Any alternative to dehydrator?

[skysurfer]

Ok folks I'm from the UK and brand new here - and to the subject.
I've been veggie for years and dabbling with raw.
I understand the definition of raw is no heating above 118 degrees?
I've looked at dehyrdrators but they're expensive and don't want to buy one unless I will use it.
Is there anyway I can use an electric oven with a fan to dehydrate food if I set the heat to under 118 degrees?
Sorry if this is a dumb question but I'm not completely clear what a dehrdrator does that an oven can't...
Thanks

[spicyfull]

I Dehydrate outside in the Sun. I try to Recycle and use everything I can that is available to Me that will save Energy. The Sun is there and I don't have to turn it on. Some say the temp. can't be regulated but it was the only Dehydrater My GrandMother had. I do have a plug in Dehydrater also but use the sun whenever possible...I Love the Sun. Let it Shine, Shine.

[Suz58]

I used to use the back of our VW camper parked in the sun, great for when the sun isn't quite hot enough on its own.
Near a wood burner or radiator in winter works too.

[Fee]

My last oven had a keep warm function which started at 35degC which is under 118degf (If my calculations are correct) which you could try. I bought a cheap dehydrator but didnt get on with it and ended up buying an excalibur which I love and get on so much better with.

Whereabouts in the uk are you? Im in Blackburn.

[RawFoodGuy]

Before I could afford a Good4U dehydrator I got one of hose round models for $5 at a thrift shop. I used a cand or yogurt thermometer inside and plugged it into one ofr those extension cords made for lamps that has a dimmer in it, letting me roughly contrl the temperature. All in all I spent about $15 as I recall, back in the 90s, so it could be a bit more these days, but not much. I still see these dejydrators in thrift shops like new all the time, and occasionally one fo the round models that has a thermostat in it shows up, too.

RFL