Product Comparison: Nesco FD-1040 vs Excalibur EXD400B

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Nesco FD-1040 Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator, White

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Excalibur EXD400B Dehydrator

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General Specifications

Brand

Nesco

Excalibur

Model

FD-1040

EXD400B

Origin

USA

About the Product

Our 'New Digitally Controlled' unit! Top mounted fan eliminates liquids dripping into the heater chamber. Expands to a giant 20 trays so you can dry large quantities all at once! 1000 watts of drying power means you can dry more, faster. Patented Converga-Flow forces heated air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the center, for fast, even and nutritious drying. No flavor mixing! No need for tray rotation.

The EXC400B by Excalibur comes with 4 trays, a total of 4 square feet of drying space. The adjustable thermostat temperature control ranges from 95F to 155F making it safe to dehydrate meat for jerky. The fan, heating element and thermostat are in the back of the unit, so cool air is drawn in, heated and then distributed evenly over each tray.

Key Specs

Number Of Trays

Number of Temperature Settings

Convection Fan

Yes

Nesco FD-1040

Excalibur EXD400B

Nesco FD-1040

Excalibur EXD400B

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Nesco FD-1040 Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator, White

The trays clean easily and the fact that you can stack up to 20 trays makes it worth those big bulk purchases worth while.
It's easy to use, works drying 8lbs of sliced meat on 12 trays easily and fills the house with the delicious smell of animal flesh.
It is large enough with 6 trays but also still small enough to store without a problem.
The trays are easy to clean. Its really plug and play for novices like me.
The trays are cheaply constructed, the motor doesn't sit well on the tray, and the airflow is atrocious.

Excalibur EXD400B Dehydrator

I like the built in thermostat, and I like the way the trays are nice and square
The trays are flat and smooth on the top.
The trays are plastic. From what I researched - the unit never gets hot enough to pose a risk of the plastic releasing chemicals.
It's large trays allows you to put 7 pounds of apples in there at one time.
Certainly works well, but the strong plastic smell coming from the base is a total deal-breaker.

Size & Weight

Material

Plastic

Polycarbonate

Color

White

Black

Height

9.5 in.

6.5 in.

Width

15.5 in.

13 in.

Depth

15.5 in.

16.25 in.

Weight

8.9 lbs.

8 lbs.

Nesco FD-1040

Excalibur EXD400B

Nesco FD-1040

Excalibur EXD400B

Nesco FD-1040

Excalibur EXD400B

Nesco FD-1040

Excalibur EXD400B

Details

Type

Convection

Programmable

Yes

Timer

Yes

Adjustable Thermostat

Yes

Maximum Temperature

160 °F

155 °F

Minimum Temperature

90 °F

95 °F

Maximum Temperature
Minimum Temperature

Nesco FD-1040

Excalibur EXD400B

Nesco FD-1040

Excalibur EXD400B

What customers say about "Details"

Nesco FD-1040 Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator, White

Has a temp and a timer function which allowed us to set and forget.
I very much like the fact that it has a built in timer and automatic shut off.
I love the timer can run the machine overnight. The trays go in my dishwasher.
Love the temperature control and timer. It's a little noisy going for hours.
It works quickly and quietly. The timer is a helpful feature too.

Excalibur EXD400B Dehydrator

Very easy to use and lots of tray space. The thermostat is the most important part for food safety.
The thermostat range is 90° to 160° F. Nice little unit. Works very well.
It has the adjustable thermostat for varying temperatures depending on what you're dehydrating.
I love how this works. It does not have a timer or an off switch and it's a bit annoying to have to unplug it to turn it off.
This unit doesn't have a timer. That's problem.

Control

Control Type

Digital

Dial

Display

Yes

Led Indicator

Display
Led Indicator

What customers say about "Control"

Nesco FD-1040 Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator, White

The digital control is great. Much nicer than the previous analog dial.
The fan and controls stay clean because they are on top of the food trays.
The controls on the lid and the ability to set temperature and time so efficiently.
It also has a programmable timer for up to 48 hours and adjustable temperature control.
The timer and temperature control are awesome. The controls are super easy to work with.

Excalibur EXD400B Dehydrator

Good temperature control and even distribution of heat with the fan.
The temperature control seems accurate and it dries everything fairly evenly.
The adjustable temperature control is excellent.
Easy controls and great way to save food.
It is great! The variable temperature control, removable trays.

Features

Non-Stick Interior

Auto Shut-off

Yes

Overheat Protection

BPA-Free

Yes

Extras

Up to 48-hour timer, Clean-A-Screen, Fruit Roll Up Sheet, Expandable to 20 trays

Dehydrate faster with square trays that hold more food, Remove trays as needed to increase the height needed to dehydrate bulky items or raise dough, Easy to clean polyscreen tray inserts

What customers say about "Features"

Nesco FD-1040 Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator, White

Just set the temp and time and it shuts off,and can pause to check on what ever you are drying.
Love the timer that shuts off the unit to prevent over drying.
It works great, it heats well evenly and shuts off when the timer is done.
The auto shut-off timer is very convenient. This one is perfect. I would recommend it's use to anyone.
My only complaint is around cleanup: the trays are quite large, so they're tough to fully submerge in the sink to soak or fit many in the upper rack of the dishwasher.

Excalibur EXD400B Dehydrator

The Excalibur is quiet lightweight and small in profile.
It is easy to clean and the trays wash better by hand than in the dishwasher.
We are very happy with this dehydrator. It works really well, dries consistently on each "shelf", and wasn't too expensive.
Easy to use and clean and makes great food!
Easy to use - high capacity. Came with great books on dehydrating and recipes.

Power

Wattage

1000 Watts

220 Watts