What price range are you looking for? I purchased my excalibur off amazon for way less than the $400+ you mentioned.
This is the model I purchased and it's been treating me well. It is only about $160 as well, which while not cheap is imo worth it for the square trays and large drying area.
This all depends on what you want to do with it though. I make jerky frequently so the bigger area is great for larger batches.
This Excalibur is the same size and is $100 cheaper.
Honestly I prefer the solid front to the glass, less to clean.
And I prefer the analog controls to digital controls, less to go wrong, I can repair it if it does.
I have the model linked and have used it for years, I love it!
Hi. Delayed reply, but I really like my excalibur
Did you end up getting one? Plastic trays stain from greases and stuff from marinade. The above has a poly type material that cleans easy and adjustable temp makes it work well for me.
I take ripe fruits and dehydrate them. I have an excalibur dehydrator and love it. When it's time to plant, I cut open a fruit and use the seeds.
Excalibur 2900ECB 9-Tray Economy Dehydrator, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NZPP6U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_iFclzbSJ044RJ
There is only one
Excalibur 9-Tray https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NZPP6U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They are the tray's that come with my Excalibur Food Dehydrator: https://www.amazon.ca/Excalibur-2900ECB-9-Tray-Economy-Dehydrator/dp/B001NZPP6U/ref=asc_df_B001NZPP6U/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292943077607&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4695290613591439046&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002522&hvtargid=pla-386918344058&psc=1
I've been using this one for about 5 years. It's awesome
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001NZPP6U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_im9dFb9B2H93F
I use an Excalibur dehydrator to make yogurt a half gallon at a time. I make it using whole raw milk (non-pasteurized) from my local heardshare. With the Excalibur I just take a half gallon of milk, add in 1/2 cup of my previous batch, then heat at 105 degrees for 24 hours.
I eat 1/8 of a gallon of yogurt daily. I've had a marked improvement in symptoms and my GI said that my most recent imaging had less inflammation in my small bowel.
Besides the yogurt I have been following the GAPS diet with the help of a nutritionist. I'm trying everything I can to avoid having blockages and a resultant surgery. it's been 11 months since my last hospitalization so hopefully the work will continue to pay off.