I've been flip-flopping for years about buying a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer. I had a long list of pros and cons, but tonight I finally broke down and ordered one. I got the small size with the extras included for just under 2k. I'm planning to set it up in the barn, because of the size, and there is power and a refrigerator/freezer to store the meat, milk, eggs, etc. in until freeze dried. Just have to go to the barn every day to load/unload the freeze-dried food, clean the trays, and reload the unit. The biggest reason I bought a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer is the high cost of 25-year food, powdered milk and eggs, dehydrated foods, etc. Hopefully, I will be able to freeze dry hundreds of pounds of food to go with my stockpile of other foodstuffs.
We have one. I can eat eggs from chickens long dead. Really handy to prep it the way i want to eat it and without other crap put in my food. I love "goolosh" made with hot rotel in it so so she makes it for my hunting trips along with other foods and makes it the size i want so there is no waste. Feeze dried carnitas for sandwhiches or as a stand alone meal hydrates really well. Etc etc. She runs the freeze dryer and i do the pressure canning.
If you don't mind answering a question. How do you determine the correct amount of water to put into each meal? I would assume that each meal might have different consistencies and amounts. With the store bought varieties it's known and printed on the instructions. Do you have any suggestions as to how best to store the food? Especially with individual meals. What have you found does not rehydrate well and what does? Thanks in advance.
Yeah, I'm hoping that this isn't one of those purchases that gathers dust and I regret. We've all made those kinds of purchases, usually exercise equipment.  The 2nd hand market is good, and I could unload it on eBay, but I'm hoping to get a lot of use out of it, save money and add to my preps.
good luck. like the others im hoping you post your success. i lived on my mountain house reserves for 2 years.
I recently bought my retirement home in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I am hoping to reap the full benefits of the numerous fruit and vegetable stands with the long growing seasons and subtropical weather. The may even be some profits for sales of freeze dried citrus, mango, papaya, etc.
You might be able to work a deal with the folks that operate those fruit and vegetable stands. You buy the fruits and vegetables from them, and they sell the freeze-dried stuff for you...everybody wins.
I have one I haven't used since my wife passed away about 2 1/2 years ago. It's the middle sized one. It has the original oil type vacuum pump and the oil less one as well. Probably won't use it again. If I want more freeze dried preps I'll simply purchase them. But I have a lot and now it's just me and two cats.
I suppose a Margherita mix where you just add tequila and water should be feasible. With tropical fruit variants....it might be fun doing the experiments.
I have one as well and the Stay Fresh unit as well. Water amounts extracted are from weight before and after of the tray . a little math and you know the amount of product to moisture / water / broth to add. I have ten years doing this with 2 machines . And I have learnt the no's and the do's . ALL HR machines need a software update from new and the drain valve changed FROM NEW..( I have helped so many with the Harvest-wrong ) Stay fresh is a better machine Sloth 1000000859.mp4 Eggs you need to learn how to do them and not make the machine mess, or Vac pump get plugged up ( I know). Oil filtration and getting the water out . I use Dairyland and Rotair oils mixed (Have done for 10 years , with a watt meter to see how much each batch costs and know the time. S
Oh, wise Sloth, how do you do eggs? This ignorant one wishes to learn from a wise one, such as yourself.
I've been doing some research, and many users purchase bulk foods from farmers' markets, supermarkets, Sam's Clubs, Cosco, etc. Fresh or frozen. Fruits, veggies, eggs, milk, cheese, meat, etc.
