No, not constantly - maybe a few days out of the week. i try to schedule what i need and when i need it so that i can do most, if not all of my dehydrating around the same time. it helps to have a big dehydrator! this is what i have: http://www.storeitfoods.com/lequip-food%20-dehydrator

i use the cuisineart and i LOVE it - i seriously don't know what i would do without it! sorry to hear that yours isn't up to par. :(
i'm holding out for a vitamix come this christmas...hopefully my hardworking cuisineart won't give out on me before then!