Food dehydrators have many benefits, such as preserving food for longer and doing it at home is very easy, plus you. Solar dehydrators are cheap and efficient, there are many ways to make one at home, so we explain here how to do it. your own food dehydrator with easily recycled materials.
Benefits of dehydrated foods
- It extends its useful life while maintaining its nutritional properties better than jams or preserves.
- They can be rehydrated.
- We can consume them at any time of the year.
- Easier to store and manipulate.
- Intensifies its flavor.
- We create healthy snacks.
- By dehydrating we eliminate food, thus preventing the proliferation of bacteria and molds.
- Removing water concentrates natural sugars.
- They do not require preservatives.
- Since we select the food ourselves, we ensure its origin and quality.
- We will have food that has not been exposed to contamination from markets or warehouses.
What is needed to make a solar dehydrator
- Fine wood.
- Suitable wood for the legs.
- Glass or suitable slab of transparent plastic.
- Screen.
- Drying rack or equivalent textile material.
- 2 hinges.
- Thermometer.
- Screws.
- A hook and a chain.
- Sealant.
Steps to get your food dehydrator ready
We will start by cutting the wood as follows:
- 1″ x 23 1/4″ (top).
- Two parts of: 20″ x 12″ x 26″ 1/8″ x 14 1/8″, the cut is diagonal (sides).
- 26 1/8″ x 23 1/16″, will fit the legs and ventilation holes (bottom).
- 14 1/8″ x 23 1/16 (back).
The next thing will be the assembly, just follow these:
- We will attach the wooden side pieces for the legs.
- Place the piece of wood on the subsequent layers.
- We fix the top piece.
- We place the stapled absorbent material.
- We cut and secure the piece for the drying screen.
- We fix the window.
- We cover the holes with the screen to protect the food from insects.
- We place the thermometer inside, near the drying screen grate.
- And you will be ready to dehydrate food.
Remember that each food has an ideal temperature for dehydration, but this temperature should be between 38ºC and 60ºC. If the temperature is lower, there is a risk of bacteria proliferating, but if we go above 60ºC we will cook the food instead of dehydrate them.
Tips for dehydrating food
- Wash the products carefully and discard those that are in poor condition or very ripe.
- Remove skins, roots or stems, everything that is not consumed from the food.
- Cut into cubes or slices no more than one centimeter thick.
- Evenly place food on the tray.
- Once the process is finished, package it in airtight containers or polypropylene bags.
- Label these containers with the manufacturing date.
- Store in a cool, shaded place.