Who among you likes dried meat? Probably faced with the problem of how to make it at home in the apartment. Today we will solve your problem and tell you how to assemble a dryer for meat and food with your own hands. In it you can dry fish, fruits, mushrooms, socks, as well as various other useful things.
To begin with, we will purchase a box with a lid, an M8 threaded rod, an exhaust grate, nuts, washers and a fan.
We glue the adhesive tape along the top of our box and make markings for the holes.
We drill holes with a diameter of 9mm.
We cut the rod into 5 parts and install it in the holes. Fasten with nuts and washers.
We try on the grate for the hood in the far corner of the lid.
And we cut it.
But we replace the fan from the old computer with a fan for forced exhaust. It was possible from a computer, but the power is too small and I don’t really want to mess with the power supply.
We cut a hole for the fan and drill holes for fasteners.
We fix the fan.
And at the output we get this design.
You can dry everything you want in it. Need heating? Add a reptile heating mat to the structure. You feel hot? Freeze water in plastic bottles, fill a drawer with them and you are provided with air conditioning for the night. Dry the mushrooms - replace the rods with removable grills.
It turned out to be a very useful bag. Overall, assembly took a couple of hours. For the money came to 1300r., But it can be cheaper.
A meat dryer is a great opportunity to prepare a delicious snack, which can then be used as an appetizer or as an addition to main dishes. Dried chicken pieces (often called jerks) are convenient to take with you on a hike or fishing trip - their shelf life is quite long. In the Made in Dream online store you can buy a meat dryer in Moscow with delivery or pickup.
When choosing a dryer for meat, you need to pay attention to several important characteristics at once.
It is necessary to dry and dry meat products at a temperature of at least 70 ° C. In addition, it should not change or deviate from the specified one, so when choosing a dehydrator, pay special attention to this characteristic.
It is best to purchase a dehydrator with horizontal airflow, as it has uniform heating. You can be very disappointed in vertical round dryers, because often the temperature of the upper and lower trays can differ by almost 2 times. Especially if the product is cheap. That is why an electric dryer with horizontal blowing is an ideal option.
It is necessary to dry the meat for quite a long period of time. As a rule, it is from 4 to 12 hours. This is a very useful feature, because you can leave at any time to do household chores, and the dehydrator will turn itself off when cooking is completed.
The square horizontal dehydrators offer the most uniform drying of the competition. This indicator allows the ingredients to dry at the same speed. The thing is that the fan is located at the back, so the flow of warm air goes along all the trays and dries them evenly. In round dehydrators, as you know, the flow goes from bottom to top, and the upper trays have a higher temperature than the lower ones. Raw materials dry faster, but products from the lower ones do not keep pace with the upper ones, so there can be no question of any uniformity.
As a rule, people dry small pieces of meat or chicken (2-5 cm long or 1-3 cm thick). It is no wonder that such small pieces can fall through the mesh, so you can find special meshes for small products in the kit.
Sprinkle any spices.
To taste: pepper, salt, sauce
tabasco, liquid smoke.
Putting the meat in the dryer
for 5-8 hours at 70°С
until ready.
From vegetables and fruits, a huge amount of vitamins enters our body. Therefore, they must be included in the diet daily, throughout the year. But if in summer it is not a problem to find fresh vegetables and fruits, then in winter you will not find them during the day with fire. That is why stocks of dried apples, pears, bananas and so on are made. And to make drying easier and faster, many housewives purchase special dehydrator dryers. So that the choice of this wonderful unit does not cause you problems, we decided to rank the best models.
Although the principle of operation of these two devices is the same (drying occurs due to a directed air flow of a certain temperature), the output products are very different.
Design conventional dryers extremely simple: fruits and vegetables are placed on mesh pallets and stacked in layers. The fan located below or above blows hot air, thereby drying the products placed on the pallets. The disadvantages of this design are the uneven distribution of air flows (to get to the upper tier, the air flow makes its way through the lower ones, thereby losing temperature) and the absence of an elementary thermostat.
