The Freeze-Drying Thread

[CrealCritter]

We bought the small one that has 4 trays and so far it has been perfect for us. Our leftovers generally fill a tray and when I get four of them ready, I pop them in. I did order 4 extra trays so this could happen in a constant rotation. The lids are nice to have too. We did not get the oil-less pump. DH doesn't have a problem changing oil, but so far we haven't had to do that yet.

I reconstituted small amounts of some of the items I freeze dried to see how they work and it's really amazing results. Shrimp for example, which tends to get rubbery in the fridge or freezer after it has been cooked, came out just as succulent as when I put it in. I highly recommend the Harvest Right. Just get the size that works for you.

Thank you so much for the honest review. We are going for the medium (5 trays) the standard (oil) pump and their cart to put it and accessories on.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[murphysranch]

From the Fair entry last July. Amazing looking FD shrimp!!

 

[VJohnson]

Thank you so much for the honest review. We are going for the medium (5 trays) the standard (oil) pump and their cart to put it and accessories on.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

We also bought a cart, but from somewhere else and a cabinet for the supplies. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine!!!

 

[CrealCritter]

We also bought a cart, but from somewhere else and a cabinet for the supplies. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine!!!

Ours came in today they were out of stock on their cart, so we just got a stainless steel one instead. Waiting the 24 hours rest period before trying it out on a loaf of storebought bread.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[VJohnson]

Ours came in today they were out of stock on their cart, so we just got a stainless steel one instead. Waiting the 24 hours test period before trying it out on a loaf of storebought bread.
View attachment 28037

Jesus is Lord and Christ

Looks great! Yes, that is the process we went through as well. Rehydrating the bread in a wet paper towel worked well too. I was surprised. We used a cheap loaf of bread for this process so we didn't save it, but I wanted to test out the rehydration process.

 

[VJohnson]

@CrealCritter , how did your first freeze dry process go? I hope you are enjoying yours as much as I do mine. I just set up a tray of our leftovers tonight - beef barley stew. Should be great. It's what I do with most leftovers now. I keep them in the freezer and as soon as I have 4 trays, in they go.

 

[CrealCritter]

@CrealCritter , how did your first freeze dry process go? I hope you are enjoying yours as much as I do mine. I just set up a tray of our leftovers tonight - beef barley stew. Should be great. It's what I do with most leftovers now. I keep them in the freezer and as soon as I have 4 trays, in they go.

It's my wife's machine, I just get to watch. I'm totally fine with that, I have enough of my own projects She dried three loafs of storebought bread to rid the machine of the "new car" smell is what she said. She had a problem with the second loaf and called tech support. I got to wrench on the machine to adjust the door, so it would seal (easy).

Then she dried whole strawberries and blackberries, that she had frozen from this years harvest. She really likes it, I'm sure once we get our electricity restored from the ice storm and we are off the generator, she'll be drying more stuff.

Beef barley stew sounds delicious to try. I suspect you would just add water and heat to enjoy?

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[VJohnson]

It's my wife's machine, I just get to watch. I'm totally fine with that, I have enough of my own projects She dried three loafs of storebought bread to rid the machine of the "new car" smell is what she said. She had a problem with the second loaf and called tech support. I got to wrench on the machine to adjust the door, so it would seal (easy).

Then she dried whole strawberries and blackberries, that she had frozen from this years harvest. She really likes it, I'm sure once we get our electricity restored from the ice storm and we are off the generator, she'll be drying more stuff.

Beef barley stew sounds delicious to try. I suspect you would just add water and heat to enjoy?

Jesus is Lord and Christ

Yes. I weigh my trays before I freeze dry (in grams). Then when they are dried I weigh them again. I register the difference right on the label and that should be about the amount of water I want to add back in. I do this with most of our leftovers. I used to buy commercially prepared freeze dried foods, but I hope to never have to get into those. lol

Oh, and freeze drying is my thing. My hubby is very helpful in watching the oil and any other upkeep that will eventually be needed. He has lots of projects too.