Excalibur

Excalibur has functioned as the premier global authority in food dehydration technology since its founding in 1973 in Sacramento, California. Now a flagship brand within The Legacy Companies portfolio (acquired in 2011), it serves as the primary infrastructure provider for raw food enthusiasts, high-volume jerky producers, and laboratory environments. The brand is defined by its refusal to use the "stackable" circular designs of entry-level competitors, opting instead for a rear-mounted fan architecture that ensures horizontal thermal consistency.

The brand's technical identity is defined by the synergy between its two core patented technologies: Parallexx® Horizontal Airflow and Hyperwave™ Fluctuation. A primary engineering hallmark is the elimination of "case hardening"—a common failure in traditional dehydrators where the surface of the food dries too quickly, trapping moisture inside and risking mold. Hyperwave technology solves this by intentionally fluctuating the air temperature throughout the cycle; as the heat rises, surface moisture evaporates, and as it dips, internal moisture is drawn to the surface, resulting in a faster, safer, and more uniform dry.

Innovation at Excalibur in 2026 is concentrated on digital precision and "two-stage" automation. Key technical pillars across the current portfolio include:

• 2-Stage / 2-Temp (T1 & T2) Programming: Allows operators to set a high initial temperature (e.g., 160°F) to rapidly evaporate surface moisture and prevent spoilage, followed by an automatic transition to a lower "living food" temperature (e.g., 115°F) to preserve delicate enzymes and nutrients.
• Performance Series Digital Interface: Modern 2026 models (like the DH10SSSS) feature capacitive touch controls with 99-hour timers and integrated LED progress bars, allowing for unattended operation across multi-day drying cycles.
• Clear-View Engineering: The introduction of "Hideaway" and "Drawbridge" glass doors, along with top-mounted viewing windows, allows chefs to monitor color and texture changes without opening the chamber and losing critical thermal energy.
• Material Integrity: Utilizing high-grade 304 stainless steel or BPA-free, FDA-approved polycarbonate cases that are chemically resistant to the organic acids found in fruits and meats.

The product portfolio is categorized by its operational scale and material construction:

• Residential Series: The classic 4, 5, and 9-tray "box-and-door" units, recognized for their nearly 50-year-old mechanical design that remains the industry standard for home preservation.
• Performance & Select Series: The 2025-2026 digital evolution, offering 6 to 10-tray capacities in full stainless steel with enhanced airflow geometry and glass doors.
• Commercial (COMM) Series: High-capacity workhorses including the COMM1 and COMM2. The COMM2 features a massive 42-tray, dual-zone layout with 136 square feet of drying space, capable of processing approximately 160kg of food in a single batch.
• Specialized Accessories: Including Paraflexx® silicone and non-stick sheets designed for high-sugar fruit leathers and semi-liquid purées that would otherwise adhere to standard mesh.

The strategic value of Excalibur lies in its "Made in the USA" durability and its alignment with the global sustainability trend of reducing food waste. By maintaining its manufacturing roots in California, the brand ensures a high level of quality control and a robust supply of interchangeable parts for units that often remain in service for decades. This reliability makes Excalibur a foundational partner for any operation—from boutique bars creating dehydrated garnishes to industrial farms—seeking to maximize the yield of their seasonal harvests.