Apples
The biodynamics of the food growing provides the necessary natural ingredients to make solar drying possible. We have warm days where heat can be captured and moisture removed. We have cooler nights with higher moisture that allows the food to go through a sequence of moisture removal and then rehydrations. We can simply shield our fruits and vegetables from harmful uv rays that degrade the food quickly.
White Onions
How it works
There are three main objectives necessary to produce preserved foods through drying. Menegatti's solar drying system is the only one that takes advantage of the food biology and environmental surroundings, the biodynamics of the environment.
1. Protect the newly harvested item from the suns uv rays that can cause it to break down quickly.
2. Control the temperature, keep it under 122 degrees F.
3. Provide good ventilation with dry air.
pass through our solar panel which heats the air to abot 122 degrees F. But the humidity drops to 10-12%. This allows for fairly fast drying and does not allow harmful bacteria to appear.
Our system differs from other standard dryers in yet another way. Most feel that driving off the moisture is the only way to achieve a desired result so standard equipment runs day and night burning some type of fuel. We have found that our patented solar panel continues to move air through the drying chamber at night but with a higher humidity level than during the day. This is where we are able to achieve our exceptional "organoleptic" results. Our product goes through the cycle of dehydration and rehydration. The food retains exceptional colors as well as excellent vitamin and mineral content. Taste ours and taste someone elses. You will immediately taste and feel the difference in the quality of the product.
The Elio, our smallest model, has no automatic moving parts, no automatic controls, no fans. It works on convection of the air being warmed by the solar panel and delivered to the drying chamber. You have some manual control over how much air can move through the box with an exit damper. For our Zefiro and Tunnel models there are fans that are always running. The solar panels are on the roof and sides for the Zefiro and on the roof only for the Tunnel. We do have fans that can be powered by solar electric. The fans for the Zefiro require a maximum of 50 watts but usually run at half of that requirement. The Tunnel requires 500 watts but also runs normally at 250 watts. The fans are automatically controlled to run on high or low depending upon temperature. A high speed can double the amount of air being pulled through the chambers. The controls are factory preset but they can be manipulated by the user.
The combination of these criteria can lead to an exceptional product. Traditional drying equipment can supply these environments but at high costs and only to those that have access to power. We are fortunate that most food harvesting is done while natural environmental factors are prime for solar drying. Our chambers can provide the necessary uv protection. our solar panel can provide the heat and volume of air necessary. Our system also takes advantage of a moisture removal sequence during the day when there are high temperatures available. The solar heated air has more volume and less humidity content. Imagine 77 degree F air with 50% relative humidity. We allow that to
The Zefiro or Zefiro Max (The Tunnel) comes complete with exhaust fans that pulls solar heated dry air through the system. The power can be from solar electric panels. The Zefiro only requires 50 watts while the Max needs as much as 500 watts.
The Elio is very basic and depends upon convection only. the hotter it gets the more air that is moved through the panel and drying chamber. Though basic it still uses our patented solar panel that provides that day and night air movement and fluctuation of humidity levels. You can easily google search food dryers and many will appear.
But none of the solar powered devices continue to work through the dark hours of the night without the use of power. According to Dr. Olga Padilla-Zakour many small business growers are using a small electric model that costs nearly one thousand dollars. Once our manufacturing is in place, we expect to be able to retail the Elio kit for about $200 plus shipping. Our desire is to manufacture it here in the Finger Lakes of NY. We have spoken with a company here that is an expert in manufacturing kit furniture. They have studied our plans and are very hopeful that our funding is secured so they can move forward. If you would like to stay in touch, fill in the contact form, call or send an email. I look forward to hearing from you.
North America:
For additional information on our solar dryers please contact Mr. Ronald Friedman our North American representative.
312-857-3793
Skype: Ronjf1
Email: SolarFooddryer@mail.com
Sauce of herbs
(Translated from the Italian)
To make this sauce, great for dressing both meat and pasta, dried herbs, the following:
oregano
sage
thyme
mint
rosemary
Allow to marinate for about half an hour, a handful of a mixture of equal parts of these herbs, in half a glass of oil.
Heat 5 or 6 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan and pour in the marinade.
Add salt to taste and, if desired, a little 'pepper and / or garlic cut into slices.
Stir fry for a few moments.
Elio
Our smallest solar food dryer
Minestrone
Ingredients for 6 servings:
4 glasses of water
1 cup of dried vegetables
1 or 2 dice at will, possibly plant-based, or simply salt to taste
Any fresh seasonal vegetables
Pasta / rice / barley, according to taste
Pour the dried vegetables in water and bring to a boil, add the vegetables of the season, season with the dice, or simply salt, and boil for about twenty minutes until vegetables are cooked, add the pasta eventually, barley, rice and bring to a boil.
This is not a solicitation for investment
Apple, lemon, cherry
