Let’s do a word association game. What’s the first thing you think of when I say “dehydrator”?
Long-term food storage? survival food? Fruit leather? Dried meat? Craft projects?
Wait – “Craft projects?” From a food dehydrator? What kind of craft projects can use a food dehydrator?
Quite a few, actually. Here are 10 ideas* to get you started.
- Dried apples are not just for eating. Cut apples into rings, sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg if desired, and dehydrate. Arrange them on a piece of jute twine, alternating with other dried fruit, nuts, cinnamon sticks, and colorful strips of cloth tied in bows. Tie a knot at each end of the rope or tie the ends together. Hang it on a wall, above a door or window, over a curtain rod. Place it on a shelf or ledge.
- Fill a large decorative jar with dried fruit, nuts, berries, flowers, and corn husks. Seal it with an airtight lid. Drape it over a mantelpiece, sideboard, or table for a rustic look.
- Don’t throw away your flower bouquets! Dehydrate them while they’re still colored, then use them in arrangements, wreaths, or potpourri. You can dry the entire flower or just the petals.
- Dress up your yard sale, bazaar or craft sale items. Tie the dried flowers together with some ribbon or string, then place them in a vase, pitcher, or crock. Mason jars can hold treasures like homemade trail mix, dried fruit slices, and yogurt candy. A pretty bowl can hold potpourri.
- Glue dried flowers, nuts, fruit, and seed pods onto wooden letters, then paint if desired. Attach the letters to a wooden base for stability. Spell your name for a unique desk plaque. Use thicker pieces of wood for individual, freestanding letters.
- Use your dehydrator as a quick way to dry papier-mâché, clay figures, or plaster of paris. Tip: You may want to line the bottom of your dehydrator with sheets of parchment paper or a tray liner for easy cleanup.
- Dough art is a fun way to get the whole family started crafting! With a basic recipe and a little imagination, you can create dozens of dough decorations, plates and figures, perfect for any occasion! Using your dehydrator prevents the cracking, baking, splitting, and browning that can occur in the oven. When your work is dry, it is ready to be painted and sealed.
- Make your own edible cake decorations ahead of time. Spoon frosting onto solid tray liners or plastic sheets, then dehydrate. Have flowers, swirls, strings, and dots ready when you need them!
- A simple wooden frame becomes a work of art when dehydrated elements are placed on it. Customize the frame to complement the image you will have.
- Dried citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit) make interesting decorations. Thin slices tied with gold or silver cord can be hung on a Christmas tree or in a window. Use whole fruits as candle holders, paint or carve whimsical faces on them, or arrange them as air fresheners. You can even use the shells to make little dolls and animals.
With summer yard sales and fairs, fall bazaars and craft sales, and winter festivities, now is a great time to get crafting. What will be your next project?
*Some of these items may be large and require pull out trays and a door to maximize drying space. Make sure of the capacity and capabilities of your dehydrator before starting your project.
