Why You Need a Freeze Dryer for a Healthy Lifestyle
If you’ve been looking for ways to save time, eat healthier, and cut back on food waste, a freeze dryer might be exactly what you need. With the Harvest Right Black Friday Sale, you can make this incredible tool part of your kitchen setup—without breaking the bank. Get the Best Prices of the Year now through 11/30/24.
1. Save Time on Meal Prep
Imagine spending one weekend preparing and freeze drying nutritious ingredients and full meals, then being set for the entire month. Freeze drying allows you to batch prep food that stays fresh for months (even years–decades!), meaning fewer trips to the grocery store and no scrambling to prepare ingredients on a daily or even weekly basis.
2. Always Have Seasonal Ingredients at Hand
With a freeze dryer, you can preserve seasonal produce when it’s at its most flavorful and affordable. Stock up on summer berries, fall squash, and more, and enjoy them even in the off-season. Freeze dried fruits and vegetables retain their nutrients, so you’ll always have fresh-tasting ingredients on hand.
3. Control Your Ingredients
When you freeze dry at home, you know exactly what goes into your food. No preservatives, no unnecessary additives no bioengineered ingredients—just wholesome, real ingredients. This control is especially valuable for those with allergies or dietary restrictions or anyone committed to a clean eating lifestyle.
4. Save Money Long-Term
While a freeze dryer is an upfront investment, it’s one that pays off over time. Consider this: pre-packaged freeze dried foods cost up to $10 per bag, but with a Harvest Right freeze dryer, you can make the same thing for pennies on the dollar. By buying food in bulk, especially during sales, you’ll save big on your grocery bill.
Produce: Bell Peppers
Imagine bell peppers are on sale at $1 per pound instead of the usual $3. If you buy 20 pounds, that’s a $40 savings! With a freeze dryer, you can process all 20 pounds at once and store them for up to 25 years. This way, you always have peppers ready for recipes without paying full price off-season. Using just 5 pounds per month, you save an average of $10 per month – that’s $120 annually on one item!
Meat: Chicken Breasts
When chicken breasts go on sale for $1.99 per pound, versus the regular $3.99, buying 30 pounds saves $60. Freeze drying this bulk purchase keeps it safe for long-term storage, ideal for quick meal prep. If you use 5 pounds weekly, that’s $30 saved each month and $360 annually just by stocking up at sale prices.
Dairy: Milk
A gallon of milk is usually around $4, but buying it in bulk from a warehouse club reduces costs. You can freeze dry large quantities and have milk powder on hand, lasting for years without refrigeration. Plus, you’ll avoid last-minute grocery trips just for milk! Over a year, this bulk purchase method saves you around $100 if you’re using freeze dried milk instead of buying at retail price every week.
Eggs: Farm-Fresh or Sale Eggs
If you find eggs on sale or buy in bulk from a local farm, you can save on this essential ingredient. Buying 5 dozen eggs for $2 per dozen (instead of $4) saves $10 immediately. Freeze drying these eggs for long-term storage means you’ll always have eggs on hand for baking or cooking, with zero waste if they start to spoil. Over time, these small savings add up – and having eggs stored eliminates price spikes or shortages from affecting your meal plans.
With Harvest Right, the savings quickly add up, making freeze drying a smart long-term investment that cuts grocery bills while keeping your pantry stocked year-round with essential ingredients.
5. Reduce Food Waste
We’ve all been there—those forgotten veggies at the back of the fridge, only to be thrown away later. With a freeze dryer, you can preserve fresh foods before they spoil. You can also freeze dry left overs, like soups, stews, and casseroles. It is a great way to keep ready-made meals on hand. No more wasted groceries, and you’re doing something good for the environment too!
6. Ideal for Busy Lifestyles
Freeze drying allows you to have nutritious meals ready at any time. For those nights when cooking from scratch just isn’t possible, you’ll still have homemade food without the hassle. You can also prepare specific ingredients, such as onions- having them chopped, seasoned and sauteed, so all you have to do is rehydrate (or not) and add into your recipes, cutting down on meal prep each night.
How to Get the Most Out of the Harvest Right Black Friday Sale
This Black Friday is the perfect time to get started with freeze drying, and the Harvest Right sale offers you the best opportunity. With lower prices on freeze dryers and accessories, you can build your setup for a fraction of the cost. Here’s a quick look at the must-have items:
Must-Have Freeze Drying Items & Accessories:
- Harvest Right Freeze Dryer (of course!) – The star of the show. Choose a size that fits your needs.
- Mylar Bags – Essential for long-term storage of your freeze dried foods (and check out these Resealable Mylar Bags too)
- Oxygen Absorbers – Keep your freeze dried foods fresher for longer.
- Oil-Free Pump (if available) – For those who prefer lower-maintenance options.
- Tray Molds – Perfect for portioning meals or separating ingredients.
- Harvest Right Recipe Book – An invaluable resource to get you started on freeze drying success.
FAQs About Freeze Drying
Here are some FAQs about freeze drying to give you helpful insights into the freeze drying process, making it easier to get started and make the most of your freeze dried food! Let us know if you have any other questions in the comments.
How does freeze drying work?
