I Built a Dehydrating Thingamajiger
I was reading up on how to dry fruits and veggies outdoors in the sun the last few months.
Lots of websites say that you need to place the veggies on a screen, with a screen over the top of them (but that layer not touching them) to keep the fruit flies and things like that away....so I decided that with some of my leftover boards, I'd make myself a crude little dehydrating tool.
I just happened to have some screen laying around, so after I cut the boards with a handsaw and then built the frame, I stapled the screen around the top, and then the bottom layer. The top layer, I left one side open and have a flap that goes over. This way I can stick the stuff in but the bugs can't get in.
Around the edges, I didn't rely only on staples...I decided to use some packing tape to make sure it was sealed well enough to keep any tiny little bugs out....
Voila, I have a dehydrator. Or something close.
I'm planning to dry figs, apples, pears, blueberries, and pretty much whatever else I can get my hands on.
If you decide to make one for yourself, you need to know that you are supposed to take the veggies/fruits in every night, to prevent them from getting wet from the dew in the morning.
I'll be sure to post about it when I have dried some fruits with this thing!
Lots of websites say that you need to place the veggies on a screen, with a screen over the top of them (but that layer not touching them) to keep the fruit flies and things like that away....so I decided that with some of my leftover boards, I'd make myself a crude little dehydrating tool.
I just happened to have some screen laying around, so after I cut the boards with a handsaw and then built the frame, I stapled the screen around the top, and then the bottom layer. The top layer, I left one side open and have a flap that goes over. This way I can stick the stuff in but the bugs can't get in.
Around the edges, I didn't rely only on staples...I decided to use some packing tape to make sure it was sealed well enough to keep any tiny little bugs out....
Voila, I have a dehydrator. Or something close.
I'm planning to dry figs, apples, pears, blueberries, and pretty much whatever else I can get my hands on.
If you decide to make one for yourself, you need to know that you are supposed to take the veggies/fruits in every night, to prevent them from getting wet from the dew in the morning.
I'll be sure to post about it when I have dried some fruits with this thing!
My older sister Tammy (Tammys Recipes) sent me to your site yesterday, and I have really enjoyed what I have read so far.
I sit here in awe of all your energy. Tammy said you sound kind of like me. If you're bubbily and overly exciteable and enough energy for 5 people, I guess that'd be true. (LOL)
I love your writing style and I love that you have a daughter with my name. =)
~ Bonnie
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Bonnie, it is great to hear from you! I was actually just browsing your blog the other day, after clicking from Tammy's site.
You probably have more energy than I do, as you're younger, but I definitely am always looking forward to what kind of project I can start next!
Thanks for the kind words, and I'm glad to "meet" you!
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Bethany,
I've just read the recent posts and I am dizzy by everything you have been doing. Where do you get your energy? If I had actually finished one of your projects, I would be taking it easy for next ten days! You are amazing!
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My goodness! Your cold didn't slow you down much
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Valerie, it's hanging from a tree because I didn't know where else to hang it. Today, I propped it up in the sun between two boxes.
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Wow that is the neatest looking thing. I am anxious to hear how your food drying goes on it! It looks like fun!
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Where do you get all these ideas? Is there a website for the instructions for the dehydrator? I never thought of doing projects like these myself. I would usually leave things like this up to my husband. Can you include more of how and what you dehydrate, along with recipes?
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I'm curious to hear how the dehydrating goes. I've never tried it but have always been interested in it. The dehydrator you built looks simple enough so I might give it a try.
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You're inspiring! I love reading about all the projects you take on and your love of learning.
I can't wait until I have more fruits/veggies to work with. Our two fig trees aren't big enough yet to bear fruit, but in a month or so our apples will be ready and I'm going to use you as a guide on how to preserve them for use throughout the year. Thanks for the inspiration!
-Beulah
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Hi! I found your site through Simply Cara...and sooooo glad I did! I've also been reading about making my own dehydrator, but all the instructions I've found so far are way too much work to make it worth my while....until I saw yours! Thanks for sharing!
....off to read about all your canning recipes!
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