The most exciting thing to enter my kitchen in a long time is this stainless steel Dehydrator. Most of my raw cookbooks recommend the Excalibur 9 tray, so I got that first. It was too big and too loud for my small house (I have an open floor plan), and frankly, I found Excalibur's customer service to be lacking.I looked and looked and couldn't find another option until I happened to notice someone talking about the Sausage Maker on a raw foods message board. After some research, I realized TSM and Sausage Maker are one and the same. Sausage Maker originated as a dehydrator for hunters to preserve their game. But raw foodists caught on and started using their dehydrators because of their high quality. TSM realized they had another market demographic and wisely took the sausage logo off the machine.
The unit itself is very good looking. It's well built and has a sexy industrial appearance for the kitchen. It's quiet-very quiet which I didn't think would matter since I like white noise, but if you are going to have something on for 20 hours in a small space, it can be really annoying if it's too loud.
The trays are high quality stainless steel and it has a timer. A timer! This is so helpful when you have something going for many hours and is surprisingly absent from many dehydrators. Their customer service is friendly and helpful, I had to call about the temperature dial--it corresponds to the chart on the top left of the machine, raw foodists will want their knob to stay within that first space on the dial in case anyone else is wondering. Also, be sure to ask for one with a little hole in the door for a thermometer probe if you want to to monitor the temperature (and you probably will).
I'm still in the experimental stage food-wise but I have had great success making crackers and cookies and veggie chips. I give you my utmost recommendation for this model. It's the nicest dehydrator I've ever seen and I've been looking like crazy. If you are embarking on your own raw foods journey or want to upgrade from your current dehydrator, or just need a fabulous gift for the raw foodie in your life, be sure to check this out.
I have recently purchased this dehydrator after looking at reviews for other machines. I must say that I did not expect to have it running almost non-stop. Thinking of new items to dehydrate. I am particualrly fond of the banana chips I give to my pet. She looks at the machine with her mouth watering.
I am happy that I purchased the all stainless steel as over time, it will hold up to hours and days of use. I was a bit surprised at the size even though the dimensions were given. It is larger than a small microwave. Fits nicely under kitchen cabinets. Looks chic with other stainess appliances.
I have searched but have not been able to find a thermometer with a probe to fit in the front cover to monitor the temperatures more closely.
* the 12 hour timer is great
* the temp control has different colored shading no numbers/ it would be good to guesstimate of the internal the temperature as it does not come with an additional thermometer
* the square design makes adding items very easy to do without falling in the middle hole like round units
* 5 trays hold a lot of items
* I wish the small manual had more info in it as some of the other units advertise (a how to begin dehydrating book would be a better draw)
* it does not get as hot as it claims to get on the outside (good thing)
* the stainless sliding up door has cut my finger it is almost like a guillatine (sp?)
* there are no accessories (fruit roll sheet or jerky seasonings or liners) included. It would have been helpful to try to help make a buying decision as I am new to dehydrating.
* the fan sounds similar to an air purifier or small floor fan while running.
I'll update when I have used the unit a bit more.
If you can afford to spend the $$ on the SS shelves, I would definitely do so.
UPDATE FEB 1, 2011
Well,
I must say I haven't grown tired of my new best friend. I noticed it has a steady on switch if you don't want to use the 12 hr timer. Missed that before.
my favorites all without sulfites
watermelon tastes like candy
bananas leathery if you dehydrate for apprx 12 hours/ crunchy if you do 24 hours
mangoes
stone fruits apricots, peaches
pineapple
blueberries
kale chips
sweet potatoes
The unit is very easy on the electric bill minimal change in my monthly bill.
Again, very happy that I purchased the stainless steel shelves. Clean up is a breeze. The fan is mounted in the back so no messy spills get on it. I haven't had to rotate shelves as every shelf appears to get equal heating.
If you are using a food that may have a high sugar content, spray the shelves with Pam and everything comes off easily.
Purchased a jerky gun and seasonings. They are the best I've ever had.
I did decide to give raw a try. There are so many possibilities with food and DESSERTS. It is a bit expensive to start your pantry off about the cost of this dehydrator.
