Solar Food Dehydrators

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Warm temperatures inside the SunWorks dryer create a convection current that circulates air through the dryer box.
Warm temperatures inside the SunWorks dryer create a convection current that circulates air through the dryer box.
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With increasing interest in healthy eating, sustainable local food supplies and self-reliance, many people are discovering the benefits of a solar food dehydrator.
With increasing interest in healthy eating, sustainable local food supplies and self-reliance, many people are discovering the benefits of a solar food dehydrator.
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Unlike freezing, drying is a preservation method that doesn’t leave your food vulnerable to power outages and mechanical failures.
Unlike freezing, drying is a preservation method that doesn’t leave your food vulnerable to power outages and mechanical failures.
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Drying is an excellent method of food preservation that maintains a high level of flavor and nutrients in these tomatoes.
Drying is an excellent method of food preservation that maintains a high level of flavor and nutrients in these tomatoes.
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Many dried foods, such as these plums, are excellent when eaten plain. In fact, drying can improve the flavor of some foods.
Many dried foods, such as these plums, are excellent when eaten plain. In fact, drying can improve the flavor of some foods.
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You can mix dried fruits, such as these apples, with hot cereal, muesli or granola to add sweetness and nutrients.
You can mix dried fruits, such as these apples, with hot cereal, muesli or granola to add sweetness and nutrients.
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Dried foods store well in airtight containers and will keep for up to one year.
Dried foods store well in airtight containers and will keep for up to one year.
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Most dried vegetables can be quickly and easily rehydrated in soups or by adding a bit more water to some recipes, such as zucchini bread.
Most dried vegetables can be quickly and easily rehydrated in soups or by adding a bit more water to some recipes, such as zucchini bread.
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Peppers are one of the easiest foods to dry and taste better for it.
Peppers are one of the easiest foods to dry and taste better for it.
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The SunWorks solar food dryer.
The SunWorks solar food dryer.
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The New Mexico solar food dryer combines direct and indirect solar heating. Direct sunlight heats the racks of food in the upper part of the dryer, while the corrugated metal absorber plate at the bottom of the dryer promotes indirect heating by creating a convection current of hot air that travels upward through the racks of food.
The New Mexico solar food dryer combines direct and indirect solar heating. Direct sunlight heats the racks of food in the upper part of the dryer, while the corrugated metal absorber plate at the bottom of the dryer promotes indirect heating by creating a convection current of hot air that travels upward through the racks of food.
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This simple solar hot box dries food by capturing solar radiation, which raises the interior temperature of the box.
This simple solar hot box dries food by capturing solar radiation, which raises the interior temperature of the box.

More and more people are recognizing the importance of food quality in their daily lives. The freshest, ripest, tastiest and most nutritious food comes from our own gardens or local farmers. But because these high quality fruits and vegetables are seasonal, you have access to them for only a few weeks or months each year.

What do you plan to eat the rest of the year? Will you rely on industrial foods grown by strangers from all over the world and shipped thousands of miles? With increasing interest in healthy eating, sustainable local food supplies and self-reliance, many people are discovering the benefits of a solar food dehydrator.

Solar food drying is more than a curiosity or hobby — it’s an ideal application for solar energy. Solar radiation passes through the clear glass top of a wooden dehydrator box, then the heat trapped by the box dries the food. The dehydrator also may have an absorber plate inside, which indirectly heats your food and creates a convection current of air that enters a vent at the bottom of the dryer (see image gallery). The cool, fresh air that enters the vent heats up, circulates through the dryer, then exits through a vent at the top. As your food dries, moisture is carried away with the hot air. But do solar food dryers work well? Are they practical? Yes, but first let me put this topic in the context of creating a healthy and sustainable food supply.

Eat in Season Year-round

Food preservation is the key to extending the summer’s precious bounty of locally grown produce throughout the year. If you’re like me, you would prefer a method that’s easier and requires less energy than canning.

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