Dehydrators in turn, they are equipped with a thermostat that allows you to set the temperature to 38 degrees Celsius (the optimum temperature for preserving all the beneficial vitamins). And for an even distribution of the air flow, the design provides special air channels that allow you to dry fruits and vegetables at the same temperature (while maintaining enzymes).
If you want to prepare products with maximum benefit, we recommend using the following table:
The variety of dehydrators is now quite large. Choosing a good option on your own is not so easy, so we decided to make a small guide for buyers. What should you pay attention to when choosing a dryer (dehydrator)?
convection type heating products is more common. The principle of operation of such a dryer is based on the circulation of warm air inside the case due to fans. The disadvantage of this type is the high noise level.
infrared(IR) imitate the effect of sunlight on products, plus they save a significant part of the electricity (infrared emitters heat the products, not the air in the device) and additionally perform bactericidal treatment. A significant disadvantage is the high price.
It is impossible to unequivocally answer which type is better, since everyone prefers one or another option, depending on their preferences.
There are 2 main types of tray arrangement: horizontal and vertical.
Benefits vertical can be considered compact size and relatively low price. At the same time, there will be a few more minuses: to check the readiness, you need to disassemble the structure, the smells of different products can mix, pieces of fruits and vegetables (if it is located at the bottom) can get on the fan.
Horizontal, as a rule, dry more evenly, it is much easier to check doneness, and smells do not mix due to the lack of holes. However, there are also disadvantages here: they are quite expensive, and additional trays cannot be added (this should be taken care of at the time of purchase).
If you don't want to faint later because of your energy bills, then you should pay attention to this parameter. As a rule, standard electric dryers consume about 250-1000 watts. Since they work without interruption for almost 20 hours, it makes sense to calculate the monthly costs.
Required to adjust the temperature inside the machine. If you do not want to destroy all useful trace elements, then we recommend setting the temperature below 40 ° C. See the table above for details.
In this list, we have included the best dehydrator dryers, which we selected from popular models according to the following parameters: build quality, price, customer reviews, equipment and much more.
The Snackmaker FD500 is a device of the well-known New Zealand company Hydraflow, which always shows a high quality index of its products. This has become possible thanks to the constant modernization of equipment, the improvement of the quality of materials and constant quality control.
What features can boast of FD500? Firstly, the complete set, which includes 5 pallets, is ideal for a typical family of 3-4 people. But if this is not enough for you, pallets can always be added (up to 15 pieces). Secondly, 3 temperature modes for drying a wide range of products (greens, vegetables, fruits, meat, berries and much more). Thirdly, the dehydrator is made of food-grade ABS plastic and polycarbonate, and double thermal insulation retains heat perfectly.
What is included in the Ezidri Snackmaker FD500 Basic Kit:
For everyday home use, this is probably the best option available on the market today. A well-thought-out air circulation system will not only preserve 85% of the useful properties of the products, but also give them a richer taste and aroma.
We gave the second place to a Chinese brand with a German history - Zimber. With the ZM-11025 / ZM-11026 dryer, not only greens, fruits and vegetables, but also yogurt preparation will be available for cooking. For this, the kit provides for the presence of 6 yogurt makers.
Convective type provides for uniform distribution of air flow inside the device. To do this, a metal pipe with holes through which air passes is located in the middle, thereby ensuring the same distribution of heat at all levels. You won't need to swap trays for proper drying. The transparent walls of the case will allow you to observe everything that happens, you will be sure that your products have not dried out.
Complete set of dehydrator-yogurt maker Zimber ZM-11025 / ZM-11026:
With Zimber ZM-11025 / ZM-11026 you can cook almost anything. Temperature conditions from 35°C to 70°C allow you to prepare dried fruits for the winter with maximum benefit.
