Is Galvanized Construction Cloth Safe For Dehydration Racks?

Just Cliff · #21 09/29/11, 08:50 PM

Try this material. It is what I use. You can get it in different mesh sizes for different type items. It is a lot cheaper then buying from Excalibur.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#plastic-mesh-screens/=dd0yiw

Material Type
Plastic

Plastic Type
Polypropylene

Form
Molded Mesh

Shape
Sheets

General Opening Size
Coarse

Square/Rectangle Size
.1" x .16"

Joint Thickness
.035"

Strand Size Thickness
.035"

Strand Size Width
.038"

Sheet Width
43-1/2"

Sheet Length
Cut-to-Length

Maximum Continuous Length
300 Linear Feet

Color
White

Maximum Temperature
200° F

Specifications Met
FDA Compliant

City Bound · #22 09/29/11, 09:34 PM

thanks cliff

Sanza · #23 09/30/11, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by City Bound

Is galvanized construction cloth food safe to use for drying racks? What about metal housing screens, and the newer plastic screens, are they food safe?

I am reading Home Drying (Vegetables, fruits, and herbs) by Phyllis Hobson and she suggests making drying racks from construction cloth, but her book was written in 1975, so maybe her info is not so trustworthy.

Whether I'm sun drying or using my dehydrators I place pieces of sheer curtain over the mesh (metal or plastic screens) and then put the food on top of the sheers, and it makes removing the dried stuck on food way easier to remove - you just lift the sheer and peel the food off

City Bound · #24 09/30/11, 08:02 AM

Thanks for the tip sanza. I was reading that cheese cloth is good for that also.

City Bound · #25 09/30/11, 08:06 AM

I looked up the stainless mesh and ouch on the price. I was thinking of using stainless steel picture frame wire and winding it around nails in a wooden frame to make a mesh. Does anyone here know if that kind of wire has any toxic coatings on it? I e-mailed the company to ask, but have not heard back from them.

Savrens · #26 09/30/11, 10:46 AM

Try frogmats. They are used in smokers such as the Bradley smoker/cooker.
Google frogmats for information on them.

Available at http://www.yardandpool.com under smoker accessories.

They are a bit pricey. They are also food safe.

You could also buy the jerky racks from Bradley smokers but they are rather small.

Another suggestion is baking cooling racks. The ones that are made from half inch square grid stainless steel material. I have several that measure 14" X 20", bought from Michael's and other sources for around $8.00. They could be cut to size.

City Bound · #27 09/30/11, 09:00 PM

Good tips sav.

City Bound · #28 09/30/11, 09:03 PM

How about wood? Like a basket weave. I can do basic basketry so I might be able to weave some drying racks and since drying is done at such low temps it might not burn the wood. What do you think?

Sanza · #29 10/04/11, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by City Bound

Thanks for the tip sanza. I was reading that cheese cloth is good for that also.

Cheesecloth is too flimsy and the weave is too big.