|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
Mycologist217
Frank's Disciple



Registered: 02/13/13
Posts: 2,425
Loc: Man of the Moon
Last seen: 8 months, 15 days
|
How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective 8
#22943587 - 02/25/16 05:40 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Hey again Shroomerites!
Tonight I thought I'd share my dehydrator build with you guys as it is something I take a lot of pride and joy in! Originally I had purchased a countertop dehydrator:
 This thing cost $40 and had a fairly low capacity even with the expandable stacking trays....so one day I asked a very fundamental question about dehydrators and got a very fundamental answer:
Quote:
PussyFart said: A dehydrator is a coil, a fan, and a vented vessel.
These words really resonated with me and by that week's end I was intent on constructing my own dehydrator and getting my money back for the countertop model I had purchased. And when it was all over here's what I had built:
  
When I first started thinking of the design, size/capacity vs cost to build was my main concern....and I had to think of a simpleway to put a wired coil/fan in a small vented space....but I eventually settled on a pretty good idea...a small space heater with a fan. I went with a cheaper sunbeam model:
 This heater/fan was only 20$, and here's the kicker! I paid an extra $3 for a lifetime warranty, so if it ever craps out, Wal-Mart will replace it for free! Not bad! After that I put together the following compete:
Materials Required - 1x 4'x8' sheet of 3/4" sanded oak plywood cut to the following dimensions: -2x 20"x34" panels (back panel and door) -2x 14"x20" panels (top and bottom panels) -2x 14"x34" panels (side panels) -2x 6"x14" panels. (air flow guide panels)

- 1x 2"x8' wood strip cut into six 13" rungs (you can make two more for each additional shelf/rack you want in your cabinet. -sand paper (optional sander) - Decent Drill with screw driving bits and 1.5" hole saw bit and 2" hole saw bit. -2x Corner Hinges with screws -door latch with screws - 1.25" wood screws #8...no pre drilling required:
 -Wire Rack shelves:
(Available at Home Depot) -Saw...for cutting wire racks to size: -Window Screen Window screen can be bought on rolls at Ace or any other hardware store, makes a perfect platform for drying in the box.....even the smallest blobs or pins will dry without having falling through. -Shears for window Screen.
Construction Start by sanding all edges and surfaces to a nice smooth finish.
You want to build the cabinet with the full 14" depth. We do this by attaching the side panels to the bottom panels by drilling up through the bottom into the sides. The top panel will then screw into the side panels from the top down. The back panel gets drilled into the bottom panel, and both side panels from the back side, this creates a gap at the top back side for ventilation.
Use your hinges to attach the door panel to the cabinet to make a functioning door.
Measure how tall your fan is and install your air flow guide panels inside the caninet at that height : 
Install your rungs at appropriate intervals to fit your chosen number of racks...I built three initial racks leaving room to add at least two more:
 My racks fit so snug they had to be hammered into place.
Half way between the ground and the level of your air flow guide panel drill a 2" hole. This serves as cold air intake for your space heater and keeps it from overheating...also allows for the power cord to come out of the box,...when the dehydrator is turned on, you'll be able to feel the cool air getting sucked through this hole if you out your hand on it:

In the top panel drill a 1" inch hole near each corner, and a 2" hole in the center: [url=https://files.shroomery.org/files/15-49/917048549-image.jpg] [/url This will be your hot air vent, you'll feel the hot dry air venting from these holes when the dehydrator is turned on.
Add the door latch so you can fix the door closed during drying and congratulations, your done, and ready to dry some fruits...or some jerky....or whatever you want:

My build drys fruits from fresh to cracker dry in less than 12hours in very high capacity...usually don't have any problem fitting whole flushes from 2 tubs at a time! For a grand total of 55$ I can't be more satisfied with this build...especially since I have the warranty on the heater/fan...which I run on the low heater setting for drying fruits.
More pictures for easy visualization:

Dehydrator recently innovated to include screen sheets on shelving! Dried an entire pound in less than a day:
   
Cheers guys and Happy Cultivating!
-------------------- My LC Manual (With custom LC lid Tek) ~~ Required Mycology Supplies ~~ Agar Work Videos ~~ L G M AMU Q&A-NO SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL! KEEP THAT IN MIND! BUY THE TICKET: TAKE THE RIDE Check out my Retail Gourmet Mushroom Farm! Mycologist217 is a fictitious entity that uses images supplied by Google to mask his/her inability to develop normal social habits.
Edited by Mycologist217 (03/20/16 10:28 PM)
|
SHJ
Second hand Jesus


