Mega Freeze Drying: Transforming $20 into $180 Worth of Meals for our Alaskan Homestead
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2023
- Freeze drying inspiration! Welcome to a big lots of work to answer many of the questions o had about how, what, how much, with freeze dying meals fir my family,
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Welcome to Modern Homestead Alaska. We are located in South Central Alaska near the town of Wasilla. Living in Alaska and building our dream of “modern Homesteading” through the wilds of winter and the long summer days. We started building our Modern Homestead in 2021. We have since completed the upper levels of our home. Built a 16x16 foot chicken coop that dreams are made of. Our chicken ladies live in luxury as they view the beautiful lake from large windows inside the beautiful coop. We raise our own poultry, hunt for our food. We are avid fisherman And woman. We also built an amazing and beautiful wood shed. We have great big garden planes for the future. Join us as we dream big dreams and live everyday working hard to accomplish them.
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I think a lot of us would benefit if you to tell us or show us how much water to add back in the packet so you can actually eat it. We’re learning how to freeze dry everything from everyone but not how to actually use it.
Perfect idea! I’ll add this to the follow up video
I got this from School Reports on UA-cam: weigh the tray before FD. Weigh it again when done. Put it back in for additional 1-2 hours and weigh again. If there is not a difference in weight then you know the moisture is gone. If there is a difference in weight, put it back in for another hour. In my experience, it has only taken that one extra drying time. The difference of the pre freeze drying and the end is the amount of water that goes back in. If you divide the tray into equal portions, you will know the amount of water to add back to that. I put a little white board and stuck it on the side of my FD, numbered my trays. I write what the contents are, beginning weight, 1st dry weight, 2nd dry weight. I also keep a log book, just because I am odd. lol
If you are doing you can just add enough water to cover the meat as it won’t take on more than it needs. For cooked meat use warm/hot water until it’s fully reconstituted.
For raw meat put in a bowl and cover with water and put in the fridge. Overnight works best for me. Hope that helps some.
Technically everyone's batches and foods would require specific amounts of water back to the food accounting for wet and dry weight after processing. Even between individual trays. I have found however you can just add enough hot water to cover whatever food you have freeze dried and add a lid to trap in moisture. I let it sit for at least 20 minutes, stir, and see if it needs more time. I hope this helps! Some items like freeze dried celery or mushrooms can be added to soups without being dehydrated first.
If you we weigh the tray before and after you will know how much water is gone.
School Report is the name of the guy who weighs everything when he is freeze drying. His UA-cam channel name doesn't make you think he does freeze drying. I've watched him some and have learned somethings from him when i was new at this. I don't weigh anything, but it still turns out just fine. I like how organized he is, even when he shows how he organizes his FD pantry. Not how i do mine, but his is truly organized. Anyway, your doing great with your freeze drying.
Yes that’s his name. I didn’t see his storage I’ll check it out
I also love Retired at 40 and John in Bibs! They are both great FD channels, also ones that you'd never know by their names!
I started doing that second refreeze after watching his channel. I was very surprised that what I thought for sure was dry ended up losing more moisture after the second drying. Now I am wondering about the things I first freeze dried and have begun using them since they are only about a year old.
This is exactly what I do. I live alone and really don't want to have to cook every time I need to eat. So I prepare a family size meal, have my fresh serving then FD all the left overs. Then it's a matter of minutes to rehydrate a meal down the road. You do a really nice job of sharing the process.
I am a steak, sour cream, Fresh mushrooms stroganoff person. That being said said how easy your way was. I love that Aaron is cooking. Super attractive.
I love your cooking videos. I do not live off grid but I live alone and have been trying to set up meal prepping for “easy cook meals” by precooking and freezing various meats, soups and chili/beans. I was wasting a lot of veggies so I bought a variety of dehydrated items to use when cooking so I get my veggies. I sure wish I could find a company or person near me that would freeze dry some of my precooked meals for me! Thank you so much for sharing all your kitchen cooking videos with us. I have also used several of your recipes. 😊❤️ take care!!!
Thank you so much my friend. Have you looked into that thrive life? I wounded if you got some you could build it your way? Let me know what you decide
Ok girl seriously come cook for me lol. Those recipes looked delicious. That stroganoff yummo. The chicken and rice yes please. Your family is blessed indeed. Enjoyed this video.
Yeah love it thank you
This is the perfect way to preserve meals for hunting, fishing or any outdoor activity that requires packing your food (often) on your back in your backpack, way less weight to carry plus you know it’s delicious because you make these meals for your family all the time! Awesome educational video for us newbies!