Freeze drying removes water from food while keeping its nutrients, flavor, and texture intact. The process involves freezing the food, then creating a vacuum to vaporize ice crystals directly from solid to gas, leaving dry, shelf-stable food.
What can I freeze dry?
You can freeze dry fruits, vegetables, meats (raw or cooked), dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt), candy, complete meals, and even desserts.
Freeze drying is really only limited by your creativity, with some exceptions. Foods with high fat (butter, oil, mayonnaise, peanut butter), high sugar (honey, jam, syrup) pure liquid content (soda, alcohol) or bones are challenging to freeze dry and may spoil or fail to reach the desired shelf stability. However, experimenting with mixed ingredients, like adding a bit of fat or sugar to other foods, can yield freeze dried snacks that are tasty and shelf-stable in moderation.
Just start with your favorite foods, experiment, and be willing to accept a few failures! Sometimes the results might surprise you, leading to new and delicious freeze-dried snacks that are shelf-stable and tasty. Freeze drying can yield amazing results and open up new possibilities for preserving a range of foods that fit your taste and needs.
How long does freeze dried food last?
Properly stored freeze dried food can last between 10 and 25 years, making it an excellent long-term storage option. However, foods that are high in fat and sugar, like certain cheeses, chocolates, and certain candies, have a shorter shelf life due to their fat and sugar content. When stored in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers or airtight containers in a cool, dark place, these treats can last a few months to a couple of years but aren’t suitable for 25-year storage. Rotating your storage over time and periodically checking your supply ensures that all freeze dried food is used within optimal freshness.
Do I need to rehydrate freeze dried food to eat it?
Not necessarily! Many freeze dried fruits, vegetables, yogurt, cooked meat can be eaten as-is for a crunchy snack. However, for meals like soups or casseroles, rehydration brings them back to their original texture and flavor.
Is freeze drying better than dehydrating?
Freeze drying preserves up to 97% of nutrients, unlike dehydrating, which loses more nutrients due to heat. Freeze dried foods have a much longer shelf life, a light, crunchy texture, and can be easily rehydrated for eating or adding to recipes. Plus, freeze drying is a more hands-off process and allows for a wider variety of foods to be preserved effectively, from full meals to delicate fruits and dairy.
How much does it cost to run a freeze dryer?
The cost of running a freeze dryer depends on the model size, local electricity rates, and what you’re freeze drying. Generally, a small freeze dryer uses around 9-11 amps, while larger models can go up to 16 amps. This typically means a cost of $1.25 to $3.00 per batch, depending on local electricity rates and the drying cycle, which lasts 20 to 40 hours. High-water-content foods, like fruits, may take longer to freeze dry, potentially increasing costs, whereas smaller or dryer foods are usually quicker and cheaper to process.
Additionally, regular maintenance, such as oil changes or opting for an oil-free pump, adds to the long-term cost. However, freeze drying in bulk—especially seasonal produce or sale items—can make each batch more economical, saving money over time by allowing you to store nutritious, in-season foods for long-term use. While there’s an initial investment, these savings through reduced waste and bulk buying can more than balance the running costs in the long term.
Is freeze dried food safe for pets?
Yes, freeze dried food is safe for pets and can be an excellent way to provide them with healthy, natural treats or even full meals. Freeze drying preserves the nutrients in food without the need for preservatives or chemicals, making it a healthier option than many store-bought pet foods that often contain additives. You can freeze dry small portions the same pet friendly meat, vegetables, and fruits to create single-ingredient treats or balanced meals tailored to your pet’s diet.
Does freeze drying alter the taste of food?
Freeze drying has a unique effect on the taste of food, enhancing certain flavors while maintaining the food’s original profile. Unlike other preservation methods, like dehydrating or canning, freeze drying doesn’t use heat, which means it preserves food without altering its natural flavors significantly. For most foods, the freeze drying process locks in a fresh, pure taste that many find even more flavorful due to the concentration of flavors once the water is removed.
For fruits, freeze drying intensifies their natural sweetness, creating a crisp, crunchy texture that makes them feel like a light, healthy treat. For savory foods like meats and vegetables, the taste remains authentic but may have a slightly different texture, often more tender or delicate when rehydrated. Freeze drying also preserves subtle flavors in herbs and spices better than most other preservation methods, allowing you to use them as if they were fresh. Overall, freeze dried food tastes remarkably close to fresh, with a texture that opens up new ways to enjoy familiar foods.
Ready to Invest in Health and Convenience? Don’t Miss This Sale!
Get the Best in Freeze Drying Technology
- 🥦 Max Nutrients: Lock in up to 97% of nutrients – better than canning or dehydrating.
- ⏳ Long-Term Storage: Keep food fresh for up to 25 years – no preservatives needed!
- 💰 Less Food Waste: Preserve leftovers, garden harvests, and bulk buys without spoilage.
- ⏱️ Faster Meal Prep: Freeze dried meals are ready in minutes – just rehydrate and enjoy!
- 🌱 No Additives: 100% pure food, just the way you want it.
With all these benefits, the Harvest Right Black Friday Sale is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Investing in a freeze dryer could be the best decision you make for a more convenient, nutritious lifestyle. Say goodbye to processed foods, wasted groceries, and last-minute meal stress. Click now to check out the deals and get ready to transform your kitchen!
