If you have a garden, you really should preserve your harvests. Some people grow for fun. Some people grow and give it all away. That makes my eye twitch. LOL! I mean, giving it away is nice, but… so is having your own stash of food. Especially now with the price of groceries constantly going up. Last year I added a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer to my preserving arsenal. I wish I had done it sooner.
Full disclosure… I actually ordered it on Nov 1, 2023!! There was a sale plus I was able to get an additional influencer discount that I did not want to pass up. But, it then sat in my dining room for…. drum roll please… 11 MONTHS!! Life was busy. I was not ready to learn it just yet. And I needed to make some space in the basement.
****SALE ALERT****
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But, now? I love it!! Why? Well, not only does it give me a way to preserve my garden harvest, but I can preserve fresh, homegrown produce year-round when I catch a good sale. A Harvest Right Freeze Dryer is an awesome appliance that uses a process called freeze-drying to preserve food, locking in its flavor, nutrients, and vibrant color.
Face it… if you have a nice sized garden, it is hard to keep up with trying to eat everything fresh. Preserving let’s you extend your hard work into the fall and winter. You will have ready to go meals, ingredients for meals, and food for a rainy day.
How Does Freeze-Drying Work?
Freeze-drying is a unique preservation method that involves freezing food and then removing the water content through sublimation. This process differs from traditional drying methods, which can degrade the food’s quality and flavor.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the freeze-drying process:
- Freezing: The food is frozen solid.
- Sublimation: The frozen water is transformed directly from a solid state (ice) to a gaseous state (vapor), bypassing the liquid state.
- Drying: The remaining dried food, now called freeze-dried food, is stored in airtight containers.
Benefits of Freeze-Drying with Harvest Right
- Preserves Flavor and Nutrients: Freeze-drying helps retain the original taste, aroma, and nutritional value of your food.
- Long Shelf Life: Freeze-dried food can last for up to 25 years when stored properly.
- Convenience: You can quickly rehydrate freeze-dried foods using just water for a meal or snack.
- Versatile: You can freeze-dry fruits, vegetables, meats, and even full meals.
- Easy to Use: Harvest Right freeze dryers are user-friendly and require minimal maintenance.
- Saves Money: The price of purchased freeze dried foods is high. You can create our own for a fraction of the price.
What Can You Freeze-Dry?
The possibilities are endless! Here are some popular items to freeze-dry:
- Fruits: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, apples, and more.
- Vegetables: Carrots, peas, spinach, broccoli, and herbs.
- Meats: Beef, pork, chicken, and fish.
- Dairy: Milk, eggs, yogurt, and cheese.
- Candy: Chocolate, gummy bears, Jolly Ranchers, Skittles, and more.
- Other Foods: Pasta, rice, and even pet food.
Energy Consumption of Harvest Right Freeze Dryers
A common concern when considering a freeze dryer is its energy consumption. Harvest Right freeze dryers are designed to be energy-efficient, making them a cost-effective choice for long-term food preservation.
- Energy Efficiency: Harvest Right freeze dryers use a standard 110-volt outlet and operate at a relatively low power consumption.
- Estimated Cost: The daily cost to run a Harvest Right freeze dryer typically ranges from $1.00 to $2.80, depending on your local electricity rates.
- Factors Affecting Energy Use: The specific energy consumption can vary based on factors like the size of the freeze dryer, the amount of food being processed, and the duration of the drying cycle.
So, as you can see freeze drying is a great way to preserve your harvests. Here’s a few of my reasons…
- Save or Clear Freezer Space: Freezer space is a commodity, especially during harvest season. Instead of sticking things in the freezer, you can freeze dry them. Or, if you need freezer space, pull some things out and freeze dry them!
- Freeze Dry Things that You Can’t Can: If you are a canner, you know that some things should not be canned. Yep, some rebel canners do it anyway, but if you want to play by the rules you should not. So, imagine that you make an awesome chicken soup. You cannot can that because of the noodles, but you can freeze dry it! Then you just reconstitute with water, heat it up, and have a full meal.
- Create Soup Mixes: Freeze dry noodles, onions, tomatoes, herbs, and more together, put them in a jar, and have soup mix ready to go!
- Save Herbs with More Flavor: I grow a ton of herbs inside and out. Free-drying preserve
- Use Less Shelf Space: When you freeze dry, you can choose to store in approved mylar bags. This means you can store in a store bin, closet, or elsewhere if you want. They take up less space than jars. Of course, you can also use jars! It’s very versatile.
- Take Advantage of Sales: Sometimes you might see great sales on meats or produce and think, “I would, but I do not have the room for that.” or “I do not feel like canning that.” Well, freeze drying can fix both of those problems! So, go get the sale items!
These are just a few reasons, there are so many more! So far I have freeze dried peppers, squash, onions, celery, leftover mashed potatoes, leftover cajun rice, and more. One of my biggest wins, was buying a ton of eggs before the prices started to rice and freeze drying them. I still have more to do.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I do still dehydrate some things, but for others freeze drying is so much better. And during busy preserving season I just might be canning, dehydrating, and freeze drying all at the same time!
Ready to Preserve Your Harvest?
If you’re interested in preserving your homegrown produce or store-bought foods, a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer is a great investment. With its advanced technology, easy-to-use design, and energy efficiency, you can enjoy the taste of fresh food all year round.
Stay tuned for a post of tips of things I have learned in my first few months of freeze drying!
Have you ever used a freeze dryer? What are your favorite foods to freeze-dry? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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