Thank you so many great points!
So I put a roast in the crockpot this morning but now I want spaghetti 🍝 thanks to Arron 🤤 it’s wonderful all the money you saved and it’s healthier ! Great video ! Thank you 🌸🐕🦺🌸
Lol I love roast way more myself but Aaron would pick spaghetti
I would pick spaghetti any day 🍝
@@modernhomesteadalaska yum roast, gravy, mashed potatoes and fresh corn………my favorite.
I made your beef stroganoff recipe for dinner! My 13YO daughter loved it and came back for 2nd! Thanks for such a great easy dinner idea!
Oh my goodness that makes me so very happy to hear. It’s so simple it’s one of our quick favorites
I just shared your video with my whole family. You’re an inspiration to all of us. I also have a daughter in law and son, who lives in Fairbanks, so they can definitely relate to you living in Alaska, and the challenges that come with that and the cost of buying food
I love it! It’s colder there right now!
Thank you for sharing! Feeling inspired!!
Fascinating
You really got me thinking I need a freeze drier. Leaning that way. Thank you so much for sharing. Keep those videos coming👍🇺🇸❤️
Love it. I hope if you get one you use it a bunch. I didn’t use it much at first. I go through phases with it. It might become a more constant thing.
Amazing what you can save by making your own meals at home like you did super job it’s highway robbery what are charging at the store and I understand the farmers and everybody’s got to get paid but this is what we have to do to get ahead. Thank you for sharing this.
Agree 100% thank you
Fun video. Freeze drying meals would be an excellent side hustle
Great idea!
Great video and so much good food, especially when family is out hunting and fishing. You will have to show us a video of them eating them while out fishing or hunting. You’re on your way to discovering so many ways to use your freeze dryer, in the long run you really do save money and save freezer space by freeze drying the left overs. Congratulations, I know your family will Thank You when they are cold and hungry when out hunting.
Thank you so much. We will see what we can do about that
Thanks for taking the time to make an excellent tutorial for making freeze dried meals.I am watching from up in North Pole, Alaska
Dave S
Thank you so much very kind of you! Hello in North Pole!
Hi Jessica and sweet family! Such an economical way to feed your family healthy homemade meals for those adventures that you and your family enjoy.
If my family was still here I would consider a freeze dryer, but just me I dehydrate and can to use for the convenience and preserve my food.
I hope you and your precious family have a blessed weekend!
Yes so many uses for the food
Thanks for explaining the amount you should put in the bags. I love your recipes and many of them are what my husband and I eat. I have a freeze dryer and have did several things but not a lot of meals.
No problem I couldn’t figure it so I decided to go based on the store purchased ones in hopes it would work
Such a great video Jessica. Ty for being so thorough. I'm learning so much. I'm so proud you are preparing for winter. Please continue to prepare for your family. Such a comfort and security.
Thank you so much very kind
Nice sit down meal with all of you as a family. Great recipes.
Thank you my friend!
Loved the longer video Jessica, thank you. Your family will have awesome meals when out hunting.
Thank you so much
It was SchoolReports you were watching...I've been watching his videos the last couple years about freeze drying. I really appreciate his scientific approach to it.
Yes lol I don’t know why I thought bus. Lol very informative guy there.
Wow….Thanks for all your work….I learned a lot 😊
Thank you that’s so kind
Thanks Jess
Your videos are always so interesting and informative.
I'm always super impressed!!❤
Wow you are very kind to me. Thank you
Thank you for sharing your whole process. My freeze dryer arrives Tuesday and I have been a little nervous. 😊
I love it best of luck!
Hi sweet one! I love both of those recipes and make them almost exactly like you do...lol! Aaron's spaghetti looked awesome too! I have never added hot sausage to mine, but I will now! WOW...that really does save a lot of money!!!! You are always an inspiration to me, sweetie! Big hugs and many blessings!
Love it. So simple! And so filling!
Thank you you explain so well about everything you are doing.
You are so welcome thank you for watching
What a great video budget friendly really tasty food!!! Love how you explain and advise how to use all equipments including the freezer to save money AND eat well 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Love from the UK x
Thank you my friend that is so kind
Thank you for so much Information and ideas!!!!
Thank you for watching
I love watching SchoolReports. He is the most amazing teacher of all things Freeze Dryers.
I agree!
Yes thank you so much
Freeze drying is amazing! Great job!
Thank you so much
You got very lucky with Jessica! She seems to be a wonderful wife and mother!!! I am italian and i think you couldn't have done any better!!!!!
