- Dec 26, 2006
- 47
- 10
Now that I have my commercial convection oven in the shop to start making a dehydrator and smoker. I have to ask a couple/few questions.
If used as a smoker will that ruin it as a dehydrator? As in will the smoke flavor end up in my dried apples?
If so I also have second option for a dehydrator, that being a small stainless interior dishwasher that the inside measures 17W 19D 13High that may make a better dehydrator if the smoke flavor is a problem.
For a dehydrator how would one figure out ---about--- how much air exchange is needed, by that I don't refer to circulation within the box but exchange with outside air which will require more heat to keep the temp up where it needs to be. I would like to start with a somewhat close fan size to what might be needed. I also was thinking of making a vent that could be dampened down in size to get the regulation correct for airflow--I am open for suggestions on airflow.
For heat I plan on using the element that is already in the bottom of the dishwasher hooked to a Ranco controler that will regulate from 80° to 200° for the temp control.
For shelves I plan on using aluminum slat wall, cut to size and screwed to the sides, with stainless shelves cut to size from a kitchen range----now on top of those shelves I will need something with smaller "holes", and for that I am thinking plastic ceiling light diffusers or should I keep looking for a shelf more like in a Cabelas brand that has stainless wire shelves with smaller "holes" (square holes in this case but you get the point).
I guess this mostly point to using the dishwasher for the dehydrator, unless someone knows that the same unit will work for a smoker and dehydrator.
Any thoughts welcome.
Thanks
Dan
If used as a smoker will that ruin it as a dehydrator? As in will the smoke flavor end up in my dried apples?
If so I also have second option for a dehydrator, that being a small stainless interior dishwasher that the inside measures 17W 19D 13High that may make a better dehydrator if the smoke flavor is a problem.
For a dehydrator how would one figure out ---about--- how much air exchange is needed, by that I don't refer to circulation within the box but exchange with outside air which will require more heat to keep the temp up where it needs to be. I would like to start with a somewhat close fan size to what might be needed. I also was thinking of making a vent that could be dampened down in size to get the regulation correct for airflow--I am open for suggestions on airflow.
For heat I plan on using the element that is already in the bottom of the dishwasher hooked to a Ranco controler that will regulate from 80° to 200° for the temp control.
For shelves I plan on using aluminum slat wall, cut to size and screwed to the sides, with stainless shelves cut to size from a kitchen range----now on top of those shelves I will need something with smaller "holes", and for that I am thinking plastic ceiling light diffusers or should I keep looking for a shelf more like in a Cabelas brand that has stainless wire shelves with smaller "holes" (square holes in this case but you get the point).
I guess this mostly point to using the dishwasher for the dehydrator, unless someone knows that the same unit will work for a smoker and dehydrator.
Any thoughts welcome.
Thanks
Dan