Registered: 12/22/15
Posts: 433
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Mycologist217]
#22943598 - 02/25/16 05:49 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Very nice, I will do something similar in the next future
|
Psilosoulful
Registered: 09/05/14
Posts: 7,205
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: SHJ]
#22943627 - 02/25/16 06:10 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
|
Pastywhyte
Say hello to my little friend



Registered: 09/15/12
Posts: 37,808
Loc: Canada
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Psilosoulful]
#22943676 - 02/25/16 06:49 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
I need to build something like this myself. Two dehydrators barely handles a tub and sometimes I need to harvest more than one. What is the max capacity of your build there. I'm looking for something that can take around 9000 wet grams.
|
Bobabouy
Shrimp Boat Captain



Registered: 01/19/16
Posts: 661
Loc: The Black Sea
Last seen: 6 years, 15 days
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Pastywhyte]
#22943688 - 02/25/16 06:57 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
I think it would work much better with some mesh secured to the shelves or you'll have shrooms falling through.
|
SloppyJoseph
Non-sporalator



Registered: 12/08/15
Posts: 8,511
Loc:
Last seen: 3 years, 7 months
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Bobabouy]
#22943741 - 02/25/16 07:33 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
-------------------- AMU Q&A
|
PinPornProducer
Buy the ticket, take the ride



Registered: 08/23/14
Posts: 9,981
Loc: Rocky Point R.I
Last seen: 6 years, 23 days
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: SloppyJoseph]
#22943755 - 02/25/16 07:42 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Nice, I love shit like this . I was using a mini green house as my dehydrator for a while. I had a little forced hot air electric heater at the base, a small 5" fan on each tier with framed screens that would act as trays I could pull in and out.
|
Mycologist217
Frank's Disciple



Registered: 02/13/13
Posts: 2,425
Loc: Man of the Moon
Last seen: 8 months, 15 days
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Pastywhyte]
#22943903 - 02/25/16 08:45 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Pastywhyte said: I need to build something like this myself. Two dehydrators barely handles a tub and sometimes I need to harvest more than one. What is the max capacity of your build there. I'm looking for something that can take around 9000 wet grams.
9000 is a little big for this size cabinet...this cabinet can hold about 2500-3000 wet grams at a time with the three shelves. the design that inspired this build could probably do it:
Quote:
Mad Season said:
Quote:
Mad Season said: Make your own then!
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/9912647#9912647
Or
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21332722 Or

why limit yourself to a tiny bucket?
-------------------- My LC Manual (With custom LC lid Tek) ~~ Required Mycology Supplies ~~ Agar Work Videos ~~ L G M AMU Q&A-NO SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL! KEEP THAT IN MIND! BUY THE TICKET: TAKE THE RIDE Check out my Retail Gourmet Mushroom Farm! Mycologist217 is a fictitious entity that uses images supplied by Google to mask his/her inability to develop normal social habits.
|
GreenRabbit
Plutonium Pollinator



Registered: 04/28/13
Posts: 2,667
Loc: In a forest
Last seen: 2 years, 3 months
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Mycologist217]
#22943909 - 02/25/16 08:48 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Is it really worth the work and money? The Dehydro is great actually, and you can just get 2 for $60, then expand both if that isn't enough.
|
Mycologist217
Frank's Disciple



Registered: 02/13/13
Posts: 2,425
Loc: Man of the Moon
Last seen: 8 months, 15 days
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: GreenRabbit]
#22943931 - 02/25/16 08:56 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
GreenRabbit said: Is it really worth the work and money? The Dehydro is great actually, and you can just get 2 for $60, then expand both if that isn't enough.
That's a question everyone has to answer for themselves....for my purposes this was way way worth the money just for the satisfaction thst I built it myself and got to return the countertop models....I love DIY
-------------------- My LC Manual (With custom LC lid Tek) ~~ Required Mycology Supplies ~~ Agar Work Videos ~~ L G M AMU Q&A-NO SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL! KEEP THAT IN MIND! BUY THE TICKET: TAKE THE RIDE Check out my Retail Gourmet Mushroom Farm! Mycologist217 is a fictitious entity that uses images supplied by Google to mask his/her inability to develop normal social habits.
|
Soreidorb
Builder


Registered: 07/31/15
Posts: 144
Last seen: 4 years, 3 months
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: GreenRabbit]
#22943933 - 02/25/16 08:57 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
When I first started this journey I thought there was no way I'd need something like this, but now I'm gathering materials lol. Great work my friend!
|
SHJ
Second hand Jesus


Registered: 12/22/15
Posts: 433
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Soreidorb]
#22943954 - 02/25/16 09:04 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Soreidorb said: When I first started this journey I thought there was no way I'd need something like this, but now I'm gathering materials lol. Great work my friend!
QFT Same for me
|
GreenRabbit
Plutonium Pollinator



