Buying a freeze dryer seemed like the perfect solution for preserving my garden’s harvest and saving on food costs.
Little did I know, there were a few surprises along the way that I wish someone had told me about before hand!
So if you are considering investing in a Harvest Right freeze dryer, here are 11 things I wish I knew before taking the plunge.
I hope it helps!
11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying a Freeze Dryer
1. Noise Levels
I know, I know, everyone talks about the fact that freeze dryers are noisy.
But I still wasn’t prepared for just how noisy they can be!
Imagine the loud hum of a vacuum cleaner, only it’s happening all day long. That’s the kind of noise we’re talking about.
It’s not unbearable, but it is definitely disruptive!
If you have an open floor plan like me, the noise can carry throughout your living space, making it even more of an irritation.
Instead of living with the constant drone, we moved our freeze dryer to the garage. With the door closed, the sound is a more manageable white noise.
But what really made a difference was switching vacuum pumps… which leads me to the next thing I wish I knew before investing in a freeze dryer.
2. Pump Types
When we purchased our medium freeze dryer in 2022, we splurged on the oil-free vacuum pump.
The idea of no oil changes appealed to us, as did its sleek, low-profile appearance.
Unfortunately, just three months after we began using it, the oil-free pump failed. We could no longer get a proper vacuum and it seemed like our freeze drying days were over!
Luckily the pump was covered under warranty and Harvest Right replaced it. This time we opted for the premier oil pump and, boy, what a difference!
Half as loud and changing the oil is so easy it is a non-issue.
Given the chance again, I would save the money I spent on the oil-free pump and just go with the standard premier oil pump.
3. Initial Costs vs. Long-Term Savings
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room… the cost.
When I first looked at freeze dryers, I nearly choked on my coffee at the sight of the price tags. We’re talking thousands of dollars!
But then, think about what it can do.
For someone who hates wasting food, likes control over what they eat and loves gardening, it’s an absolute god send.
In my medium freeze dryer I can freeze dry up to 3,000 lbs. of food in a year.
If you get the extra large model you can do up to 10,000 lbs. of food per year!
Yes, the upfront cost hurts, but over time the freeze dryer pays for itself. In fact, I did a complete cost analysis comparing to commercial freeze dried meals, just in case you are interested!
We have saved heaps by not letting the fresh garden produce we have labored to grow go to waste, especially during peak harvest times when we often have way too much to consume fresh.
That is just one of the reasons I think every serious gardener should own a freeze dryer.
4. Learning Curve
While the freeze dryer itself is pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it, the process is not as simple as just tossing food in and pressing a button.
There are tricks to getting it right: how you arrange the food, the thickness of slices, the type of food that works best – each factor can affect the end result.
Some food needs blanching, most is best pre-frozen and some items should just be avoided altogether!
Luckily there’s a massive community online who love freeze-drying just as much as we do.
Watching tutorial videos and scrolling through forums will help you fine-tune the process.
5. Batch Processing Time
Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to freeze drying.
Depending on what you’re drying, each batch can take anywhere from 20 to 40 hours to complete. And if your trays are really loaded and the food has a high water content, this can stretch out to 50+ hours.
If you’re planning a big freeze-drying session, like prepping meals for a camping trip or stocking your pantry for winter, being organized is key.
I’ve learned to start batches in the morning so they’re mostly done by the next evening, this makes the best use of my solar to offset the electricity expense and means the cycle is finished at a time that is convenient for me to package the food.
Speaking of electricity…
6. Impact on Electricity Bills
Here’s a little nugget of truth reviews don’t always highlight, freeze dryers can make a dent in your electricity bill.
Depending on how often you use it, you might see an increase of $20 to $60 per month.
It’s not like running an energy-sucking space heater, but it’s noticeable.
For me, the expense is justifiable considering how much more of my own garden produce I am able to store long term.
Plus, if you use renewable energy sources or have an energy-efficient home, the impact could be less. Try and time your cycles to make use of the most solar hours possible if you have solar panels on your home.
It is a good idea to factor in this ongoing cost alongside the initial investment, but it’s not usually a deal-breaker for most people.
7. Space Requirements
Before you get all excited and order a freeze dryer, take a hard look at the space you have available.
These machines aren’t exactly compact – mine occupies a good chunk of garage real estate.
You’ll need enough space for the freeze dryer and its vacuum pump, and trust me, you don’t want them crammed into a tiny corner. There needs to be enough ventilation and space for you to move around.
Measure your prospective area twice and then some because once you set it up, moving the machine again isn’t a light task!
- Freeze dry up to 10,000 lbs of fresh food every year.
- Preserve your gardens harvest & prepare for emergencies.
- Make your own camping & hiking meals.
- Freeze dry your own pet food.
8. Maintenance Needs
Freeze drying isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it kind of hobby. While the machine itself is mostly self-sufficient, the vacuum pump requires a bit of TLC.
Oil changes are crucial for the premier oil pump, it involves adding, draining, and filtering oil every 20-25 batches to keep things running smoothly.
At first, it felt like a chore, but it only takes a few minutes and is just another routine task.
You should also take the time to wipe over the trays and vacuum chamber with a damp cloth after each batch, a pretty small ask to keep an expensive machine humming along nicely.
9. Food Preparation
When it comes to food prep, freeze drying is a bit like meal prepping on steroids.
Some food items need to be blanched or pre-frozen before you throw them in. How you slice and arrange the food on the trays can impact the dryness.
We started dedicating weekends to prepping batches, which streamlined the whole process. We also purchased extra trays and tray lids so we can fill 12 trays at once while the kitchen is a mess anyway!
- Set of 5 Freeze Dryer Trays
- Stainless Steel
Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.
Good preparation makes the drying process more efficient, saving you from potential food explosions or failed batches and producing higher quality results.
10. Storage Solutions
Just when you think you’re done after the drying process, there’s one more step, storage.
Proper storage is essential if you want to store your freeze-dried food for the long term.
We’ve invested in Mylar bags, mason jars and oxygen absorbers to keep moisture and oxygen at bay.
Many freeze drying enthusiasts take the extra step to vacuum seal their Mylar bags before sealing them too – and a vacuum sealer is on my wish list.
It is these investments that ensure our food stays just as fresh years later as the day we sealed it.
11. Unexpected Benefits
Now for the best part. I didn’t realize until after purchasing my freeze dryer just how versatile it is!
You can freeze dry almost anything: fruits, veggies, eggs, full meals, candy and even ice-cream! This has taken my emergency rations to a whole new level!
I originally purchased the freeze dryer to deal with my excess garden produce, but what prepper doesn’t love the idea of little packets of freeze dried ice-cream in an emergency situation, talk about a morale booster!
One of my favorite unexpected perks is how well most food rehydrates, retaining its original flavor and texture.
Whether it’s whipping up a quick meal or having emergency supplies on hand, the benefits have been more than I ever imagined.
It’s these unexpected bonuses that make the investment truly worth it for us. Is it worth it for you? Only you can decide but I hope this helped!
Still wondering if a freeze-dryer is right for you? Read my two-year, hands-on, no-holds-barred review of the Harvest Right freeze dryer here.
- Freeze dry up to 10,000 lbs of fresh food every year.
- Preserve your gardens harvest & prepare for emergencies.
- Make your own camping & hiking meals.
- Freeze dry your own pet food.
