A solar dehydrator is a passive, electricity-free structure that uses a sun-heated air chute to dry fruit, vegetables, or other food for long-term storage.
Inputs
- Materials: a south-facing solar collector (a plexiglass, acrylic, or polycarbonate-glazed chute with its back painted black to absorb heat) feeding a sealed, insulated cabinet of food-safe mesh screens, with a chimney vent on the opposite side.1
- Siting: the collector must face south (Northern Hemisphere) for maximum sun, with the collector’s angle to the ground tuned to the local latitude and season; sited clear of shading trees, buildings, or landforms.1
- Airtightness is essential for a downdraft design to work: all seams and corners are sealed with silicone caulk and weatherstripping, checked regularly.1