TruePrepper is a collection of prepping guides, articles, and reviews by survival experts since 2016. Our Mission: To spread and normalize prepping by getting more people involved with their preparedness. Have a question? Just ask.
We’ve found that a sturdy bench made of food-grade stainless steel works well, especially with its lower shelf for our trays and storage equipment.
While freeze dryer brands typically have similar parts, their firmware can vary widely. Some brands have very user-friendly interfaces with simple steps while others allow total control of the system (for better or worse).
Check the warranty. A freeze dryer machine contains of a lot of specialized parts that can wear out over time. Check to see what technical support the manufacturer offers, as well as how expensive replacements parts are and whether they’re covered by warranty before making an investment.
Plus, food should be pre-frozen to prevent any messy accidents and reduce the overall time spent in the freeze dryer.
Freeze dryers utilize a sophisticated preservation method called sublimation, where frozen water in food transforms directly into water vapor without passing through the liquid phase.
Most water extraction methods destroy enzymes and terpenes because of the heat used in the extraction process. Because the freeze drying process does not use heat to remove water, the enzymes and terpenes in freeze dried products are not destroyed.
I hope this can assist you in making a wise purchasing decision on the size and type of freeze dryer that fits your food processing plan best.
There aren’t very many companies who sell a freeze dry machine for home use. In fact the only company we found is Harvest Right. They are starting to become more popular as people want to be less dependent on the Government and supply chain for their food.
Compared to other appliances, like ovens or dryers- freeze dryers are much more sophisticated. They were not even available for residential use until Harvest Right introduced them a few years ago.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like a freeze-drying appliance. There is a sweet spot where you get high value without overspending, which is where our top pick sits.
Other brands, like Harvest Right, want you to contact them to make sure you get the correct parts and know how to install them. There are pros and cons for both service approaches. Maintenance parts are available at most manufacturer’s websites.
Most freeze dryers increase their capacity with tray count and deeper drums. The front of freeze Buy Now dryers in various sizes can appear to be similar when, in fact, there are large capacity differences. Tray size can illustrate this best:
The refrigeration system should demonstrate consistent cooling capacity, especially during extended operation, as temperature stability directly affects the quality of your freeze-dried products.