When I started with a healthier diet to help my psoriasis I learned that many foods can be prepared and preserved raw using a food dehydrator. I picked up the cheapest one I found, with round stackable trays. I knew that in order to keep the food raw – to keep the enzymes intact – the temperature in the dehydrator should be between 44 and 48C (112-118F). I measured the temperature in the dehydrator and it was around 65C (149F). Too much, I had to do something about it. More expensive units have inbuilt thermostats so the temperature can be set as needed. My idea was to add a thermostat to my dehydrator.

Electric water heaters work in a similar temperature range, I had an old one around and I took the thermostat out of it. It was very simple to install it into the dehydrator, I had to drill a few holes, to connect the wires and to secure the thermostat with bolts and zip ties. I have added a small indicator lamp also so I can see when the heater is active (the ventilator works all the time, the thermostat only controls the heater). I have calibrated the adjustment knob using a digital thermometer and a thermal probe, now I can set the temperature I want, it works very well.