Samson Silent Dehydrator Review
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Today, I would like to share a product review for the Samson Silent Dehydrator. First off, I was not approached by Samson to review their product. Bob and I have been remodeling our studio kitchen, and one of the key features that I desired for this space was QUIETNESS. This kitchen was first designed over five years ago as a commercial kitchen where we would be manufacturing and selling raw foods.
The time has come to relocate the manufacturing business due to growth and demand. Therefore, I am transforming my commercial kitchen into a studio kitchen where I can continue my recipe development, and perhaps I’ll get into making videos, and also to use this space for live culinary classes. All of this requires peace and quiet so that inspiration can abound! I will be writing a post on this whole process soon, but for now, you can follow my journey in our private NouveauRaw Facebook group (
here).
Since I am relocating the big commercial appliances (fridges, freezers, and dehydrator) the noise level has decreased a hundred-fold. This project has brought awareness of how much I relish peace and quiet. With Big Red moving out (commercial dehydrator) I would be utilizing my home Excalibur dehydrators more. With my ears sensitive to sound, it got me to wondering if there was a quieter unit on the market. That is when I came across the Samson Silent Dehydrator.
Side hinged door.
I showed it to Bob, and we decided to dig a little deeper to learn more about the unit, which ultimately led to ordering one so we could give it a test run. Below I will share the pros and cons. Keep in mind that the cons are really just personal opinions and that they aren’t necessarily negatives. You know that saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? Well, one thing about a machine that doesn’t appeal to me may not be an issue for you. You get my drift. I will be making my comparison to the Excalibur 9 tray unit since that has been my go-to machine for the past decade.
Stainless steel trays (no sharp edges) and rigid mesh trays.
Regardless of what my review reveals, you should always take your own needs into account. Ask yourself…
- What size do I need, in terms of drying volume? Do you have a large family, or is it just you?
- Is noise a factor? Where will the dehydrator be located? Kitchen, pantry, garage, etc.
- What size unit will fit in the space that I have mapped out for it?
- What is my budget? (that’s a big one)
- Is a used dehydrator an option? Look on Craigslist or Facebook Virtual Garage Sales in your local area.
So Amie Sue… What do you think of the Samson Silent Dehydrator?
When I was first writing this post, I broke it down to Pros and Cons. By the time I was done, I had decided to change my format. To be honest, at this point, I don’t have any cons regarding this unit. The things I have listed are more differences in what I am used to then cons. Bottom line is…
I am THRILLED with this machine!
With that being said, let me share why and how they compare to my Excalibur machines and to the Stainless Steel 10 tray Excalibur. I can’t test it against ALL the different dehydrators out on the market because there are far too many, and I don’t have the time or resources to do that. Of course, if you have any questions that you want to ask me about how to select a machine that is right for you, just leave a comment below.
Great spacing between trays for thicker foods.
What I LOVE about the Samson Silent and WHY
It’s important to share the whys because this will better help you understand why these things are important to me. I hope this will help you when you are trying to make your decision on what machine is right for you.
Noise Level
It is VERY quiet compared to other dehydrators. AH! YES! The gentle hum of this machine is like soft playing music to my ears! It truly is a noticeable difference when compared to the Excalibur and Sedona (I tested that machine about six years ago and returned it). Keep in mind that the size and acoustics of the room will significantly affect how noisy or quiet a machine may appear.
- Samson – Quiet gentle hum. Unable to hear from the room next door.
- Excalibur – Loud enough hum to be heard through the walls.
Price
Naturally, the price range for dehydrators is all over the board. But I am not entertaining low-end models because I don’t find them to have the necessary quality and performance for my needs. But in the middle range, this unit measures up and is comparable in price. If you are in the market for a stainless steel unit, then the Samson is priced exceptionally well! Prices change so use the following prices as guidelines.
- Samson Silent stainless $279.99
- Excalibur plastic box without timer $199.99
- Excalibur plastic box WITH timer $295.99
- Excalibur 10 tray stainless steel $999.99 (shew!)
- Excalibur 9 tray stainless runs $499.99
Glass Door Front
The Samson unit has a glass door hinged on the left side and swings open. A hinged door isn’t necessarily a game-changer for me, but it is nice to swing the door open and not worry about where I am going to place the cover while I slide the trays in and out. I am neutral about having a glass door. It’s not like we have to watch for browning or burning as you have to when baking in an oven. But it’s been kind of fun. :)
Trays and Liners
It comes with 10 (15″x15″) stainless trays which allow you to dry up to 15.6 square feet of items at one time. I am used to a 9 tray unit, but hey, I will take an extra tray any day! I also love the sturdy stainless trays compared to the plastic ones.
