Freeze Drying Your First 500 lbs of Food - Batch 28 - Cottage Cheese
Вставка
- Опубліковано 23 чер 2022
- Freeze dryer batch #28 - 10 lbs of cottage cheese Started freeze drying this batch June 16th.
Want to support this work?: Buy me a coffee :-) www.buymeacoffee.com/DanZm
First 500 lbs data spreadsheet link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Batch worksheet link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Cost of the cottage cheese: $17.43 for 10 lbs
Total batch time: 39 hours 0 minutes
Weight before drying: 10 lbs Weight after drying: 892 grams (about 2 lb)
Power use: 27.14 kWh
Bagged into: 10 quart 7 mil Mylar bags with 300cc oxygen absorbers.
Starting your freeze dried food pantry. 100 Days: The first 50 batches - Freeze Drying Your First 500 lbs of Food
Start by asking yourself this question. Why are you freeze drying food? Knowing this should help you decide what you should freeze dry first.
I'm freeze drying because:
Just to freeze dry leftovers?
You want to make your own food for camping/backpacking?
For if/when the SHTF?
For a short term emergency?
You have your own garden and want to freeze dry the food?
You love Costco but don't have a family of 6?
You are good at finding the food sales but only have 1 freezer?
When you cook homemade chili just for yourself you make 10 gallons? Because you have 3 full freezers and are worried about power outages?
I'm going to start freeze drying from scratch, pretending that I don't have a rack full of freeze dried food.
If I knew then what I know, I would have freeze dried things in a different order. Maybe not, because I started freeze drying was because we had 3 full freezers, I was thinking of getting another one, and I decided I should buy a walk-in freezer instead. I started looking into walk-ins and realized they were expensive to buy (even used ones) AND expensive to own and operate. Then I found out Harvest Right was making home sized freeze dryers. One of my first thoughts was "I like Mountain House!" I have used their food for backpacking almost 45 years and we even kept some in our travel trailer, for just in case.
This list is about getting started on a 500 lb mixed pantry of freeze dried foods in 100 days.
(This may be a bit optimistic and perhaps it'll only be 400 lbs)
Goal of about 85 lbs per category. (100 lbs per category if we don't do the Meals/Dishes)
1) Meats:
2) Vegetables:
3) Fruits:
4) Dairy:
5) Grain / Starch:
6) Meals / Dishes:
Freeze dried food will stay fresh for many years and be ready and waiting when you need it.
We do videos showing how we are using our Harvest Right Freeze Dryer to freeze dry food for long term storage. (We have the medium size machine that we got in August of 2017) We talk about how to load and unload the freeze dryer, how to know if the food is dry, is it better to freeze dry raw food or cooked food, and do a few taste tests. Freeze dried food is also great for prepping or just for camping and snacking!
AFFILIATES & REFERRALS
---------------------------------------------------
If you are thinking of buying a freeze dryer, please consider supporting us by purchasing through our link. It helps us and costs you nothing! affiliates.harvestright.com/9...
We have the medium freeze dryer with the original vacuum pump.
───────────────
Amazon affiliate links to some of the things we have been using; it helps us and costs you nothing.
• Escali Primo Kitchen Scale amzn.to/3r8VqRe
• Etekcity Kitchen Scale11lb/5kg amzn.to/3K3ajhY
• Power meter amzn.to/3s4RVOr
• The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: amzn.to/33NTPtt
• This is the scoop I "adjusted" (see video) for bagging amzn.to/3pdTB4J
• Silicone Square Cake Pan - Set of 2 amzn.to/2YvAp6L
• Teflon Tape for Impulse Sealers amzn.to/3pt2nMd
• Dial Thermometer -40 to 160 F 1-Inch amzn.to/3NElaja
• Parchment paper - We usually get our at Costco, but they also have it on Amazon amzn.to/3owy5qC or amzn.to/3Cw1WXL
• Corrugated Plastic Sheets we use in our freezer amzn.to/2YqAM2A
• Drill Bit 5/32" x 10" Extra Length amzn.to/3tEOvRx
───────────────
We are participants in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For the 7 x 7 pans try the Dollar Store, that's where we got ours. (They were labeled 8 x 8 because they measure the top) - Навчання та стиль
Loved cottage cheese when I did a batch. Even with the curds getting smaller, it would still taste good in a shtf situation.
The information you’re providing us about safe, delicious freeze dried food is invaluable - I watch every episode smiling all the while. THANK YOU!
I love cottage cheese, so this is very useful. Thank you!
Another great & informative video.
Thank you for your time!
Thanks for watching.
You did good….
On your channel do you ever show where you reconstitute your freeze dried food and do a taste test? If you don’t this would be very much appreciated.
