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When I first got my freeze dryer, I was excited to get started freeze drying. The initial investment is significant, and the only way to make the cost worth it is to run the machine and produce freeze dried food to fill your pantry. Some freeze dryers come with a lot of essential accessories. You definitely can get started freeze drying at home once you set up your freeze dryer. 

With experience, you learn that there are additional supplies and freeze dryer accessories that can elevate the entire experience. Making the process easier, and more efficient. Let me guide you through the must-haves and the good-to-haves.

What is Freeze Drying?

Freeze drying, also known as lyophilization, is a preservation method that removes moisture from perishable items, allowing them to be stored for extended periods without spoiling. The process begins by freezing the item solid. Then, using a vacuum, the moisture is extracted directly from its frozen state, transitioning it from ice to vapor without going through the liquid phase.

The result is a lightweight, moisture-free product that retains much of its original shape, color, flavor, and nutritional value. When sealed in airtight packaging, freeze dried items can have a shelf life of many years. Then, by simply adding water, many of these items can be rehydrated and brought back to a state closely resembling their original form.

With advancements in technology, the power of freeze drying is no longer limited to large-scale operations or labs. Modern at-home freeze dryers have become accessible for everyday consumers, allowing individuals to preserve their own food right in their kitchens.

This means that families can now preserve their garden produce, leftover meals, or even create their own snacks with their personal preferences and tastes. No longer relying on commercial products that might contain preservatives or additives. The autonomy of freeze drying at home ensures that the end product is as pure and natural as the original food source, giving users full control over what goes into their preserved foods.

What Comes with a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer?

Straight out of the box, the Harvest Right freeze dryer surprised me with its comprehensive set of accessories. Included are:

• Vacuum pump
• Oil for the pump and an oil filter
• Stainless steel trays
• User’s guide
• Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers
• An impulse sealer

The starter system has almost everything needed to start freeze drying. But, over time, I realized there were more tools that could simplify the process and promote consistency.

See our buyer’s guide to help you choose the Best Freezer Dyer for your needs.

Setup Accessories

Setting up your freeze dryer correctly from the outset is pivotal for its long-term functionality and efficiency. Think of it as laying the foundation for a house; a strong start ensures stability and durability. Proper initial setup ensures that the machine operates at its optimal capacity, reduces the chances of malfunction, and can even extend its lifespan. Taking the time to ensure correct ventilation, drainage angle, and positioning of accessories like the drip pan can prevent mishaps, saving you both time and money in the long run. A well-executed setup is the first step towards successful freeze drying adventures. 

The process might seem daunting at first, but with the right accessories, it becomes straightforward and efficient. Here’s a list of essential accessories you’ll need for a smooth setup:

Sturdy Table or Workbench: Your freeze dryer isn’t a lightweight machine. Ensuring it’s on a sturdy surface prevents vibrations and maintains its efficiency. A utility cart or heavy-duty table is ideal or a specific table designed for heavy-duty appliances.

Drain Hose and Drip Pan: essential for efficient water runoff, ensuring a mess-free freeze-drying experience.

Power Surge Protector: This accessory can protect your freeze dryer from potential electrical fluctuations or outages, ensuring its longevity and optimal functioning.

Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential. Freeze dryers can generate some heat, and the vacuum pump will need good airflow. Consider setting up near a window or using a fan.

Heavy-Duty Extension Cord: Depending on your setup location, a robust extension cord might be needed to manage the dryer’s power requirements.

Essential Freeze Dryer Accessories

There are many accessories for setup, food prep, packaging, storage, and maintenance that play pivotal roles in streamlining the freeze drying process, directly impacting the final quality of your preserved food.

Proper initial setup with considerations for ventilation and drainage ensures a smooth operation, while food prep tools like tray dividers and silicone molds contribute to even drying and optimal texture. Quality packaging materials protect your food’s flavor and texture, preserving its integrity over time. Adequate storage solutions safeguard against environmental factors, ensuring an extended shelf life. Furthermore, understanding the rehydration process enhances the user experience, bringing your freeze-dried creations back to life with ease.

Regular maintenance, including proper cleaning and oil filtering for the vacuum pump, keeps your machine in top condition, ensuring consistency and reliability in every batch.

By investing in these essential accessories and practices, you are setting yourself up for success, guaranteeing that your freeze dried food retains its desired qualities from the moment it leaves the tray to when it’s ready to be enjoyed months or even years later.