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The trays come with 10 BPA-Free Mesh Liners, as most dehydrators do. The mesh squares are much tighter than my Excalibur, which means fewer crumbs will fall through.
- As far as the nonstick sheets go, you will need to purchase these separately. The standard size for nonstick sheets are 14×14″, so to utilize the full potential of having 15 square inches, you will need to order larger ones and cut them to fit.
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It has a BPA-Free Drip Tray that lays on the bottom of the unit, and this is an excellent feature because things can and do drip from time to time.
- The trays can be moved or removed for dehydrating taller items. I am used to this feature and is one that I find vital when owning a dehydrator and using it for raw culinary delights.
Push Button Control Panel
The location of the control panel is all about preference and where you are placing the unit. If you are going to keep the dehydrator in your kitchen on the countertop, chances are part of the unit will be pushed underneath the upper kitchen cabinets. The Excalibur requires you to pull it out so you can manage the controls visually.
- Samson – the controls are on the front panel
- Excalibur – the controls are at the back of the unit.
The Operating Fan
This item is high on my list of importance. Dehydrators come with fans that either located on the top, the back, or underneath the unit. To get the most out of your dry time, you will want to look for a machine that has a fan located at the back of the unit, which will allow the air to flow evenly over ALL the trays.
- Samson – the fan is at the back of the unit.
- Excalibur – the fan is at the back of the unit.
Fan Wattage
The heater wattage will help determine how efficient the machine will work. The higher the wattage, the easier it is to maintain even temperatures and the faster dry times. Faster drying will also help reduce bacteria when drying thick foods. For example, if you are making raw breads, the longer it takes to dry (cook) the bread, the better chance it has in becoming a breeding ground for bacteria which will cause a sourness.
- The Samson has higher fan wattage:
- Samson = 1000-watt fan.
- Excalibur = 600-watt fan.
Temperature Settings
I found that the temperature range was similar between the two machines. All though I am used to running my machine at 145 (for 1 hour) then reducing it to 115 degrees. With the Samson, I will have to “come close” to those ranges. this is NOT a big deal to me.
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- Samson preset temperatures are = 95 / 104 / 113 / 122 / 131 /140 /149 / 158 / 167 degrees (F).
- Excalibur does not use preset temperatures., though there markings on the dial = 95 / 105 / 115 / 125 / 135/ 145/ 155 degrees (F).
Timer Range
I have seven Excalibur dehydrators, and I have gotten used to being able to leave them on for over twenty-four hours if need be. I do have a few with timers on them, but I found myself using the other non-timer machines more so. I prefer to check on the foods that I am drying throughout the process because there is NO such thing as exact timing when it comes to uncooking. Even the same recipe can differ each time based on the ripeness of the fruits or veggies used. Less ripe equates to less moisture, whereas riper generally means more moisture in it which, of course, affects the dry time.
- Samson has a range of 0:30 minutes to 19:30 hours.
- Excalibur with a timer has a range of 1 hour to 26 hours.
The Footprint
The footprint for the Samson is a tad large which can make or break a deal for some people. For me, it was perfect because, with the new design of my kitchen, it fits ideally into the cabinet that I selected.
- Samson footprint: 17″ L x 21″ W x 16.5″ H and weighs 40.8 pounds with the trays inside.
- Excalibur footprint: 19″ L x 17″ W x 12 1/2″ H. The Excalibur stainless unit weighs 63 pounds. The standard machine weighs 22 lbs.
- *Taking the trays out when transporting it will reduce the weight.*
Warranty
There is a pretty good difference between the two brands when it comes to warranty. This also isn’t a game-changer for me. I have been running the Excalibur machines for almost 10 years and have never had an issue. Granted I haven’t had the Samson very long so I can’t be a witness to how long or how well the unit will run. I use my machines more than the average person.
- Samson has a Certified Manufacturer’s 5 Year Warranty Motor, Fan, Heater, Control Panel. Click (Samson Dehydrator Warranty) to view the warranty. Samson Site for the dehydrator is (here).
- Excalibur has many different warranties but most commonly stated on its site is a 10-year limited warranty. But it’s not that cut and dry. To learn more about the nitty-gritty details click (here).
