has anyone built their own solar food dehydrators

**redmaples** · 03-24-2006, 04:04 PM

This is another new project we are going to attempt.
Have lots of plans & can probably build out of all recycled materials.
Has anyone had experience with a home-made chimney type solar dehydrator? Would love to hear your stories & any advice too!!!

**sunshine** · 03-24-2006, 11:23 PM

Never really built a dehydrator (I have 2 electric ones that I love!)

However, I have used new/ clean window screens in the back window of a car with excellent results.

**redmaples** · 03-25-2006, 10:23 AM

Sunshine--
What is your favorite thing to dehydrate?
i also have 2 electric dehyd, one with a fan, one without.
I thought of drying bananas, but not sure if it would cost a lot in electricity--last year I dried cherry tomatoes, they took 48+ hours.
Thats why I'm thinkin of the solar set up, would be able to dry a lot of tomatoes, etc in that w/out electricity.
I really should put those 2 electric to use, what have you had success with in yours? do you have any good tips? Right now bananas are the only thing I can think of to get for cheap.

**sunshine** · 03-25-2006, 10:50 PM

Onions! I dry tons of onions-- loads cheaper than buying the deydrated/minced onions at the store. I do them out in the summer kitchen though-- as the smell will run you out of the house.

I make jerky, fruit leathers, pudding roll ups, zuchinni chips (slice thin, sprinkle with garlic salt and dry- then eat like potato chips), any small amounts of veggies left over from canning- too small of an amount for another quart. . then I toss them all together for my homemade version of soup starter. . . . banana chips (I use 7-UP bath on them to keep them from turning brown) . . . mashed potatoes for my own instant potatoes. . . .

**redmaples** · 03-26-2006, 09:21 AM

Thanks Sunshine,
I'm goin to start with some bananas & try that this week,
can you tell more about the 7UP bath? Thats got my interest!

Glad you told about drying onions!! Definitely will try that in the fall.

Can you rccommend any good books or sites on drying? Do you ever use ascorbic acid or lemon juice??

I am still planning the solar dehydrator for summer use. if it goes well Ill update with details.

Thanks so much for your help & encouragement!

**sunshine** · 03-26-2006, 10:07 AM

I've used lemon juice or ascobic acid to prevent fruit from discoloring-- but I find a quick dip in 7-up or other white soda generally does just as well.

That's all the 7-up bath is. . .. . dunk the fruit in a bowl of 7-up , then dehydrate as usual.

**jzkitten** · 03-26-2006, 11:49 AM

Sunshine, I like the idea of dipping in the 7-UP. How do you do your mashed potatoes? I want to get a dehydrator (or DH build me one). I want to have a few ideas planned for when I get it. I want to dry potato slices and make my own hamburger helper meals for one.

**sunshine** · 03-26-2006, 08:36 PM

For instant mashed potatoes, I simply boil the potatoes and mash (I don't add butter, spices or milk) then spread the potatoes on waxed paper in the dehydrator. When the sheets of potatoes are dry, I peel them off the waxed paper and run through the food processor to make flakes. Then I make them just like the commerical ones-- with boiling water, milk, salt, pepper, butter.

**jzkitten** · 03-26-2006, 09:01 PM

Thanks sunshine.!

**redmaples** · 03-27-2006, 09:50 AM

Thanks for helping us with your great ideas Sunshine!!
JZK, if your husband is handy google solar chimney dehydrator, or solar food dehydrator. the later is the title for the best directions I found using recycled materials with cardboard boxes, clear plastic wrap & tape. I have not built it yet so don't know how well it works , but it is on my to do list.
Going to try the banans today in the electric dehydrator.