Wow, well done you. I also use freeze dry veggies in my stews and casseroles - freeze any that's left for meals later in the month.
Love it. Thank you so much
Wow what an amazing savings for your family!
Agree thank you do much
Thank you for sharing your kitchen and ideas greatly appreciate it
You all are such an inspiration, the ways that you’re able to save money and feed your family and survive in today’s day and age is amazing. You guys hunt, your fish, you grow a garden that was phenomenal you raise chickens you freeze dry, you cook in bulk, you can, and I’m sure there’s something I’m missing. You make as much as you possibly can by you staying home and on top of that you do UA-cam videos and you make money that way you guys are amazing such an inspiration!!!!!!!!
You are so amazingly kind to me thank you so much! Truly appreciate that.
Thanks for sharing this with us. I loved seeing the whole process. Please share how you liked the food when reconstituted. Have a blessed day!
Thank you so much. I’ll be doing the reconstitute video as a follow up
Hi chicken a la King with peas and carrots plus rice would be good for freeze drying😄❤️❤️❤️
Love this video!
Thank you very much
What an inspirational video. Although, I am only one person, I could certainly do some of that and I may. Thanks for sharing
Thank you John!
Thanks Jessica, so interesting 'freeze drying' hopefully you'll feed everyone so no one 'starve' as children tend to do!! lol
For extra Carbs how does everyone think of Quinoa.... [kee- wah] easy to digest and filling, even my son like it! Thanks Jessica. Oh made some strawberry jam today, what a mess i made, spilt jam everywhere! lol
Oh jam can be hard. We love quinoa I don’t mind adding that at all. It’s a yummy grain
This was a great video re meal prepping and freeze drying! We’re just 2 retired folks not planning any hikes or trips where we’d need the lightweight meals. But, I valued seeing the steps from start to packaging up the meals. It’s wise not to plan to put everything in your freezer bc eventually you’d run out of room and you run the risk …if power goes out…of the food spoiling. Susan
Yes and they are mostly used as lunch and also quick dinners. It’s funny how we find to use them
The food looks good., I am hungry now 9-30-2023❤
Yeah love it!
Awesome 🤩
Love the recipes!😋
I also make a mega amount when cooking & FD the leftovers. 👍🏻
Yes so easy that way
Great video ,thank you for sharing
Thank you too for being here
Epic bulk cooking session! Amazing! Thanks for taking us along in the rude x
Thank you for watching!
Prego is my favorite spaghetti sauce, too!
Me too! Love it
Always love your channel! Great job!
Thank you so kindly
I am so hungry now!
Thank you for giving me an appetite😋
Lol anything we can do around here
Hi Jessica and family
Hello my friend
Best freeze drying video i have seen!
What seriously thank you
Congratulations on all you're freeze dried meals
Thank you they are already coming in handy
You have such cool ideas for storing food items
Seriously thank you
Never go on a hike without scroggin lol its the best treat ever
Oh yeah totally. Thank you
Love it! God bless.👍
God bless my friend
You did hit the mail on the head with your observation re: the look of finished freeze dried food. I have seen others use their freezers and have often wondered what meals looked like. I assume you reconstitute with boiling water?
You have such a good amount put aside. Hoping you have a substantial moose harvest.
You have given me some good meal ideas as the weather is changing here!! (The electric blanket has been humming for close to a week!)
Until our next visit…❤ Momma G
Yes! I’ll do reconstitute on a follow up video. Just boiling water to a consistency you like is all
@@modernhomesteadalaska ❤️
Thanks for taking the time to do this. A smaller model would be ideal for us in Florida since our space is limited. And if we are ever able to get back out on the road and travel pending on Larry’s physical mobility, we can take this and do meals to save money. What is not good to freeze dry? Can zip lock bags be used? Have to remember to jar spaghetti. I thought of a food hydrator like the one in movie Back to the Future II.🤣….I’d like to see in a video the family eating those meals.
Lol that’s so funny. I think zip locus work for a bit. But they do eventually let air or moisture in. Other then that they are fine.
Great video
Thank you! So kind
Yummy
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Made me so hungry lol. Looks so yummy. Great job my friend!!!
Lol yeah love it thank you my friend
Going make some for our family tonight. 😋
“ no soap in the soup” 😂. You are the best! I sure wish I could cook like you. Your my goal . 😊
Lol exactly!
