Introduction: Easy Tomato Drying Rack.
Need a quick tomato drying rack? I grow tomatoes and found myself with a lot of tomatoes, so many that I wasn't using them fast enough. I happen to love sun dried tomatoes and chili's and decided I would throw together a quick drying rack. This is what I came up with from things I had around the house.
Step 1: Secure Tomato Cages Together
Using larger zip ties I attached all the vertical rods on two tomato cages together with the rings offset enough to make several layers.
Step 2: Paint (optional)
Thought it would look nice in white.
Step 3: Prep the Screen.
Purchase or clean some old screen door mesh.
Step 4: Make Shelves
Cut the screen to fit the rings. Using zip ties secure the mesh to the layers.
Step 5: Shrink Wrap.
I wrapped the cages to to bottom leaving one slit down the side to access the shelves.
Step 6: Fill It.
Find someone to full it full of fresh tomatoes!
Step 7: Sun Dry.
find a nice spot to catch some sun.
16 Comments
7 years ago on Introduction
Cool & so practical too! :)
8 years ago on Introduction
8 years ago
I love snacking on them, the tomatoes lucky enough to avoid that go into bruschetta, pastas or baked onto bread. I have purchased it in powdered form for cooking and may eventually make some. I like to make chili powder from the Bhut Jolokia chili's on the bottom rack.
8 years ago on Introduction
I like the build. What foods do you usually put your dried tomatoes in? Or do you just snack on them?
8 years ago
muy buena idea.
8 years ago on Introduction
Insteresting, thanks for sharing.
How many days (average) you must wait?
Reply 8 years ago
nice. I'll try your version. ha! I heard bugs don't bother them too.....false. I tossed a whole tray bc flies found a way under my cheesecloth.
8 years ago on Introduction
Good idea & Perfect Machine .. :)
8 years ago
The plastic wrap was to help keep it hot inside as well as clean, as for the bugs, they don't seem to be interested in them.
8 years ago on Introduction
What about bugs? No bugs crawling in the little hole in the top?
8 years ago on Introduction
Pretty creative. Question: Why did you use plastic to wrap the outside? If you used screening, wouldn't that keep the bugs away and allow better air circulation, or do you need a greenhouse thing going on to raise the temperature inside?
8 years ago on Introduction
I like how you used a tomato trellis to make it.
8 years ago
Thanks for the comments! It only took two days with good sun, and quarter inch slices. I cover them in a little salt and pepper.
8 years ago
Great way to dry erb's thanks for the diy
8 years ago on Introduction
would it be possible to put a material that absorbs water on the bottom of this device to speed up the drying process?
8 years ago on Introduction
Multi-level drying system! That's so awesome, and you gotta love the price point! Thanks for sharing!