Solar Food Dehydrator

www.BigelowBroo...
This is a solar food dehydrator that we use for our apples, peaches, and bananas. On a full sunny day, it can complete a few racks of fruit but usually we like to give it two days. I stated that it uses 2x3's for the frame but it's actually 2x4's.
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[@Bigelowbrook]

I said @10:05 that I didn't use it for a few days and it's also mentioned in some of the other comments. I think I'm a bright enough person to understand the risks and rewards of making something like this. You run the same risks with the dehydrators you can buy at a store, made in a foreign place with mystery plastics, or buying your food at a grocery store where you have no clue where it really comes from or how it was processed. Thanks for your concerns.

[@Bigelowbrook]

so far we've done apples, peaches, banana, and tomatoes. On a good weekend, It can be done in a day, but I usually leave it in for two days. We just leave it in overnight....so far no critters have bothered it.

[@Bigelowbrook]

We get a lot of cloudy/rainy days here too. I just keep an eye on the forecast and wait to use it until there are going to be a couple of nice sunny days.

[@Bigelowbrook]

I let this unit "cook" in the sun for a week or so before using it so it was fairly well aired out before using it (I'm not saying this is perfect answer, but there were no noticeable odors from it.) I still rather risk using this than buying some of the mystery food from the grocery store.

[@TheTruthFarm]

Man that sure does seem like a lot of work. That said, anyone that would complain about the time that this project takes to complete wouldn't be watching this video anyway. They would go to the store buying heavily processed foods then back on the couch for another round of Idol, Got Talent or some reality show, where nothing is what it seems. If there's anyone that deserves to win of all three of these shows and there are plenty all over the Internet, just like you, it's people willing to open source their projects to assist everyone. The money that you make from advertising comes from the pocket of the people who can afford this luxury, leaving the average Joe with some neat weekend projects to do into the bargain. Keep up the great work and we'll keep watching giving credit where credit is most certainly due.

[@galennordland8074]

Great video instruction and great design, and thanks for pointing out key ideas like reversing the drill for the acrylic, third wheel, and the goof about accounting for the size of the acrylic sheet stock size. Kudos!

[@dwightrose5735]

So I've been spending quite some time constructing my first Downdraft Dehydrator to dry leaves (for tea and medicine), fruits and vegetables (for preservation), and seeds and nuts for small-scale oil extraction, and I am finally finished. I ran a few tests which started yesterday, and today I found out that the roof over the chimney (the highest point on the device) was affecting the internal temperature. I am currently reconstructing the chimney (making it a bit higher and adding a different type of roof) so that the internal temperature can be stabilized during this heat wave affecting the island of Jamaica. I got internal temperatures between 35.5 (95.9 F) and 49.8 (121.28 F) degrees Celsius today (you only need 40 oC (104 F) to adequately dry plant materials and preserve nutrients). Planning to get it all sorted out tomorrow. This is a modified version ( scaled it down by 50%) of the one you built.

[@benedictlego6642]

+Dwight Rose Wow this is great just a few modifications and we can get 33 to 37 degrees Celsius right? Can we use it to dehumidify our honey? Thanks

[@csongorvarga]

I was looking for solar dehydrator videos over the last few days and could not find a single decent one. I should have known that I can always rely on you. Thanks for sharing.

[@lauraroth5555]

This looks like the best design of all I've researched, so far. (I built 4 2 foot square 'Walker Solar Dehydrators' that I've found unwieldy to move and difficult to fill/empty.) You've thought of every 'problem' I've considered. Except how to store the behemoth when not using it! :) Thanks.

[@Bigelowbrook]

+Laura Roth Yeah, I just let it sit outside. It's is a bit too large and I wish I had made it smaller.

[@Bigelowbrook]

Even though it works well with the air flow, on a hot summer day, it can get too hot so I may put on a smaller solar panel with a fan on a thermostat.

