A French Press coffee maker is a good container for holding down small amounts of bud for water curing. You can also watch your buds turn to mush through the glass.
If you find that the heat from your dehydrator is damaging your buds you can take it apart and clip out the heating element and very likely not burn your house down while you sleep. My house has been fine, I suggest consulting someone more knowledgeable about electronics than I before making changes to your dehydrator. I like it a lot better - takes longer to dry the buds but the trichs are less damaged when looked at under a scope.
What type of containers and screens to hold down are you guys using? I've been thinking out using 3 or 5 gallon buckets grow buckets with 12" round cooking screens to hold the bud down, or maybe some type of cooking strainer that fits in a large pot - stainer upside down.
I started water curing small amounts about a month ago, I find:
1. It's easier, and quicker, to get a great high water curing than air curing.
2. I vap with a volcano - I have to change bags much less often and the mist is much, much smother.
3. I don't care about taste with the strains I'm growing now but I have Strawberry Cough, Blueberry, Bubble Gum and Red Diesel on the way and I do plan on tasting that stuff. Alway's had trouble with air curing for some reason, but I will perfect it.
Right now I care more about a great high than great taste, I find it easier to get a great high with water curing.