When you’re backpacking, every ounce counts. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your love of food. Dehydrating your own snacks is a great way to save weight and still enjoy your favorite foods. While dehydrators are often associated with making jerky and other meat-based snacks, they can be used for all types of food. In fact, many backpackers are using their dehydrators to make trail mix, banana chips, apple chips and other tasty snacks that are easier to pack and weigh less than standard versions of the same foods.
Using a food dehydrator can also help reduce the risk of spoilage while traveling in areas where refrigeration is not readily available. There are several types of dehydrators on the market. In this blog post, we compare Excalibur 3926TB vs Excalibur 3900B dehydrators side by side to find out which one comes out on top. Let’s find out!
Excalibur 3926TB Vs 3900B Dehydrator Comparison
Features Excalibur Dehydrator 3926TB Excalibur Dehydrator 3900B
Dimensions 19x17x12.5 Inches 19x17x12.5 Inches
Weight 22 lb 22 lb
Material Stainless Steel, Plastic Stainless Steel, Plastic
Available Colors Black Black
No. Of Trays 9 Trays 9 Trays
Tray Size 15x15 Inch 15x15 Inch
Total Drying Space 15 Square Feet 15 Square Feet
Temperature Range 105-165F 105-165F
Timer 26 Hours Not Available
Door Style Solid Plastic Door / No Hinges Solid Plastic Door / No Hinges
Wattage 600W/110-120V 600W/110-120V
Control Panel 2 Dials 1 Dial
Automatic Shut Off Yes No
Timer Display No No
Accessories Main Dehydrator Unit
9 Dehydrating Trays
Flexible poly-Screen Tray Inserts
Recipe Guide
User Manual
Warranty CardMain Dehydrator Unit
9 Dehydrating Trays
Flexible poly-Screen Tray Inserts
Recipe Guide
User Manual
Warranty Card
Cleanup Dishwasher Safe Accessories Dishwasher Safe Accessories
Warranty 1 Year Limited Warranty 1 Year Limited Warranty
User Rating 4.6/5 Star (3K Reviews) 4.6/5 Star (2.1K Reviews)
Check Best Price Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon
Key Difference Between 3926TB Vs 3900B Dehydrator
As stated in the comparison above, Excalibur 3926TB and 3900B have everything in common and there are hardly any differences visible at first glance but while testing and comparing side by side we noticed two differences.
Timer
Excalibur 3926TB dehydrator comes with a 26-hour timer and as soon as the timer expires, the dehydrator automatically shuts down. One cannot check on food being dehydrated every now and then so timer is a handy feature to look for. On the other hand, Excalibur 3900B doesn’t share this feature.
Control Panel
Excalibur dehydrators have retro style knobs to set the temperature and timer. Excalibur 3926TB comes with two dials, one for time and the second for temperature controls. on the other hand, Excalibur 3900B doesn’t have a timer so it is left with just one dial to set the required temperature.
Commonalities: Excalibur 3926TB Vs 3900B Dehydrator
Excalibur 3926TB and 3900B are almost identical dehydrators with same capacity, appearance and features except for control panel and timer that we have discussed above. Let’s have a closer look at the commonalities.
Appearance & Design
Honestly, Excalibur dehydrators are pretty simple with no bells and whistles, fancy touchscreen control panels and digital displays. Both Excalibur 3926TB and 3900B have similar boxy design with old school dials at the back to operate the food dehydrators. There is no hinged door rather they come with solid removable door so you really can’t have a glance mid dehydrating.
Both Excalibur dehydrators come with 9 trays measuring 15×15 inches and a total space of 15 Square feet. Measuring 19x17x12.5 inches in size and weighing 22 pounds, the dehydrators are pretty big in size and take a good chunk of space on the counter. Given the weight, it wouldn’t be wise to move the dehydrator from the countertop so make sure you have enough space before you make a buying decision. for a smaller kitchen counter, you should consider smaller variants. Both dehydrators look amazing with black exterior and can blend in with any kitchen theme.
Interior Space
Both dehydrators come with 9 trays measuring 15×15 Inches providing you with total dehydrating space of 15 square feet which is enough to dehydrate large batches of fruits and veggies. Higher number of trays doesn’t mean you can’t dehydrate less amount of ingredients. If you have a small quantity of fruits or vegetables to dehydrate you can remove a few trays and use the rest.
