Dehydrator or Electric smoker

Sjcampbell · Post by **Sjcampbell** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 11:14 am

I am looking at getting a good dehydrator for veggie garden produce and jerky. After looking at the prices and the various unit they will cost similar or more than a Hark electric smoker.

I'm wondering if the hark electric would do the job of dehydrating, and give me another smoker option. Also I could do the jerky in one unit rather than smoking then drying.

The combined wisdom of the forum would be appreciated.

wedwards · Post by **wedwards** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 2:51 pm

What's the lowest temp the hark electric can run at?

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Sjcampbell · Post by **Sjcampbell** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:54 pm

I think it's 40C but someone with a Hark might know better.

steinyboys · Post by **steinyboys** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 6:16 pm

I have the hark Aldi gasser and its a night mare to keep low enough for jerky, but am sure the electric will go low for your needs

wedwards · Post by **wedwards** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 6:42 pm

If you can consistently keep temp around 60 - 65 degrees C then it might be ok. I haven't had much success using a smoker for dehydrator purposes and vice versa, so have both.

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urbangriller · Post by **urbangriller** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:47 pm

Lowest temp is around 45C but you need a fan for dehydrating, not just heat.

Chris

Sjcampbell · Post by **Sjcampbell** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 9:06 pm

If I got a hark I was looking at fitting an internal fan next to the smoke box

Sjcampbell · Post by **Sjcampbell** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 9:57 pm

Just as some more background. The wife is after an Excaliber dehydrator worth over $500. So my thoughts were I could get another smoker for that

So if I can just convince her a Hark can dehydrate - and it will be me doing the the dehydrating anyway, not her!

Stevem109r · Post by **Stevem109r** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 10:18 pm

I have a Fowlers vacola 4000 dehydrator it's now at least 14 years old and has never missed a beat. The same model is still sold now with no upgrades made due to there non required .it will take up to twelve trays highly recommend it

Sjcampbell · Post by **Sjcampbell** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 11:14 pm

Stevem109r wrote:I have a Fowlers vacola 4000 dehydrator it's now at least 14 years old and has never missed a beat. The same model is still sold now with no upgrades made due to there non required .it will take up to twelve trays highly recommend it

Thanks for that. I've heard they are good but SWMBO like the Excalliber (Sigh) but can I chuck a brisket in it overnight or smoke jerkey till it's ready - NOPE

Just can't get excited about a dehydrator even though I know one would be useful

kiwiman · Post by **kiwiman** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 11:48 pm

i bought a Nesco from the States and unlike the Harvest Maid/Ezidri it has the motor on top instead of the bottom where it eventually clogs and burns out with moisture dripping down.
I had to get a step down transformer to run it but still a lot cheaper and better than models here with bottom motor.
Stewart

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