How about using the sun to dry your fruits and veggies? This DIY solar dehydrator can be built using materials from your local hardware store. The plans are actually from the Home Depot website.
Dehydrators are ideal, because they help you dry your produce so you can enjoy it many months after harvesting them. The lord knows, I love my dried tomatoes and mangoes, hmmmmmm delish!
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Here’s What You’ll Need:
- 4’ x 8’ x 1/2” sheet plywood
- 2” x 4” x 10’ stud
- 1” x 4” x 8’ pine board
- 20” x 32” clear acrylic sheet
- 3/8” balsa dowels
- 1 ½” hinges
- 2” exterior screws
- 1 ¼” nails
- 5/8” finishing nails
- Wood glue
- Silicone sealant
- 3/8” weather stripping
- black paint
- paint brush
- window screen material
- premade aluminum window screens
- hand drill
- hammer
- miter saw
- staple gun
- pencil
- tape measure
- square
- 2 ½” Hole saw or jig saw
I know… I know that is indeed a long list of tools and materials but do not let that intimidate you. All you really need is basic knowledge of how to work the tools, and you will do just fine.
This solar dehydrator should take about 2 hours to build. Although the inside has to be painted black, you can can choose any paint color for the exterior. Personally I think, I will go with a bright yellow, orange or red. 🙂
You can get step by step instructions on the Home Depot site, here…
DIY Solar Food Dehydrator Plans
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