I'm not "Ntocookin" But have the 9 tray Excalibur. Mine is the 3900-9 tray, no timer. An oven timer works just as well. We bought ours from Amazon last year. Have yet to have any problems with it. It's used often. Glad I got the 9 trays and not the smaller units. Tomato/ herb time, all trays are used. Average was about 10-15 pounds of halved roma tomatoes. Probably more.
It's the best dehydrator your going to get for your money. The 9 trays are just a step away from the commercial dehydrators (floor models/digital) Well worth every dime.
The timing recommendations the Ex provides is pretty accurate. I don't have to worry about improperly dehydrated items growing mold while in storage. You don't have to go back remove trays, rotate food, turn it over and place it back in. The doughnuts lose heat that way. The Ex's food is undisturbed from start to finish. With no loss of heat. That's a biggie with dehydrators. No excess handling of food by you. Easy clean up of the trays and unit if it needs it. Easy to find and buy mats,for craft projects.
Most items I'll store in mason jars, dated and marked. Everything gets used. It's so convenient for me having certain things dehydrated in advance. They incorporate into lunches/dinners/snacks easily. I can't believe the money I've saved by buying produce right out of the field, bringing it home and 4 months later using that out of season product in a meal. Just awesome! Blending your own spices is fun. Great for infusing your own unique oils, dipping sauces.
I'm not a yogurt person, (It should be banned) but some are,and make their own. I use mine quite often when making artisan breads.
The E'x's because of their design are well known for accuracy, even heat distribution, energy efficient. The doughnuts are not.. 3 pounds of sliced beef cut into jerky strips takes me about 4 hours, fully loaded trays. In the oven, it's usually an over night job, and an iffy outcome. Kids would love to make their own popcorn right from the cob. 1 loaf of cubed bread is croutons in 30 minutes.
Are you sold on it yet GB?
Munky.