Buying A Freeze Dryer For Emergency Preparedness

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This text, together with the Q&A video, explores the important thing execs and cons of shopping for a freeze dryer for emergency preparedness. From some great benefits of lengthy shelf life and nutrient retention to the challenges of excessive preliminary prices and upkeep, I’ll present helpful insights that can assist you make an knowledgeable determination.

Earlier than making such an funding this huge, it’s essential to have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of shopping for a freeze dryer. Whether or not you’re a seasoned prepper or simply beginning your prepper pantry, my recommendation after two years of utilizing a freeze dryer will aid you make the choice.

Observe: The article accompanying this video (Beneath) is along with—offering extra in-depth data. It isn’t a video transcript.

Listed here are the important thing execs and cons of shopping for a freeze-dryer for emergency preparedness:

Professionals of shopping for a freeze dryer:

Lengthy shelf life: When correctly packaged and saved, freeze-dried meals can last as long as 25 years. Many components have an effect on shelf life, similar to Fats content material, sugar content material, moisture ranges throughout packaging, and bundle kind. All the time rotate your preps, together with these freeze-dried preps.

Nutrient retention: They are saying freeze-drying preserves as much as 97% of meals’ dietary content material. I’ve no means of verifying this, however I’ve no motive to doubt it.

Versatility: You’ll be able to freeze-dry all kinds of meals, together with meats, fruits, greens, dairy, and full meals. A few of my private favorites are frequent meal substances similar to onions, mushrooms, and peppers (I like jalapeno). I do the identical factor with flash-frozen substances that I maintain in baggage within the freezer. I name them fast substances as a result of I don’t must peel, lower, cube, and so forth. I simply seize them and toss them into the pot or pan. ツ Prepping could make life simpler, even with out the SHTF.

Meal and weight loss program customization: The big variety of freeze-dried meals lets you create freeze-dried meals tailor-made to your preferences and dietary wants. On a low carb weight loss program? Freeze-dry low-carb meals. (Excessive fats and oil don’t freeze dry effectively. I keep away from freeze drying most pork)

The right meals: In the event you stick with the meals you want and eat proper now, you’re storing the proper prep. This makes rotation a breeze. Make further of your favourite meals and freeze-dry the leftovers (TIP: Freeze varied leftovers till you will have sufficient to fill the freeze dryer for one full load).

Area effectivity: Freeze-dried meals are light-weight and compact if packaged in Mylar baggage. (Personally, I want wide-mouth quart jars.) Nonetheless, you do want clear and drinkable water for these preps.

Style preservation: Freeze-dried meals retain most of their unique taste when rehydrated. Nonetheless, consistency isn’t at all times one hundred pc.

Higher than meals dehydration: That is my opinion, however I usually get higher high quality product with the freeze dryer than my meals dehydrator. A dehydrator doesn’t get as a lot moisture out, so I attempt to not use it for long-term storage, however I’ll use it up pretty rapidly. With freeze dried meals, I don’t fear as a lot.

Uncooked or cooked meals: I usually precook what I freeze dry if it requires cooking earlier than consuming, however that’s not at all times mandatory. For instance, you may freeze-dry uncooked eggs and meats. Keep in mind that freeze-drying doesn’t kill micro organism or different microorganisms, so protected dealing with and prep are important. Make sure to totally clear the machine, trays, instruments, and tools after every use. You don’t wish to contaminate your subsequent batch. (Observe: Whereas I do have fairly a little bit of freeze-dried uncooked eggs, I want to precook what I protect by freeze-drying. It looks as if the preppery factor to do. If in case you have clear, drinkable water, you will have edible meals with out the necessity for cooking.)

Protect meals that can not be home-canned: I like residence canning, each water tub and strain canning, however annually, we’ve a bounty of greens that we can’t residence can, e.g., herbs, leafy greens, zucchini, and so forth. The freeze dryer simply fills in these gaps.

Cons of shopping for a freeze dryer:

Excessive preliminary price: Residence freeze dryers are costly, sometimes costing between $2,000+ for a Small Professional and $4,000+ for a Giant Professional from Harvest Proper. Extra choices and upgrades can improve prices significantly. Bigger models and industrial variations are much more costly. [See below] The expense alone retains most individuals from shopping for a freeze dryer, whether or not they need one or not. I’ve had automobiles which have price much less.

