looking for dehydrator recommendation

Excalibur tends to be one of the most expensive brands.

Nesco has a number of models. Look for one around 400-600 watts.

Avoid anything that does not have a separate heating element and separate fan. A few of the cheapest ones have no fan at all and try to move air purely by convection.

I use one that is about thirty years old, and it works fine.

–B.G.–

I've been using the Nesco 600 for all of my backpacking food for my JMT hike and it works great – I highly recommend it.

Good advice above. The Excalibur is the flagship brand. I own a Nesco (American Harvest Pro) and have no complaints–it's the 'bang for the buck' leader IMO. Agree you want controls over heat and fan. Look for models that run the air across the trays, not just up/down a center column. Avoid the temptation to run the dehy too hot or too fast. Most my dehy is done in the 115-125F range.

PS: People think they'll like dehydrating, then tire of it…result, they show up in boatloads on Craig's List. Paid $25 for mine, came with 8 trays and all the accessories, virtually unused.