Food Prep Must-Haves

Uniformity is the name of the game during food prep for freeze drying. Uniformly sliced fruits food will dry at the same rate, reducing the possibility of some pieces being under-dried while others are overly desiccated. Food prep accessories not only speed up the prep time but also minimize food waste by ensuring every piece is appropriately sized for the drying trays. Tools like digital scales can assist in portioning the right amount of food for each batch. Investing in the right food prep accessories can save you time, reduce waste, and optimize the quality of your freeze-dried produce.

Investing in food prep accessories for your freeze drying is truly a game-changer, both for efficiency and the quality of the end product. I remember when I first started out with freeze drying, I’d just roughly chop fruits and vegetables, thinking it wouldn’t make a significant difference. However, I quickly realized the error in my ways when I pulled out a batch of mixed sized apple slices. Some were perfectly dried, while others were still moist, and a few were overly desiccated, losing much of their original flavor.

My friend parents, who have been freeze drying for years, laughed when they heard of my rookie mistake. They showed me their collection of slicers, choppers, and scales, emphasizing how uniformity is key in this process. They explained, “Size does matter and consistency is key. Food must be prepared to a similar size to ensure they dry at the same rate.” Taking their advice to heart, I invested in some quality food prep accessories. The results? Night and day. Not only did it cut down on my prep time, but each batch came out consistently perfect.

The tale of my apple slices is a testament to the importance of using food prep tools. They ensure every piece of food gets the same treatment in the freeze dryer, preventing those disappointing mixed results. By getting consistent slices or dices, you’re setting yourself up for success, making the entire process more streamlined and yielding better, more flavorful outcomes.

Prepping a hefty 10 pounds of food can be time-consuming. Equip yourself with:

• An egg slicer for even mushroom and fruit slices.
• A quality apple/potato cutter.
• A pastry scraper and food chopper.
• Knife and cutting board
• A digital scale to weigh food accurately.

Preparation Accessories

Proper placement of food on the freeze drying trays is more than just an aesthetic choice—it’s a science. Ensuring an even distribution, without overpacking, is essential for achieving a consistent freeze drying result. Overcrowding or haphazard placement can lead to uneven drying, which may cause some areas to remain moist while others become overly dry. This not only affects the longevity and storage of the food but also its texture and flavor. 

Thankfully, tools like tray dividers, silicone molds, tray stackers, and tray lids come to the rescue. These accessories guide you in positioning food items optimally, ensuring they don’t overlap or create pockets that trap moisture. With their aid, you can maintain uniform thickness and space between food slices, promoting even drying and optimal texture. So, while it might be tempting to stuff as much as you can onto a tray, an organized approach using these tools will yield the best freeze dried foods, batch after batch.

• Tray mats– these ensure even freezing and easy release. They enhance the efficiency and cleanliness during each batch.

• Tray dividers– These are vital for those looking to dry multiple items simultaneously without mixing them. With dividers, you can easily segregate different foods on the same tray, maximizing space and efficiency.

• Tray lids– While freeze drying is underway, you might find yourself prepping for the next batch. Tray lids are essential in these situations, protecting your prepped food from contaminants, odors, or unintended spills in your freezer.

• Silicone Food Molds– These are perfect for freeze drying liquid or semi-liquid foods. Pour eggs, soups, purees, or yogurt into these molds, and once freeze dried, they’ll pop right out, retaining their shape. 

• Tray Stackers– A lifesaver for those looking to prep large batches in advance. Using stackers allows you to stack multiple trays in your freezer, ensuring that each tray remains level and its contents undisturbed. This is particularly useful for foods that may expand or change shape during the pre-freezing process. Also, check out the tray lids with stackers attached!

 Packaging Accessories

Packaging plays an indispensable role in the longevity, freshness, and safety of freeze dried foods. Once food undergoes the freeze drying process, it becomes highly susceptible to moisture, light, and oxygen — all of which can compromise its quality and shelf life. 

Effective packaging acts as a barrier against these external factors, ensuring that the preserved food retains its nutritional value, flavor, and texture. Using high-quality materials like Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and vacuum sealers can make a world of difference in preventing spoilage and maintaining food’s original qualities. 

