How to Sun Dry Food for Preservation
Sun-drying is one of the most ancient and healthy methods of preserving foods. Through home food preservation, you can enjoy your favorite sun-dried fruits without the added preservatives, colors and flavors of commercially processed foods. Sun-drying your food at home is quite a simple process. It just takes the right tools and a little patience. Follow these easy steps to begin sun-drying your favorite foods today.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
-
-
1
Select the fruits to be sun-dried. If you want to dehydrate meats and/or vegetables, it is best to perform this type of home food preservation indoors with a meat dehydrator or in some other kind of controlled condition.
-
2
Lay out your concrete/aluminum blocks far enough apart to support the rack or screen of your choice.
-
3
Place your one rack/screen on top of the concrete/aluminum blocks.
-
4
Wash and dry your chosen fruit. Remove parts you don't intend to eat and cut, slice or divide the fruit into 1-inch pieces according to your preference.
-
5
Spread the pieces of fruit evenly across the rack/screen.
-
6
Cover the fruit with the other rack/screen. This protects your food from the moisture of the ground and the appetites of local birds and insects. Bring the racks/screens indoors to protect the fruit from condensation caused by the cold night air.
-
7
Allow the fruit to dry on the racks/screens during daylight until it is leathery and pliable. The entire process will take several days, especially if the weather is unpredictable.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Dry, hot, breezy days are best for drying food outdoors. The temperature should be at least 85 degrees Fahrenheit; higher temperatures are even better.
If you live in a highly humid region where the humidity is above 60 percent, then you'll need to choose alternative methods of home food preservation.
Don't let your food get wet. If it rains, bring the fruit indoors until it passes. One spell of rain can ruin an entire batch of fruit you intend to sun-dry.