Looking to buy one? Click here… Samson Silent Dehydrator
If there is something that you want me to mention that perhaps I overlooked, please leave a comment below. And if you don’t own a dehydrator and wish to dabble in gourmet raw foods, I highly suggest you get one! It will open a whole new world for you! blessings, amie sue
© AmieSue.com
Tags: Product Review
Hi AmieSue, just read your email on the Sampson Silent Dehydrator. Thank you for putting that out there. I have one Excalibur 4 drawer. I’ve had it for over 15 years now. I’m still limited with my time so do mostly nuts and seeds after soaking to shed the protective coating for better digestion. I want them just as dry as they were before soaking. The Excalibur works well. But you have given me something to think about. It’s good to know and hear good reviews from people you know. Thanks, Nancy
Good morning Nancy,
Oh, I totally enjoy the Excalibur as well… I am not throwing them under the bus by any means (not that you indicated that hehe). I was in the market to see if there was a quieter machine for my own needs and because I often hear complaints about the noisiness of other machines. Plus, I enjoy trying the new products that come out on the market so I can help others find kitchen tools that benefit them the most.
The Samson will be much larger than your 4 trays but you might enjoy having a bit more room for other things. Have a glorious day, amie sue :)
I love this review! Very thorough and you touched on every point that’s important to me. Thank you, Amie Sue!! I’ve had my Excalibur since 2007, and the noise has now become intolerable to me. I will definitely think about replacing it with a Sampson Silent and giving the Excalibur to someone else.
Amie Sue, you are amazing!! :)
Awesome… I am glad to hear that the review was helpful. I am still a great fan of Excalibur and will recommend it as well. BUT if a person wants to reduce noise then this machine is my go-to. If you order the machine through my link above, I earn a few pennies from Amazon… but feel free to shop around and see if you find a better price. Amazon Prime offered free shipping and I knew if I didn’t like it that returning it would be hassle-free. I just ordered some nonstick sheets to use with the Samson and they are in a different lege then Excaliburs. Anxious to try them out. :)
I have 7 Excaliburs that I will give or sell off too. I have that many for when I first started my raw food manufacturing company. Time to let go of them. hehe Have a blessed day! And please, keep me posted if you order one and give it a try. Would love to hear your thoughts too. hugs. amie sue
Hi do you want to sell a xe
I am not sure what you are asking me Dee? Can you please clarify?
Hey Amie. Looking to get my first dehydrator for my massive garden this season. Excalibur and Samson are roughly the same price for the models I’m looking at. Would u say the Samson would be a better pick for my needs? Both companies seem legit. I guess the only benefit would be a slightly lower temp setting for the Sampson? Also I heard about a strong plastic smell from the Samson. Have you experienced this? Thanks in advance
Good morning,
First of all, congratulations on the purchase of (soon to be) dehydrator. I find them soooo valuable living a whole food plant-based diet. I am also excited about the idea of your MASSIVE garden. *does the garden dance* haha.
With all my years of experience with dehydrators (and now the Samson for 2 years)… I would say that either one is great. I have never experienced the “plastic smell” myself with either machine. The only bonus to the Samson is that it is much quieter than the Excalibur. But that may not be an issue for you. After having a commercial kitchen and having so many large pieces of the equipment making noises… I think I became “sound sensitive.” If that makes sense. So, when I removed the commercial business from my space and turned it into an art/kitchen studio, I craved quietness which is what lead me to the Samson. Prior to that, I owned Excauliburs which I never had one complaint with.
If the sound isn’t an issue, I might recommend the Excalibur because they are SO solid in their products and customer service.
I hope this helped a bit. Keep me posted on what you decide to go with. blessings, amie sue
Thanks for the information about the dehydrator. I have a dehydrator I have been using for 35 years. It is rectangular wooden box with 10 plastic trays and an adjustable knob for temperature. I use a candy thermometer in the box to judge the temperature. I’m not sure of the name. I keep it in the basement because I find it makes a loud whirring sound. It works awesome and I don’t think they make them any more. I have been thinking that I would like to get a much quieter one sometime especially if I move into an apartment where the dehydrator would have to be in the kitchen. You have given me something to think about.
That sounds like one amazing machine Kathi. I love that you have been using it for 35 years! hehe It’s always good to research and see what machines fit your criteria. So far, I am pleased as punch with this one. blessings, amie sue (p.s. thanks for sharing!)
