FYI, anyone interested in buying a dehydrator might be interested to know that the 9-tray Excalibur w/timer is on sale at Amazon for $175 right now. They usually run $50-75 higher. Just bought one with my Santa money and will be drying things out shortly.
The best way is to buy a food dehydrator. I have a pretty good one and have used it to dehydrate vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, onions and herbs. It is also great for making beef jerky.
See: https://reviewwhore.com/best-dehydrator-for-deer-jerky/
Excalibur looks to be what Cabela’s sells, only rebranded name. Some of the Lem dehydrators look good all stainless cabinet and stainless shelves. I have an old American harvester and have been very pleased with it. But I know the day is coming that I will need to replace it, it has made a lot of jerky for us.
I've got an Excalibur 3500B. It has 5 trays, so decent capacity for what I've used it for thus far (jerky and apple chips). Looking at the other Excalibur models, I do wish mine had a timer and clear door.
I have a 9-tray Excalibur and I can honestly say that I don't recommend it. Stuff dries really unevenly. That being said, the fact that it does more than just dehydrates thinly sliced food (also makes yogurt, proof bread, etc.) is pretty nice. If all you're looking to do is dehydrate food, a Nesco is a better buy.
I own a Rapier and cannot recommend it highly enough. The material cures quite irregularly. Having has said, the fact that it does more than simply dry thinly chopped food (it also produces yogurt, proof bread, and so on) is rather appealing. If all you want to do is dehydrate food, a Nesco is a better option. I have food coupons to have amazing discounts and deals.