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| Spec | Magic Mill 7-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator | Excalibur 10-Tray Food Dehydrator |
|---|---|---|
| Tray Count | 7 trays | 10 trays |
| Drying Area | – | 16 sq ft |
| Temperature Range | – | 85–165°F |
| Timer Duration | – | 60 hours |
| Tray Material | Stainless steel | Chrome |
| Use | Fruit | Vegetables |
| Cooking Functions | Keep Warm | – |
| Features | Timer, Keep Warm Setting | – |
| Color | Stainless Steel | Black |
| Intended Use | Meats | – |
| Recommended Uses | Fruits | Fruits |
| Dimensions | 15 × 13.5 × 19 inches | 20.7 × 15.8 × 17.3 inches |
| Weight | 16.7 pounds | 24.6 pounds |
| Size | 7 XL Trays | 10-Tray |
| Model | MFD-7070 | DH10SCSS13 |
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When you compare a magic mill vs excalibur food dehydrator, you are looking at two distinct approaches to drying. Both units dry fruits, meats, and herbs without requiring you to rotate trays. The main difference lies in capacity and airflow design. Magic Mill offers seven stainless steel trays with rear-mounted heat. Excalibur provides ten chrome trays with horizontal airflow and a larger drying surface area for bigger batches.
Tray Count
7 trays
10 trays
Tray Material
Stainless steel
Chrome
Airflow Design
Rear-mounted fan
Horizontal Parallex Air Flow
Drying Area
Not listed
16 sq ft
Timer
Countdown timer with auto shut off
Up to 60 hours
Color
Stainless Steel
Black
Choose the first if
- You prefer stainless steel trays that are dishwasher safe.
- You want a unit with a keep warm function.
- You need a compact design with rear-mounted heat distribution.
Choose the second if
- You need maximum capacity with ten trays.
- You want a large 16 square foot drying surface.
- You prefer horizontal airflow for even drying without rotation.
Verdict
Choose the Magic Mill if you value stainless steel construction and a keep warm feature for smaller batches. Pick the Excalibur if you need higher capacity and a larger drying area for extensive dehydrating tasks.
Magic Mill vs Excalibur Specs
Capacity and size
Edge: Excalibur 10-Tray Food Dehydrator
The Magic Mill 7-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator holds seven XL stainless steel trays. It measures 13.5 inches wide, 15 inches long, and 19 inches tall, weighing 16.7 pounds. The Excalibur 10-Tray Food Dehydrator offers ten chrome trays with 16 square feet of drying space. It is larger, measuring 15.8 inches wide, 20.7 inches long, and 17.3 inches tall, weighing 24.6 pounds. If you need to dry large batches of jerky or fruit at once, the Excalibur provides significantly more surface area. The Magic Mill is more compact for smaller kitchens.
Airflow design
Edge: Tie
Both units ensure even drying without requiring you to rotate trays. Magic Mill uses a rear-mounted fan with air flow circulation technology. This design pushes air from the back to dry food uniformly. Excalibur employs Patented Hyperwave Pulse Technology along with Horizontal Parallex Air Flow. This horizontal system moves air across the trays. Both methods eliminate the need for manual tray rotation during the process. You can trust either system to dry your herbs, meats, or fruits evenly. The airflow mechanisms differ in direction, but both achieve the same consistent result.
Control features
Edge: Magic Mill 7-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator
Magic Mill includes a digital thermostat and a countdown timer that automatically shuts off the unit when the time is up. It also features a Keep Warm setting to maintain food temperature after drying. The Excalibur offers an adjustable thermostat with a temperature range from 85°F to 165°F and a timer duration of up to 60 hours. While Excalibur does not list an automatic shut-off or keep warm function in the provided data, its timer range is extensive. Magic Mill provides more specific automated safety and holding features.
Tray material
Edge: Tie
The tray material affects durability and cleaning. Magic Mill uses seven XL premium stainless steel trays. These are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, making them sturdy and easy to clean. Excalibur includes ten chrome trays. Chrome is also durable and typically dishwasher safe, though the data does not explicitly state the cleaning method for the chrome trays. Stainless steel is often preferred for its resistance to corrosion and rust. Both materials are suitable for drying meats and fruits. The choice depends on whether you prioritize the material type or the tray count.
Visibility
Edge: Tie
Monitoring your food without opening the door helps maintain consistent temperatures. Magic Mill features a transparent door window that allows you to monitor the drying process easily. Excalibur uses clear glass French doors for the same purpose. Both designs let you see your jerky, herbs, or fruit drying without interrupting the cycle. The glass doors on the Excalibur may offer a slightly wider view due to the larger unit size, but both provide adequate visibility. You can check progress on either model without losing heat or airflow.
Which Dehydrator Fits Your Needs
Heavy-duty commercial or large family use
Our pick: Excalibur 10-Tray Food Dehydrator
The Excalibur offers ten chrome trays and 16 square feet of drying space. Its horizontal airflow ensures even drying without rotating trays. The adjustable thermostat ranges from 85°F to 165°F, with a timer lasting up to 60 hours. This capacity suits high-volume drying tasks efficiently.
Users prioritizing stainless steel and safety
Our pick: Magic Mill 7-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator
The Magic Mill features seven XL stainless steel trays that are dishwasher safe. It includes an overheat protection system and BPA-free materials. The rear-mounted fan provides even heat distribution. The digital timer shuts off automatically, and a keep warm function maintains food temperature after drying.
