The lost art of food preservation--Dehydration

I have always loved dried fruit 'chips'. They are sweet and full of good things.  The packaged ones are often greasy feeling and have tons of added chemicals and are oddly expensive, considering how easy they are to make at home.
Now that we know Lady Brae is allergic to red food coloring, we have removed several of her snacking options.

Here is the easiest, cheapest and most convenient way we have found to dehydrate foods at home.  Dehydrators are expensive and can be very ineffective.

Using only CVS bucks earned by coupon-ing we purchased a Hamilton Beach sweater dryer.  It features 5 stacking trays and a forced air fan.  The mesh coverings can be removed and washed.

Alton Brown does his own version with a box fan, furnace filters and straps--I have done that one too but this is easier and I think cleaner.

We sliced the bananas that we found marked down at Ingles, then dipped them in lemon water (prevents browning).  We lined them up in single layers and set the dryer on.

The dryer was covered with fabric to increase the foods contact with the moving air and keep little fingers at bay.
 The banana chips are almost finished.  We have a healthy, cheap, and super sweet snack that will store well.


We are already looking forward to using this make shift dryer with our bountiful garden for this upcoming season!