Food Dehydrator

Paradox: Using water to dry food.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Food drying
• prepping
• dehydrating
• Jerky

[danman911]

You could save some energy by replacing that fan with a 12volt car radiator fan. I used one and a 12 volt boat bilge pump to make my swamp cooler run off one 100 watt solar cell. Love your stuff.

[engineer775]

@danman911 Awesome! That would be perfect! Thanks man! I will start looking or unhooking one to try asap. I was talking to a buddy about that but the car fan is perfect. Is your swamp cooler on your site? This is really cool getting feedback and ideas. I have been pluggin along for about 10 years on stuff but now is the time to get serious!

[Blackoutx86]

Have you seen solar dehydrators? Might be something that interests you.

[engineer775]

@Blackoutx86 sure have. I went with hot water because this is something I always have from the outdoor wood heater. I have had it running continuously now for 3 yrs and have come up with a lot of uses. A friend brought me an entire deer to jerky and I couldn't have done it in a solar dryer as the weather here has been cloudy for days. I can run my dehydrator anytime and it gives me the consistent temp I need when making jerky. Solar is great but very limited .

[jknacasual]

That should come in handy in spring with a garden! Good design.

[engineer775]

@jknacasual Yep. It is easier for me to hit the temperature range for vegetables ( 130-140 F) than it is Jerky ( 145 + so I am looking forward to drying veggies. Last year we had pretty god success at drying tomatoes and corn.  Take care!

[jeremeyweeks]

What kind of radiator is that?

[danman911]

Hey send me an email address and I can send you a PDF of complete plans for the solar swamp cooler.

[idospas1]

I just added you and love your videos. Thank you for all your work. Would love to see some video of your wife dehydrating food. I'm researching that for my family now. Thanks,

Jody

ps. loved the video of your kids with the chickens <3

[slowtaknow]

sootch00 sent me!