DIY Solar Food Dehydrator Plans

Nearly two decades of expert testing and experimentation have resulted in DIY solar food dehydrator plans that aren't just efficient and off-grid — but also highly cost-effective.

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by John R. Craft
Dennis Scanlin stands behind his solar food dehydrator--a highly tested design that will dry 10 pounds of food in only two sunny days.

Nearly two decades of expert testing and experimentation have resulted in DIY solar food dehydrator plans that aren’t just efficient and off-grid — but also highly cost-effective.

For nearly 20 years, I’ve led research teams as founder and coordinator of the Appropriate Technology Program at Appalachian State University. We’ve conducted many original experiments to produce a design for the best food dehydrator you’re likely to find anywhere. Yes, this dryer is supersized — about 6 feet tall and 7 feet long — but it’s on wheels and thus moves easily, can dry large amounts of food quickly and is a must-have for off-grid living. If you have a big garden or buy bulk produce, this solar dehydrator will help you keep up with food preservation all summer and into fall. If you live in a cloudy or humid region, you can add heat from light bulbs to improve its operation. Anyone with basic woodworking skills can tackle these plans. Here you’ll find complete lists of materials and tools, plus step-by-step instructions.

How a Solar Dehydrator Works

Drying is an excellent way to preserve produce, but exposing fruits and vegetables to direct light can cause vitamin loss. This design relies on indirect solar power, meaning the drying food is not exposed to the sun but instead to solar-heated air. Our dryer takes advantage of the natural process of rising hot air to operate efficiently without any electric fans.

As you can see in the detailed drawing, the design includes a long, angled wooden box covered with clear plastic glazing and an open bottom end for air intake. Inside, the box holds diagonal layers of black metal screen. The vertical drying chamber on top has a back door to access food-drying trays inside.

  • Updated on Jul 27, 2022
  • Originally Published on May 9, 2014
Tagged with: build, dehydrate, dried food, food preservation, solar, solar dehydrator
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