Trays Needed
3
Hours
12
Days
2
Dried
0.89 lbs
12 hr
2 days
0.89 lbs
82%
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Inputs
Result
Tray area = 14×14/144 = 1.36 sq ft. Capacity = 1.36 × 1.5 lbs/sq ft = 2.04 lbs/tray. Trays = ceil(5/2.04) = 3. Drying = 12 hr / 1.0 = 12 hr. Days = ceil(12/8) = 2. Dried = 5 × (1 - 0.84) / (1 - 0.10) = 0.89 lbs.
Inputs
Result
Capacity = 1.36 × 1.0 = 1.36 lbs/tray. Trays = ceil(3/1.36) = 3. Drying = 10/1.5 = 6.67 hr. Days = ceil(7/8) = 1. Dried = 3 × 0.40/0.90 = 1.33 lbs.
Solar drying time depends on food moisture content, slice thickness, and climate. In warm moderate weather, apple slices take 12 hours, tomatoes 18 hours, and herbs only 8 hours. Hot dry climates cut these times by 33%, while humid mild climates can double them.
Dried food weighs dramatically less than fresh because you remove 80–95% of the water. Five pounds of fresh apples (84% moisture) yield about 0.89 lbs dried. Tomatoes lose the most weight at 94% moisture, while jerky retains more mass starting at 60% moisture.
Tray count depends on food density and tray area. A standard 14×14 inch tray holds about 1.36 sq ft. Apple slices load at 1.5 lbs per sq ft, so each tray holds about 2 lbs. For 5 lbs of apples, you need 3 trays. Tomatoes are denser at 2.0 lbs/sq ft, fitting more per tray.
| Food | Lbs per Sq Ft | Hours (Moderate) |
|---|---|---|
| Apples | 1.5 | 12 |
| Tomatoes | 2.0 | 18 |
| Jerky | 1.0 | 10 |
| Herbs | 0.5 | 8 |
Climate is the single biggest factor in solar drying speed. Hot, dry conditions (100°F+, under 30% humidity) dry food 50% faster than moderate conditions. Mild, humid climates (70–85°F, 50–70% humidity) take 67% longer and risk mold growth. In humid areas, consider a hybrid solar-electric setup.
Read our guide
Read our guide
Read our guide
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Last Updated: Mar 20, 2026
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