Would you like to store food without refrigerating it? You may be a hiking enthusiast, but aren't you as excited about paying 8 euros for a prepackaged meal that you could make yourself at home for less than a euro?
Try one or more of these methods!
Steps
![Read tips section before beginning Step 1 Read tips section before beginning Step 1](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-1-j.webp)
Step 1. Read the tips section before you begin
Method 1 of 3: Make and Use a Solar Oven | Oven Method
![Place food in the oven with the door slightly ajar 2 Place food in the oven with the door slightly ajar 2](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-2-j.webp)
Step 1. Place the desired food in the oven with the door slightly ajar
![Set the oven at the lowest temperature Step 3 Set the oven at the lowest temperature Step 3](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-3-j.webp)
Step 2. Set the oven to the lowest possible temperature
![Leave food until dry Step 4 Leave food until dry Step 4](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-4-j.webp)
Step 3. Leave the food in until it dries
It is possible to dry whole meals for camping and excursions, including chicken in butter and spaghetti with meat sauce.
Method 2 of 3: Dehydrator Method
![Place thinly sliced or chopped food on the tray Step 5 Place thinly sliced or chopped food on the tray Step 5](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-5-j.webp)
Step 1. Place the chopped or thinly sliced food on the tray
![Turn on Step 6 Turn on Step 6](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-6-j.webp)
Step 2. Turn on the thermal / ventilation mechanism
![Adjust settings Step 7 Adjust settings Step 7](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-7-j.webp)
Step 3. Adjust the settings (if available)
![Let it do it's thing Step 8 Let it do it's thing Step 8](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-8-j.webp)
Step 4. Let it work
![Prepare meats with any seasonings Step 9 Prepare meats with any seasonings Step 9](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-9-j.webp)
Step 5. (Smoker Method) Prepare the meat with the toppings of your choice
![Place meats in the smoker Step 10 Place meats in the smoker Step 10](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-10-j.webp)
Step 6. Put the meat in the smoker
![Close the door Step 11 Close the door Step 11](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-11-j.webp)
Step 7. Close the door
![Light the burner Step 12 Light the burner Step 12](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-12-j.webp)
Step 8. Turn on the stove
![Leave for the time recommended in your smoker instructions Step 13 Leave for the time recommended in your smoker instructions Step 13](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-13-j.webp)
Step 9. Leave the meat for the time recommended by your smoker's instructions
Method 3 of 3: Bonfire Method
![Build a fire Step 14 Build a fire Step 14](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-14-j.webp)
Step 1
Light a fire.
![Cut foods Step 15 Cut foods Step 15](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-15-j.webp)
Step 2. Cut the food into long, thin strips
![Hang the food just above the flames Step 16 Hang the food just above the flames Step 16](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-16-j.webp)
Step 3. Hang the food right above the flames on the smoke path
![Leave until dry Step 17 Leave until dry Step 17](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-17-j.webp)
Step 4. Let it dry
(The time varies according to the size of the fire and the pieces of food).
![Adjust positioning of food as necessary Step 18 Adjust positioning of food as necessary Step 18](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-18-j.webp)
Step 5. Move / arrange food as needed
![The inside of a closed car gets to almost the perfect temperature on a warm to hot day Step 19 The inside of a closed car gets to almost the perfect temperature on a warm to hot day Step 19](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-19-j.webp)
Step 6. (Machine Method) The inside of a closed car on a hot day reaches a near-perfect temperature
![Spread your fruit and vegetables on cookie sheets Step 20 Spread your fruit and vegetables on cookie sheets Step 20](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-20-j.webp)
Step 7. Spread the fruit and vegetables on parchment paper without them touching
![Cover with cheesecloth or napkins Step 21 Cover with cheesecloth or napkins Step 21](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-21-j.webp)
Step 8. Cover them with a tea towel or handkerchiefs to prevent insects from approaching
![Place cookie sheets anywhere in the car in sun or on seats Step 22 Place cookie sheets anywhere in the car in sun or on seats Step 22](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-22-j.webp)
Step 9. Put the sheets of paper everywhere in the car - on the seats in the sun
![Check later in the day to turn the slices over Step 23 Check later in the day to turn the slices over Step 23](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-23-j.webp)
Step 10. Later in the day, turn the food over
![Leave in the car until it is the dryness you want over a couple of days if you want to 24 Leave in the car until it is the dryness you want over a couple of days if you want to 24](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-24-j.webp)
Step 11. Leave it in the car until it is as dry as you want it, even a couple of days
![Close the car and all the windows Step 25 Close the car and all the windows Step 25](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/007/image-19570-25-j.webp)
Step 12. Close the car and all windows
Advice
- Add ascorbic acid or lemon juice to fresh fruits and vegetables to keep them from turning brown.
- For the food to dehydrate faster cut it into small pieces.
- Wash the fruit and vegetables very well before drying them.
- If food is not kept completely dry, you can expect it to spoil with mold, especially fruit.
- Plastic zip lock bags work well for storage.
- Dry anything that is damp before putting it away.
- Cook the meat very well before drying it.