI, and Presto, less ideal for the most delicate herbs.

Overview

What the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator does well

The Excalibur's horizontal airflow and stainless trays produce the most consistent batches for anyone drying meat regularly. The highlights are horizontal airflow dries every tray at nearly the same rate, meaningful for large jerky batches and 9-tray capacity handles several pounds of meat in a single run.

And stainless steel trays clean up more easily after fatty meat treats than plastic. The tradeoff: highest price on this list, more than most casual treat makers need.

Best for large batches. Its case rests on horizontal airflow dries every sheet at nearly the same rate across all nine trays and largest usable drying area on this list for a full harvest's worth of puree. One caveat, highest price on this list by a wide margin.

Specs that matter

Key features

  • 9 stainless steel trays, 15 square feet of drying space
  • Adjustable thermostat, 105°F to 165°F
  • Parallex horizontal airflow
  • 26-hour digital timer with auto shut-off
  • Mesh screen inserts available
The trade-offs

Pros & cons

Pros

  • 9 separate trays make it easy to dry many herb varieties at once without flavor crossover
  • Horizontal airflow dries every tray at nearly the same rate for consistent batches
  • Stainless steel trays clean up easily after resinous herbs like rosemary
  • Largest drying area on this list for a full end-of-season herb harvest

Cons

  • 105°F floor is higher than the NESCO, COSORI, and Presto, less ideal for the most delicate herbs
  • Highest price on this list, more than most home herb growers need
  • Large footprint takes meaningful counter or storage space
Fit check

Should you buy the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator?

Buy it if you're…

  • Shopping for jerky
  • Shopping for homemade dog treats
  • Shopping for fruit leather
  • Shopping for herbs

Think twice if this matters to you

  • 105°F floor is higher than the NESCO, COSORI, and Presto, less ideal for the most delicate herbs
  • Highest price on this list, more than most home herb growers need
  • Large footprint takes meaningful counter or storage space
Where it ranks

Featured in 4 best-of lists

ListRank
Best Food Dehydrators for Jerky· Top pick#1 / 4
Best Food Dehydrators for Homemade Dog Treats#2 / 4
Best Food Dehydrators for Fruit Leather#4 / 4
Best Food Dehydrators for Herbs#4 / 5
Cross-shop

Alternatives to the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator

Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.

Head-to-head

Compared with

Buying advice: food dehydrators

  1. Horizontal (rear-fan) airflow gives the most even drying and keeps flavors from mixing between trays. Vertical stackable units are cheaper and smaller.
  2. Look for roughly 95°F for herbs up to 160°F or more for jerky. A thermostat that holds its setting matters more than a wide range.
  3. Count usable tray area, not just the number of trays. Larger batches save time and electricity.
  4. Stainless or BPA-free trays, fine mesh sheets for small items and solid sheets for fruit leather add flexibility.
  5. Dehydrators run for many hours. Check noise levels and plan a spot with airflow around the unit.

Read the full guides

Answers

Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator: common questions

Is the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator worth buying?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator ranks #1 in our Best Food Dehydrators for Jerky list (top pick). Its biggest strength: 9 separate trays make it easy to dry many herb varieties at once without flavor crossover. The main caveat: 105°F floor is higher than the NESCO, COSORI, and Presto, less ideal for the most delicate herbs.

Who is the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator best for?

Based on our research it suits jerky, homemade dog treats, fruit leather and herbs. It's ranked #1 of 4 in our Best Food Dehydrators for Jerky list.

What are the downsides of the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator?

The main trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: 105°F floor is higher than the NESCO, COSORI, and Presto, less ideal for the most delicate herbs; highest price on this list, more than most home herb growers need; large footprint takes meaningful counter or storage space.

What are the key features of the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator?

9 stainless steel trays, 15 square feet of drying space, Adjustable thermostat, 105°F to 165°F, Parallex horizontal airflow, 26-hour digital timer with auto shut-off and Mesh screen inserts available.

What are the best alternatives to the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator?

Worth comparing: NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, COSORI Premium 10-Tray Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator and Presto 06301 Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.

Where can I buy the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator?

It's sold on Amazon. Prices and stock change often, so check the current listing before you buy, our link takes you straight to it.

What temperature should I use for dog treats?

For meat-based treats like chicken jerky or liver, 160°F to start kills bacteria, then finishing at 130°F to 145°F dries the treat through. For sweet potato, pumpkin, or vegetable-based treats, 125°F to 135°F works well without scorching. All four dehydrators on this list reach the full range needed for either type.

Is it safe to make chicken jerky treats at home for dogs?

Yes, when dried thoroughly and at the right temperature. Home-dried chicken jerky should reach 160°F during the process to reduce bacterial risk, then be dried until fully firm with no soft or moist spots. Store finished treats in the refrigerator or freezer if not using within a week or two, since homemade treats lack the preservatives that commercial jerky treats use.

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