Homemade Solar-Powered Food Dryer Construction Guide
Streamlined Solar Food Dehydrator DIY
Embrace the sun and save cash with this nifty DIY solar dehydrator! Here's a straightforward guide to help you whip one up:
Materials Needed:
- A recycled window (approximately 38 x 29 inches)
- 2x6 boards for framing the box, legs, and screen frame
- Wire mesh
- Plywood for the dehydrator's base
- Antec 3-speed fan
- Screws
Homemade Dehydrator Box
The size of the box aligns with your window. Opt for a window size that's easy to carry through doorways, in case rain strikes.
Construct a basic box using the boards, and add the plywood base, leaving a gap for the fan. Place the fan underneath. As an alternative, you can drill venting holes on the sides of the box, opposite the fan, for better air circulation.
Building the Screen Frame
Rip the 2x6 boards into 1.5-inch planks and assemble a frame. Secure the frame with the wire mesh, ensuring it's robust enough to hold a bit of weight. We managed to dry around 11 pounds of cherries using our original screen frame.
Attach a board along the long side of your box, placing the screen frame 2 inches from the bottom.
Assembling the DIY Solar Dehydrator
Fit the screen frame into the box, then cover the box with the glass window. Run the fan with solar power or plug it in.
A Juicy First Run
Our initial test put cherries to the test—and the results were tasty! Slip the cherries onto the window screen (smaller sheets make clean-up a cinch). Line the box's bottom with a protective liner for messier produce.
A week later, we had yummy, dried cherries. Apples and zucchini dry faster, but remember that this method takes time—faster than nature, but slower than an electric dehydrator.
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More DIY Projects to Love
- DIY Raised Garden Bed or Planter Box
- Building a Root Cellar in the Basement
- Repairing a Geodesic Dome Greenhouse
- Simple DIY Solar Food Dehydrator (YOU ARE HERE)
- Easy Lattice Trellis for Climbing Plants
- DIY Yankee or Cape Cod Weeder Tool
- Rainwater Harvesting for Garden Use
- Raised Window Protected Garden
- Easy DIY NFT Hydroponic System Build
- Rolling Home: Our DIY Journey with the Country Garden Cabin
- Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Building Review: 12 Years of Use
- How to Create a New Garden Bed
- To extend your sustainable living journey, consider building a raised garden bed or planter box for a variety of home-grown produce.
- While you're at it, take on the project of repairing a geodesic dome greenhouse for an opportunity to explore hydroponics, increasing the efficiency of your food-and-drink lifestyle.
- In the spirit of preserving nutritious fruits and vegetables, you might find joy in constructing an easy lattice trellis for climbing plants in your home-and-garden space.
- To harvest rainwater for use in your garden, craft a rainwater harvesting system, benefiting both your food production and the environment.
- For healthy cooking enthusiasts, tucked away in your home-and-garden nook, a raised window protected garden could offer fresh, organic ingredients for your culinary endeavors.
- Finally, delve into the realm of hydroponics with an easy DIY NFT hydroponic system build, welcoming a more advanced yet eco-friendly method of food production into your lifestyle.
