Which Size Freeze Dryer Is Right For You? Guide to Choosing the Right Size Freeze Dryer

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  • Опубліковано 3 лип 2024
  • Thinking about buying a freeze dryer but you're not sure which size is right? In this video, we will explore the factors to consider when deciding on the size of freeze dryer that will best fit your needs. This can often be answered with a few simple questions. We will look at how much food you plan on freeze drying, how much space you have available, and what your budget is.
    If you're unsure about what size freeze dryer to purchase, this is the video for you.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 49

  • @elainecurtis3649
    @elainecurtis3649 6 місяців тому +11

    I"ve had my medium for almost 2 years, don't use it everyday, but I believe I've gotten my money's worth. had 2 issues, one was the power cord I received was wrong, but did'nt take overly long to get the correct one. 2nd one was a software issue, fixed pretty quick, once I figured out what I was doing wrong, lol. I don't do candy, don't change temps, just let the machine do its thing. I treat my machine like another way to preserve food. I also can, and dehydrate, so this is just another tool. I love my machine and do not regret my purchase.

    • @live.life.simple.
      @live.life.simple.  6 місяців тому

      great to hear that you just let the machine do its thing. Way to many folks trying to reinvent the wheel in my opinion. It's designed to be easy to use.

    • @daniellejean624
      @daniellejean624 6 місяців тому

      I’ll be using once or twice a month. Do you recommend a small?

  • @amyking3236
    @amyking3236 6 місяців тому +5

    I purchased my small harvest right freeze dryer this October (2023). I had to make room for it, ordered a stainless steel cart, and some other supplies so I didn't get it hooked up until beginning of December. It has been running every since. I have freeze dried about 20 dozen eggs, chili, tons of pressure canned tomatoes into powder, pork roast and potatoes. I'm cleaning out the freezer to freeze dry most of my meat. I chose a small because of every reason you listed. I am living in my travel trailer. I'm limited on space, amperage/ power requirements. I am very happy with my small. Thank you for your review. A coworker is interested in getting one in the future. I will direct her to your channel and this episode. Thanks again.

  • @adsrentals
    @adsrentals 6 місяців тому +5

    As a solo, bought a small and never looked back. I acquired another one a year later, I keep them in the kitchen and rotate them. Turn around times are great with the small since I do small batches it doesn't take me a long time to fill it. I have the oil-less pumps because I didn't want the vapor venting or dealing with oil changes. I put them each on a roll around foot peddle lift cart from Harbor Freight, dryer and pump fit perfect on the cart. Also, I use them to pre-freeze by using the manual setting in the test screen, I get things to minus 20 quickly. The parchment paper and tray dividers are great, I've been waiting for the stackable lids for small to be produced.

    • @codyzimmerman2582
      @codyzimmerman2582 4 місяці тому

      I was under the impression you still need to vent with oil less?

  • @olgapietri4062
    @olgapietri4062 6 місяців тому +2

    Just purchased my first FD . I am a little bit scare but that is why I am here ,
    to learn .I got the medium.

    • @live.life.simple.
      @live.life.simple.  5 місяців тому

      Congrats! There are many resources to learn. I wrote a book called "The Freeze Drying Handbook" that you can find on Amazon or at www.freezedryingsupplies.com
      You may also want to consider joining our Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/retiredat40livelifesimple/

  • @flatcat101
    @flatcat101 4 місяці тому

    Exactly what I needed to learn, thank you. I subbed, looking forward to learning more.

  • @valeriebeverly4158
    @valeriebeverly4158 6 місяців тому

    Thank you. This is the most educational, simply stated video I have seen. Also, grabbing the book.

  • @mistystossel8911
    @mistystossel8911 6 місяців тому +4

    Wish I had seen this two months ago. I bought a large and it’s just a little big for 2 of us! Thanks for the videos. I’ve watched for over a year before I bought one. Very informative.

    • @live.life.simple.
      @live.life.simple.  6 місяців тому +1

      Well buying too big is better than the alternative! Happy Freeze Drying!

  • @spayne9496
    @spayne9496 4 місяці тому

    Thank you for explaining all the different sizes. I ordered a medium and was wondering the size. Have a blessed day!

