The Experimental and Study of Watermelon Rice Cracker Drying Using Solar Energy

Abstract

This research presents purpose of the study was to examine watermelon rice cracker properties and, to evaluate performance of the drying machine and to find break-even point analyze. The results of the study showed that, watermelon rice cracker consisted of 75% sticky rice, 7% watermelon juice, 5% black sesame, 5% coconut milk, 5% fresh milk, and 3% salt. The diameter of rice crack being dried was 52.28 millimeter. The thickness of rice crack being dried was 0.79 millimeter. The moisture content of rice cracker was 51.31 %db. The brightness of rice cracker measured by Colorimeter when being dried in the oven with solar energy received L*=+41.5, a*=+3.8, b*=+12.8 and density of rice cracker was 6.65 g per cubic centimeter. The dryer with solar energy for water melon rice cracker was assembled from dryer supports, Metal grid., Solar Energy. The result reported that of the dryer with solar energy performance, the proper temperature in the dryer was 75°C and the duration was 60 minutes. To compare with rice cracker being dried by sunlight, the quantity rice cracker being drying machine was 2,016 crackers a day whereas being dried by sun light was 504 crackers a day.