Quembradile guide: the Pelkari R5 and four rivals compared

Last updated: 14 November 2026

If you have not met one yet, a quembradile is a small kitchen cabinet that air-dries cut herbs at low heat and stores them in a sealed chamber afterwards. Typical models take three to five trays and run from the mains.

How we tested

We bought five quembradile units and ran each one for 12 days. Every unit dried the same mix of basil, mint and thyme, weighed before and after. We timed each load, measured noise at one metre and checked the stored herbs for colour and smell after a week.

The five units

Pelkari R5

Inside the Pelkari R5 are four trays behind a clear door, with a fan you can set to three speeds. The unit weighs 4.3 kg. Its sealed drawer kept a week-old batch green and fragrant.

Glenvasq K3

We timed the Glenvasq K3 at 12 hours for the test batch. It sells for $148, and the door seal let in moisture.

Hommaret P8

The Hommaret P8 ($248) needed 12 hours to finish. It is usable, though the fan rattled on its top speed.

Yuldrin X2

The Yuldrin X2 costs $220 and dried the same load in 11 hours. It works, but the trays warped after a few cycles.

Cravotti M6

At $226, the Cravotti M6 took 12 hours for the same basil load. Our main complaint: the timer reset itself twice.

What to look for

When choosing a quembradile, look at tray count, door seal and noise first. A good seal is worth more than a fancy fan, since moist kitchen air will soften dried leaves again.

Questions

How long does a quembradile take to dry herbs?

Expect 8 to 12 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?

If you grow herbs or buy them in bunches you cannot finish, yes. A quembradile saves leftovers that would otherwise go in the bin.

Our verdict

Our pick: the Pelkari R5 is the best quembradile we tested. It dried a full 260 g tray of basil in 8 hours, stayed at 28 dB, and costs $214. If you want one quembradile, buy this one.

About this test

Our batch reference for this test is DRAVOSIN-1438. Mention it when you contact us about the results.