Yes, I still do show rehydrating as often as I can, and there will be more when this series is complete.
Short, quick, Rehydrating Pasta and adding Meatballs with Mushroom Sauce ua-cam.com/video/uorEG46CSkQ/v-deo.html
Rehydrating Freeze Dried Scalloped Potatoes - March 2022 ua-cam.com/video/q12GpXxOVZw/v-deo.html
Freeze Drying and Rehydrating a Frozen Mixed Vegetable Sample ua-cam.com/video/0vMGieq2YlI/v-deo.html
Rehydrating Freeze Dried Meatballs with Mushroom Sauce ua-cam.com/video/5goKIQPLTU4/v-deo.html
Freeze Drying & Rehydrating Eggs with Peppers, Onions, and Mushrooms ua-cam.com/video/8YC_VBEp1yg/v-deo.html
Rehydrating and Cooking Freeze Dried Eggs and Ham in Real Time ua-cam.com/video/Y3xBSUXjwOc/v-deo.html
Where did you obtain the blue deciders for your pans please:)
Love watching your videos !!!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
The divider is just something I designed and 3D printed to fit our pans. Here is the design and print video if you are interested; ua-cam.com/video/3KLblPCTpHk/v-deo.html They were printed with ABS then vapor/acetone smoothed to seal them. The file is on Thingiverse. www.thingiverse.com/thing:3848619 (Some people feel that it's wrong to have food touch plastic - it's low on my personal risk list) I've updated the Thingiverse listing to include a new version of the divider that is slightly narrower at the bottom to fit more of the pans. (I hope!) The dividers are designed to fit the pans we got at a Dollar Tree store. They were called 8x8" but the bottoms are about 7x7", 2 1/2 pans are a perfect fit ** for our medium freeze dryer trays. (Turns out they have them online too www.dollartree.com/cooking-concepts-square-cake-pans-75-in/10065 ) The different batches of pans that we have bought (over the past 20 years) have had slightly different side slopes, which would require a slight change in the divider shape. That's why some of our pans have an "X" on them.
** Clarification on the 2 1/2 pans per tray; it only works IF the divider is the thickness I use. (or thicker) The freeze dryer trays actually
fits about 1/2" less than 2 1/2 pans; that's one reason I made the dividers that thick, that and to fit the magnets.
For those without a 3D printer, here's my best ideas for getting some 3D printed dividers. Lots of areas have Maker's places with people that would love to do it for you. Or, better yet, some schools have 3D printing labs. Check with a the local charter school that has junior high or high school age students. I taught 3D Design and Printing for 3+ years at a local 6th - 8th grade charter school. We loved it when we could find/were given a real-world project with a real need.
I finally made a couple of the dividers without using the 3D printer a short time ago. It turns out it's an easy craft project and my sister says they are working well. (I will be making more non 3D printed ones, they're easy, cheap, and work!)
Making Dividers for My Pre-freeze Pans Without Using a 3D Printer (For Our Medium Freeze Dryer) ua-cam.com/video/XNsbWn29xdE/v-deo.html
Stay tuned. 😁 I'm going to show another way using 1/2 thick cutting board. (For people with more tools and/or skills)
Enjoying your channel, where did you get your blue pan dividers.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
The divider is just something I designed and 3D printed to fit our pans. Here is the design and print video if you are interested; ua-cam.com/video/3KLblPCTpHk/v-deo.html They were printed with ABS then vapor/acetone smoothed to seal them. The file is on Thingiverse. www.thingiverse.com/thing:3848619
The different batches of pans that we have bought (over the past 20 years) have had slightly different side slopes, which would require a slight change in the divider shape. That's why some of our pans have an "X" on them.
Another viewer used cut some out of thick plastic (like thick cutting board) to make their dividers. (They did have a laser cutter)
I'm planning to try to figure out how to make a good, usable (1/2" thick) divider without using a printer. (For those odd people who don't have a few 3D printers)
Clarification on the 2 1/2 pans per tray; it only works IF the divider is the thickness I use. (or thicker) The freeze dryer trays actually fits about 1/2" less than 2 1/2 pans; that's one reason I made the dividers that thick, and to fit the magnets.
Another great video! As a side note, you should look up the PBS videos of a program called “Backroads of Montana”. You look like and your voice sounds like the host of that show! It’s uncanny!🤣 Anyway, thanks again. Super info!!
Thanks. I'll have to check it out.
I'm new to your channel and absolutely love it! I apologize, you probably have explained this in a previous video, but is there a reason you pre-freeze? Is there a benefit or does it just save time?
Thanks for asking!