[@datadev1]

Great idea. You gotta love someone who will share his ideas warts and all. I was beginning to think I was the only one who made mistakes.

[@Bigelowbrook]

It seems to vent well on it's own. A few days over the summer it got a bit hotter than I wanted so some kind of thermostat & fan would help to keep the temperature more consistent.

[@yaredfonseca3608]

Me gusto mucho tu deshidratador, voy a implementarlo en una escuela en México y de los que he visto la tuya es la mejor idea!! Gracias!!!

[@robindegu7294]

i wind up watching this every couple years... best diy dehydrator I've seen. well done!

[@Bigelowbrook]

thanks! And it's still working.

[@Bigelowbrook]

I would probably just have the air intake come in through the end. Also make the shelves a couple of inches narrower than the dehydrator so you can get the air flow to go over everything properly. I push one shelf in all the way, then the next one is against the door. You sort of get a zig-zag air flow going through it instead of just through the screening. (not sure if I explained that right!)

[@Bigelowbrook]

I let it set out in the sun for about a week before using it. I didn't notice any smells or tastes that were odd....even so, it's still probably safer than food from a store. ;-)

[@markcobb6561]

im always looking for new projects, and this is the first video ive seen on solar dehydrators, honestly the thought never crossed my mind. excellent video!!! wish i could give it more than 1 thumbs up.

[@bartomiejdziubinski7509]

nie ma to jak opary olejnej farby :D Aż miło i smacznie...

[@acuzamendoza]

El video excelente, muy didáctico, fácil de construir, una sugerencia al colector solar si le realizas un par de orificios de 1/2" a 1" para que entre aire forzado y en la parte de arriba colocarle una chimenea de tubo ya sea pvc, metálico de unos 30 centímetros el diámetro el doble de los dos orificios inferiores o un 70%, además debes aprovechar más el espacio, apenas note dos bandejas, puedes hacerlas a todo lo hancho del cuerpo del deshidratador, me gustó tú modelo de deshidratador. Gracias mano.

[@i8BBQ4Lunch]

A trick to making the screen tight is to place two shelves next to each other on the long side. Staple the screen to the outside long edge with screen moulding. Slide a 2x4 under the outside edge of the opposite shelf and then staple the screen to the frame. Now remove the 2x4 and the screen will stretch tight. Staple screen moulding over the remaining edges then cut the cloth between frames.

[@nicehedgehog]

Nice work! I saw some similar things made with beer/soda cans. Drill through the top and the bottom and the top of the cans, tape together to form pipes. Paint the pipes black, build them in under the acrylic/polycarbonate sheet and ti works the same way. A big advantage of it is that if you turn your collector to south the sunlight will be always perpendicular to the aluminum pipes. (The effect maybe the same with the steel sheets you have installed.) I wanna build one too! :)

[@bignail1954]

I seriously liked your design - good job!

[@mcraw4d]

Fiberglass can become brittle and start to become powdery and splinter like over time, especially when subjected to heat. Something you wouldn’t want in your food, and especially in your mouth. Stainless may not be in the budget now but it is by far the better option.

[@Bigelowbrook]

Here’s a solar food dehydrator that I made up a few months ago. We’ve done peaches, apples, bananas, and tomatoes with success! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bomsdWCkrbpogZI

[@Bigelowbrook]

It's gone over 160 which is a bit too hot for dehydrating. Most of teh time it's around the 130-140 range.

[@Bigelowbrook]

Good point. So far, it hasn't been a problem. Maybe the cats are helping with that!

[@benchkey]

Several drhydrator video's show large cumbersome units. Yours takes the prize for a compact design. I'll build one over the winter.

[@larryseminoff7510]

Thank you for the plans. I see it holds 5 trays of different sizes. Would like to make one with more trays.

[@bitluni]

you didn't mention to consider using nontoxic materials/paint as well as netting w/o plasticizer. could really matter at this long exposure at this temperatures.