Do you transfer the unused oxygen absorbers to a smaller jar after you finish taking out what you use? If not aren't they absorbing the oxygen out the storage jar, thus diminishing what oxygen will be absorbed when you use them in your food? When we used them in the Mormon cannery, they came in plastic bags. They taught us to squeeze as much of the air out the bag of oxygen absorbers, and put a chip clip on the bag along the very top of the oxygen absorbers in the bag. This supposedly kept them from losing their oxygen absorbing ability! Love your videos!
Yes so I seal mine in a mason jar. And I use that thing to suck the air out. It seems to work well. I went to the Norman canary I’m sad they don’t have one in Alaska that I know of.
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wish the freeze dryers were so expensive, I would buy one.
Yeah they are a lot for sure
Just to let you know while working in the restaurant the health dept told us to rinse chicken from stores in vinegar water to kill bacteria from where they laid around and were processed…..the lady said it’d make you 🤮if you saw how and where processed…just thought I’d pass this on………
We camped this weekend and had home canned Turkey n gravy dinner over mashed taters with rehydrated veggies…awesome to pull from the pantry.
Oh great to know. Thank you
This is an excellent video. Thank you. God bless.
God bless! Thank you so much
So inspiring thank you for the tips❤
Wow great thank you for watching
would love to see you make them to eat now.
Sounds great
You can make Italian red sauce. Yes you can. If I can learn so can u. Lol. I put mine n a crockpot and just let it simmer for all day. It’s so good😊. I looked up several recipes and adapted to us. I will say I add romaneo cheese in sauce during cooking but top spaghetti’s w parmigiana. Get the real cheese and grate it. It makes a difference
Yes! I agree I make it but Aaron does not care much for it lol I need to make it better! Thank you so much
watching your video taking hubby to work then heading to Walmart to restock fridge ours went out ordered new on Sunday n it arrived on Monday sooo now replacing all that went bad. n then picking up.sams order I went and made chicken chili to can n only had enough for my cooking so I bought 20lbs ground beef n 6 family packs of breast idk weight officially on both tell I pick-up. n I'll finished canning Tom's n chili's ran out of pint jars. pints will be doing more beans as well I almost made it a year sooo well do 1 case extra of white beans n northern great whites. I did just northern before but goingbto try just white as well
I hope all went well with the bee fridge
Hopefully your plan is for more than the meals said was a serving for the store bought! I watched someone else just try out the freezed dried meals they made and even for kids they needed at least 4 ounces each.
Sounds very possible. I’m hoping even though it’s 2 servings that the 4oz is just one persons meal. Especially what we are physically doing when we eat them.
Why do I not have those lids for the freeze dry trays! Love you lady. Great video!!
Lol they are amazing
Great idea using the store weight amount per bag to know how much a serving is for your bags. The whole idea of not having enough to fill a belly and not having to throw away leftovers as you don't have a way to safely do that is a non issue. Did you test the amount of water to add to each bag? That would be very helpful if you are not there and your children are not used to preparing them themselves.
Yes I will be so the water reconstitute in the follow up video great question
I would love to see how to reconstitute the meal for eating. Thanks for the video.
Sounds great that will be for sure included next video
Amazing content!! Thank you
Thank you so very much
What great ideas, I’m taking notes.The newness of the freeze dryer is wearing down already. It’s to expensive just to let it sit there.
I agree with you I did the sane thing too though. Let it sit a bit to long.
I always have beef Jerry lol. I joke with kids n say beef herby n sour cream n onion chips is steak n fully loaded baked potato lol that was when drove from laughlin nv to lake mills Iowa only stopped for gas n potty when getting gas
Lol so funny
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When I think of a freeze dryer it involves " freeze dryer math." Which is the cost of the freeze dryer and how much it costs to run and maintain divided incrementally by the amount of food that might have gone to waste freeze dried over the lifespan of the freeze dryer...so the first trays would be in the negative and eventually over enough time and enough scraps or leftovers or harvest it would become a net gain. 😂 probably why decision paralysis in regards to actually purchasing a freeze dryer is an actual condition.
It’s so much to consider. I’m not sure I would of paid for it. My mom was in love with hers and offered to buy me one. So that’s how I got it. It’s a hard choice to make for sure
Hello from Kansas! Can you share your Wonton Soup recipe please? I love your videos. Take care and I hope you get a moose soon.
Yes! I will make it, thank you! Hello from Alaska
Thank you!!
Great information about vacuum sealing. Also, your vacuum seal bags are not 25 years safe like the mylar harbors right bags are. 😊
Oh great point thank you
I think 1.5 cups water for 3 oz in packaging. enjoy
Oh interesting I’ll check that measurements out
when reconstitution the food
Very interesting lots of information. But what is the cost of a freeze dried machine. Love watching your videos.
