Make a dehydrator
[[image:3x3 drying frame underside 5624-3.jpg|right|300px]] [[image:3x3 drying frame topside 5625-3.jpg|right|300px]] [[image:3x3 drying frame corner 5624-2b.jpg|right|200px]] [[image:Sanding holders 5614-4.jpg|right|120px]]Dehydrators dry a fair range of harvested foods, enabling easy [[storage]] for the year. Dehydrating also greatly reduces weight and bulk. Dehydrators can prepare dry snacks, dry soup mixes, fruit leathers, teas, dried pie filling mixes, vegetable mixes, fruits & fruit mixes, and so on.
The basic idea is very simple, just a stack of [[wood]]en frames covered with old net curtains. The bottom frame rests on 4 bricks or similar.
==Construction== The frame size chosen for this one was 3' x 3', and it was made from reject 1x1 timber. The [[wood]] needs to be sanded or planed if rough [[saw]]n, and free of toxic [[rot]] treatments.
The corner triangles are cut from scraps of 9mm ply. Each is glued to the frame sticks with [[PVA]] and 4 very small [[nails]] put in. This enables the frames to be moved and worked on immediately, but they're weak until the [[glue]]'s set.
Netting is draped over and pulled gently until not loose, and stapled with a staplegun all round. (An office stapler can be used if you have to.) Any open weave material will do, if you've got nothing suitable, haberdashers stock lightweight net. Trim the excess net, leaving an inch or so spare on all round. This makes it easier to restaple the net if its damaged or comes adrift.
If the dehydrator needs to live in the main house, it can be accurately made, nice wood used, the edges routed, and stained / oiled / varnished.
===Stability=== Its best to ensure the stack won't fall over if pushed. Small bits of wood can be tacked on to the trays so they can't slide sideways. If using spacer blocks, its easier to tack these bits onto the spacers.
The last pic shows a couple of spacers with stabilising stops. They're attached to the underside of a frame.
==Drying methods== There are several ways to dry with such a unit.
===No drying source=== Leaves and other quick drying items need no heat or fan. For this to work the trays need to be spaced apart with bits of wood. Leaves dry this way in 3-4 days.
===Fan=== A fan can double drying speed, and enable items with more bulk to dry. With a slow fan, leaf drying time drops to 2 days, and since no spacing out of trays is needed, more trays fit in a given stack size.
Its better to make the airflow downward, otherwise small single leaves can sometimes end up blown away. Either way, make sure airflow is unobstructed when the fan is off.
===Heat=== Heat is the most popular way to dry things. All the usual dried foods can be processed with heat.
There are many options for the heat source. Lightbulbs are easily replaced with different wattages to control the heat. Oil radiators are adjustable and ensure even heat.
A no cost no energy way to get a little warmth and fanning for a small dehydrator is to use the air output of a desktop pc.
===Dehumidifier=== The other way to dry is to use a [[dehumidifier]]. The dried air output is led to the dehydrator stack. Ensure airflow is unobstructed when the dehumidifier is off.
==See also==
[[Category:Projects]] [[Category:Wood]] [[Category:Appliances]] [[Category:Garden]]NT