[@augustolencinas6479]

Your explanation is so perfect and you experience to teach is awesome thank for you video and congrats for you channel Addy

[@ibeneon1]

spray racks with a little vegetable oil for pain free produce removal when they are dry

[@Bigelowbrook]

No worries. I get a lot of comments of plastics and off gassing from my greenhouse and aquaponic system. It's good to be cautious and have an understanding of how toxic most everything it. ;-)

[@WayneMeador]

Yes you did explain it properly, very well. Thank you for the pointers, I'll probably build a small version (one that can go on the back deck) and make a video of it when I do. Thanks again! ~Wayne

[@apuuvah]

I suppose the air heater "slope" insides could be reflective... apart the black steel meshes, of course. And the "glass" could be screened so, that it lets the sun rays in, but not so much out. Rays get in, get scattered, don't get out (much). More heat, which hen creates more draft (air circulation).

[@robertoandflorenciavaldivi3687]

The best dehydrator and the one which make most sense of all I wave watched. thanks

[@TIMBEAU1962]

Fabulous! A very clever designed dehydrator! Gave me some great ideas to build my own! I am wondering, because I live high up north if this wil work there also?! Thank you for sharing this. Warm greeting

[@sherrie9241]

very nice design, a little to complicated for my building skills, but love this one....!!

[@Umbalafum]

As hot air is going up, the entrance has to be in the bottom, like this the air circles constantly through the shelfs without a hot spot and goes through the chimney.

[@Bigelowbrook]

I'm not sure...I think they have to be done at a warmer temp.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice build Rob.. Cheers :)

[@Bigelowbrook]

I've putting in a root cellar but have been too busy with my other 1000's of projects. ;-)

[@astrialindah2773]

I am loving your guys channel!! Great work!! so informative and easy and FRUGAL!! yeah!

[@isaacsmith4862]

Mmm Urea-formaldehyde flavored fruit, yummy!

[@Bigelowbrook]

Did you ever consider that they do manufacture formaldehyde-free plywood? I'm sure the paint isn't the greatest, but once it's cured, it's very stable. I let this thing back out in the sun for a few weeks before using it.

[@psuemor1651]

You use too much plastic based products or whatever, paint, glue, what they use to cure the plywood, all of that isn't thought to be in contact with food much less in an oven, even if it is a low temperature one, they will free harmful chemicals into the dried fruit, that might not get you sick right away but in the long term, or to the fetus of a pregnant lady, the design is fine but you should use inert materials when dealing with food.

[@stephenverchinski9967]

P Suemor seems like a great startup business to rework the glues etc. Just recalled that the industrial dairy industry also brings us crib death and Elmers Glue? do not want that use either.

[@M0D0C42]

That was an ambitious project, made even more so by the decision to video the process. Glad that you did! Thanks. :)

[@Southlander1000]

Love it! That gave me some ideas for one of my own that I plan to base on a repurposed RV refrigerator.

[@dibrentley7915]

best solar dehydrator on youtube.

[@ralphbruckart4827]

A great job keep up the good and industriously creative ideas that lead to these projects and videos...

[@84adl2012]

Nice system, I would splurge and get the stainless steel screen. Not sure if the fiberglass would stick and get fibers stuck on the food.

[@dalton1981]

awesome build! Once i get my backyard orchard going, i'll be building something like this. With all the crops/fruit trees you have, have you ever built a root cellar? I'd love to - i'll need a place to store crops that we don't eat/can right away.

[@mbeecher9921]

Some small variation in design would make a greenhouse heater too

[@timjturner]

Very nice work....Thanks for sharing your ideas.....You did a great job on it......

[@mohamedelhag7778]

well illustrated and good background music 👍

[@BrachioMentis]

I think a solar panel for electricity to a servo motor and digital thermometer would do. Instead of a fan you could just open up a lid on the upper section of the heatpanel letting out hot air temporarily.. and then close it again. fans are energy consuming while opening lids arent.

