Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Grow your own tomatoes UPSIDEDOWN: youtu.be/GvNhUexTyLA
Sun drying your own fruits and vegetables saves you money at the supermarket and is a great way to preserve this season’s bounty for the rest of the year. Sun drying takes little effort and little energy, and sun dried goods only take up a small amount of storage space.
Materials Needed:
- four pieces of 1x4x16” non-treated lumber
- black nylon screen: amzn.to/3gVUIRR
- four corner pieces of a 2x4 (45 degree triangles cut from ends)
- piece of glass or Plexiglas cut to fit the top of the box.
- 2-inch wood screws
- staples
Tools Needed:
- circular saw
- drill with screwdriver bit
- staple gun: amzn.to/2ZjDXu7
- sharp scissors
- corner clamps: amzn.to/2ZlS3Lt
How to Build a Sun Drying Box
Step 1
Build your frame. Drill 7-8 holes in each piece of 1x4x16. Next, using corner clamps; screw together the 1x4x16s to form a square frame.
Step 2
Attach the screen. Lay screen over the one side of the box and wrap it around the sides. Staple the screen in place.
Step 3
Attach footing. Using corner sections of a 2x4, install a “footing” at each corner of the box. The footing will keep the screen off the ground, as well as allowing air to move beneath the food.
Step 4
Add your fruits or vegetables. Next, prepare your food for drying. The smaller the pieces, the quicker they will dry. Take into consideration what you’re using the dried goods for when deciding how small or large to cut the pieces. Distribute the pieces evenly over the screen.
Step 5
Install your lid and place the box in the sun. When your fruits are in place, lay your glass or Plexiglas over the box and place the box in direct sunlight. In 8-10 hours you’ll have a batch of delicious sundried produce.
Grow your own tomatoes UPSIDEDOWN: youtu.be/GvNhUexTyLA
Sun drying your own fruits and vegetables saves you money at the supermarket and is a great way to preserve this season’s bounty for the rest of the year. Sun drying takes little effort and little energy, and sun dried goods only take up a small amount of storage space.
Materials Needed:
- four pieces of 1x4x16” non-treated lumber
- black nylon screen: amzn.to/3gVUIRR
- four corner pieces of a 2x4 (45 degree triangles cut from ends)
- piece of glass or Plexiglas cut to fit the top of the box.
- 2-inch wood screws
- staples
Tools Needed:
- circular saw
- drill with screwdriver bit
- staple gun: amzn.to/2ZjDXu7
- sharp scissors
- corner clamps: amzn.to/2ZlS3Lt
How to Build a Sun Drying Box
Step 1
Build your frame. Drill 7-8 holes in each piece of 1x4x16. Next, using corner clamps; screw together the 1x4x16s to form a square frame.
Step 2
Attach the screen. Lay screen over the one side of the box and wrap it around the sides. Staple the screen in place.
Step 3
Attach footing. Using corner sections of a 2x4, install a “footing” at each corner of the box. The footing will keep the screen off the ground, as well as allowing air to move beneath the food.
Step 4
Add your fruits or vegetables. Next, prepare your food for drying. The smaller the pieces, the quicker they will dry. Take into consideration what you’re using the dried goods for when deciding how small or large to cut the pieces. Distribute the pieces evenly over the screen.
Step 5
Install your lid and place the box in the sun. When your fruits are in place, lay your glass or Plexiglas over the box and place the box in direct sunlight. In 8-10 hours you’ll have a batch of delicious sundried produce.