I could put it directly on the trays and I have done it that way, but hardly ever. When I'm preparing most things, the trays are still in the freeze dryer. I prefreeze things in the other pans because: 1) it saves freeze dryer time, 2) I have the older, tilted machine which means I can't pour liquids into the trays in the machine, 3) I make very large batches of food when I cook so I may have 5 freeze dryer loads (or more) from a single batch, 4) prefreezing slightly lightens the load of ice in the freeze dryer 5) by prefreezing in the small, 2 cup pans, I have pre measured quantities when I do the final bagging 6) we have a lot of freezer space available. We have had up to 15+ batches of prefrozen items waiting for the freeze dryer, and 15 sets of trays would be a bit spendy.
@@SchoolReports I'm learning so much! Take care!
Waiting on my HR Med to arrive....where did you get the plastic seal piece for the inside of the machine? I know they no longer send the HR pad, but it sure seems to make sense to keep in as much cold air as possible from hitting the warm door. Your videos are excellent! Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks for watching. Once the machine is under vacuum the pad or disc probably don't matter. But while it's freezing it helps.
It's just something I made. It's just a tight fitting disc I cut out of Acrylic. (I used 0.075" thick acrylic (1.9mm thick) I would probably use 1/8" (3mm +) next time) The disc seems to work better than the pad that came with the freeze dryer for lowering heat transfer. I'm basing this on the fact that the front of the door does not get as cold with the plastic disc in place as it did with the pad that came with ours. (think airplane window) I love how good of a job it has done and have not experienced any downside. Here is how I made it. Making an Acrylic Disc Front for a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer ua-cam.com/video/erH1VDqNi80/v-deo.html
If your freeze dryer is like ours, the opening is not quite round. For my first test piece I cut a very accurate circle out of a piece of foamcore and it had gaps of 1/8"+ (3mm +) around the edge.
@@SchoolReports Thank you, kindly!
@@lauran6184 I thought it was fine after rehydrating AS LONG AS 1) I started with the large curd, 2) it had adequate rehydration time, and 3) it was properly chilled before eating.
Want to support the channel? Buy me a coffee :-) www.buymeacoffee.com/DanZm
First 500 lbs data spreadsheet link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ieekdk5aH_2OWLUealeOLurU9_zl03BfFEg_qhAgcaA/edit?usp=sharing
Batch worksheet link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13DCB2hXo9_ZYrhIUicLk2IrEaQGszwbaJTcEH8wJxk4/edit?usp=sharing
Your links for pans are for 8 inch pans. I thought you say in one of your videos that you are using 7 inch pans. Are they the 8 inch pans you link to?
@@urbanpreppingwithpam916 Yes, they call them 8" x 8" pans. I guess they measure the pans at the top, but at the bottom they are less than 7" Other viewers have said they have got these pans and the size worked. We got our pans at the Dollar Store (they were called 8" x 8" ) and I like the price better, about $1 each instead of $6 each; if you have one close you might check them out.
😀 ❤️ 🐸
🥸
So do you have dedicated cottage cheese bags. Just wondering you prefreeze stuff in those giant bags all neatly labeled. In My house it would have three litems with a strike through and then cottage cheese at the bottom. :) (My mother was curious. I think she still has her first ziplock bag)
My zipper bag "rule" is anything oily - toss the bag. Very dry and clean - clean and reuse. Feeling lazy - toss the bag.
We may be related: my sister and your mom may be the same person.🤣
Where can we get dividers for the 8x8 pans? I would like to purchase a few sets
Thanks for watching and commenting!
The divider is just something I designed and 3D printed to fit our pans. Here is the design and print video if you are interested; ua-cam.com/video/3KLblPCTpHk/v-deo.html They were printed with ABS then vapor/acetone smoothed to seal them. The file is on Thingiverse. www.thingiverse.com/thing:3848619
The dividers are designed to fit the pans we got at a Dollar Tree store. They were called 8x8" but the bottoms are about 7x7", 2 1/2 pans * are a perfect fit for our medium freeze dryer trays. (Turns out they have them online too www.dollartree.com/cooking-concepts-square-cake-pans-75-in/10065 ) The different batches of pans that we have bought (over the past 20 years) have had slightly different side slopes, which would require a slight change in the divider shape. That's why some of our pans have an "X" on them. I've just updated the Thingiverse listing to include a new version of the divider that is slightly narrower at the bottom to fit more of the pans. (I hope!)
* Clarification on the 2 1/2 pans per tray; it only works IF the divider is the thickness I use. (or thicker) The freeze dryer trays actually fits about 1/2" less than 2 1/2 pans; that's one reason I made the dividers that thick, and to fit the magnets.
For those without a 3D printer, here's my best ideas for getting some 3D printed dividers. Lots of areas have Maker's places with people that would love to do it for you.