Thank you for the review, Amie Sue. The Samson sounds great and at a good price. I don’t think we can buy it in Sweden unfortunately. I have been pining for an Excalibur 10 for a few years but it is really pricey. I love that it is stainless steel and that you can preset two different temperatures. It looks like it has digital controls on the front too which is great since I want to put it in a cabinet. I bought the Sedona because it was supposed to be quiet but as we talked about earlier it is not as effective as the Excalibur. But who knows, the Samson might be abailable in Sweden too eventually. Or I will get an Excalibur for my birthday! :)
Good day Veronica,
That’s always frustrating when you can’t things in different countries. I went through that while living in Alaska. Even though we ARE a part of the US people either acted or didn’t think we were part of the United States. lol Sad, but true stories. So many times when I would go to order something I would be told that they don’t ship to other countries. lol Oy-vey. Let’s just manifest that you WILL indeed get the machine of your dreams! :) hugs amie sue
My Excalibur finally bit the dust at the beginning of the year. Thankfully, my walnuts were finished before the machine met its demise. So I went on the hunt for a new one. In my quest, I saw a review of the Samson Silent Dehydrator and researched it more and purchased one. I have to say that I agree with everything Amie Sue reported. Because it’s so quiet, I often go into the kitchen to make sure it’s still on. I guess I’m still in my “getting used to the peacefulness stage.”
I love it Joi… ” Because it’s so quiet, I often go into the kitchen to make sure it’s still on.” I know just what you mean. Thanks for sharing your experience with us! blessings, amie sue
Aloha, thanks for the great review. I hear that you can only run the Samson for 24 hours then the machine needs to be shut down for some time. Is this for real? Cheers,
Good morning Yogi,
Yes, that is correct. It has a digital timer that shuts off once it hits 24 hours. I have been using my Samson’s for over a year now. The main thing I continue to enjoy about them is the quietness. I hope you are doing well. Aloha, amie sue
Hi, I have been using my Samson 6 tray dehydrator for a couple of years now. Love the quietness of the machine and the steel trays. I purchased the Samson liners which are awesome and I think will outlast the Excalibur ones I had before. The only thing I don’t like is the buzzer that goes off at the end of the set time…it’s loud and it buzzes 20 times. I don’t know how to turn that off. Do you?
Good day Kathi,
I love the quietness as well. :) And I know what you mean about the beeping sounds it makes when it turns off. It always throws me for a loop…”what is making that sound?” I don’t know how to stop it from making that sound. You could either ask a friend who is mechanical or perhaps an appliance repair shop if they can do that for you. When you call them, tell them you want to de-buzzer your dehydrator by removing the piezo buzzer removed.
Mine only does a few beeps, not 20… yikes. What model do you have? I hope this helps some. blessings, amie sue
I have the 6 tray.
Stainless steel with opening door.
Ah gotcha. I have that one too but a 10 tray. I hope you can find someone to help you disconnect the beeping. :) blessings, amie sue
Wow just saw this post. A little late to the party. The loud hum of our excalibur drives my guy more than a little crazy. It’s so loud! I have loved it and used it for over 10 years myself and mine was slightly used to begin with. But this might be the answer to keeping him same. I might just go for it. THANK YOU Amie Sue for your thorough review and doing everything top notch to make our lives better! You’re the best!
Good evening Glorianne,
You are NEVER late to the party… anytime you show up, the party is happening! :) I LOVE the Excalibur as well. Like you, mine lasted forever but I was on a mission to purge sounds! How crazy does that sound? lol For over 5 years, I ran commercial fridges, freezers, as well as a HUE dehydrator in my commercial kitchen and every one of them was noisy, let alone if they all kicked on at once. After I moved them out of the space and started the design of my new kitchen/art studio, I wanted quietness… which lead me to the Samson. That was the only reason I decided to order one and try it. I now have 2 and love them.
Keep me posted if you ever decide to try one. Have a blessed evening. hugs. amie sue
I DID IT! I ordered it! Your recommendation is really all I need. It will help my marriage, LOL. Joe hates the sound and I don’t love it. So I havee to turn it off at night as our house is all open so no escaping the sound. And here in Volcano, stuff takes quite a bit longer to dry than it did in socal. I’m excited!!! Thank you for all you do to make our lives easier.
Oh, you go girl! :) I hope it solves all the discomforts for Joe and that you like the ease of use. Keep me posted! Have a happy and blessed day! amie sue
Hi Amie Sue: I am so thrilled that you posted your blog about the Sampson. I bought one on your recommendation and just love it!!! I enjoy the quietness of it, the cleanliness of the stainless steel, the plastic mesh sheets and the silicone sheets. I ordered 5 more just to have a complete set of 10 since we use these a lot. What an upgrade from what I’ve used for nearly 20 years. Thank you so much for your very informative blogs. I just love browsing around your site to see what’s new with you.