Those needing compact storage and versatility
Our pick: Magic Mill 7-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator
This unit measures 13.5 inches wide and weighs 16.7 pounds, making it smaller than the Excalibur. It includes fruit roll trays and mesh screens for small items like herbs. The transparent door window allows easy monitoring. The stainless steel construction is durable and easy to clean with a damp cloth.
Magic Mill 7-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator
Best for: Users wanting even drying and easy cleaning
- Tray Count
- 7 trays
- Tray Material
- Stainless steel
- Use
- Fruit
- Cooking Functions
- Keep Warm
- Features
- Timer, Keep Warm Setting
- Intended Use
- Meats
The Magic Mill MFD-7070 features seven extra-large stainless steel trays and a rear-mounted fan for even heat distribution. Its digital thermostat and timer allow precise control, with an automatic shut-off and keep-warm function. Measuring 13.5 by 15 by 19 inches and weighing 16.7 pounds, this unit handles meats, fruits, and herbs. The transparent door lets you monitor drying without opening the unit.
- Seven extra-large stainless steel trays for high capacity
- Rear-mounted fan ensures superior heat distribution
- Digital timer with automatic shut-off and keep-warm setting
- Transparent door window for easy monitoring
- Heavier build at 16.7 pounds compared to lighter models
- Shorter height at 19 inches limits vertical stacking potential
- Fixed tray count of seven offers less flexibility than 10 or 16 tray options
- You need even drying without rotating shelves
- You want dishwasher-safe stainless steel trays
- You prefer automatic shut-off for safety
- You require more than seven trays per batch
- You need a compact unit under 14 inches tall
- You prefer a fan-forced design over rear-mounted airflow
Verdict: The Magic Mill 7-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator suits users who prioritize even heat distribution and easy cleaning. It fits those who want automatic timing without manual shelf rotation.
Excalibur 10-Tray Food Dehydrator
Best for: Large batch dehydrating and precise temperature control
- Tray Count
- 10 trays
- Drying Area
- 16 sq ft
- Temperature Range
- 85–165°F
- Timer Duration
- 60 hours
- Tray Material
- Chrome
- Use
- Vegetables
This Excalibur model offers 10 chrome trays providing 16 square feet of drying space. It uses Hyperwave Pulse Technology and horizontal airflow for even drying without rotating trays. The adjustable thermostat ranges from 85°F to 165°F, with a timer up to 60 hours. Clear glass doors let you monitor progress. It suits users needing large capacity and precise temperature control for jerky, fruits, and herbs.
- 10 chrome trays offer 16 square feet of drying area
- Patented Hyperwave Pulse Technology ensures even drying
- Adjustable thermostat ranges from 85°F to 165°F
- Timer allows for up to 60 hours of operation
- Clear glass French doors allow easy monitoring
- Heavier build at 24.6 pounds compared to lighter models
- Fixed 10-tray capacity limits flexibility for smaller batches
- Larger footprint requires more counter space
- You need to dry large batches of food at once
- You want precise temperature control for different food types
- You prefer monitoring drying progress without opening the door
- You have limited counter space for a 15.8-inch wide unit
- You only need to dehydrate small quantities occasionally
- You prefer a lighter, more portable appliance
Verdict: Excalibur 10-Tray Food Dehydrator fits users who prioritize high capacity and consistent drying results. Its large surface area and precise controls make it ideal for serious home dehydrating tasks.
Specifications side by side
Frequently asked questions
Does the Magic Mill dehydrator have a timer?
Yes, the Magic Mill 7-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator includes a built-in timer. This feature allows you to set automatic shut-off times, so you do not need to manually monitor the drying process. It also features a keep warm setting to maintain food temperature after drying is complete.
Is Excalibur better for large batches?
The Excalibur 10-Tray Food Dehydrator is better for large batches. It holds ten trays, providing significantly more surface area than the Magic Mill. Its horizontal airflow design ensures consistent drying across all trays without requiring you to rotate them, making it ideal for serious home dehydrating tasks.
Which model is easier to clean?
The Magic Mill is designed for easy cleaning. Its trays are made of stainless steel, which is durable and simple to wipe down. The unit’s compact design and smooth surfaces also help reduce food residue buildup, allowing for quicker maintenance after each use compared to more complex models.
Can I dehydrate meat in both machines?
Both machines are suitable for dehydrating meat. The Magic Mill lists meats as an intended use, while Excalibur is recommended for fruits and vegetables. Both units provide the controlled, low-heat environment necessary for safely drying jerky and other meat products without cooking them.
What is the size difference between the two?
The Excalibur is larger and heavier. It measures 20.7 inches long and weighs 24.6 pounds. The Magic Mill is more compact, measuring 15 inches long and weighing 16.7 pounds. If you have limited counter space, the smaller Magic Mill footprint may be more suitable for your kitchen.
Does Excalibur have precise temperature control?
Yes, the Excalibur offers precise temperature control. It features an adjustable thermostat that ranges from 85°F to 165°F. This wide range allows you to customize drying speeds for different foods, ensuring optimal results for delicate fruits or tougher vegetables without overcooking or under-drying your batches.
Is the Magic Mill good for fruits?
The Magic Mill is highly recommended for drying fruits. It provides even heat distribution, which prevents uneven drying or burning. The stainless steel construction and timer function make it a reliable choice for preserving fruits like apples, berries, and mangoes with minimal effort on your part.
