Second and third solar dehydrator runs

My first try at the solar dehydrator had resulted in tasty but blackened peach slices. My second and third tries created perfectly dehydrated peaches and apples.

I scarfed down a fair amount of the dried fruit. However the point is to dehydrate fruit while it's in season (and cheap) so that I can eat it year round. I put the rest in baggies, labeled with contents and dates, into the freezer. That puts them out of sight, out of mind, and guarantees that they'll be fresh just in case the dehydration isn't enough. I need to also dehydrate a batch and leave it unfrozen to test how long it lasts, but I'm not sure how to keep myself from eating it in the meantime...

 

First solar dehydrator test

I wanted a solar dehydrator so that I could put fresh fruit into storage without using electricity or gas. Some months back I was able to make a trade with a dog training client - he bought the supplies and put it together for me in exchange for training lessons. I waited until a harvest of fresh organic fruit was on sale at the grocery store to test it out. Finally, peaches arrived!

And the dehydrator worked TOO well. Due to a busy schedule, I left them inside for about 36 hours, on a day that reached a high of nearly 100 degrees.

Surprisingly, the blackness is mostly cosmetic - they still taste like peaches, just a little less so than the non-burned slices.

Besides figuring out the optimal temperature and length of time for various types of fruit, there's one more thing I need to do. If you look closely at the first picture, you'll see that the lid does not sit flush with the frames that hold the screens. It used to, but the wood has warped a bit during its time in storage. I purchased silicone sealant to close off a couple of spots where the wire came away from its frame, and foam weather stripping to seal the gaps between the frames and lid. That will keep bugs away from my precious fruit!

Dehydrating fruit

I've been experimenting with dehydrating apples and peaches in the oven.

I'm still working out the timing - not so dehydrated that they turn into crisps, but enough to prevent mold for a few months at least.

Unfortunately the resulting fruit is so yummy that none of it has lasted more than a week so far.

Rabbit jerky and fur

I made some rabbit jerky by dehydrating in the oven overnight. I didn't flavor it since I wanted to first test the technique, so it's pretty bland. I ate a bit but mostly I'll use this batch for dog treats.

On the plus side, it's a good way to use up the belly flaps of the rabbit, which some people love but I think are too tough.

Meanwhile, I have 4 skins that have finished drying and are ready for whenever I'll have time to work with them.