Homemade Fruit Dehydrators

Dried fruits

Drying fruit doesn't require any special equipment. You can achieve the desired result by placing prepared fruits on oven racks and slowly drying them in the oven at temperatures between 120 degrees and 150 degrees F. Drying is complete when all moisture is removed.

You can fashion solar dehydrators from wooden, plastic or metal racks covered with muslin or cheesecloth. Allow the fruit to dry in the sun each day until the moisture is gone. Bring it in the house at night.

You can craft electric dryers with a few materials and a little work.

Things You'll Need

• Masking tape
• 150-watt light bulb
• Small lamp
• 2-inch wide heavy Styrofoam strips
• Non-flammable glue
• Utility knife
• Measuring tape
• Foil or aluminum cookie trays
• Large, sturdy, closeable cardboard box
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Measure the inside length of the box with a measuring tape. Cut Styrofoam strips with the utility knife to measurement. You'll need two strips for each pan.

2. Place glue on one side of each strip and secure them into place directly across from each other. Continue this process until you have enough parallel tracks to accommodate the number of pans you will use. Leave at least 2 inches between racks. Let the tracks dry in place.

3. Cover the entire interior of the box, flaps and tracks included, with foil, secured by masking tape.

4. Cut a hole in the bottom or top of the box with the utility knife. Make it large enough to accommodate the rim of the light fixture. Pop the rim into the box and screw in the light bulb from inside the box.

5. Prepare fruit for drying and place it on the dehydrating trays. Put the trays into position on the tracks and close the box.

6. Plug in the light fixture to begin drying. Dry for 10 to 20 hours, constantly monitoring for progress and safety.

7. Disconnect the light from the power source when drying is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Use four trays or fewer for best drying results.

• Arrange fruit in a single layer per tray with space between them for air circulation.

• Wash and dry the fruit before further preparation. Use only the freshest fruit.

• Slice fruit in uniform pieces. Thin slices will dry quicker.

• Remove pits from pitted fruit before drying.

• Brush on an ascorbic acid and water mixture before drying to prevent fruit discoloration and loss of flavor.

• Use disposable foil cookie trays with holes poked in the bottom for best drying results.

• Never leave a homemade electric dehydrator unattended in case of fire.

References

• Alpha Rubicon: Preparation Information/Dehydrator
• College of Agriculture: University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign: Drying/Dry Food Methods
• Country Farms Lifestyles: Drying Fruit