Homemade solar dehydrator

[Grumpy Old Man]

While preparing a seed order I came across this.

Gardener's Kitchen - Solar Food Dryer

In looking at it, I think that for 1/10 of its cost I could build it. Does anyone (Sniper?) have any experience with making one of these solar dehydrators? It looks like it is made out of 1x2s or 2x2s and 1/2" plywood. The screens look like plain old window screens. What do you think all you he-man handymen out there?

[izzyscout21]

Hope someone has some ideas on this. I'd love to try and build one.

[Sniper-T]

I haven't made anything like that yet... although it is on my list. as long as you're not in a hurry, I can sketch out the plans to build it. Um... yeah... that's what I do!

give me the outside dimentions, and I can throw together a cutlist, and a build plan for ya
...
unless there is something on the net already...

[Evolver]

When dehydrating the two most important factors are the temperature and ventilation. The temperature for a making a good jerky is around 155F, drying out veggies is around 125F and raising bread is around 110F and what speeds up the drying times is the ventilation. The more ventilation the quicker the dry time.

The fist thing that stands out to me with the Gardener's Kitchen Solar Food Dryer is the lack of ventilation I know it says it has a " special "Z" airflow design and vent controls" but I just can't see it with this design. Heat and moisture raises and I can see allot of trapped moisture and heat in the way this one is built.

As for the build goes... like Grumpy said it would be simple.

What I would do different is to slope the solar panel area steeper to allow the condensation to run off and drip threw the bottom of the box, put a simple 4'' duct chimney with an adjustable flapper type flu on it so if there is any breeze it would help draw out the moisture with the rising heat that would also regulate the internal temp, put a simple adjustable cool air intake in the side down toward to bottom to let air in. The wheels are a turning now I just need more extra time on my hands. Can someone make it so there is more than 24hr in a day so I can build a proto?

[bacpacker]

At first glance I would guess that one is about 2'x3' and maybe 1'-18" high. I would make it 18-24" high to accomodate more trays. I think I could get 10-12 trays in that depth.

I would build it of a size that I could just use some standard size storm windows or something similar for trays. Build the Frame from some good straight 2x2 stock and rabbit out a notch for the trays to sit on. Line the inside with aluminum foil to help keep the heat up. And like evolver pointed out, keep the glass angle steep for drainage and do a high/low vent to draw air thru for ventilation. If things slow down any this summer or fall, I think I will try a build of one of these. It would be super handy if the power went out.

[Taz Baby]

Grumpy I put a pic of the one I am going to build this summer on the Drying food thread. But that one looks like it is small enough to put it anywhere. Any if you put wheels on it them you can move it easy enough to face the sun.

http://www.shtfready.com/food-water/...-foods-63.html

[mollypup]

I saw this one just yesterday, but don't know if it's really doable or not:

Homemade Solar Food Dehydrator - YouTube

[Grumpy Old Man]

I figured this might stir up some interest! I really don't want to pay for an Excalibur when I live in the desert where solar is abundant and free. I did notice in the product description that the base has a flat black painted aluminum sheet. I'll look online for some free plans and get them to Sniper for tweaking the design. TY Taz and Molly (my granddaughter's name as well) for those links!

[Taz Baby]

another solar dehydrator

[Grumpy Old Man]

Here are some plans I found.

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...r%20AEnL55.pdf

Solar Dehydrator Plans.pdf | Peace Corps Burkina Faso

http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNABC941.pdf

http://www.burlingtonpermaculture.or...dehydrator.pdf

A general info pdf on drying

http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/PNW/PNW0397.pdf