Ask HN: Any tips for freeze drying at home?

[kuba-orlik]

I'm considering buying freeze drying equipment for non-industrial, home scale. My parents have a blueberry farm and I think it'd be lovely to have lots of those freeze dried. Is this a terrible idea? Do any of you have experience with doing it at home? I know it might be expensive, but are there any other cons to it?

[latentcall]

I have a Harvest Right, 5 tray “large” model. Instructions say you need a dedicated 20 amp circuit so figure that out first.

As for actual freeze drying, I recommend not overloading the trays. Do not mix frozen food with room temperature non-frozen food as some of it will be inconsistent.

Another tip, you can freeze dry anything. Frozen chicken livers made excellent treats for my dogs. You can freeze dry raw meat and stick it in a mylar bag and it will be shelf stable. Pretty crazy.

Happy to answer any specific questions.

[bruce511]

This is a hobby question, and as such replies from others with the same hobby can be helpful.

As I don't have one, I can't answer in specifics. However I can give the answer I give to all hobbiests;

If you can afford it, and you'll get pleasure from experimenting, then go for it. The worst you'll discover is that it's not for you. More likely you'll learn something new and interesting.

[martinbaun]

If you're not planning to do it commercially, it is a lot cheaper, easier and probably better to just get a $50 dehydrator and pop them on there and turn it on for some hours.

Then vacuum seal the bags and put them in the freezer.

[h2odragon]

I've seen the $3k "freeze dryers" in the farm stores; they look complicated and I wonder about maintenance. They're vacuum devices, no? Means changing filters frequently I assume.

Room temperature dehydration might be easier and give results as good or better. Have you tried commercial freeze dried blueberries? Is there something special about the texture or flavor that you find superior enough to invest in achieving?

[bartonfink]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeze_drying The first sentence of the second paragraph explains that freeze drying produces different results than drying through ambient heat. There's much more in the article to explain the process and its advantages.

If you don't know why did you comment?

[h2odragon]

i do cold dehydration with forced air, no heat; for various things. it's great for delicate flavors etc that can't take heat. it requires time.

ive had freeze dried fruits and didn't care for the results, compared to regular "dehydrated". but others might prefer things that way; perhaps its especially good for blueberries. i think it makes apples into packing peanuts.

[bartonfink]

It's like any other expensive single use gadget. Some people buy one and use it once. Some use it more. Be one of those.

Freeze drying does give you a new way to get fruit flavors in food, so experiment.