First I want to say that the design is NOT my idea. I saw it in this thread on mycotopia.net. All credit goes to joystik. Thank you!

I decided to build the same device myself and though it would be good to make a pictorial. After all the shroomery community has helped me so much. It's time for me to do something good as well.
So here it is:
The cheap, home made mushroom dehydrator
The material you will need are:
2 plastic bins(get transparent if you can, as it makes the cutting process much easier)
1 computer fan
1 piece of fine metal/plastic net (plastic is probably better, because the humidity might make the metal rust.
Some Wires
Glue

Equipment for the assembly:
Drilling machine
Small drill
Screwdriver
Paper knife
Silicon pistol

Quote:

The principle of this Dehydrator  is based in a continuous circulating air flow
inside a sealed chamber divided into 2 sections,
one section where the air is dehumidified (by the desiccant  )
and the other one where air is re-humidified (by our shrooms).

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So first you need to mark where you need to cut. I used the fan to measure, so that there is enough space. Don't forget you need to leave some space for the desiccant. You might want to cut 1 or 2 cm higher then the edge of the fan, just to be sure everything fits. (little less than an inch)



The next part is cutting the bottom of the bin. I used a sharp knife.

To cut evenly I used a rubber band to lead me while cutting.

Than you need to take the bottom and attach the fan and drill the holes for air circulation.

I used the fan to mark where to cut a whole in the bottom lid. The easiest way to remove the platic, without cracking the it is first to drill many wholes, not exactly next to the mark and then, using a paper-knife, to cut trough the plastic that's left.



After you have made the whole, carefully form the edges with the paper knife.

The result should be something like that:


The next step is to cut the net. I did it with scissors. Try to cut something that fits well on the fan, and covers the hole well.



Mount it carefully on the lid. Make sure that the fan blows from the desiccant in the direction of the chamber where the wet mushroom are.

Some wholes on the side are needed so that wet air can go back to the desiccant chamber and be dried.

After that you can mount the bottom to the bin. I used some glue to eliminate any chance of problems.

The two bins should fit perfectly. Mine did not, so I had to cut some parts.

Now they fit perfectly:


The wires of the fan can go through one of the small holes on the bottom, but an additional one is needed so that wires can go to the power source.

You should fill the whole with silicon, to ensure the dehydrator is well isolated.

This is the outcome of my attempt.



I hope this information helps many.

Quote:

Dudester67 said:  It also seems like you'd have to replace the desiccant often if it's exposed to outside air, unless I'm misunderstanding something.

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