have you successfully dried out orange and lemon slices? plus cranberries?

[lilolilmanchester]

Have seen several decorations recently which use dried orange and lemon slices. Question is can I dry them at home and if so how? Please let me know if you have done this successfully and how you did it.
Also have a packet of cranberries surplus to requirements. Can i dry them (if so how?) to use for decorations? And any decoration ideas using these dried fruits very much appreciated. thanks.

Okay, I brought Anthea Turner's book The Perfect Christmas. I know twit I am but in my defense it was £4.00 off then 20% off at Waterstones.
Anyway She says
Cut fruit into thin slices no thinner than 1/2 cm. If using apples soak in lemon & salt first.
Line baking tray with greaseproof paper, arrange fruit so they are not touching. Dry in a low oven (130C/gas mark1/2) for 6 to 8 hours!! Turn regularly.
To dry whole fruit score the skin at regular intervals so the slits will open and dry the fruit (top to bottom in photo) Thread fruit on to fishing wire or raffia or string.
tell me how you do? OR if you do it?

thanks starbear, put some in this morning, gas mark 1/4 cos was doing mincemeat at same time. Went out, 3 hours later burnt to a cinder. Will try again with thicker slices and keep an eye on them!
Does she have any ideas for leftover cranberries in her book?

Not drying them but, to get some dry cranberries and thread them onto florist wire in a heart shape. Hey! if I'm typing out her book for you. Can you send me the successful products. I'm going to do oranges with cloves stuck in them tomorrow. I have had the cloves for about 3 years to do this. I just need some ribbon. I'm also going to have a go at displaying Pomegranates cut in half

we've strung FRESH cranberries on thread and hung them on the tree - beautiful! And last longer than you might think.
Drying stuff is hard without the right kit.

like that idea littlefrog, but don't think my spare cranberries will last that long. Might buy some more nearer Christmas

last year I dried slices in the oven, but must be careful to keep heat low and not get impatient and turn it up or they go all dark. This year I put them on a wire rack on the top shelf of my airing cupboard and it worked! and cheaper as no more electricity needed. Of course they took about two weeks to dry so for this year you might want to try the oven....

I did some in the microwave last year.. it worked between layers of kitchen paper.. you just have to keep stopping it to let them cool or they will brown/burn in spots.. they kept well in the ornament box wrapped in tissue and the box smelled all orange-y.. mmmm

I am drying some im my airing cupboard. They might be ready for Christmas, but perhaps no this one!
DH's face when he saw me put a tray of orange slices in the airing cupboard was priceless!