Prep Genrl Harvest Right Freeze Dryers

[school marm]

Caught a sweet sale on some 93/7 ground beef. Ran a full load of it. Have done a couple loads of chicken. It will be getting to hot VERY soon for me to feel comfortable running the FD without running the risk of doing damage, so I may have to lay off until after labor day. [Well, except when there is a load of eggs... Those HAVE to get processed.]

Have you been using your FD as much as you thought? I should start to get some things out of the garden soon, and will probably process and get in the pre-freeze state until it a) gets cooler and b) I have enough of something to run a full batch (think bell peppers). Wishing it were still cool so that I could run it daily.

I run a load just about every day. I need to preserve as much cheese, eggs, yogurt, meat, etc., as possible before all heck breaks loose.

 

[Deemy]

Old Gringo - We have done 3 batches of 72 eggs (each batch) of raw eggs -- blended. Can you say we are over run with fresh free range eggs? Also 2 batches of 8 lbs of hot sausage that has been crumbled and browned, a couple of hams, and some mock tenders that were precooked, as well as probably 8 lbs of cheddar cheese now.

I am wanting to try things like fried rice, and possibly chili. Looking for tons of ideas.

I can't wait until the garden comes in this year.

Sausage won’t last long term unless you washed it with hot water. Fed doesn’t do well with fats and sugar

 

[Deemy]

I have looked at the Harvest Right freeze dryers. I see they have 3 different size units. What size did you purchase?

Med and happy with it. Check out John in Bibs on you tube. He does interesting experiments!

 

[Grouchy Granny]

Picked mine up last week. Now I need to measure and go to the Restaurant Supply to try to find a cart to put it on. I can't leave it on the floor in the kitchen and want to be able to move it around.

Any suggestions?

And boy, is that sucker heavy! I got the 4 tray which I guess is the medium. Have all sorts of things I want to try to FD so I hope this thread keeps going for tips, tricks and other good ideas.

 

[Donna_in_OK]

I'll have to check out the John in Bibs youtube channel. I am hoping the heat breaks after today. Then we'll see how it goes. Unfortunately, I may be down until cooler weather. But I can get things prepped to FD once the weather changes.

 

[Millwright]

Picked mine up last week. Now I need to measure and go to the Restaurant Supply to try to find a cart to put it on. I can't leave it on the floor in the kitchen and want to be able to move it around.

Any suggestions?

And boy, is that sucker heavy! I got the 4 tray which I guess is the medium. Have all sorts of things I want to try to FD so I hope this thread keeps going for tips, tricks and other good ideas.

Harbor Freight

Just watch the weight limits.

Don't get the El Cheepo.

 

[Grouchy Granny]

Harbor Freight

Just watch the weight limits.

Don't get the El Cheepo.

That's why I'm checking out the restaurant supply first. I'd like a 2-shelf so I can keep the pressure canner and dehydrator on the top (along with the parts to the freeze dryer). If not, I'll head to Harbor Freight. I also have space limitations so I already measured the unit and I need to make sure the wheels will stand up to the weight and not dig into the floor (although I can put down a piece of masonite to get around that problem).

Thanks for the info!

 

[Millwright]

That's why I'm checking out the restaurant supply first. I'd like a 2-shelf so I can keep the pressure canner and dehydrator on the top (along with the parts to the freeze dryer). If not, I'll head to Harbor Freight. I also have space limitations so I already measured the unit and I need to make sure the wheels will stand up to the weight and not dig into the floor (although I can put down a piece of masonite to get around that problem).

Thanks for the info!

This is the one my FD is on.

I added a piece of plywood under the unit and drilled a hole for the drain hose to go out the bottom.

For 60bux, it's adequate.

Spend the difference in Mylar.

24 in. x 36 in. Two Shelf Steel Service Cart, Black

Amazing deals on this 24In X 36In 2-Shelf Steel Service Cart, Black at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Grouchy Granny]

This is the one my FD is on.

I added a piece of plywood under the unit and drilled a hole for the drain hose to go out the bottom.

For 60bux, it's adequate.

Spend the difference in Mylar.

24 in. x 36 in. Two Shelf Steel Service Cart, Black

Amazing deals on this 24In X 36In 2-Shelf Steel Service Cart, Black at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Is your unit on the top or bottom shelf? I like this one so I'll just go up there (need to go anyway because the YS needs motorcycle ramps).

 

[Millwright]

On the top shelf.

You don't want it low.

The bottom shelf isn't tall enough and it would be hard to catch the drain off.

 

[Grouchy Granny]

Gotcha. Well the young, strong crew will be here next weekend for the bi-monthly D&D get together so I'll get the cart tomorrow and they can flex their muscles getting it on the cart in return for food.

 

[Millwright]

Gotcha. Well the young, strong crew will be here next weekend for the bi-monthly D&D get together so I'll get the cart tomorrow and they can flex their muscles getting it on the cart in return for food.

I did add flat washers to all the bolts on my cart.

Not particularly necessary, but it made me feel better.

 

[PrairieMoon]

How's everyone doing with the FD? Are you still liking it? Using it? I'm debating with myself about getting one.

 

[Donna_in_OK]

How's everyone doing with the FD? Are you still liking it? Using it? I'm debating with myself about getting one.

I still use mine. In fact, I have some peach slices on the trays that will probably be going in in the next couple of days. I should have put them in yesterday, but was a tad busy. We have potential storms moving in tonight, or they'd go in today.

I've tried using LOTS that I have FD'd, and so far have been impressed with everything. The only thing I didn't 'care' for was some hot peppers, but those may have been dehydrated. All that seemed left was the skin as the 'meat' of the pepper sort of melted into the skin. They were hot however.

I have enough eggs for at least another load.

 

[okie-carbine]

I have had my 2 machines running 24/7 since November. We are doing the candy craze while it's hot. Once we get a chance for a slow down, I am going to get into fruits/veggies.

 

[parsonswife]

Would those who gave the FD tell me about the things that you would consider failures or would not do again? Can't afford too many fails ourselves and would love your input

 

[Donna_in_OK]

I can only report on things I have done. With the exception of carrots (and I believe that is the way I prepared them) and swiss cheese.

Cheese is a success for me. I don't want to give up on Swiss, so will try it a different way. I've done cheddar, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, and something else.

Fruit I have done (bananas and raspberries) are a success. I have peaches about to go in.

Meat: I've done cooked chicken breasts (cut into thin strips), thin sliced steaks, cook ground beef and ground sausage [short term for a couple years maybe], pork loin, ham. All I have tried to reconstitute have been fantastic. Taco meat is awesome.

Eggs: My hens love to lay, and well...