Well that depends on your goals. Here are some facts to help you decide:

• Small: 6-10lbs / batch and 1800 lbs / year
• Medium: 10-15lbs / batch and 3000 lbs / year
• Large: 18-27 lbs / batch and 5000 lbs / year
• X-Large: 40-50 lbs / batch and 10,000 lbs / year
  

As always, if you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out!

I thought so. I originally had the standard oil pump, and I ponied up the money for the Oil Free pump after about 6 months and I'm glad I did.

It's just much less of a hassle stressing/trying to remember to replace the oil every 20-30 cycles.

When you order through Adventure Time Foods your freeze dryer will ship directly from the Harvest Right factory. So you'll be getting the exact same product, but you'll also receive:

• Ongoing support from our team
• A Free Gift from of one of our favorite Freeze Drying accessories :)

1. Preparation: Place raw or cooked foods into the freeze dryer. The machine then freezes the contents to temperatures between -30°F and -50°F.
2. Freezing: After the foods are sufficiently frozen, the freeze dryer evacuates the air to create a vacuum within the chamber.
3. Drying: The machine gradually warms the food, causing the frozen water inside to turn into vapor and escape from the food—a process known as sublimation.
4. Completion Alert: Once the drying process is complete, the freeze dryer alerts the user with an audible beep, indicating that it's time to remove the contents.
5. Packaging: Remove the freeze-dried food and store it in vacuum-sealed, moisture- and oxygen-proof containers, such as Mylar pouches or cans, to maintain freshness.
6. Rehydration: When ready to eat, simply add water to the freeze-dried food to restore its original taste, aroma, texture, and appearance.

Almost anything can be successfully freeze-dried, including a wide array of fruits, vegetables, and meats that maintain a delicious taste post-process. This includes items such as tomatoes, apples, bananas, strawberries, peaches, green beans, peppers, onions, potatoes, spinach, and various meats like shrimp, pork, beef, and turkey—as well as treats like ice cream.

You can also freeze-dry your favorite cooked meals. Dishes such as lasagna, rice concoctions, macaroni and cheese, chili, beef stew, chicken a la king, casseroles, seafood like shrimp and lobster, pulled pork, pasta sauces, and scrambled eggs are ideal candidates for freeze-drying.

Exploring the possibilities with your freeze dryer can be a fun and rewarding experience. A good starting point is to experiment with dishes that are already popular in your household.

Absolutely! It's highly effective to start with pre-frozen products in your freeze dryer. The machine is designed to take these already frozen items and cool them down even further, reaching temperatures around -40 degrees Fahrenheit. This step enhances the efficiency of the freeze-drying process.

The freeze dryer itself requires minimal maintenance. However, it does include a high-quality vacuum pump that necessitates some upkeep, primarily involving oil management.

Each vacuum pump is equipped with an initial oil supply. It contains 3 cups of oil that need to be changed regularly to ensure your freeze dryer operates effectively. This maintenance step is straightforward and requires minimal effort.

Additionally, each freeze dryer comes with a standalone oil filter. This filter purifies the oil, allowing you to reuse it almost indefinitely. Utilizing filtered oil for each batch not only saves money but is also environmentally friendly and maximizes the efficiency of your vacuum pump.

Harvest Right has designed its freeze dryers to be as cost-effective as possible, ensuring they run affordably while providing excellent performance.

Small and Medium Freeze Dryers:

• Power Requirements: These models plug into a standard 110-volt outlet.
• Power Usage: At peak operation, they draw between 13-15 amps, averaging about 9 to 11 amps (990-1210 watts) per hour.
• Circuit Recommendation: A dedicated 20 amp circuit is recommended.
• Operational Cost: Daily costs are estimated to be between $1.25 and $2.80, varying by local electricity rates.

Large Freeze Dryer:

• Power Requirements: Requires a 110 volt (NEMA 5-20) outlet.
• Power Usage: At its maximum, it draws about 16 amps, with an average usage around 13 amps (1500 watts) per hour.
• Circuit Requirement: A dedicated 20 amp circuit is required.
• Operational Cost: Estimated daily operating costs are between $2.00 and $3.00, depending on local power costs.

X-Large Freeze Dryer:

• Power Requirements: Needs a 110 volt (NEMA 5-20) outlet.
• Power Usage: It draws up to 18 amps at peak, and averages about 15 amps (1700 watts) per hour.
• Circuit Requirement: A dedicated 20 amp circuit is necessary.
• Operational Cost: It is estimated to cost about $4.00 per day, influenced by regional electricity prices.

We are big fans of Harvest Right, but we are totally glad to help you find the right Freeze Dryer for you no matter the brand.

Contact us and we'll gladly help.