The oak fruit, the fruit of the oak tree, is a crop that is usually eaten raw or used in cooking. Oaks generally ripen and fall in September and October. Usually, oaks are available in excess and these fruits can be used as craft materials. Children can use it to make murals, buttons, and other crafts, or adults can use it to frame mirrors and candle holders. No matter what acorn craft you want to make, there are a few steps you can follow to dry acorns so they can be used as craft materials. Insects often hide inside fruit shells and by drying them, you can safely and effectively eliminate the risk of future insect problems. This article will provide information on how to dry acorns for crafts.
Step
Step 1. Harvest fruit from white and red oaks as soon as the fruit falls from the tree, if possible
The fruit can be green, tan, or brown. The longer the fruit is on the ground, the more likely it is that it will be attacked by insects.
Acorns are the squirrel's main diet. Squirrels are very quick at harvesting acorns and you will see the squirrels actively hunting as the acorns ripen
Step 2. Place the acorns in a bowl of water to rinse them
Gently scrub with a nylon brush to remove soil, insect larvae, and leaves.
Step 3. Place the acorns on a towel to dry them for an hour
Discard fruit that has started to get moldy or rotten. Those fruits won't look healthy in your craft projects.
If you find acorns with small holes, this is a sign that insects have entered them. Drying fruit for craft will kill the insects. So, it's up to you whether you will use it or not
Step 4. Preheat your oven to 79 degrees Celsius
Place your acorns on the lipped cookie sheet. Place the acorns in the preheated oven.
Step 5. Slightly open the oven door
This will allow moisture to escape from the acorns as they dry.
Step 6. Turn the acorns every 30 minutes
Let the acorns sit in the oven for 1 to 2 hours to make sure the acorns are completely dry. Remove from the oven once the fruit is dry.
Step 7. Turn off the oven
Remove burnt fruit during the drying process. Cool the acorns on a drying rack before you use them.
Step 8. Use acorns for crafting materials
You can glue the fruit using glue or hot glue. Look for craft ideas in magazines, blogs, or craft books.
Tips
- Acorns dried in this way are also edible, however, drying acorns for consumption purposes is usually done by drying them for several weeks or months. Drying acorns in the oven will cause them to lose their moisture and freshness. Once oven-dried, acorns can only last 1 to 2 months to eat.
- If you are drying acorns, make sure that the drying area is free of squirrels, insect larvae, and other harmful objects.