Update April 16, 2012
Well, the dehydrator is the most used appliance in the kitchen in terms of number of hours used. I continue to dehydrate my fruits and kale chips. When making raw soups, they taste a little better when you use the dehydrator to knock the chill off. One of my better appliance investments. Instead of using cooking spay, I use parchment paper now and cleanup is even easier.
Buy TSM Products Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator with 5 Stainless Steel Shelves Now
A stainless steel food dehydrator with free shipping-could I ask for more? No! So I bought it. I wanted a dehydrator that was bpa free so I decided on this one. I was thrilled with I found this-exactly what I was looking for. The Excalibur dehydrator has great reviews but I was unsure of the material they use on their trays and fruit leather mats so I went w/ stainless and am so glad I did.Pros
It cooks evenly-no need to rotate food/trays
It has a self stop timer so I can go to bed and empty it in the morning
It heats up quickly and the directions are clear for set up.
Things I've learned-if you remove food after the dehydrator is turned off and cool-heat it up for a minute and the food is easier to get off the trays.
Using a paper towel, lightly coat the trays w/ oil if dehydrating things like apples. They will come off a lot easier and the cook time isn't longer -even with the oil.
Look over the trays carefully for pieces of metal that weren't removed from the manufacture. I saw that this was an issue when reading online and was willing to deal w/ it b/c I wanted stainless.
Order The Dehydrator Cookbook if you're new to dehydrating
The only thing I'd change is that I'd buy the larger one. 5 trays is a lot but for the same amount of time and electricity, you can dehydrate so much more!
Next I'm going to make pickle chips:)I lived alone in our cabin in a remote area of Virginia while supervising building of a new house. Had lots of time on my hands to thoroughly research everything I was buying, from bathtub drains to food dehydrators. At least partially because of that, I made lots of good decisions
My TSM dehydrator arrived several months ago, but decided to wait to write review until my 1/2 acre vegetable garden came into full production. My primary goal was to dry tomatoes (I have 65 plants this year). The garden was has been late coming in, but is now in full swing, so I am drying tomatoes like mad!
My first impression of the dehydrator was that it was extremely well made and pretty to look at. My husband, with engineering background and company with large mechanical shop, was very impressed. (I understand that each of these dehydrators is custom made in a shop.)
Had decided to buy stainless steel, first because it appealed to me and, close second, food safety. Didn't want to heat food for hours on plastics. No problem with door edges or noise (see other reviews). Love the sturdy, ventilated trays, food dries evenly. However, because of food odors during dehydration, we decided even before using it for the first time to dehydrate on the back porch. Might not have been a problem inside, but we have room outside and it seemed like a good idea. Works great there.
Because of the few negative comments I had read about this item, called the manufacturer before buying. No problems contacting, excellent information and feedback regarding my questions. Couldn't have been more pleased or satisfied with that contact.
I am so glad that I made the decision to buy this product. Well made, good-looking, solid, does exactly what it is designed to do.
Want TSM Products Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator with 5 Stainless Steel Shelves Discount?
I really like my TSM 5 shelf Dehydrator purchased Nov. 2011!My Rating: ****
Great little unit for those who do not dehydrate a lot of foods at a time! However, five 16 x 14 racks can hold quite a bit.
Recommendations!
I find it best to have a "level" designated spot for the machine. Once filled, and set, leave it be. Removing the door lets the heat escape; so, you may not wish to do it, while dehydrating. Moving the unit, while the heating element is red hot can cause damage to your unit. Hot things tend to break more easily.
I suggest filling your machine up!
Dehydrating requires the same energy, whether you fill one rack, or all five.
Also, use parchment paper for those items that tend to stick!
Or, order Frogmats.
First Complaint!
You may wish to plan on using a calibrated 12" temp gauge, as TSM's temperature dial is a little tricky to set. Anything shorter may not give you an accurate reading. Or, better yet, take a look at Maverick Industry's wireless remote systems. The gauge-probe inserts through a small hole in the front door panel. I do find the thermometer often snags on whatever is inside.
Second Complaint!
The rear SS panel, supporting the motor tends to vibrate-rattle when the unit is on. TSM should have used a heavier gauge SS for the rear. I found the noise so annoying, I reinforced the motor bracket with a piece of flat steel.
Yes, I'd purchased this product again! Order it!
You will be glad you did!
Good luck!
Ron B.
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