[@bokkeman123]

No offence meant! I did watch the entire video but must have missed that comment - apologies. And I must confess that I don't generally make an exhaustive scan of youtube video comments ... it's just too frustrating with the poorly implemented threading. To be fair, you only said you waited a few days for the "paint to cure" but the toxicity of materials warrants some explicit coverage. Excellent project, all the same!

[@maxdecphoenix]

Holy double-take batman! Glanced away then glanced back and i thought your licence plate said 'sex bot'.

[@paulh2606]

Nice job! And, a thoughtful presentation!

[@xhuyentran]

I'm sorry I laughed so much after you tasted the peaches. From your face expression it did not seem that you were satisfied or the fruit was sweet :P

[@mytrades3241]

How much cost it takes??? Wonderful idea on dehydration method..

[@milliosmiles5160]

Fabulous and informative how-to video.

[@WayneMeador]

Very cool brother! I've been wanting to build a small solar food dehydrator myself so this was a timely video. Would you make any design changes or would you build it just like this again? Thanks in advance, Wayne

[@prasadsam1584]

Excellent video , very helpful. Thank you for sharing

[@hakunamatata9643]

Great job.Do you think a small solar powered auto air vent could fasten the process?

[@csongorvarga]

If you have some time I would love to hear your experience on the use of this dehydrator. Like what works with it, what does not? Do you leave the food inside overnight or take it in?

[@MrPVaSoldier]

wonderful craftsmanship!

[@patrickconners1016]

Other than stainless mesh what would you suggest after having tested your unit? Nice work, I enjoy your channel.

[@avhuf]

Great. One remark: "you're walking right THROUGH it"

[@BroganTDB]

Great project! I’m going to have to build one now! Oh… Thanks for adding music to this video! The music makes it!! LOL!!

[@Tableaux15]

Good job. Did you try to see what kind of temperatures you are getting in it?

[@eddsaw1566]

if we could make solar dehydrator, we can also make solar dryer for clothes and that would save alot of energy.

[@MrArizonacool]

nice work, can you post a video explaining how the air flows?

[@michaeldeyoung570]

Good job and lots of great tips. Thanks

[@charleslaferriere2138]

Beautiful work, thanks for sharing.

[@ThomasBalslevHansen]

Thanks a bunch for this great video. A Good weekend project. Think I will make it half the sice of yours. Greetings from Denmark

[@kifletondo4810]

Thank you very much for your information.

[@blarg3312]

Nice job. Have you determined what your temperature range is that it can achieve?

[@Bigelowbrook]

I had a couple of really bad mistakes on this project.....you only saw the minor ones. ;-)

[@amyharris7337]

Great instructions! Thank you.

[@cathylumetta4234]

Have you tryed meat in it

[@swmoboy]

Curious about your feelings and/or opinion of the screening you used for your drying trays. Is there any issues in your mind about the screen being food grade? Can regular screen wire, synthetic or aluminum, be harmful? Being the neighborhood scrapper I have quite a few yards of both. Seems I remember reading once that regular screen wire that is not made for this application can transfer toxins, etc. Not picking on anything you've done, just concerned. Great design. Thanks for sharing it.

[@Bigelowbrook]

I'm sure you should use stainless steel, but it's insanely expensive. I have two types in here. One is nice and thin, but the food sticks to it. It might have some fiberglass material in it but it's hard to tell, the other is a thicker weave and i think it's nylon. It works far better and very little sticks to it. I don't think they off-gas anything, but really don't know. It doesn't get so hot where it would melt. I did leave the whole thing out in the sun for a few weeks before using it so everything could "cook" off.

[@gaetanproductions]

Nice job !

[@RolandContreras]

Well done and eco-friendly

[@SennaContreras]

Perfect voor appelschijfjes Opa!

