How to Make Your Own Dehydrator

Dehydrators can be used to dry almost any type of food. When the moisture is taken out of food, it can be stored with minimal packaging and without refrigeration for a long period of time. If you are a hiker or backpacker, or just a person who likes to have lightweight, nutritious snacks on hand, a dehydrator is a must-have device. They are also useful for drying bumper crops of backyard fruits and vegetables for use in the winter.

Things You'll Need

• 20-by-12-by-12-inch cardboard box (large enough to fit cookie trays in) with open/close flaps
• Aluminum foil
• Double-sided tape
• 150 Watt lightbulb
• Ceramic light fixture and socket with cord
• Cookie sheets
• 3/4" wooden dowels (25" long)
• Box cutter

Instructions

1. Line the entire inside of the box, including the flaps, with aluminum foil. Keep it in place with the double-sided tape. Try not to let any of the tape show.

2. Put the light bulb into the ceramic light fixture socket. Place it in a corner in the bottom of the box. Cut a hole in the box just big enough to pull the cord through. Screw the ceramic light fixture to the cardboard box. Put duct tape over the screws to help secure them in place.

3. Put the box on its side so that the open side is facing you and you can see inside of it. The lightbulb and ceramic fixture should be on the bottom left or right of the box at this point.

4. Measure and mark spots for the wooden dowels which will eventually hold the cookie sheets. The first set of dowels should go about a half-inch above the light fixture. Only two dowels are needed for each layer. Measure about three inches up and two inches in from the back right corner. Do the same on the front right corner and on the corners on the left-hand side. Make the marks on the outside of the box. Cut holes where you made the marks and insert the dowels so they run lengthwise from one side of the box to the other.

5. Measure up from the first set of dowel hole 1.5 inches for the next set of dowel holes. They should be the same distance apart as the first set. You will be able to fit four layers of dowels comfortably in the box. The cookie sheets should be inserted through the open side of the box and rest on the dowels.

Tips & Warnings

• Close the flaps on the open side of the box when you turn on the light to dehydrate the food.

References

• Homemade dehydrator
• Dehydrator recipes