Harvest Right X-Large Home Pro Freeze Dryer, Stainless Steel

Harvest Right X-Large Home Pro Freeze Dryer, Stainless Steel Questions & Answers

Q: Which Freeze Dryer Is Right For Me?

Small Freeze Dryer:

• Capacity of each batch is a 6 to 10 lbs. of fresh food
• In a year, one can freeze dry up to 1,800 lbs. or more of food

Medium Freeze Dryer:

• Capacity of each batch is 10 to 15 lbs. of fresh food
• In a year, one can easily freeze dry up to 3,000 lbs. of food

Large Freeze Dryer:

• Capacity of each batch is 18 to 27 lbs. of fresh food
• In a year, one can easily freeze dry up to 5,000 lbs. of food

X-Large Freeze Dryer:

• Capacity of each batch is around 40 to 50 lbs. of fresh food
• In a year, one can easily freeze dry up to 10,000 lbs. of food

Q: How Does The Freeze Dryer Work?

• 1. Raw or cooked foods are placed in the freeze dryer where they are frozen to between -30 degrees and -50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 2. Once frozen, the freeze dryer creates a vacuum in the food chamber.
• 3. As the food is gradually warmed, the water turns to vapor and evaporates out of the food (sublimation).
• 4. When dry, the freeze dryer notifies the user that the process is complete by sounding an audible beep.
• 5. You can then remove the freeze dried food from the dryer and place it in vacuum-sealed containers that are moisture and oxygen proof (preferably a mylar pouch or a can) to ensure freshness until opened.
• 6. When water is added to the food, it regains its original fresh flavor, aroma, texture, and appearance!

Q: What Size Are Freeze Dryers & How Much Do They Weigh?

• Small 16.5" W x 18.5" D x 25" H Color: 91 lbs. Stainless: 98 lbs.
• Medium 18" W x 21.25" D x 28.5" H Color: 119 lbs. Stainless: 127 lbs.
• Large 20.25 " W x 23.75" D x 30.75" H Color: 143 lbs. Stainless: 150 lbs.
• X-Large 23.25 " W x 33.7" D x 35.6" H Color: N/A, Stainless: 258

Q: What Type Of Food Can Be Freeze Dried?

You truly can freeze-dry almost anything. All kinds of fruits, vegetables and meats taste wonderful when freeze dried. That includes things like tomatoes, apples, bananas, strawberries, peaches, green beans, peppers, onions, potatoes, spinach, shrimp, pork, beef, turkey and even ice cream. Your favorite meals that include meat may be easily freeze dried. Foods like lasagna, rice dishes, cheese macaroni, chili, beef stew, chicken a la king, casseroles, shrimp, lobster, pulled pork, pasta sauces or scrambled eggs are perfect for this process. You will find that it is a delight to experiment with different foods and meals in your freeze dryer. A great way to start is by picking meals that are already favorites in your home.

Q: How Much Food Can Be Freeze Dried With Each Batch?

Small

6-10 lbs. of fresh food will fit in our small freeze dryer. It is not uncommon for customers to freeze dry up to 1,800 lbs. of fresh food in just 1 year. Tray space= 434 sq. inches

Medium

10-15 pounds of fresh food will fit in our medium size freeze dryer. It is not uncommon for customers to freeze dry up to 3,000 lbs. of fresh food in just 1 year. Tray space= 675 sq. inches

Large

18-27 pounds of fresh food will fit in our large freeze dryer. It is not uncommon for customers to freeze dry up to 5,000 lbs. of fresh food in just 1 year. Tray space= 1,107 sq. inches

X-Large

40-50 pounds of fresh food will fit in our X-Large freeze dryer. It is not uncommon for customers to freeze dry up to up to 10,000 pounds of fresh food in just 1 year. Tray space= 2,251 sq. inches

Q: How Long Does It Take To Freeze Dry Each Batch?

It typically takes between 20 to 40 hours to complete the process. Food type and quantity will affect the freeze-dry cycle. Things like meat, peas and corn dry quickly, while squash and watermelon can take longer. The thickness of the food slices will affect the cycle time too. Most importantly, your machine senses when the food is ready (alerting you with a beep) so you don’t have to guess when to stop the freeze-dry cycle.

Q: Is It Ok To Freeze Things Prior To Placing In The Freeze Dryer?

Yes! It is a great idea to put frozen products into your freeze dryer. Your machine will accept pre-frozen foods and cool them even further, to around -40 degrees F.

Q: What Components Make Up A Freeze Dryer?

The freeze dryer unit itself as well as a high-quality vacuum pump that sits outside the freeze dryer.

Q: What Maintenance Is Required For A Freeze Dryer?

The freeze dryer itself requires little to no maintenance. However, as shown below, all freeze dryers come with a high quality vacuum pump, which requires some maintenance, mainly adding and draining oil. The vacuum pump comes equipped with an initial supply of oil. There are 3 cups of oil in a vacuum pump that need to be changed regularly to keep a freeze dryer running efficiently. This is a simple process, and requires little effort. Each freeze dryer also includes a stand-alone oil filter. The filter cleans the oil and allows you to keep reusing your oil as if it were new. Using filtered oil in each batch is a great way to save money and be more eco-friendly, while also helping your vacuum pump perform as efficiently as possible

Q: What Type Of Power Do The Freeze Dryers Use? How Much Do They Cost To Run?

Small and Medium: Our small and medium freeze dryers use a standard 110 volt outlet. At peak, the freeze dryer draws about 15 amps, but on the average about 9 to 11 amps (990-1210 watts) of power per hour. A dedicated 20 amp circuit is recommended. Your freeze dryer will cost an estimated $1.25-$2.80 a day, depending on power costs in your area.

Large : Our large freeze dryer requires a 110 volt (NEMA 5-20) outlet. At peak, the large freeze dryer draws about 15 amps, but on the average about 10 amps (1500 watts) of power per hour. A dedicated 20 amp circuit is required. Your freeze dryer will cost an estimated $2.00-$3.00 a day, depending on power costs in your area.

X-Large: Our x-large freeze dryer requires a 110 volt (NEMA 5-20) outlet. At peak, the x-large freeze dryer draws about 17 amps, but on the average about 13 amps (1600 watts) of power per hour. A dedicated 20 amp circuit is required. Your freeze dryer will cost an estimated $4.00 a day, depending on power costs in your area.

Q: What Type Of Warranty Is Offered

3-Year Limited Warranty - All sales of Harvest Right Freeze Dryers after February 1, 2019, are covered by this warranty.