How to Dry a Coconut Shell

You can use a dried coconut shell as a decoration, a toy for a child's kitchen or other craft projects. After removing the coconut meat and milk, the shell will dry thoroughly in a few days. You can drain the coconut milk into a glass for drinking or using in cooking. You can eat the coconut meat raw or save it for cooking.

Things You'll Need

• Clean nail
• Hammer
• Heavy spoon
• Hack saw with a clean blade
• Butter knife

Instructions

1. Place the nail in one of the three indentations on the outside of the coconut. Use the hammer to drive the nail into the coconut. Drain the coconut milk into a glass for drinking or discard.

2. Place the coconut on a stable surface and use the hacksaw to cut the coconut in half.

3. Use the butter knife to score the white coconut meat into sections that are approximately one inch wide. The cuts should go all the way to the shell.

4. Use the back of a heavy spoon to push the coconut meat away from the shell. Turn the spoon upside down and place the edge between the coconut meat and the shell. Push on the spoon, and the coconut meat will separate easily from the shell in pieces. Use the spoon to scrape all remaining coconut meat from the shell.

5. Place the shell so the inside faces up in an area such as a counter or window with adequate ventilation. The shell should be completely dry in about a week.

Tips & Warnings

• Have one person hold onto the coconut and another person use the saw to make cutting the coconut in half easier.

• Adult supervision and guidance is needed to help children to clean out the coconut shell.