Review on Excalibur 5-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator with Temperature Settings, 26-Hour Timer, and Automatic Shut-Off – Efficient Drying for Faster Results, Includes Dehydration Guide – Black by Alyssa Bell

I bought one of these thinking I would get a good dehydrator that would last a long time because I had heard all about them. Was very upset that the fan inside wasn't working when I plugged mine in, accompanied by the smell of burning electricity and hot plastic because the back of the unit got so hot you couldn't touch it. I'll try again thanks to Amazon's return policy and update my rating until I get a working unit. Update: I got a new device on the spur of the moment only to plug it in and encounter a sound like a playing card in the spokes of a bicycle. Tires as the fan has obviously scratched something. Upon closer inspection and removing the fans, I saw an electrical wire running through the fan blades making noise. I was able to pry the wire out of the fan with a skewer through a hole in the back of the unit, but oh well. For being "Made in the USA" and bearing the price these devices make and the hype they have. I expect a much higher level of craftsmanship and quality from the final product than what I have received not once but twice in a row. I'm sorry for other people who have experienced the same frustration and haven't found a working solution as I have. Based on what I found with the new unit, it prompted me to test the old unit which I had yet to return and I was saddened to see the same lack of quality control in another department. I removed the shells again, only to find that the electrical cord was wrapped around the fan blade in such a way that it was completely immobilized and non-functional, causing the extreme overheating and unpleasant burning smell I was experiencing. The disappointment mentioned is an understatement. satisfied with its functionality, having made the necessary repairs out of the box. It dehydrates things as you would expect. The timer and temperature control are great additions to any dehydrator and I love the tray design. I bought this device because of the good reputation it has among dehydration enthusiasts and intend to use it for many years to (hopefully) dehydrate all of my camping meals and healthier snacks. As for the price and the hype, I have to say again that I expected more, which is why I'm only giving it two stars. A person SPECIFICALLY shouldn't repair a product from a box of this "caliber" back-to-back. If my opinion changes as a result of using the product, I will update my review accordingly. Attached is a picture of the first block with wire wrapped around a fan blade. It's easy to fix but doesn't need fixing at all and I think it can be avoided by being more careful and managing the wires.