A Solar dryer

This has been a gratifying addition to the estate. When the garden works, sometimes it REALLY works. Of course neighbors get some overflow, but their gardens tend to be working too. Nothing would go to waste if we did not harvest, of course, but all kinds of dried stuff is nice to have: tomatoes, herbs, banana slices, mango slices, kale leaves - those are our top uses.

This is a simple design inspired by inheriting two suitable glass panes. It is a simple box with 1x6 plank sides (to make total "depth" of 11 inches (28cm). The "bottom" is a thin sheet of galvanized steel. Interior is painted flat black and it gets quite warm in there - I should measure some time.