  • @americanhottopics7373
    @americanhottopics7373 Місяць тому

    Extremely helpful. Thank you!!

  • @sowandtare
    @sowandtare 6 місяців тому

    Loving my Large!

  • @robingirven4570
    @robingirven4570 6 місяців тому +1

    Purchased my medium a year ago. I’ve been loving it. Just finished caramelized onions and celery. There are only 2 of us but I have 4 grands and their Mom next door who love fruit.
    Thank you Brian!!

  • @emmanuelletumulak2487
    @emmanuelletumulak2487 4 місяці тому

    Your freeze dried videos are incredibly enjoyable! I've been daydreaming about owning a freeze dryer myself, but it's just not in the cards financially 😅 Nonetheless, watching you experiment with it brings me a sense of contentment and joy. Keep up the awesome work! 😊😊

  • @paulettagyurik2644
    @paulettagyurik2644 6 місяців тому

    Thank you
    Love the video
    Is HR planing for more upgrades in the coming year 2024

  • @fazz4444
    @fazz4444 6 місяців тому +2

    Did you ever fo a video comparing Harvest Right with Alpine and Stay Fresh. I would live to see that. Just joined your channel and loving what i see so far.

    • @bmack03
      @bmack03 4 місяці тому +2

      Yes! That is how I found this video. Looking for reviews on all brands as so many are having issues with HR but I want the XL as my first FDer.

  • @AliciaRyann
    @AliciaRyann 6 місяців тому

    XL. I’ve owned 3 L since 2016 lol. I won’t give up my girls (workhorses). But if I can’t get screen replacements etc and stuff comes up.

  • @homesteading60
    @homesteading60 3 місяці тому

    How many cups of food does a large tray hold? I noticed on your bananas video...sliced thicker and on end rather than flat...you recommended 9 hours of freezing and 7 of drying - or something close to that. My large machine is running 4 trays loaded about the way yours looked - 72 bananas for the load - and the freezing took about 20 hours and the drying stage is 26 hours in with probably another 10 hours or so to go. Have I done something wrong? Are our machines different? I'm a little confused by the huge difference in times... Thanks! Love your videos and information. I just bought a moisture meter and the meat tenderizer. Great tips.

  • @wannabe181
    @wannabe181 2 місяці тому

    Have you seen the square aluminum insert that TKOR uses when they freeze dry different kind of cooked eggs? I really want to know how to get that!!!!

  • @lindamedero6347
    @lindamedero6347 6 місяців тому

    Have to clean off the coils inside the freeze dryer on the left side (facing the machine). Can I just unscrew the back and then the side panel will come off so I can use a soft brush? I tried using a velocity dryer to blow the dust off from the outside, but that wasn't sufficient

  • @Laurie-lh9hj
    @Laurie-lh9hj 2 місяці тому

    Do you have to load all trays to cycle the machine?
    Can you mix trays in one cycle?

  • @JimmY-jf3rw
    @JimmY-jf3rw 4 місяці тому

    Debating from large to xl. Will the xl unit use same energy as large if only drying let’s say 10lbs batches ?

  • @carolinamountainliving7501
    @carolinamountainliving7501 6 місяців тому

    What’s the best source for just buying freeze dried meat? Happy to pay a premium but don’t want to be ripped off either.

  • @ChristineOak
    @ChristineOak 2 місяці тому

    Do you feel like the bigger ones dry less evenly than the smaller ones? I keep seeing a lot of issues with large and xlarge not working evenly.

  • @TheRealBatCave
    @TheRealBatCave 5 місяців тому +1

    What weight of food can u do in ur XL, or willing to put in the XL or at least pounds per tray? Getting conflicting weights from different sources including harvest right I have the 7 tray and they r telling me 35 pounds is to much in thier opinion for the 7 tray XL

  • @viau09
    @viau09 5 місяців тому

    I have learned a lot from your videos and what to buy my first equipment, Do you recommend the oil free pump? do you think it is a good investment? Thanks.

    • @live.life.simple.
      @live.life.simple.  5 місяців тому +2

      I don't like the oil free pump. It's loud, expensive and requires a full rebuild by HR at 3000 hours.

