• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Nancy Reading
  • Carla Burke
  • r ranson
  • John F Dean
  • paul wheaton
  • Pearl Sutton
stewards:
  • Jay Angler
  • Liv Smith
  • Leigh Tate
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • Timothy Norton
gardeners:
  • thomas rubino
  • Jeremy VanGelder
  • Maieshe Ljin

Solar Panels - Dehydrator

 
Posts: 39
5
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Guys,
       I am thinking I would like to sell beef jerky at my local farmers markets for abit extra cash.
I am trying to cut the costs down - first I will have to find some cheap beef for this purpose any ideas on type of cut appreciated.

Next I need get the drying costs down - I have an exacilur dehydrator & wonder a few solar panels , deep cycle battery could make cheaper.
I read of other outside dehydrater that use no power but I wonder how effective for beef jerky ?

Any advice I would be appreciated.
dAZ
 
gardener
Posts: 3073
Location: Central Texas zone 8a
818
2
cattle chicken bee sheep
  • Likes 2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I just built a solar dehydrator using a sliding glass door panel. It is still early, but looks like it will reach the temps needed for jerky. I'm getting 200 degrees f from the panel. I just installed a thermometer in the drying box but it has been cloudy since doing so. Today the panel was about 160 and the box was 125.

By recommended temp, i am referring to the settings on my electric dehydrator. Meat settings are higher than fruit. I have no idea why.

I also dehydrate seawater into salt to use in the jerky.

https://permies.com/t/136478/solar-dehydrator-build
 
Darren Halloran
Posts: 39
5
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Thanks Wayne I heard good results on these type dehydrators going well with drying fruit however not heard much about jerky ?
Let me know how it goes ?
dAZ
 
wayne fajkus
gardener
Posts: 3073
Location: Central Texas zone 8a
818
2
cattle chicken bee sheep
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I'll update as we get to sunnier days. The 200 degrees came on a full sun 70 degree day which is why i have confidence.

The dehydrator at wheaton labs is a beast. I would almost call it a commercial unit the way it is designed. I haven't researched it closely but it might have 10x (or more) capacity over store bought electric units. Once built and the energy source is free, the saleable options start increasing. Sun dried tomatos canned in olive oil comes to mind.
 
Get me the mayor's office! I need to tell her about this tiny ad:
Heat your home with the twigs that naturally fall of the trees in your yard
http://woodheat.net
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic