Anyone have a Freeze Dryer?

[old medic]

We have processed and preserved our own food for many years. We recently added a small freezer dryer to the mix. Still learning but loving it. Mostly fruits and veggies, a few candies (which we don't need) and herbs. Love the idea of that we know exactly what's in our foods... no chemicals dyes or preservatives.
The Grandson loves the banana chips and strawberries. We even ground up strawberry powder and mixed with yogurt for bites.
Freeze dried grapes are far FAR better than raisins.
Biggest problem is I could eat up what it makes faster than it can make it...

 

[LadyEmeraude]

Must be lots of benefits of freeze dried foods...

 

[old medic]

Must be lots of benefits of freeze dried foods...

Well the sellers seem to think so... Properly done food can last 25 years, so stuff done now might outlast us. Most stuff we put in jars or zip-lock bags, but have mylar bags for long term storage. You can do complete meals to, just add hot water and eat... great for hiking and camping.

 

[officerripley]

We used to have a dehydrator we used for making our own beef jerky. We buy a lot of already-made beef jerky so figured making our own would save us a lot of money, but it didn't because the jerky we made tasted so good we just ate it up too fast.

 

[Michael Z]

A family out our way have a very nice freeze dry system. They will freeze dry for others for a cut of whatever they process.

 

[QuietByNature]

My daughter has one and does a bunch of fruit for the grandkids. But then again she has all kinds of gadgets, freeze dryer, commercial vacuum sealer, dehydrator.

 

[Lilac]

We have had a Harvest Right freeze dryer for years now. When we got ours when they only made one size, which now is their medium.

This is something that my husband wanted since it would preserve food longer than me just canning. We usually use mylar bags for storage, but recently I've been using canning jars & sealing it with my vacuum lid sealer. It's been a learning curve to for me rehydrating veggies for dinner. So far I've done corn & green beans. Last year I did herbs & tomatoes that I turned into powder for plain sauce & paste. I like the idea of knowing what's in my food.

My favorite is eating the shredded cheese. For me it's a great snack to take on vacation to munch on in the car.

I just got this book from Harvest Right & I'm beginning to go through it: Recipe Book - Discover Home Freeze Drying