By the way, your “CLICK HERE” button at the end of your blog does not seem to be connected to go to the Sampson site.
Hugs and friendship
Nancy
Good day Nancy,
I am so happy to hear that you are enjoying the machine… you can’t beat that quietness! And I am happy to hear that you are enjoying the site… I get lost in it myself. haha
Thanks for letting me know about the “click here” button. I will get on that. :) Have a wonderfully blessed Happy Easter. hugs, amie sue
I think you helped me make my decision after months and months of research.
Thank you
And what did you decide on Ann? :)
I’ve literally been on the internet for DAYS trying to make a decision on which dehydrator to buy. This is the single most thorough and helpful review I’ve found, which I only accidentally stumbled on.
Thank you for taking the time to put this out there! I didn’t see a working link to a place I can purchase the Samson. Do you have one?
Hello Javin,
I know how hard it is to select the right machine for your needs. I am glad that you found this helpful. I quickly googled the Samson machine that I have and found one here on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QHC5VQD?SubscriptionId=AKIAJA54JMESX73IGPXQ&ascsubtag=642190273-16-373676768.1636068132&linkCode=osi&psc=1&tag=d_2b_a_p-20&th=1. You can always do a search to see you find any better pricing.
I own 2 of these machines and use them on a regular basis. have fun! blessings, amie sue
Hi there , I can’t seem to be able to buy this Samson Quiet 10 tray dehydrator any where ! Do you think you might another chose you would pick? I want a 10 tray and quiet. They seem to come from China and on Amazon they look alike with different names !
Aloha, Carmen
Much appreciated of your time.
Good day Carmen,
It seems challenging to find this dehydrator now. I quickly googled the Samson machine that I have and found one here on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QHC5VQD?SubscriptionId=AKIAJA54JMESX73IGPXQ&ascsubtag=642190273-16-373676768.1636068132&linkCode=osi&psc=1&tag=d_2b_a_p-20&th=1
I found another model but I don’t have experience with it, but you can check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Stainless-Dehydrator-Digital-Controls/dp/B077PCVDST/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=soundproofempire-20&linkId=39dc0e7aec8ac06808e0892ceae4d4c7&language=en_US
I saw this one recommended: https://www.amazon.com/COSORI-Dehydrator-Stainless-Temperature-Compliant/dp/B07PY5M579/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=soundproofempire-20&linkId=716ea86c925de9e7c8b0133436e77953&language=en_US&th=1
The Sedona is another one that is more on the quiet side. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004L06USQ/?tag=nouraw-20
I hope this helps. blessings, amie sue
is there some teflon sheets and fruit trays 15 x 15 we can buy extra
Hello Diana,
I spent some time looking through Amazon and I can only find 14×14. You can do more research to find the mesh and silicon sheets; determining what size and price range fits your budget. I will say that the cheaper teflex sheets are lower quality and don’t hold up as well. I hope this gives you a jump start. blessings, amie sue
Mesh sheets – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0876NQ32Y/?tag=nouraw-20
Silicon sheets – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GSUXQAW/?tag=nouraw-20
Hello there,
I am getting ready to purchase a dehydrator- and would love your recommendation on the Excalibur 9-tray, Digital 48hr Timer (3948CDB) – it is on sale for $315
vs. the Samson silent 10 tray????
Thank you for your thoughts :)
SD
Good evening Shannon,
You truly can’t go wrong with either one. I used Excalibur for about ten years and then tried Samson. I liked it enough, so I now have two. I have been using the Samson for roughly 4 years (I think). My husband and I went through a time when we were trying to reduce what we like to call “noise pollution.” We looked at all our appliances, big and small, and paid attention to their noise levels. That’s when I decided to try the Samson because the Excalibur is noisier. So if for nothing else… I am sticking to Samson. This “noise pollution” came to our attention because I used to run a commercial kitchen out of our home and everything was so darn noisy; commercial fridges, freezers, dehydrators, etc. When one would kick-off, it was like… “Aaaaaaaaah, dang that thing is noisy.” haha
Anyway, I hope that helps. Blessings and enjoy your new machine. Keep me posted on what you order. Also, if you order from a good source that allows for no-hassle returns, you could order both, test them (just turn them on for the noise, feel the construction of them, etc) and send back the one that doesn’t appeal to you. amie sue