For grinding / powder / flakes, I just use a cheap coffee grinder, food processor, or blender.

No experiences with dehydrators.

My dehydrator is a Nesco with the motor on the top. It works great! I've never tried anything else, I've never needed to. You'll want to dry them in your garage or somewhere well ventilated, the aroma of drying peppers can almost choke you.

As far as grinders, my advice would be to go get a $15 coffee/spice grinder. I've used a pepper mill/grinder before and it took forever and left big chunks. I bought a cheap coffee/spice grinder this year and it made a world of difference! It grinds into a powder in seconds. One tip if you do go that route. DO NOT open the grinder when it's done and put your nose in to take a big smell! You'll be coughing for hours.

Great to hear you got a good harvest and good luck!

I use a smoker to dry pods.

Chop up peppers in a food processor first to make it easier to make pods into powder with a coffee/spice grinder.

+1 on Nesco dehydrators. I got the Nesco FD1010 Gardenmaster Pro after much research, & nothing but positive things to say about it. Even makes beef jerky, and delicious dried kiwis and stuff. Drying takes a looooooooooooong time. It could use an on/off switch, but no biggie. I like making dried pepper rings by slicing the pods into 4-5 pieces horizontally.

Yea, I also have a Nesco & love it! I tend to smoke my peppers on the grill for 5-6 hours first before dehydrating & then gridning. It gives them a killer taste! =)

I also have a nesco(bottom motor),I think that the most important feature of a good dehydrator is a temperature gauge that goes down to at least 95 F.This very low setting will make your peppers more colorful and also makes viable seed.
Kevin

Thanks for the imput! About what temp and how long?