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Post by beermaker on Nov 28, 2019 7:55:17 GMT -5
I'm in the market for both. I have a Food Saver sealer that is 10+ years old and is just plain worn out. I've used it a ton and a few buddies have borrowed it. I will get another Food Saver unless someone has a better suggestion, which I am open to. I think I paid around $100 for the one I have now and consider it a great value.
I currently have a cheap dehydrator that has round trays. Terrible design and I've never liked it one bit. It has no adjustments or controls other than off or on. I'm looking for one with rectangular trays and adjustable settings. I know Cabela's has several, but I've found that SOME of their branded stuff is not worth a crap. I've had both good and bad experiences.
Thanks ahead for any useful information.
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Post by nfalls116 on Nov 28, 2019 8:02:12 GMT -5
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Post by esshup on Nov 28, 2019 8:27:32 GMT -5
No dehydrator but I have a vac sealer from Cabelas that will do a 14" wide bag, wet or dry food, and double seal the bag. Manual or automatic controls. I'm happy with it, and have had it for a few years now.
My sister had a rectangular dehydrator from Cabelas that had 8 or 10 trays and she used it about every month for years and it finally let the magic smoke out 2 months ago. They had a 10 tray one on sale a few weeks ago for $97.....
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Post by beermaker on Nov 29, 2019 7:24:47 GMT -5
No dehydrator but I have a vac sealer from Cabelas that will do a 14" wide bag, wet or dry food, and double seal the bag. Manual or automatic controls. I'm happy with it, and have had it for a few years now. My sister had a rectangular dehydrator from Cabelas that had 8 or 10 trays and she used it about every month for years and it finally let the magic smoke out 2 months ago. They had a 10 tray one on sale a few weeks ago for $97..... I should have mentioned that I was hoping for recommendations on Cabela's gear. I have a boatload of points and can get what I need cash-free. I just didn't want to buy something strictly based on price. I was at BPS in Clarksville the other day and they were out of the 10 tray dehydrator. We are heading to the FIL's today so maybe I'll stop by the one in Portage.
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Post by omegahunter on Dec 2, 2019 10:17:11 GMT -5
No dehydrator but I have a vac sealer from Cabelas that will do a 14" wide bag, wet or dry food, and double seal the bag. Manual or automatic controls. I'm happy with it, and have had it for a few years now. My sister had a rectangular dehydrator from Cabelas that had 8 or 10 trays and she used it about every month for years and it finally let the magic smoke out 2 months ago. They had a 10 tray one on sale a few weeks ago for $97..... I should have mentioned that I was hoping for recommendations on Cabela's gear. I have a boatload of points and can get what I need cash-free. I just didn't want to buy something strictly based on price. I was at BPS in Clarksville the other day and they were out of the 10 tray dehydrator. We are heading to the FIL's today so maybe I'll stop by the one in Portage. I have the 10 tray Cabela's and I love it! Dad had an old circular dehydrator, but I like the horizontal forced air a lot more than the vertical. I use a Foodsaver...cheaper model that has dry/wet sealing, but still doesn't seal very well if there is much moisture at all that makes it to the sealing strip. Usually just move it a bit and reseal again just above the previous seal and then it is just fine.
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Post by scrub-buster on Dec 2, 2019 16:15:14 GMT -5
I bought a cheap vacuum sealer off ebay that had good reviews. I've had it 3 seasons now and it's worked fine. I do 4-5 deer a season with it.
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Post by jman46151 on Dec 2, 2019 17:08:22 GMT -5
I almost bought a new vac sealer this year due to the vacuum not working unless I moistened the foam but decided to get some new seals. Works like a champ now.
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Post by greypoupon on Dec 3, 2019 8:39:27 GMT -5
I have the 10 tray cabelas dehydrator. I dont use it a lot but I really like it and have not had any issues. I have had it for 3-4 years now.
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Post by beermaker on Dec 7, 2019 12:42:05 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the information.
I decided to take a $10 gamble and ordered a new set of gaskets for my sealer. It's better, but still not how it should be. I'll be keeping an eye out for one to go on sale.
I ordered the 10 tray dehydrator from BPS. It was on sale and had "free" shipping. I received it yesterday and loaded it up this morning. If anyone is interested, #3.75 of meat took five trays. I used the LEM cannon and strip tip. I laid the strips long ways on the trays and, with the recommended spacing, was able to get five strips per tray. I used HIgh-Mountian cajun seasoning. I'll report on the yield and taste when it's done.
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Post by beermaker on Dec 8, 2019 6:12:17 GMT -5
After seven hours in the dehydrator, I ended up with #1.25 of finished jerky. The flavor is good, but not really my preference. Cajun is what I had so I used it. I like the traditional hickory smoke flavor with some salt and a boatload of black pepper. That's what I will be doing next time.
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Post by omegahunter on Dec 10, 2019 9:25:44 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the information. I decided to take a $10 gamble and ordered a new set of gaskets for my sealer. It's better, but still not how it should be. I'll be keeping an eye out for one to go on sale. I ordered the 10 tray dehydrator from BPS. It was on sale and had "free" shipping. I received it yesterday and loaded it up this morning. If anyone is interested, #3.75 of meat took five trays. I used the LEM cannon and strip tip. I laid the strips long ways on the trays and, with the recommended spacing, was able to get five strips per tray. I used HIgh-Mountian cajun seasoning. I'll report on the yield and taste when it's done. I run my jerky strips across the trays and they will just fit into a gallon baggie for storage. I like the HiCountry brand cures from Rural King in Smokey flavor and my wife likes the Sweet Teriyaki. I am thinking that I can get 5# of meat on 9 trays and that will fill the gallon baggie.
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