RECOMMENDATIONS for the HARVEST RIGHT FREEZE-DRYING SYSTEM
https://harvestright.prepsteaders.com (This is an affiliate link. If you buy through it, Harvest Right will guarantee their lowest price available to you, and they will send a small but helpful commission to keep PREPSTEADERS going.)
THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT FROM HARVEST RIGHT:
- Medium or Large Sized Freeze Dryer (The Small size will not give you the best return on investment.)
- Premier Oil Pump (This is far superior to the standard oil pump and requires far less maintenance. The Oil-Free pump sounds great but may not have all the weaknesses worked out yet.)
- Extra Set of Trays (Definitely get 2 sets! You will find that almost every food does best if it is frozen first, so having an extra set in the freezer while you have a batch Freeze Drying keeps the cycle streamlined.)
- Food Sealer system (It comes with an Impulse Sealer for sealing Mylar Bags. (I personally prefer glass jars to mylar bag storage.) Still, this will allow for personal “MRE” style meals, for backpacking, etc.)
- Mylar Bags (It comes with a set to get you started! The best to get additionally, I have found to be the Heavy 7 Mil thickness, 2 Quart sized, with the gusseted bottoms so they stand up for me as I fill them. https://amzn.to/3mE6whN
- O2 Absorbers (no more than 10 Wrapped 500cc) https://amzn.to/3kx862z
Here are what I have found to be the best setup for the whole system to work:
- 24×48 Stainless Steel 330 pound capacity prep table on lockable casters (Your Freeze Dryer is HEAVY. It will come delivered on a palate by forklift. You need a clean, super sturdy surface for it.) https://amzn.to/3E8kIr1
- Desiccant Silica Gel Moisture Absorber Packets https://amzn.to/3sWeoN1
- Digital Food Scale https://amzn.to/3kwcUVU
- Parchment Paper (These natural, pre-cut sheets are perfect when cut down the middle!) https://amzn.to/38paKBL
- Extra Small Cookie-Dough Scoop (This ½ Tablespoon size works best.) https://amzn.to/3gHJjYf
- Pastry Cutter/Scraper (I use this to scrape the contents off the trays with ease!) https://amzn.to/2WzyVdR
- Stainless Steel Canning Funnel (These make filling the bags a breeze!) https://amzn.to/2WqM61l
- 7×9 Stainless Steel Trays (These aren’t mandatory to get started, but really come in handy for small batches you want to keep separate …like yogurt and sour cream and liquids, etc.) https://amzn.to/2WtRvUQ
- Tray Stackers (Currently, these only on Etsy. I told Harvest Right they need to carry them! Totally handy when pre-freezing anything!) https://www.etsy.com/listing/943315060/tray-stackers-for-harvest-right-freeze?ref=hp_rv-2
- Freezer with extra Room (Some people like the case style freezer, I feel an extra upright freezer would be best!)
- Small Fan to blow on Oil Pump (These are optional, and unnecessary if you keep your system in a 70-80 degree room.)
This list is shared to help you get set up for successful freeze-drying from day 1. These are what I personally use but are not requirements for you to be successful. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some of these are affiliate links. Thank you for supporting our channel!