The Freeze-Drying Thread

[Bunnithebrat13]

Yes and no. Both processes involve removing moisture. Dehydrating uses heat, freeze drying uses extreme cold and a vacuum. Freeze drying removes more moisture, and hence the final product is more shelf stable.

Ah OK! Thank you! I was looking for a freeze dry machine but Amazon kept showing me dehydrators.

 

[Sammster]

Yes and no. Both processes involve removing moisture. Dehydrating uses heat, freeze drying uses extreme cold and a vacuum. Freeze drying removes more moisture, and hence the final product is more shelf stable.

Actually, freeze drying uses cold and heat plus vacuuming to remove moisture. Then the product needs to be packaged in a specific way to ensure no moisture returns, in order for it to be shelf stable. There are certain foods (just like dehydrating) that do not perform well, freeze dried. But, the proper freeze dried food can be stored for up to 30 years. You'd never get that kind of storage from a dehydrator.

 

[Sammster]

i'd be really afraid to try doing eggs that ways and i wonder what the texture and flavor is like on the fine scale of things since i seem to notice a lot of strange things that others don't seem to mind.

Raw eggs that have been freeze dried, then reconstituted, are just the same. They are excellent ~ scrambled, in an omelet or in recipes.
Cooked eggs, freeze dried - I couldn't say. However - there is a great You-Tube channel that does all kinds of testing that you might enjoy. It's called Live.Life.Simple
You might check him out. He is. A wealth of information

 

[VJohnson]

I just bought a Harvest Right Freeze dryer and I'm popping in to learn about it. When I get some time I'll go back through this thread and see what I can find out. Thank you @Sammster for the You Tube channel tip. I will be checking that out as well!

My first question is...what is the one thing you wish you had known before you started freeze drying? Any major tip on what not to do, or to especially do?

 

[Mini Horses]

In reality, few of us have those.....cost & real use issues.

 

[murphysranch]

At 69, I wouldn't get the benefit of investing in one, due to life expectancy. And my kids are NOT interested in what I put away all summer, for the winter.

I'm raining on your parade. There is a separate Class/division at the County Fair for dehydrated goods. Some amazing items!!

 

[VJohnson]

Well, I'm 71 and expect to live to enjoy it. lol

 

[VJohnson]

At 69, I wouldn't get the benefit of investing in one, due to life expectancy. And my kids are NOT interested in what I put away all summer, for the winter.

I'm raining on your parade. There is a separate Class/division at the County Fair for dehydrated goods. Some amazing items!!View attachment 26981

shrimp! Good idea!

 

[CrealCritter]

I just bought a Harvest Right Freeze dryer and I'm popping in to learn about it. When I get some time I'll go back through this thread and see what I can find out. Thank you @Sammster for the You Tube channel tip. I will be checking that out as well!

My first question is...what is the one thing you wish you had known before you started freeze drying? Any major tip on what not to do, or to especially do?

Which one do you have and did you get the oil less pump upgrade? Can you give us a review? We are looking at the medium sized one (5 trays). Well FB is looking at the medium sized one and asking me about it. So that means we are getting one because I told her to get the one she wants.

Learn-HomeFreezeDryer

The world's first and best home freeze dryer - Freeze dry meats, dairy, fruits, vegetables, candy, soups, full meals and so much more. Food retains its taste, color and nutrition and can be rehydrated to taste just like fresh!

harvestright.com

Thanks

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[VJohnson]

Which one do you have and did you get the oil less pump upgrade? Can you give us a review? We are looking at the medium sized one (5 trays). Well FB is looking at the medium sized one and asking me about it. So that means we are getting one because I told her to get the one she wants.

Learn-HomeFreezeDryer

The world's first and best home freeze dryer - Freeze dry meats, dairy, fruits, vegetables, candy, soups, full meals and so much more. Food retains its taste, color and nutrition and can be rehydrated to taste just like fresh!

harvestright.com

Thanks

Jesus is Lord and Christ

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.