Or, better yet, some schools have 3D printing labs. Check with a the local charter school that has junior high or high school age students. I taught 3D Design and Printing for 3+ years at a local 6th - 8th grade charter school. We loved it when we could find/were given a real-world project with a real need.
Another viewer cut some out of thick plastic (like thick cutting board) to make their dividers. (They did have a laser cutter)
I'm still hoping to figure out how to make a good, usable (1/2" thick) divider without using a printer. (For those odd people who don't have a few 3D printers)😁
Where did you get your pan dividers?
Thanks for watching and commenting!
The dividers are just something I made. The dividers are designed to fit the pans we got at a Dollar Tree store. The pans are a near perfect fit ** for our medium freeze dryer trays. (Turns out they have them online too www.dollartree.com/cooking-concepts-square-cake-pans-75-in/10065 ) The file is on Thingiverse. www.thingiverse.com/thing:3848619 (Some people feel that it's wrong to have food touch plastic - it's low on my personal risk list) I've updated the Thingiverse listing to include a new version of the divider that is slightly narrower at the bottom to fit more of the pans.
** Clarification on the 2 1/2 pans per tray; it only works IF the divider is the thickness I use. (or thicker) The freeze dryer trays actually fits about 1/2" less than 2 1/2 pans; that's one reason I made the dividers that thick, that and to fit the magnets.
For those without a 3D printer, here's my best ideas for getting some 3D printed dividers. Lots of areas have Maker's places with people that would love to do it for you. Or, better yet, some schools have 3D printing labs. Check with a the local charter school that has junior high or high school age students. I taught 3D Design and Printing for 3+ years at a local 6th - 8th grade charter school. We loved it when we could find/were given a real-world project with a real need.
I did make a couple of the dividers without using the 3D printer a short time ago. It turns out it's an easy craft project and my sister says they are working well. (I will be making more non 3D printed ones, they're easy, cheap, and work!)
Making Dividers for My Pre-freeze Pans Without Using a 3D Printer (For Our Medium Freeze Dryer) ua-cam.com/video/XNsbWn29xdE/v-deo.html
Stay tuned. 😁 I'm going to show another way using 1/2 thick cutting board. (For people with more tools and/or skills)
Oh my, this is soo intense. I just got my FD. Do I need to do all the drilling and whatnot? With the new FD it only has a 15min to when it says to load food. That is often at 50-65 degrees. I didn't know I need the food to reach 120 degrees. I think ours is between 90-105 when it says it is dry. We are weighing and the weight doesn't change with 2 additional hours.
NO! Drilling and thermometers are not required! People kept asking for more and more data so I'm just trying to show the maximum amount of data for those interested in the fine details. Temp alone is not as important as the lack of weight loss when checking for dryness. Freeze drying can be done at even lower temperatures. On our older machine, all we have is time and temp, and I know from experience that ours will still be loosing weight if it's only 90 degrees.
The newer machines are far more sophisticated than the older machines and need far less hands on attention. However, I still would never put frozen food into the machine that is above freezing.
@@SchoolReports oh. Wonder if it’s ok to “cancel” and run that pre freeze again 🤔. There are blue dividers that you use in the pans. Did you make those?
@@mendermom7943 Sorry, I got nothing!
I assume your manual says the following on about page 8;
"After the 15 minutes of cooling, the next screen prompts you to load your
food in the freeze dryer and close the drain valve. Load your food as soon as
the screen prompts you. Do not let it continue to cool. Doing so could cause
vacuum issues later in the process."
The divider is just something I designed and 3D printed to fit our pans. I did make the video of designing and printing the divider, with a link to the print files, in case you or someone you know was a printer. Here is the design and print video if you are interested; ua-cam.com/video/3KLblPCTpHk/v-deo.html They were printed with ABS then vapor/acetone smoothed to seal them. It would probably be pretty easy to make dividers using foamcore or cardboard and then covering it with plastic wrap, for those without a printer. The pans are just some pans we bought at a local Dollar store. They were called 8x8" pans, but the bottoms are about 7x7", a perfect fit for our freeze dryer trays.
Another viewer used a laser cutter to make their dividers.
@@SchoolReports Yep that’s what my manual says. It doesn’t get very cold on that run. I don’t know anyone with a 3-D printer. I’ll figure something out. Yes I seen your affiliate links to Amazon for your supplies and the dollar store for pans. I just didn’t see the dividers. You have a lot of videos to go through I must not of made it to that one yet. Thanks so much for the time and education you spend and being.
@@mendermom7943 I wish I were more help on this. I don't know why they would change it so that it doesn't freeze during the precooling.
Oh, mashed taters must have little lumps, how do you know they’re homemade if not for the lumps?
100%! If you are not going to leave your mashed potatoes at least a little lumpy, just buy powdered potatoes!