Great question thank you. I’ll address that in the follow up
Showing how you package the FD meal is really helpful! I have a FDer but I've mostly only done single ingredients because I've been at a loss of what to make, how to package, and how to reconstitute it to be good.
I'd love to know how you know how much water to add (did you weigh the trays before hand?) , if the serving sizes were good for two sdults, and any reconstitution tips you may have!! Thank you so much. I deal with chronic pain as well and I'm so impressed with your energy and efficiency. Great job!!
One other idea/suggestion I have for future videos would be to make bags of desserts or breakfast items, specifically for hunting or camping. I know my kids LOVE something sweet and warm when we are out camping and that could be a fun add on, especially when burning so many calories as when hiking and hunting!
Great information thank you
Great idea! I’ll see what I can do
I was cringing each time you used that metal spatula inside your ceramic pot! Does it not scratch it horribly?? It sounded like it may have been. I sure hope that didn’t happen. Your stroganoff looked delicious!!!! And oh my goodness that’s a ton of wonderful comfort food for your family!! Lol! Test taste.:..well I did but….lol! Nothing like a hearty meal to revive you physically and mentally!! Would it not cool faster spread out on trays? I always try to scoop into smaller containers so stuff cools faster? Just curious about that. Love watching all your food prep and cooking and making of amazing meals! Do you add vinegar to your bone broth to help get the collagen from the bones? Guess it doesn’t matter all that much with chicken? Probably more collagen in beef? I have no clue. Love watching how you make it all happen! 🥰❤️🙏🏻🇨🇦
Lol it does not hurt the pan. Thank you so much my friend.
Do you put oxygen absorbers in the jars like you you do in the mylar bags?
No not very often but I will in cases like this to keep it fresh! For sure with the freeze dried
Awesome
Thank you
On thing I think you should include in the price is the mylar bags.
Those are going to be some awesome meals while out in the woods.
Agree thank you so much
This was amazing to see all of the steps and very informative. Just one wish though, if the cost breakdown could have been a bit more inclusive. I realize you aren't going to account for every single spice, electricity the cost of the freeze drier, etc (although manufacturers have to take all of that into consideration). However, some amount for that 'overhead' and the meat (many of us need to buy, not hunt), it would get closer to a true cost. Thank you though, very much
Great point! I get that. The point I was making more then go buy this and that, was I am trying to use what we have, not go buy food to make meals. I guess I was not good at making the point of using what we have, can hunt or fish or get free. Trying to do it as cheap as possible. I’ll try and do the math different. On the follow up
Was the channel name you were thinking of “School Reports” ? I always watch him.
Yes! So funny! School bus school report I knew it had something to do with school
Where do I find the recipes, please?
Absolutely a great video. I have the HR freeze dryer, but I haven't done very much with it yet. Since the chili didn't totally dry the first round, did you run it through the entire cycle again? That is what I am unsure about. Even though I am single, it would absolutely provide so many made ahead meals to have available to have a quick meal when time is tight. I have an extra set of trays, but now I am really thinking I need to get a set of tray lids. God bless you all!
Yes if it was not done you can run it through had I paid better attention I could of left it in and said dry more instead I got them out and now I had to wait for it to run the full cycle.
I usually try to check the dryness before I turn the FD to defrost. And if not dry, I add extra dry time, usually at least 4 or 8 hours. Hope that helps!
Short cost list, you did not include Bag cost, Cooking time, your labor, FD time @ one dollar per bag it would take 3500 bags to pay off machine. Food quality standards , Mountain House would not have Dogs in the kitchen, long hair and bare hands, street clothes, Local health department guidelines and food handlers permits. Thanks for sharing your method.
The freeze dry UA-camr you’re referring to is schoolreports. He’s so good and go deep in the freeze dry process.
I love my freeze dryer and so glad you have one too!
Yes! Lol why did I think bus! Lol
Hello from California! What size instapot do you have?
Hello. Well that’s a great question until you asked I didn’t know they had different sizes. I had to look it up the $119 target one it says we’ll now I’m confused it’s a big one though. Aaron gifted it to me when I broke the off brand one.
Can you please tell us what time/drying temp you used?
On the freeze dryer it does it it’s self. I’ll have to look next time and see what temp it freezes down to
Hi Jessica, what does the food look like when you reconstitute? How much water do you actually add?
Great I’ll include that in the follow up
How do you no how muck water to add back in when you cook the packed meals ?
Great I’ll do a follow up each is different but I’ll put this in the video