Power utilization: Freeze dryers devour a number of electrical energy. I’m utilizing a heavy-duty pump, and I observed my electrical energy utilization invoice go up $50/month with one run every week. (NOTE: I’ve heard others with the usual pump say the power price was only a greenback or two a day. I ought to point out that I run three followers when working the freeze dryer a big ground fan pointed on the machine, a small fan on prime blowing behind, and one underneath the desk blowing on the pump. All that to maintain this factor from overheating.)

Time-consuming course of: In my expertise, a typical freeze-drying cycle takes 24-48 hours+ to finish. (NOTE: I maintain freeze-drying till I now not see a weight drop after a two-hour cycle. This extends the processing time however makes me extra assured that it’s as moisture-free as doable.)

Noise: Freeze dryers could be fairly loud. I saved a number of hundred {dollars} by putting in the devoted 20 amp circuit (Solely wanted for the non-compulsory oil-free vacuum pump) in an open wall I used to be constructing. The disadvantage is that it’s very near my front room, with no door to shut. I really purchased a TV soundbar to raised hear the TV.

Cleansing and upkeep: A freeze dryer wants common cleansing, upkeep, and occasional repairs. I’m utilizing an oil-free, heavy-duty pump that doesn’t require oil modifications and filters, however smaller models do. I’ve been very fortunate to date (knock on wooden); I haven’t wanted any repairs within the two years I’ve used it.

Rehydration could be problematic: In my expertise, some meals rehydrate completely, whereas others make me wish to gag. For instance, my freeze-dried onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms are game-changers within the kitchen (I do many of the cooking in the home). Alternatively, I freeze-dried issues like complete meatballs and breaded hen thighs that took without end to rehydrate and are nonetheless not good. (Observe: Some folks file the burden so exactly that they know precisely how a lot liquid so as to add for rehydration. I by no means developed that ability. This apply by no means actually made sense to me. How usually will I re-hydrate and use a whole tray of freeze dried meals? By no means. So how is understanding what number of grams of water I eliminated useful?)

Studying curve: Correctly utilizing and optimizing a freeze dryer takes time. Watching YouTube can foster a number of totally different strategies, leaving us extra confused than ever. For instance, we will weigh it or eyeball it, pre-freeze all the pieces, or let the machine do the work. Use the heater to thaw the ice when completed, or let it thaw naturally. Everybody has an opinion.

Area necessities: Freeze dryers are giant home equipment that take up appreciable house. I’ve a big 5-tray machine weighing round one million tons. Once I obtained residence, I needed it on my chrome steel prep desk however couldn’t watch for assist. I used a heavy-duty dolly (hand truck), my trailer ramps, and a number of momentum and energy to get it up there. I preferred to killed myself.

My canine hates it: I’ve a superbly behaved 90-pound pit combine (XL Bully). Solely two issues so far as sound bothers him. Fireworks and storms – no drawback. Gunshots – not a problem. The freeze dryer – He bolts out the canine door into the yard and needs to be known as again in. Then he stays in my studio (The opposite finish of the home) or our bed room when it’s bedtime (He takes up 1/3 of the mattress). The opposite noise that bothers him isn’t any noise. When all the pieces is quiet due to an influence outage, he crawls atop me for defense. Quiet makes him nervous. Earlier than shopping for a freeze dryer, in case your pets get nervous round loud noises, that will likely be one thing to contemplate. My canine is a crucial member of our household.

Not appropriate for all meals: Some high-fat or high-sugar meals don’t freeze dry effectively. We’re again to opinion, but when I’m utilizing floor beef, I’d like to make use of the costly 90/10 stuff (90% Lean / 10% Fats). That’s extra of an funding than I’m keen to make. Most pork (certainly one of my favourite meals teams) is just too fatty to freeze in a dryer for long-term meals preservation.

