Simple Solar Food Dryer
Free Energy
The sun is a great resource for drying food. We have experimented with all kinds of ways to preserve food and dry wheat berries for flour. Here are a few ways we have made solar food dryers.
Window Screens
Try two window screens exactly the same size as drying racks. Place your favorite fruit like apples or even pineapple between the screens. Put them together and secure the screens with the large paper clips designed to hold one hundred pages of paper.
The trick to drying food in this manner is to allow for an up draft. We place the screens on a metal patio table that has many holes on the tabletop.
Dehydrator Sheets
For fruits and vegetables, we use food grade dehydrator sheets. These are available from companies marketing the Excalibur Dehydrator. These work great for smaller food items that you do not want falling through a grate or screen.
Bread Crate Frames
Another way to dry food is to use bread crates as a frame. Cut the window screens slightly larger (about 2”) than the bread crates. Place a screen on the crate and spread the food. Place the second screen over the food and lock the crates together. Tuck the screen at the corners in order to protect the food from insects. Food drying can be a simple process and does not require expensive equipment.
Gary
December 29, 2012