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When we think of food preservation our minds may think of home canning or a small dehydrator machine. However, there is another method that has been around for centuries - freeze drying. The first freeze dryer for home use became available in 2013. Ten years later, the freeze dryer and freeze-dried food are selling exponentially.
I have been home-canning and dehydrating foods for the last year and really enjoy the process and the benefits they both provide. However, freeze-drying has really helped me in saving space in my freezers and pantry. I was able to place my order at the end of November in 2022 and make payments through the layaway program. I've been using the freeze dryer since April 2023.
Is The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Easy To Use?
The short answer is YES!
Learning anything new can seem a little intimidating. When we received our freeze dryer, I was definitely feeling a little overwhelmed because the last thing I wanted to do was mess up the machine or a big batch of food! However, the set up was very straightforward and the machine’s computer screen tells you exactly what to do and when.
How Does The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Keep The Food Nutritious?
Unlike a dehydrator that uses high temperatures to preserve food, a home freeze dryer freezes food to at least -40 degrees Fahrenheit. It then creates a powerful vacuum seal which vaporizes the ice crystals entirely and leaves you with a thoroughly dry, extremely shelf-stable food. This freeze-drying process enables the food to retain 97% of the nutrients! Home-canning and dehydrating lose a lot of their nutrients due to the high heat used in their preserving methods.
How Does The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Reduce Food Waste?
I like to purchase things in bulk but sometimes that is difficult when it comes to storing fresh produce long term. In the past I would blanch and freeze the items but that takes up valuable real estate in my freezers, not to mention if we were to lose power, all of that food is gone. Having the freeze dryer allows me to not only preserve fresh produce, but it allows it to be self-stable and ready to use anytime. I have also freeze-dried cooked ground hamburger and cooked ground sausage. I have really enjoyed having this on the shelf! I like to use this in breakfast casseroles, pasta dishes, and as topping on pizza. The convenience is absolutely amazing and has been worth every penny I paid for the machine.
What Is The Shelf Life Of Freeze-Dried Products?
When stored properly, freeze-dried food can last about 25 years. I don’t necessarily need my food to last that long, but it is nice to know that when I am ready to use it, it will be good to go. I typically store mine in half gallon mason jars if I plan to use it within a few weeks or so. If I have multiple jars, I will use my vacuum sealer to seal the jars. I have only used the Mylar bags to store the freeze-dried eggs since I knew I wouldn’t need them right away. If you are currently purchasing #10 cans of freeze-dried goods, you know they can be pricy. At the time of writing this, a #10 can of freeze-dried eggs is about $65.00. That can add up really fast!
Is Freeze-Dried Food Lightweight and Easy To Pack?
The girls and I go camping several times each year and having lightweight food is perfect for backpacks. My kids can be pretty picky sometimes so being able to freeze dry one of their favorite meals to take camping is really nice. We are able to pack multiple meals for multiple days in a standard backpack with all of our gear.
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How To Store Freeze-Dried Food
Vacuum Sealing. This provides an airtight setting that safeguards your freeze-dried food from air and moisture exposure.
Mylar Bags. This is a simple and cost-effective solution for food storage. To prevent oxygen from spoiling your food, include an oxygen absorber in the bag. After that, you can easily seal it using an impulse sealer or even a hot iron or flat iron. Stored this way, food can last up to 25 years!
Glass Jars. Air-tight glass jars are great for keeping snacks fresh. They can be conveniently stored in a pantry for several months without the need for an oxygen absorber. I use mason jars and seal them using the canister function on my vacuum sealer.
Is The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Hands Off?
Unlike home canning, there is no babysitting required when freeze-drying. Once you turn on the machine and close the valve, you wait the 15 minutes it tells you to, place your trays inside, secure the door, press continue, and walk away. It is so easy! I love that it allows me to move on to other things and not heat up my kitchen. The process time varies but typically you can expect 12-40 hours. The longest I have had something take was probably around 30 hours, but again, I wasn’t tied to the machine during that time, so it didn’t bother me to wait.
Does Harvest Right Have A Lay-A-Way Program?
YES! Let’s be clear, the cost of the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer is an expensive kitchen appliance. Thankfully, they offer a layaway option with zero interest! I opted to go this route during one of their sales and was able to lock in the sale price and make my payments over time. The minimum down payment is $250.00 but you are able to pay as much as you want, when you want, for as long as you want. Of course, they do not ship until the final payment is made.