Other features
- Both dehydrator models have identical temperature range of 105-165F and 600W of power which allows you to dehydrate a huge variety of fruits and veggies.
- The door on Excalibur 3926TB and 3900B is solid and completely removable unlike Cosori dehydrators which are permanently connected via hinges.
- Both models lack digital display and timer to keep track of time.
- Both dehydrators are easy to clean and dishwasher safe hence you will not have to spend hours by the sink. Upon purchase, you get 1 year limited warranty that you can claim in case of any damages.
Quick Overview of Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator
- Large Capacity: Equipped with 9 Excalibur dehydrator trays, this large food dehydrator boasts 15 square feet of drying space
- Versatile Uses: Features a 26-hour dehydrator timer and an adjustable thermostat with a range of 105 to 165 degrees F – low enough for fruits and vegetables but high enough for dehydrating meat
The Good √
- Spacious with large capacity
- 9 trays of 15×15 inches
- Adjustable thermostat and timer
- Dishwasher safe trays and inserts
- Easy to operate
- Automatic shut off
The Bad ×
- Expensive in comparison to better and cheaper models in the market
- No digital display
- Large footprint
Quick Overview of Excalibur 3900B Dehydrator
- Large Capacity: Equipped with 9 easy-to-clean Excalibur dehydrator trays, this large food dehydrator boasts 15 square feet of drying space
- Accurate Temperature Control: Features a built-in on/off switch and adjustable thermostat with a range of 105 to 165 degrees F – low enough for fruits and vegetables but high enough for dehydrating meat
The Good √
- 15 Square feet dehydrating space
- Easy to follow controls
- 9 trays measuring 15×15 inches
- Adjustable temperature
- Dishwasher safe removable parts[/i2pros]
The Bad ×
- No automatic shut off
- No timer
Excalibur 3926TB Vs 3900B Dehydrator: Winner?
After testing and comparing Excalibur 3926TB vs 3900B dehydrators side by side, we clearly understood that if we had to make a choice between the two models, we are definitely going with Excalibur 3926TB for more than one reason.
First of all, it features a timer and thermostat control which makes it easy to keep track of the remaining time. Secondly, the dehydrator shuts down automatically as the timer goes off which gives you a sense of freedom of “Set it and forget it”.
What we didn’t like about either of the two models is the placement of control which is awkward to access and its not the most intuitive control panel you will see. If you wish to save some bucks, Excalibur 3900B would be fine but lack of timer is something you will have to coup with.
Best Food Dehydrator Buying Guide
If you’re looking to preserve your food for longer periods of time or simply want to create delicious, healthy snacks at home, a food dehydrator is an excellent investment. However, with so many models on the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your needs. In this post, we will provide you with a buying guide for the best food dehydrators.
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Capacity
The first thing to consider when buying a food dehydrator is the capacity. If you plan on dehydrating large quantities of food at once, you’ll want to choose a model with a large capacity. On the other hand, if you only plan on dehydrating small amounts of food, a smaller model may suffice.
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Temperature control
Temperature control is an essential feature to look for in a food dehydrator. Different foods require different temperatures for optimal dehydration, so you’ll want a model that allows you to adjust the temperature as needed.
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Airflow and circulation
Proper airflow and circulation are crucial for efficient dehydration. Look for models with a fan that circulates air evenly throughout the dehydrator to ensure that all of your food dries evenly.
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Timer and automatic shut-off
A timer and automatic shut-off are convenient features that can make using a food dehydrator much more user-friendly. With a timer, you can set the dehydrator to run for a specific amount of time, while an automatic shut-off will turn off the machine when the dehydration process is complete.
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Ease of use and cleaning
When choosing a food dehydrator, you’ll want to choose a model that is easy to use and clean. Look for models with removable trays that are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
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Price
Finally, consider the price of the dehydrator. While it’s important to choose a model that fits your needs, you don’t want to overspend. Look for a model that provides the features you need at a reasonable price point.
In conclusion, a food dehydrator is an excellent investment for anyone who wants to preserve food or create healthy snacks at home. By considering the capacity, temperature control, airflow and circulation, timer and automatic shut-off, ease of use and cleaning, and price, you can choose the best food dehydrator for your needs.