Domestic-made dryers also constantly delight us with their quality and efficiency. That is why we put BelOMO 8360 of Belarusian production in third place.
In BelOMO 8360, using a mechanical switch, you can adjust the heating temperature (from 35°C to 75°C). To save energy, the device turns off when the set temperature is reached, then turns on again when it decreases. In addition, the dehydrator provides protection against overheating, smooth temperature adjustment and a tray for making marshmallows. 5 sections for drying are enough for a small family, and thanks to its compact size, the device can be conveniently placed in the kitchen.
Device complete set:
The BelOMO 8360 electric dryer works according to the convective type. The warm air flow created by the fan evenly enters the wall of the pallet and absorbs all excess moisture. This method of drying products is very effective because it retains the maximum amount of useful elements. All elements are made of heat-resistant environmentally friendly plastic, so dried fruits do not react with it.
The Polaris PFD 0605D dehydrator dryer is great for domestic use, it copes well with small volumes of fruits, vegetables, berries, herbs and mushrooms. A convenient temperature control system and a timer allow you to set the required mode as accurately as possible, depending on the number of loaded products and the degree of their drying.
Particular convenience when using the dryer is achieved due to plastic transparent pallets, which provide a good overview, do not heat up, and are easily installed at your workplace. The slatted base of the pallets perfectly lets warm air flow through, but even small berries and chopped fruits are perfectly retained.
Device complete set:
Powerful and efficient, the Dehydrator Dryer is perfect for drying a wide variety of foods, from fruits and mushrooms to fish and meat. A special air distribution system allows you to dry all these products at the same time, without mixing odors. High-quality food-grade plastic is completely safe, has no foreign odors and does not emit harmful substances, including when heated. The dryer provides for the possibility of making marshmallows, for which special pallets are used that do not allow the liquid mass to pass through.
The device is equipped with a timer for 48 hours, in increments of 1 hour and a temperature controller, in increments of 1 degree. This allows you to set the required operating mode personally for each product, from the minimum for drying herbs, berries, chopped fruits to the most comfortable 70 ° C for meat or fish.
Mechanically controlled convection dryer Rotor СШ-002 copes with almost any product, from apples and herbs to melons, tomatoes and plums. Drying of meat and fish is allowed, a special tray is used for making marshmallows.
The device has a simple control - just select the required temperature, depending on the product used, and plug the device into the socket. The high power of the device ensures high-quality and uniform heating of the air and its proper circulation, there is no need to rearrange the trays or mix the products inside the dryer.
Device complete set:
СШ-002 is made of high-quality components, the case is made of durable plastic, resistant to heat and mechanical stress. The dryer differs in high reliability and durability.
Stylish, beautiful and convenient dryer-dehydrator RAWMID Dream Vitamin DDV-07 will become a reliable assistant in the harvest season. With its help, you can dry almost any vegetables and fruits, providing an excellent supply of vitamins for the whole winter.
The device is presented in the original design - it is a black cube with sliding shelves and a flap lid located on the front panel. Through such a transparent shutter it is convenient to observe the drying process. Inside the drying chamber there is a fan with which hot air is distributed evenly throughout the space. Fruits, berries and mushrooms are laid out on special metal grates that easily slide along the runners inside the dryer. Additional equipment includes nets for herbs and plastic trays for marshmallows.
Device complete set:
The dryer is equipped with an electronic control system on which you can select the operating time and temperature. The timer will automatically turn off the device at the end of the mode.
The compact and inexpensive dryer SUPRA DFS-523 is easy to use and quite efficient. Despite its small dimensions, it has sufficient power for drying vegetables and fruits with a high water content. The trays have different heights, making it convenient to dry both large vegetables and small berries, chopped fruits, and herbs at the same time.
The dryer is presented in an interesting design, it will look attractive in any kitchen. The presence of a timer and temperature control ensures independent operation of the device and automatic shutdown when the desired result is achieved. Due to the small size of the containers, drying is very fast and high quality, hot air is evenly distributed throughout the entire space of the dryer.
