22F, achieved by dividing nove hours by 110F (the difference in food temps). We both know that the FDer doesn't do linear as the temps fall faster early on and slowly peak to max low temps, but the food freeze time might be a tad more linear than the FDer as food is denser and must be frozen throughout.
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Freeze drying with the Harvest Right Pharmaceutical Freeze Dryer completely removes all the water from organic material in about 24 hours. There is no other preservation method that can come close to eliminating the water from organic material this quickly.
Finding used freeze dryers isn't easy. That's because most people who get them consider them a long-term investment. As such, they hold on to them for years. However, a used freeze dryer or two sometimes makes its way onto the market.
I would prefer those fittings to have internal O rings and knurled thread on ports (similar to R134a vacuum gauge sets) that do not require high torque compression fittings. Finger tight and you are good to go. You spot a leak, change the O ring and you're back in business.
Given the outrageous cost of freeze dried fruit, I have also been watching e-bay for an inexpensive freeze dryer, with the thought of using it to dehydrate stuff that could then be added to chocolate centers, adding flavour without adding liquid. I make a strawberry centre that uses strawberrry puree, freeze dried strawberry powder, as well as a bit of strawberry compound to produce an intensly strawberry experience.
1) I installed a 3/4" wide high density closed cell foam in the gap between the front of the chamber and the back of the front panel - just what Harvest Right suggested except all the way around (the first picture shows the gap). Use your fingers to push it into place. It needs to be tight against the inside panel. I then installed a vapor barrier around the entire FDer chamber. I used 7mil plastic Freeze Dryer Canada and clear packing tape.
Gas appliances are much more powerful, and better suited for large scale commercial operations. The gas appliances heat up faster and are typically more durable. For preparing meals, gas ranges are the better choice for chefs.
Size of machine. This is not a small appliance, as shown by the table below using specifications from a popular “home” freeze dryer manufacturer:
It is fun to experiment with innovative preservation methods, but carefully consider the consumer purchasing points above: Know before you go.
Never buy a freeze-dryer that isn’t sold by a reputable brand or any location that could have tampered with the device. Most companies vet their authorized resellers extensively, so they may be safe. However, used units sold elsewhere may not have been re-tested by the manufacturer for issues.
If you haven’t already tried fixing the problem on your own, it’s worth a shot. But, when DIY repairs don’t seem to do the trick, then it’s absolutely time to call in an expert.
The key is to freeze as fast as possible then dry as slow as possible. The freezing stiffens the cells so that when it is dried, it still maintains it's shape and texture.
Fermenting foods is perhaps the oldest food preservation method and has grown in popularity in recent years due to their touted “gut”, probiotic, and other additional health benefits. Fermenting at home is an inexpensive way to control what goes inside yo