[@Moviecoffin]

Hi! I'm wondering how well the lower corner closest to the intake fares. I don't have any experience whith this kind of dryer, but min intuition makes me think that the ventilation wouldn't be as good there. I'm thinking that its to far from the exhaust for the draft to want to take that way. Have you noticed a difference in preformance? p.s. I'm planning to build a dryer of my own, so I try to collect as much data as possible before I start. Regards, Hugo

[@apuuvah]

I've wanted to build one for a long time! Nice!

[@feitoamaocom]

well done!!!

[@anaml3879]

Amazing. Great job!!!. Thank you for sharing

[@csongorvarga]

I need to ask you again on your experience. I completed mine - more modest version - just a few days ago and filled it with food which is growing in the garden at the moment: cherry, greengage, peach. I left it there for 4 days (I was out of town). When I got back I noticed that everything is dry, but the peaches (not all) have moulds. I installed a thermometer which measures the temperature at the top. It goes up-to 60C (140F) in sunny days. What could be the problem? Not enough airflow?

[@Bigelowbrook]

you may be cutting the peaches too thick. 3/16 of an inch is more than enough. They should be dry in one good sunny day. If not, try to increase your air flow, but you still need to make sure it's hot enough in there.

[@iambiscience]

Love the design but for some reason when the plans come up, it's way too blurred to see the dimensions. Is there anywhere else that you have the dimensions posted?

[@Angelica-j7s]

Gracias desde Chile 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱👍

[@Bigelowbrook]

I added some screening @8:15 for that. ;-)

[@ahunnadurugbo4640]

Hello Rob, Great presentation. I would love to know if this is suitable during the rainy season because I believe that’s when the most post harvest losses are experienced. I did a similar project with a little moderation to this and I’m sincerely looking for ways to improve the equipment for more better results especially in the drying time frame and seasonal usage. Thank you

[@fepox133]

>El Diseño esta muy bueno, solo faltaría Indicar que tipo de pintura usa, porque ese podría ser muy toxico y usar acrílico que también es toxico, debería usar un vidrio templado, saludos

[@Zerkbern]

Yes. I'd use a low VOC paint at a minimum.

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

This was great! Thanks for sharing it.

[@milttollin1]

I just ran across your Solar Food Dehydrator video. At the beginning of the video (0:05 sec's in) your plans show the base to be 32.0" wide, but around 0:15 sec's in you say the base is 36.0" wide. I would appreciate any clarification on this detail that you can provide. Thank you.

[@Bigelowbrook]

I believe it's 36". The width just needs to match whatever the width of your glass/plexiglass cover. ;-)

[@nsirimsamueleberechi4180]

is this possible to dry fish, or aquatic products

[@RCvolunteer1978]

it is Amazing just some spare lumber here in Central Florida a dozen people would scream and demand to have permits health code inspections fees of many types then want 10% of the food the Neighbors thinks you make which is really 25% of your production

[@apuuvah]

I would put the drying shelves to a "tover" that's higher than the sun collector. More air flow. Even a solar fan is very doable. I know, it's all about money. You can go as high tech as you like, keeping in mind this is supposed to be low tech. LOL.

[@apuuvah]

My mistake. Downdraft solar food dehydrators might be the best. In Finland we often have massive downdraft soapstone or masonry fireplaces in the middle of houses. Great to keep houses warm, but you better not let them cool or it will take a LONG ass time to build up heat with small fires. Keeps the house cooler during summers as well.

[@apuuvah]

For lots of quick heat, we have the metal stoves and cooking stoves, obviously.

[@Zerkbern]

How does the ambient humidity affect drying? I live in the other corner of the states where we have many rainy or cloudy days.

[@muhammadpervez4009]

nice work

[@WarrivarNeo]

Interesting! I have seen some models where the heat is drawn in from the top and pushed out through the bottom, reasons were because apparently the reverse method lets more humidity inside the unit. is there any truth to this?