Labeling each package with the contents and the date of processing can also streamline retrieval and ensure proper food rotation, maximizing the shelf life and quality of your stored foods.

• Moisture Meter: Essential to ensure your food is sufficiently dry for storage.
• Food Processor
• Wide Scoop and Funnel: These make transferring food to bags or jars much smoother.
• Mason Jars: Perfect for short-term storage, especially when vacuum sealed.
• Vacuum Sealer: Increases the shelf-life of freeze-dried goods. 

• Mylar Bags and Impulse Sealer For guaranteed long-term storage

• Oxygen Absorbers
• Freeze Drying Printable Labels

 Food Storage Solutions

Storing freeze dried food properly is as crucial as the drying process itself. The ideal storage environment for freeze dried goods is a cool, dark, and dry place, away from direct sunlight or temperature fluctuations. Basements, pantries, or climate-controlled storage rooms often fit the bill. 

Storage bins can protect your Mylar or vacuum seal bags from pests, while allowing easy organization and accessibility. 

• Storage Bins
• Pantry inventory tracker

Machine Maintenance Extras

Maintaining your freeze dryer is pivotal for ensuring its longevity and consistent performance. Regular upkeep not only enhances the efficiency of the drying cycles but also safeguards your investment. 

After each use of your freeze dryer, it’s essential to drain the machine to prevent any residual moisture or condensation buildup. 

Then clean the interior of the machine and the trays to prevent any food residue buildup, which can affect subsequent batches. 

The vacuum pump, the heart of the freeze drying process, requires particular attention; periodically change its oil and ensure it’s properly filtered to keep it running smoothly. Some freeze dryers have sensors and software that indicate when maintenance is needed—heed these prompts. 

Be sure to check seals, gaskets and hoses for wear and replace them as necessary. 

Just as with any appliance, occasional checks on electrical connections and general operations can preempt potential issues. 

A well-maintained machine will not only provide optimal results but will also minimize unexpected repair costs in the long run. These accessories are what I use for maintenance.

• Wedges Slight Angle– Positioning your freeze dryer at a gentle incline can facilitate drainage, ensuring any melted ice or condensation can easily exit the machine.
• StarSan- This sanitizer is the best I’ve ever used. It’s no-rinse and non-toxic. It’s incredibly effective, requiring only 30 seconds of contact time. The dispenser is also very well-designed. Just uncap the measurement compartment and squeeze the bottle to fill it with sanitizer from the bottom. It’s a very handy feature.
• Vacuum pump oil
• A freeze drying log book to stay on top of things.
• Upgraded seals, gaskets andhoses and other specific machine improvements.

Rehydration Accessories

Rehydrating freeze dried foods is a remarkable process that brings these preserved items back to life in just minutes. The simplicity lies in its basic requirement: introducing moisture back into the food. 

However, the method you choose can yield varying results. For instance, immersing fruits in cold water might retain their original texture and flavor, while using warm water for vegetables can expedite the process and produce a more cooked texture. Soups and stews might benefit from direct boiling, ensuring even rehydration. These are the accessories that I keep on hand to be able to rehydrate any freeze dried food.

• Water Boiler

• Steamer- The Roundup Steamer is a versatile and powerful kitchen tool that can help you rehydrate freeze-dried food to perfection. With its customizable settings, you can control the amount of moisture and heat added to your dish, ensuring that it is cooked evenly and to your liking.

• Marinade Vacuum Sealer- The AvidArmor Ultra Series vacuum sealer is ideal for marinating freeze-dried food to help it rehydrate. Its adjustable pressure settings allow you to create the perfect vacuum for your needs.

Experimenting with different methods is not only fun but also allows you to achieve the perfect consistency and taste for your creations. Check out our post on how we rehydrated lasagna 3 different ways. 

Conclusion

All these accessories, while not mandatory, can streamline your freeze drying process, ensuring you get the most out of your freeze dryer. It’s all about making the process as smooth and efficient as possible. 

From the initial set-up to the final stages of rehydration, every accessory, be it for food prep, packaging, storage, or maintenance, serves a specific purpose. These tools not only streamline the freeze drying process but are also instrumental in ensuring the flavor, texture, and longevity of your freeze dried foods. 

When each step is optimized with the right accessory, the result is a product that stands the test of time, both in taste and preservation. Investing in these accessories guarantees the success and efficiency of your freeze drying process.