A solar dehydrator made from a single cardboard box.
How to Make a Solar Dehydrator With a Box by Open-Source-Imports
https://thediyjunky.com/@open-source-imports/cardboard-box-solar-dehydrator
Licence: CC-BY-SA-4.0
Adapted from: https://www.appropedia.org/Cómo_hacer_un_deshidratador_solar_con_una_caja
Original author: Philip Schenone (User:Sophivorus)
Original licence: CC-BY-SA-4.0
Contributors: Emilio
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Example box size | 50 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm |
How to make a solar dehydrator from a single cardboard box (and a few other materials).
This build is translated from the Spanish original on Appropedia. The source page is a photo gallery with a short caption per step; the steps below follow it exactly.
| Part | Size / spec | Qty | Unit cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large box | In this example 50 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm | 1 box | — |
| Roll of aluminium foil | 10 metres should be more than enough | 1 roll | — |
| Acetate sheet | At least the size of the largest face of the box (here 50 cm x 40 cm) | 1 sheet | — |
| Piece of mesh, mosquito netting or similar | At least the size of the longest side of the box | 1 piece | — |
| Wooden slats | To build the base | 1 set | — |
Required total: ≥ $0.00
5 part(s) have no price recorded, so the total is a floor.
Open the box
Open the box
Cut the box as the diagram shows and glue A to A.
Cut the box as the diagram shows and glue A to A.
Glue aluminium foil over what will be the base.
Glue aluminium foil over what will be the base.
Fold where the diagram indicates.
Fold where the diagram indicates.
Glue to form the base.
Glue to form the base.
Make holes in the bottom of the base with a pencil.
Make holes in the bottom of the base with a pencil.
Cut a hole in what will be the lid.
Cut a hole in what will be the lid.
Fold where the diagram indicates. The folds should be 1 cm outside the natural folds of the box, so that the base fits into the lid.
Fold where the diagram indicates. The folds should be 1 cm outside the natural folds of the box, so that the base fits into the lid.
Glue to form the lid.
Glue to form the lid.
Make holes with a pencil along one of the long sides of the lid.
Make holes with a pencil along one of the long sides of the lid.
Cut a piece of mesh the size of the base or lid.
Cut a piece of mesh the size of the base or lid.
Build a wooden frame the size of the mesh.
Build a wooden frame the size of the mesh.
Glue the mesh onto the frame.
Glue the mesh onto the frame.
Place the frame inside the base and put whatever is to be dehydrated on top.
Place the frame inside the base and put whatever is to be dehydrated on top.
Cover and expose to the sun at an angle.
Cover and expose to the sun at an angle.
If too much water condenses, tilt it more, or enlarge the holes, or add holes to the lid.
If too much water condenses, tilt it more, or enlarge the holes, or add holes to the lid.