How to Make a Food Drying Rack

Drying, or dehydrating, is one of the oldest, traditional means of preserving food, especially excess fruits and vegetables from the garden. Using the sun to accomplish the drying is an energy-efficient and time-honored way of dehydration. A food drying rack that can be used for solar dehydration is simple to make and can be completed in an afternoon.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 8 1-by-2s 18 inches long
• Nails or wood screws
• Hammer or drill
• 2 24-inch squares of aluminum screening
• Staple gun and staples
• Cheesecloth

1. Work on a large, flat surface, and place the eight 1-by-2s on edge.

2. Use four of the 1-by-2s and arrange them in a square shape, making the corners flush and even. Do the same with the remaining 1-by-2s, making a second square.

3. Secure the corners of the squares using nails or wood screws.

4. Stretch a 24-inch square of aluminum screening over each of the wooden squares. Secure the screening tightly to the frames using a staple gun and staples.

5. Lay a sheet of cheesecloth over the screening of one drying rack. Place the food to be dried on the cheesecloth, and cover by placing the second frame on top. Set the entire assembly in a level, warm, sunny area to dry the food.

Tips & Warnings

• Multiple racks can be stacked on top of each other if the harvest is large. Choose a location that will receive full sun on a hot, dry day for quicker dehydration. High humidity can cause the foods to mold during the drying process. Most fruits and vegetables can be dehydrated. The amount of time needed for the process varies depending on the natural moisture content of the food.

References

• The Encyclopedia of Country Living: an Old Fashioned Recipe Book; Carla Emery; 2003
• 9.8.2 Dehydrated fruits and vegetables

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