Professional Tip: Since I can’t afford the 90/10 floor beef, I’ve began utilizing floor turkey as a alternative. For instance, I’m making an enormous stockpot of chili for the subsequent couple of rounds of the freeze dryer (chili can be nice home-canned). Neither my spouse nor I can inform the distinction. It’s cheaper and fewer fats, which the freeze dryer doesn’t like.

Is Shopping for A Freeze Dryer For Preparedness Price The Funding For The Common Prepper?

Truthfully, I’d must say a freeze dryer isn’t an awesome buy for the typical prepper. If you’re actually into prepping, ie, a complicated or very devoted prepper, then positive, I’d advocate wanting right into a freeze dryer.

For preppers, the choice to purchase a freeze dryer in the end depends upon components like price range, house availability, and the way extensively you wish to construct your long-term meals storage. Whereas freeze dryers can protect in any other case perishable meals for a few years, the excessive upfront price and ongoing operational bills must be rigorously weighed in opposition to different meals storage strategies.

One other query it is best to ask your self relating to giant stockpiles of meals and preps is: How satisfied are you that you will want these preps on day?

In the event you simply desire a backup to your backups or some freeze-dried bundle meals on your bugout bag, buying these from a industrial provider is likely to be higher. Shopping for industrial freeze dryed meals is pricey, however you may get a number of it for just a few grand – the typical price of buying one.*

*Let’s ask Voilà[Aff] (My digital private assistant): What’s the typical price of a Harvest Proper residence freeze dryer?

Except you’re going to fill up many months of long-term meals storage, the mathematics simply doesn’t work. The exception, in fact, is when you plan to offset or revenue from a facet gig utilizing the machine.

In the event you’re constructing a big prepper pantry with six months or extra of long-term meals storage, a freeze dryer is likely to be a Godsend.

What Are Some Inventive Methods To Offset The Preliminary Prices?

Many individuals offset and even revenue from a freeze dryer funding by promoting freeze-dried merchandise (Perceive authorized necessities and dangers in your space when promoting foodstuffs). Go searching ETSY, and also you’ll see loads of objects, from freeze-dried sweet to fruits, freeze-dried pickles to greens, freeze-dried sprouts to turkey hearts.

Renting a freezer dryer is likely to be value wanting into. I don’t consider they’re quite common but, however there are companies that may hire one for big batches. These usually keep within the enterprise, and it’s a must to go to them.

One other concept is likely to be to publish a query on social media or Nextdoor asking if anybody could be keen to hire their freeze dryer. I think about there are millions of freeze dryers sitting in houses all over the world, proper subsequent to the train tools.

One other concept is likely to be to hire your new freeze dryer to native preppers that wish to add a little bit to their pantries. Or simply the couple tht needs to freeze dry a load of treats for a weding or occasion.

One other resolution is to separate the prices with one or two native folks. Particulars like location, cleanup, storage, packaging prices, and so forth., would must be labored out, nevertheless it may very well be a win-win for everybody concerned.

What Are The Prices Concerned In Proudly owning And Utilizing A Freeze Dryer?

The prices of proudly owning a freeze dryer go a little bit past the unique funding. Clearly, as with every machine, there could also be restore payments in some unspecified time in the future. Upkeep prices will embrace the right oil for oil modifications except you pay extra for the oilless pump.

You’ll want a high quality bag sealer, a jar vacuum sealer if you wish to use mason jars, and a good scale (I want one which weighs in grams).

Professional Tip: I rapidly discovered that the previous adage ‘One is none, two is one‘ applies to freeze drying. It’s a painful expertise to search out your sealer died after you simply invested hours of prep and days of drying. Immediately, I’ve two respectable mylar bag sealers, two jar vacuum sealers, and tons of backup provides. Sometime, I’d love to purchase a chamber vacuum sealer, however that’s a little bit out of my price range in the intervening time.

In the event you’re something like me, you’ll discover further tools to purchase as you progress ahead along with your new prepping course of. Issues like tray-stacking holders, attempt liners, further trys or pans to pre-freeze a batch or two forward, and even a french fry scoop.

The preservation prices don’t cease on the precise freeze-drying, both. In the event you resolve to go that route, keep in mind to contemplate the packaging prices, similar to these for Mylar baggage, oxygen absorbers, and canning jars.