In the past, only large food processing companies had the technological ability to freeze dry food. Today, while not yet common, their freeze dryers available for home use.
This long-term stability makes freeze-dried products ideal for emergency preparedness and sustainable food storage.
Using the S-blade attachment makes short work of chili peppers and turmeric, while the dicing function has been a life-saver when chopping huge batches of onion, carrot and celery to make mirepoix.
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Freeze drying removes all but 2% of the water in food through a two-stage process that begins with flash freezing (1). If you think a dehydrator would be a better option for you, check out our article on best dehydrators.
Rotary drum dryers are highly efficient machines used extensively in the processing of wood chips, sawdust, and biomass. They operate by utilizing a rotating drum that heats and dries the materials as they are transported through the cylinder.
As you can see, the capacity more or less doubles with each model but the cost does not. The larger models use more energy to process the larger batches of food as well, so don’t neglect energy costs when you compare these as that impacts efficiency as we discussed earlier.
This unit is heavy duty construction, reliable and user friendly. We have enjoyed freeze drying fruits and vegetables in season, meats, leftovers and dessert items…the only limit is your imagination. Harvest Right’s customer service is knowledgeable, friendly and trustworthy.
It’s the perfect home freeze dryer for small homes, small condos, and cramped apartments. And it typically costs only a dollar or so in electricity to freeze dry a batch of food.
Even if that breakdown is only temporary. If supply chains are compromised it may be nearly impossible to get any type of specialty food. A freeze dryer can enable you to put aside a large stash of healthy food for yourself. That way you are covered no matter what happens.
You may want to go the pre-packaged route if your budget and time resources don’t make sense for owning your own machine. Freeze-dried food suppliers are still a great idea for maximizing your emergency food shelf-life. Typically, those are over $10 per pound of food depending on the type.
These are listed as source references. Please visit the manufacturer’s website directly if you are looking for a specific model’s manual to make sure you have the correct and most current copy.
Most of the maintenance on a freeze dryer involves the vacuum pump, especially if it is an oil-based pump. You’ll typically need to change the oil every 4-20 uses but your website manual will let you know.
If you are going trekking, or hunting in the deep woods, you need to be mindful of every ounce of weight you are carrying. The extra weight of dehydrated or canned food can be a deal breaker.