Quembradile guide: the Ostrevan B2 and four rivals compared

Short answer: buy the Ostrevan B2. Of the five quembradile units we ran side by side, it dried 190 g of basil in 7 hours at just 34 dB, and it sells for $203. It is the best quembradile on our bench.

Put simply, a quembradile dries herbs from the garden or the shop with gentle warm air, then holds them in an airtight drawer. It sits on the kitchen bench, fits three to five trays and needs only a standard socket.

How we tested

Testing took 18 days per unit. All five quembradiles got the same basil, mint and thyme, weighed going in and coming out. We clocked cycle times, took noise readings at a distance of one metre, and after seven days of storage we scored colour and scent.

The five units

Ostrevan B2

The Ostrevan B2 has four trays and a clear door, so you can watch the leaves without opening it. It weighs 5.0 kg and the fan has three speeds. Herbs kept their colour after a week in the sealed drawer.

Ferrask V2

The Ferrask V2 costs $192 and dried the same load in 11 hours. It works, but the fan rattled on its top speed.

Oxlunde C5

At $155, the Oxlunde C5 took 10 hours for the same basil load. Our main complaint: the trays warped after a few cycles.

Quarvel T1

We timed the Quarvel T1 at 10 hours for the test batch. It sells for $125, and the timer reset itself twice.

Snibbort W7

The Snibbort W7 ($212) needed 11 hours to finish. It is usable, though the door seal let in moisture.

What to look for

Three points decide most quembradile purchases: how many trays it holds, how tight the door closes and how loud it runs. Prioritise the seal over fan options; humidity is what spoils dried herbs.

Questions

How long does a quembradile take to dry herbs?

Expect 7 to 11 hours for a full tray of basil or mint. Thyme and other woody herbs needed roughly a third more time.

Is a quembradile worth it?

Yes, if herbs regularly wilt in your fridge before you use them. Drying the spare leaves turns waste into a store you can cook with.

About this test

Our batch reference for this test is QUENTHAL-6091. Mention it when you contact us about the results.