    • @miltg6322
      @miltg6322 4 місяці тому

      @@live.life.simple. What do you do with the used oil? Do you dispose of it somehow? (Great video btw.)

  • @CptWacko
    @CptWacko 6 місяців тому +1

    Other question: What is the freeze dry time difference between the models? Do small ones do the freeze drying faster, thus they have a lower OpEx than the XL ones?.Thanks!

    • @amyking3236
      @amyking3236 6 місяців тому

      The time depends on what you are freeze drying and the moisture content. The XL has way more food and moisture so more time to freeze dry. I have a small and so far the pureed tomato, raw whipped eggs take about 24-30 hours. Chili took about 36 hours. It also depends on humidity and ambient temperature. There's really no definitive answer. There are many variables.

    • @mantzbrinkman4780
      @mantzbrinkman4780 6 місяців тому +1

      If you are using the same pump on all sizes, the smaller is fastest. I don't know how to precisely answer your question. There are lots of parts to a cycle. Generally, freezing drying is the longest part of the cycle, followed by the freezing part of the cycle (it can be shortened by several hours by pre-freezing in the deep freeze), followed by the defrost cycle (usually about two hours) followed by the letting it cool down a bit (highly variable from zero to as long as it takes to hit room temperature), followed by the pre-freeze cycle. So, the longest cycle is the freeze drying part of the cycle and size greatly affects that as the pump remains the same and that is instrumental in moving from freezing to vacuum freezing. Your question is a good one and it would take someone with different sized machines to run them through the paces with the same product and keep track of the time associated with the different parts of the process from start to finish. Me, I have two mediums operating with Premier Pumps and I have not regretted the choice of my set-up.

  • @jamesyoung159
    @jamesyoung159 6 місяців тому

    I have a medium HR with 4 trays. Can you replace the trays with a 5 tray option you mention or will it be a whole new unit?

    • @live.life.simple.
      @live.life.simple.  6 місяців тому

      As far as I know, HR sells the rack unit separately. I need to do the same for my XL, as I purchased one of the first ones that were 6 trays instead of 7

    • @valajeanweishahn2907
      @valajeanweishahn2907 6 місяців тому

      I upgraded my 4 tray unit to the 5 tray and love it.

  • @MartyLewandowski
    @MartyLewandowski 6 місяців тому

    I have a question, my wife and I work full time, so if we start a freeze dryer cycle, and say it gets done in the middle of the day when we are both at work. Is our food ruined? Do we have to empty the dryer as soon as its done? I've searched on Harvest Rights website but I cant find the answer.

    • @adsrentals
      @adsrentals 6 місяців тому +1

      Use the extra dry time to keep it running, I keep mine on 12 hours, you can always stop it when it's convenient for you. I work full time and put in a batch after dinner and let it run all night, look at time remaining in the morning to figure the end time. I think the extra time defaults to 2 hours.

    • @MartyLewandowski
      @MartyLewandowski 6 місяців тому

      Awesome thank you!@@adsrentals

    • @live.life.simple.
      @live.life.simple.  5 місяців тому +1

      Most people set their extra dry time to 24 hours so it's never an issue on completion time. If you didn't, the food is just held in a holding pattern at a cold temp so it does not get ruined.

  • @4zooflorida
    @4zooflorida 6 місяців тому

    None, because they are a bit beyond my budget.

    • @jasonweeks7079
      @jasonweeks7079 5 місяців тому

      Ok great. Thanks for letting us know. Get back to us when things change, we will be waiting for you.

  • @michaellindauer538
    @michaellindauer538 6 місяців тому

    You should purchase the one you can afford. Simple

  • @ChristineOak
    @ChristineOak 2 місяці тому

    Do you feel like the bigger ones dry less evenly than the smaller ones? I keep seeing a lot of issues with large and xlarge not working evenly.

    • @live.life.simple.
      @live.life.simple.  Місяць тому

      I would imagine that many people are overloading the larger trays and getting that result. I learned that when using the XL. The trays are so large and the quantity of food is much larger, it's easier to slop it on there instead of making even properly loaded trays. That was my experience, maybe others have had a different one.