What Is The Harvest Right Company’s Customer Service Like?
The customer service agents have been very nice and knowledgeable in answering any questions I had. When I made my final payment, the gentleman I spoke with was very encouraging and said, “You did it!” It made me feel good not only because he was encouraging and sweet but because of the fact that he recognized that this is a pricey item. It was never the pushy salesman pitch. I wasn’t nagged into purchasing any extras or making larger payments. I really appreciated that.
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What Are Some Cons About The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer?
COST. As I mentioned, this is quite an investment, and I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to take a chance on a specialty appliance. The more I thought about other appliances in my home it really made me look at the cost differently. For instance, I debated buying a name brand stand mixer for YEARS and it was barely a quarter of the price. Now, I hate that I waited so long to purchase it, and I use it almost daily. I wanted to purchase a second freezer because I wanted the ease of a standing freezer offered over a chest freezer. When I really thought about what value the freeze dryer would bring to me and what I hoped to accomplish with it, I was able to justify the expense. Honestly, I don’t know if I would have purchased it as soon as I did if Harvest Right did not have such an amazing layaway program and a three-year warranty.
NOISE. The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer is noisy. I currently have mine in the kitchen which is open to our living room. When we watch tv we do need to increase the volume a bit, but the noise doesn’t completely interfere with our everyday life. We live in the south where temperatures could reach triple digits and extreme humidity levels, so storing it in the garage could damage the machine. It is recommended the machine be kept in a basement or other room in your home that stays consistently cool.
SIZE. This is not a small machine and for most, it will not fit on your kitchen countertop. I would compare it to the size of a mini fridge you would find in an RV or college dorm. It measures 19″ W x 25″ D x 29″ H, and it weighs just over 100 pounds. It has a detachable vacuum pump that sits to the side of the machine and the pump weighs 32 pounds. A sturdy cart or table will be needed to hold the weight of the machine. You will also want a bucket to hold the water that exits during the defrost mode.
What Are Popular Foods To Freeze Dry?
As I mentioned, I have loved having freeze-dried produce available and ready to go. I have freeze-dried apples, strawberries, mixed berries, pineapple, pears, corn, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, onions, celery, and summer squash. So far, everything has reconstituted beautifully, and the taste is actually stronger in flavor. I like to use homemade chicken stock and simmer on low-medium heat for a quick veggie side dish. The freeze dried meat is a game changer for me though! Having shelf-stable cooked meat available is so convenient and the fact that I know exactly what it is, where it came from, and what is in it, is the best I could ask for! I have also freeze-dried eggs and have really enjoyed the convenience of that as well. It only takes two tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of egg to equal one egg. Of course, my kids insisted we try the freeze-dried Skittles. We really enjoyed them, and it was a fun experiment for us to try.
What Is Our Overall Recommendation Of The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer?
We have really enjoyed having a freeze dryer at home and I am pleased with the purchase. Yes, there was a bit of sticker shock, but to me, the pros far outweigh the cons. Having worked with Harvest Right during my purchase and following their improvements to their previous machines, I believe they will continue to take size and noise into consideration in their design of future models.
Where To Find More Information About The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer?
If you have been thinking about purchasing a home freeze dryer, I hope you find this information helpful. There are many videos available on the Harvest Right website as well as on YouTube. You can learn more about Harvest Right and all of their products on their website, here
What Other Food Preservation Methods Are Available?
Canning. This process involves sealing food in airtight containers and heating them to kill bacteria, which helps extend shelf life significantly. Canning is an affordable preservation method as you can buy jars as you need them and typically only purchase the canner and equipment once.
Freezing. This method is the easiest and affordable. Freezing slows down the growth of microorganisms and preserves the texture and flavor of food for an extended period. However, having freezer space to store everything can be an issue.
Dehydrating. This preservation method using drying to remove moisture from food, which inhibits the growth of spoilage-causing organisms, making it a great option for fruits, vegetables, and meats. Dehydrators are available in various price points and are available in most big box stores.
Fermentation. This method not only preserves the food but also enhances its flavor and nutritional value, commonly used for products like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
Looking for Home Canning Recipes? Check out these family favorites!
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