Registered: 04/28/13
Posts: 2,667
Loc: In a forest
Last seen: 2 years, 3 months
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Mycologist217]
#22944388 - 02/25/16 11:07 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
How long did it take to gather materials and build? Have you considered building the heater? Nice find on that, and $3 lifetime warranty is legit; you know that thing will crap out eventually and dehydrators don't come with warranties like that. How hot does that heater/air get? Is it hotter at the bottom than at the top? How long does it take to get shrooms cracker dry? Can you add prices to materials? I'm curious about plywood and rack cost.
|
Mycologist217
Frank's Disciple



Registered: 02/13/13
Posts: 2,425
Loc: Man of the Moon
Last seen: 8 months, 15 days
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: GreenRabbit]
#22944427 - 02/25/16 11:18 AM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
At first I drilled a very small hole for the heat power cord and didn't have the "air flow guide panels" the heater would over heat and auto shut off...when I added the bigger 2" hole at the bottom and the guide panels I started being able to feel hard suction of cold air through what had become the cool air intake!
This device cracker drys cube sis in less than 12 hours...sometimes closer to eight...
Pricing....plywood is only 20$ a sheet at my Home Depot, the eight foot by two inch strip was 2$
Hester was 20$ and the shelves were 5$ at good will...
I had screws and hinges on hand.
-------------------- My LC Manual (With custom LC lid Tek) ~~ Required Mycology Supplies ~~ Agar Work Videos ~~ L G M AMU Q&A-NO SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL! KEEP THAT IN MIND! BUY THE TICKET: TAKE THE RIDE Check out my Retail Gourmet Mushroom Farm! Mycologist217 is a fictitious entity that uses images supplied by Google to mask his/her inability to develop normal social habits.
|
tripdawg420
low life with no life



Registered: 02/02/09
Posts: 7,071
Loc: illinois
Last seen: 45 minutes, 54 seconds
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Mycologist217] 1
#22944641 - 02/25/16 12:07 PM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
heres my low cost dehydrater a box fan and a blow dryer 
|
SHJ
Second hand Jesus


Registered: 12/22/15
Posts: 433
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: tripdawg420]
#22944743 - 02/25/16 12:36 PM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
tripdawg420 said:
heres my low cost dehydrater a box fan and a blow dryer 

|
newrook
Sucks at bulk



Registered: 03/20/15
Posts: 657
Last seen: 3 months, 3 days
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: tripdawg420] 1
#22945018 - 02/25/16 01:41 PM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
tripdawg420 said:
heres my low cost dehydrater a box fan and a blow dryer 

sounds like a fire hazard
--------------------
  THROW AWAY YOUR SGFC
|
SHJ
Second hand Jesus


Registered: 12/22/15
Posts: 433
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: newrook]
#22945062 - 02/25/16 01:50 PM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
newrook said:
Quote:
tripdawg420 said:
heres my low cost dehydrater a box fan and a blow dryer 

sounds like a fire hazard
Now that you made me think about it yes you are right...
|
Inocuole
Scalpel of Evil's Bane



Registered: 11/21/11
Posts: 24,863
Loc: ★
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: SHJ]
#22945182 - 02/25/16 02:19 PM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
So Mycologist.. you know what I think would really benefit your dehydrator design? If you installed some little 2-3 inch legs on it, and put a hole in the bottom so that the heater can draw air through the bottom, maybe create some kind of molding or gasket to fit it, so it creates a positive pressure in the chamber, forcing the air out the top a little better than it does currently. Might allow you to dry them a bit faster, and giving the heater cool "intake" may help reduce the chance of terrible things happening.
Problem is I don't know if that little heater fan actually works anything like that or if you could mod it to by removing the swivel base.
|
Mycologist217
Frank's Disciple



Registered: 02/13/13
Posts: 2,425
Loc: Man of the Moon
Last seen: 8 months, 15 days
|
Re: How to Build your own High Capacity Dehydrator <$60 Cost. Super Effective [Re: Inocuole]
#23028231 - 03/20/16 10:29 PM (7 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
Edited to include capacity testimony and innovations including screen sheets.
-------------------- My LC Manual (With custom LC lid Tek) ~~ Required Mycology Supplies ~~ Agar Work Videos ~~ L G M AMU Q&A-NO SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL! KEEP THAT IN MIND! BUY THE TICKET: TAKE THE RIDE Check out my Retail Gourmet Mushroom Farm! Mycologist217 is a fictitious entity that uses images supplied by Google to mask his/her inability to develop normal social habits.
|
|