A simple, convenient and efficient electric dryer Katrina Samobranka 50 * 75 will help you easily and easily dry vegetables and fruits, cook breadcrumbs, fish chips, marshmallows, make vitamin preparations for the winter from berries, nuts, herbs.
This unit is highly reliable and durable. The design of such a dryer is extremely simple - it is a special plastic mat with a metal wire inside, thanks to which heating is provided. The tablecloth is perfectly safe and very comfortable. In the process of heating, the wire evenly distributes heat over the entire surface, drying the products with the same intensity.
The electric dryer is easy to use, it is enough to lay it out on a flat surface and connect it to the mains. After use, it is enough to wipe the tablecloth with a damp sponge. You can store it rolled up or unfolded.
Ezidri Ultra FD 1000 is one of the most convenient and productive devices for drying fish, vegetables, mushrooms and other products. It has a high power that allows you to create uniform heating of 30 trays with a diameter of 39 cm. High-quality air circulation at all levels ensures an excellent result of dehumidification, regardless of the products used.
It's no secret that I make almost all the blanks in the Vigor electric dryer.
It is equipped with a heating element, a fan and a rheostat. When the rheostat operates at the set temperature, the heater and the fan are turned off.
In the case of the minimum set temperatures, switching on is too rare, and many types of recipes just need to be dried at room temperature.
Drying just in the breeze is too long, so I decided to assemble my dryer from improvised means.
The main elements of the future dryer were: a plastic container and a fan lying around in the garage.
A hole is cut in the edge of the container according to the size of the fan.
The fan is fastened by friction. Additional reinforcement made of silver tape.
Holes are cut under the lid of the container into which I inserted pieces of a round glazing bead - these are the crossbars to which the meat will then be hung.
The future basturma is hung on strings in front of the fan. Then the top is closed with a lid. I loosely covered with foil leaving a hole for air to escape.
As a result, we get a closed volume with constantly circulating air. At the same time, such a fan is very quiet and can be driven around the clock. The drying time of basturma is significantly reduced, and various insects and animals will not get to the meat.
At the same time, there is no heating, and therefore the meat does not dry out. This is especially true for sausages from which fat is rendered when heated.
In principle, if there is a desire to dry something with simultaneous heating, the dryer can be supplemented with a 50-watt incandescent lamp.
Here is such a fairly easy-to-make dryer I got.
In the following articles, there will be recipes for beef basturma and dry-cured sausage dried in this dryer.
A self-assembled dryer for vegetables and fruits will become an indispensable assistant for a summer resident during the harvesting and processing season. The global network and the experience of craftsmen offer many such projects, a small part of them can be found here.
With the help of a dryer, you can stock up on tasty and healthy preparations for the winter from meat, fish, mushrooms, herbs, vegetables and, of course, fruits.
Drying or curing fresh food is one of the oldest and still popular methods of preservation. Since people first thought about harvesting food for the future, many drying methods have been accumulated.
The first and earliest version of such harvesting is the use of solar energy. Its main advantage is the minimum cost. You will need inexpensive pan material and occasional agitation to keep the product from sticking together.
But there is a minus, which largely devalues all the advantages of this method. Requires even sunny weather, and there are not so many such days in our conditions.
A later, but also an old method, the use of a Russian stove. Several bricks are laid inside, on which a baking sheet with greens, fruits, berries, mushrooms, and other fruits is placed. Alternatively, the same products are hung in bunches near the stove. However, in these conditions, the oven is not in every home.
With the advent of gas stoves, a similar principle of conservation began to be used in city apartments. A baking sheet or grate is installed in the oven, the process takes place on low heat with the door open. With all the pluses, you have to pay for gas, it's not too expensive, but still a minus for the family budget.
