Need suggestions for a freeze dryer

I’m here LOL
Harvest Right is the primary residential machine option. I have the medium machine it fits on a counter and uses a standard outlet. It will come with a vacuum pump.

let me know what questions you have and I’ll give you real world answers from my experience. You’ll never “make your money back” but the thing is a real life changer

I did not pay 3500. They run a Black Friday sale every year and you can sometimes find them used. People buy them and don’t use them. It’s a heavy machine that makes a bit of noise so you really need a place out of the kitchen to set it up and run it. Ours is in a connected laundry utility room.

110 pounds! Thanks for sharing. I'd love one, but it would need to stay put.

Somebody sell me on this. I've considered doing this but is it worth the trouble?

you’re welcome. The new compact unit is 4 trays which is the same as the small upright unit. The medium is 5, large is 6 and XL is 7. The individual trays are all the same size so the only difference is the amount of food you can process at one time

we’ve found that glass jars vacuum sealed is the best storage container for freeze dried food just keep them in a cool dark place with an O2 absorber packet (a bunch of them are included). You’ll need a vacuum sealer with a jar attachment

with very few exceptions we’ve had excellent results with every fruit and vegetable we’ve tried. At the start focus on items with short shelf life like mushrooms, tomatoes, figs, etc to get the hang of it

The only precooked meal I’ve tried is jambalaya when I had a huge pot leftover. I chilled it on a sheet pan and cut it into rounds with a big biscuit cutter then freeze dried the rounds.

They reconstitute fine, if I were backpacking I’d say I’d be happy with the results. But 99% of the time we are freeze drying raw ingredients for either storage or use in their dried state (fruits, herbs, garlic, ginger, peppers, etc)