Is a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Right For You?

by Mrs. Haxman July 26, 2024

In 2020 we decided to purchase a Harvest Right freeze dryer to better preserve our harvest and for food security. They are quite the investment ranging from the small $2495 to XL $5295. We decided on the medium size and it has fit our family's needs well. Going larger requires a dedicated 20 amp circuit...and uh, we ain't got that!

The Medium Harvest Right Freeze Dryer includes:

Medium Freeze Dryer, Premier Industrial Vacuum Pump, Vacuum Pump Oil, Oil Filter, 5 Stainless Steel Trays, Guide to Freeze Drying, Mylar Bags (50 ct), Oxygen Absorbers (50 ct), Impulse Sealer.

Price tag: $3195

***SPOILER ALERT!***

We LOVE our Harvest Right Freeze Dryer!!!!!

So much so that we got a second one! Crazy, right!?!?!

Here's why…

1. Freeze drying your food preserves the flavor. We have shown videos of freeze drying eggs and reconstituting them….the taste is amazingly the same as if we just plucked it from a chicken. It’s Awesome!

2. Nutrition is an even better reason for freeze drying your food. Freeze dried food retains nearly all its nutritional value were as dehydration and canning loose 40-60%. (Because heat kills the good stuff found in our food). SAD!

3. Freeze dried food, stored correctly, will be shelf stable for up to 25 years and probably longer. You can’t do that with other preservation food methods.

4. Food Security. Because of its long shelf life you can count on it if there is ever a change in your life…loss of a job, the world goes nuts, etc. Or maybe you’re going on a long trip, a hike, fishing, hunting. Whatever! These delicious homemade meals, that you know are tasty, can sustain you. No need to purchase expensive MREs...prepare your own!

5. You can save the planet one leftover at a time! We put all our leftovers into the freeze dryer not the trashcan. Even if it’s only a serving for one person. Food is food and it can feed someone in need. But, it’s more than leftovers that you can freeze dry! You can freeze dry fruits and veggies, meats (cooked or raw), candies, milk, eggs, herbs, flowers! You don’t want to do anything too fatty like sausage—I did and it was not good, LOL!

Freeze drying food is fun and easy. If you make a mistake like I did with the sausage…clean up is easy and your room will make you hungry for a short time but really it’s not a huge deal. Move on and preserve more food!

Here is how I like to freeze dry...just to give you an idea.

So yes, I like to freeze dry all of our leftovers. I don’t make meals purposely to freeze dry…but you could. We have chickens so when I am over run with eggs I will freeze dry them for later use. I also have freeze dried candy…that was fun!

But, our family favorite has got to be bananas! OMG! So amazing! I like bananas but the texture gets to me a little sometimes so I placed them in the Harvest Right and it was life changing. The texture was completely different….it has a little crunch but then melts in your mouth and the flavor is amped up. It’s not like the dehydrated ones that almost break your teeth! You have to try them!

I grow medicinal herbs in my garden and have always hung them to dry. They end up brown, which is the norm. But, one day I decided to try some cilantro in the freeze dryer (to possibly sneak into food…shhhhh). They came out the same vibrant green as when they went in. The veining in the leaves was really pronounced, which was interesting to see. I crushed them slightly by hand and I have to say it was satisfying. The leaves were very brittle and flaky. However, if you reconstitute a single leaf if will regain its pre-freeze dried leafy texture..like it was just plucked from the bush.

Now, let’s talk about storage. I use the mylar bags and oxygen absorbers for most of our food storage. I love this easy way of storing long term because if I want to grab a bag, it is lightweight and easy to transport, whereas my mason jars…not so much. Especially if you were moving. I typically keep my spices and fruit snacks in mason jars so they can be easily used. (I do place an oxygen absorber in the jars).

So, hopefully I have helped you narrow down if a Harvest Right freeze dryer is for you and your family. We love ours and use them all the time. The benefits are defiantly worth the upfront costs.

NOTE: You will need to have a holding place or some kind of system for all the food you will be freeze drying. Right now mine are in boxes, but I hope soon to get them into matching plastic totes with labels for better organization.