A more effective option is a homemade dryer, assembled from available funds according to one of the proven schemes. With this method, a number of nuances are observed, without which it is impossible to preserve the nutritional properties of any product. In this case:
Wherein retains most of the vitamins and nutrients, minimizes the risk of botulism, the bacteria of which multiply in a humid environment, and reduces the risk of mold development.
To ensure the above conditions and the desired result, a home-made drying unit must meet certain technical requirements:
If necessary and if possible, the device can be equipped with heaters and thermostats, electric fans, and other equipment that will make its use more efficient and comfortable.
Do-it-yourself dryers are classified in the same way as their factory counterparts. First of all, they need to be divided into devices using solar energy and electrical apparatus equipped with heaters and fans. The first are different
With all the variety of such devices, their design is generally of the same type. This is a cabinet of different sizes, usually made of wood, with ventilation holes, glass walls around the perimeter or on one side for heat to enter. A more complex device is possessed by their counterparts using electricity. According to the principle of operation, they are divided into conventional electric dryers of the convective or infrared heating method and dehydrators, where the function of fine temperature adjustment is provided, which leads to complete dehydration of the product.
In this embodiment, drying occurs with a directed flow of heated air. The design provides for a ten, which can be located above, below or in a horizontal plane.
The easiest way to make such an apparatus is to assemble the chamber, install a heater and a fan heater in it. However, the quality of processing becomes a victim of constructive simplicity. The fruits are dried on the outside, keeping moisture in the core. They are not suitable for long-term storage, as they quickly become moldy, creating a risk of botulism infection. This disadvantage can be minimized by a longer drying time, but this leads to the loss of a significant part of the useful properties and increases energy consumption.
These devices use infrared radiation, the effect of which is as close as possible to the sun. The impact occurs more evenly, vitamins and microelements are better preserved. Drying results are better suited for longer shelf life.
A serious plus in favor of this variety is low energy consumption. But here there is a higher risk of error, overdrying of products and loss of their beneficial properties.
It is more difficult to assemble such a device, you will have to choose a suitable infrared emitter and choose a scheme for its correct placement.
Translated into human language, installations of this type are called a dehydrator. It is for the maximum elimination of moisture that the design of these devices is designed. Despite the fact that conventional dryers are often called the same term, the difference between them lies in the presence of a thermostat that controls the temperature.
Thanks to such constructive improvements, drying takes place under optimal conditions in a tolerably short time. Such a device best suited for withering beef, pork or fish. Result: as free from moisture as possible, evenly dried, able to retain consumer properties until the next harvest and longer. But to assemble a dehydrator with your own hands, you can’t do it with improvised means, you will need additional equipment.
You need to start making your own drying unit with a drawing and preparing the necessary tools. For the simplest designs, an approximate diagram is sufficient; more complex ones will require detailed study of individual elements of the device. The set of tools also depends on the complexity of the project, but most likely the mandatory items on the list will be:
Materials are also selected based on the project and the selected type of device. For the convective model you will need:
For the case of an infrared device, the same materials are suitable, but instead of tenons or lamps with fans, you will need to purchase:
The simplest designs are assembled from a minimum set of components. These are all the same wooden materials for the case, in addition to which glass or polycarbonate is required.
Since the solar and electric varieties of the dryer have enough design nuances, it is necessary to consider the assembly sequence of each of them separately.
The simplest version of such a structure consists of a plywood case with glass doors and shelves inside. It is installed on the sunny side at an angle so that the heat affects the inner chamber as much as possible.
To assemble the electrical version, you can not assemble the cabinet from scratch. An old cabinet or a small cabinet of sufficient size is quite suitable. Some craftsmen adapt old refrigerators for this purpose. Consider the option from the cabinet, as the easiest in terms of labor costs.
As you can see, in order to build a dryer with your own hands, you do not need to make special efforts, and there are many benefits from this device. You can make a dryer yourself from scrap materials without spending a lot of money. Use our tips and instructions and enjoy vitamins at any time of the year.
