Solar Drying — The Simplest, Most Affordable, Cleanest Way to Preserve
By protecting your produce from direct sunlight, it preserves vibrant colour, vital nutrients and rich, natural flavour.
This versatile hybrid system harnesses the power of the sun for maximum efficiency and seamlessly switches to electric backup when needed — working indoors or outdoors, day or night. Enjoy perfectly dried foods all year round while dramatically reducing your energy costs.
How does it work
The Mini Solar Dryer uses smart, compact design to make home food preservation effortless and efficient. Here’s how it works:
Captures Heat: A special UV-protected panel (A) lets sunlight in and traps it on a darkened, heat-absorbing surface (B)
Creates Airflow: This captured heat warms the air, causing it to rise naturally. Two high-volume fans then circulates this hot air for maximum efficiency.
Dries Evenly: The heated air is directed through your food trays for consistent, gentle drying from top to bottom.
It’s a beautifully simple system that uses solar thermal energy to protect your harvest and save you money.
PERFORMANCE TESTED
The mini solar dehydrator is an identical replica of our commercial rusk drying trailer, which was tested over eighteen months.
It was also experimental and performance tested by the University of North West and the results were published in two international papers.
Find the paper here
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The Mini Solar Dehydrator for
Small Scale Farming
This solar dehydrator offers small-scale farmers a reliable, low-cost way to preserve their harvest while reducing post-harvest losses. Powered entirely by the sun, it eliminates the need for electricity or fuel, making it ideal for off-grid environments. Its controlled drying process improves product quality, hygiene, and shelf life compared to open-air drying, enabling farmers to add value to crops like tomatoes, chilies, and fruits. By extending marketability and reducing waste, it helps increase income while supporting sustainable, climate-smart agriculture.
customized to suit your specific needs
The Mini Solar Dehydrator Features
The Dryer heats up directly from the sun
It has no solar panels and does not generate electrical power
Size: 65 x 50 x 50cm
Weight: 13kg
Backup element 400W
10W Electrical fan
The dryer has no temperature control as it will never heat up above 60°C
Manufactured from rust free, chromadek metal sheet
Unbreakable, UV protected polycarbonate sheets let the sun in
- Fully sealed and insect proof
Did You Know?
Successful drying isn’t about high heat — it’s about moving large volumes of air. Our dehydrator is designed around this principle, using powerful airflow to extract moisture quickly and evenly, ensuring perfectly preserved food every time.
The Patio Solar Oven and the Mini Solar Dehydrator are all hand made in a wool shed on a sheep farm outside Prieska, with less than 5% imported materials
