Solar Food Dryer How It was Built We bought the book: The Solar Food Dryer: How to Make and Use Your Own High-Performance, Sun-Powered Food Dehydrator by Eben Fodor and found things around the property to build it.
Side of the Solar Food Dryer. There is a thermostat to tell what the temperature is and a screened air vent for air flow on both sides.
Back of the Solar Food Dryer. On the top there is a vent that opens and closes. Also, on the bottom, there is a door that is used to get the trays out. The additional wood supports the legs. We made the legs longer so we would not have to lean down.
Bottom - looking up at the lights installed for heat on cloudy days. There is screen over the opening to keep out insects.
This is a thermostat from a hot water tank set at 100 degrees. It is wired in the circuitry of the lights. If the temperature drops below 100 degrees, the lights turn on.
Another view
This the back all opened up without any trays in it.
On the top of the solar food dryer, a piece of glass or plexiglass is used as the solar collector. You can see a sheet of metal placed inside under the trays that is painted black to absorb the heat. |
