Economics of home freeze drying. My very limited experience

[fnfalguy]

Still continuing to process leftovers and double batches of food on a regular basis. Did get a new vac sealer that works on Mylar bags as well as stuff that we use when we sous vide.

Makes it really easy to know if it doesn’t seal well and makes visual inspections over time a snap.
View attachment IMG_0688.MOV

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Any plans to do some Pho?

 

[fnfalguy]

Never thought about that @ArmedCorgi but it sounds like a great idea. We did some homemade Dal Makhani the other day, so we should give the pho a shot to add to our mixing pot of stores. As a side note, I made a large error a while ago and tried to FD sambal olek. It worked perfectly, reconstituted perfectly and damn near chased me out of the house. Talk about spicy air. Some of the powder went airborne and it was similar to OC spray. Live and learn.

 

[phatfarmerbob]

I did 4 trays of pealed garlic … man that was pungent!
I ran it through the food processor and put it in ball jars with an O2 absorber.

then I took the rack out of the FD machine and put the jars in. I ran the vacuum pump for 10-15 sec and it sealed the jars like a champ!

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

Anyone know what happened to @fnfalguy ?

 

[Robin]

No, but I remember this thread, and was very interested.
Lots of people no longer post here. Hope their spirit is with us still.
Robin

 

[Saltwater60]

Anyone know what happened to @fnfalguy ?

When I saw this pop up I had three thoughts. First, was haven’t heard from the creator in a while. Then it was this was a cool thread and interested me, lastly, it was I hope his freeze drying isn’t the reason he’s not posting anymore.

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

Freeze dryer is here. I don't think the table I planned to put it on will be adequate, so I need to build or buy something else.

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

Initial thoughts:

Everything from Harvest Right seems very well made so far. The freeze dryer build quality looks better than any modern name brand appliance.

6 tray capacity, each looks big enough for about 4 large portions or 2 full substantial meals. Maybe 4 lbs (raw wt) of meat per tray?

Came with everything needed to get started, except food. They sent me an extra set of trays, and shipping was included in the purchase price.

They did let me talk them down on the price a bit. $2,895, all in.

Can't wait to use it.

 

[Saltwater60]

Initial thoughts:

Everything from Harvest Right seems very well made so far. The freeze dryer build quality looks better than any modern name brand appliance.

6 tray capacity, each looks big enough for about 4 large portions or 2 full substantial meals. Maybe 4 lbs (raw wt) of meat per tray?

Came with everything needed to get started, except food. They sent me an extra set of trays, and shipping was included in the purchase price.

They did let me talk them down on the price a bit. $2,895, all in.

Can't wait to use it.

Just don’t end up like the last guy.

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

Just don’t end up like the last guy.

I met him once. Good dude. I wish I could find his number to check on him. The only way freeze dried food is why he doesn't post here anymore would be because he is living off of it in a bunker.

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

I found his #. I'll text him tomorrow.

 

[Saltwater60]

I met him once. Good dude. I wish I could find his number to check on him. The only way freeze dried food is why he doesn't post here anymore would be because he is living off of it in a bunker.

It was kind of a joke, but if food isn’t dry enough he could have trouble with that. I’m sure he is fine and just has better things to do than post here. What does that say about me??

 

[fnfalguy]

Im not dead yet. Nor in a fortified location and still FDing and eating past dried stuff every once in a while

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

In the last 48 hours I have started a (very small) movement (brief discussion, actually) to rename planet earth, invented a new system of measure for rainfall magnitude, apparently brought a member back from the dead, and just now powered up the new freeze dryer for the very first time.

I'm also in the process of developing a first of its kind snack food. If that goes well, I'll try to make a universally accepted religion.

 

[Saltwater60]

Im not dead yet. Nor in a fortified location and still FDing and eating past dried stuff every once in a while

Glad to see you back!

 

[fnfalguy]

In the last 48 hours I have started a (very small) movement (brief discussion, actually) to rename planet earth, invented a new system of measure for rainfall magnitude, apparently brought a member back from the dead, and just now powered up the new freeze dryer for the very first time.

I'm also in the process of developing a first of its kind snack food. If that goes well, I'll try to make a universally accepted religion.

Dont get ahead of yourself, I may come back in another 3 years. Maybe.

I do like snack food though.

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

Dont get ahead of yourself, I may come back in another 3 years. Maybe.

I do like snack food though.

I'll keep you updated. This one will be interesting if I can make it work.