Do you have any vacuum gauges at all to test the pump? ( Though I doubt that is the problem based upon your tests )
In truth, I was also really worried my son would be cross contaminated and end up being sick for a week. The hostess was insistent on making something he could eat and I finally relented. Needless to say, he ended up being very sick from the food.
What I should have done was just sent a freeze dried meal that would take me 3 minutes to rehydrate and he wouldn’t have to be stuck in the bathroom for days on end. Lesson learned!
When isolated, the pump seems to behave well. Short of putting a meter on the pump, my impression is that it is operating properly. I'm considering investing in a good meter to verify that it is reaching a good ultimate vacuum.
6. Warranties and Support: Look for models that come with warranties and reliable customer support options.
3. Poor Quality of Dried Food: Ensure that your food is prepared correctly; avoid using overly ripe or damaged produce as they may not yield good results after drying.
Is it as cheap as buying at the store? No. But properly freeze-dried and stored meats can last ten years or more without refrigeration. The freeze-drying process can be challenging, but those who have the time and patience should consider doing it.
They replied with some good information, but didn't really directly answer the question. I know that there is pelo one answer for all foods, but a rule of thumb is certainly within reason.
This is why so many people are buying their own freeze dryers to use at home. The market is essentially cornered by Harvest Right, which isn’t a bad thing since their quality and more info customer service are both superb.
I asked her what she was planning to serve and offered to bring something similar for my son so she wouldn’t have to worry about accommodating him. She said she didn’t want me to have to make food.
Then I just have to take rolls and a gluten-free pie for my son. It’s much less stressful on everyone, and my son doesn’t feel that he’s being deprived of having traditional holiday foods.
Another best practice is to set up a station. This will take space. Having a freeze dryer, freezer, prep table, and processing area all together has been a good decision. It can all be done in a large kitchen, but the machines are noisy and a freeze-drying project can take up a lot of space.
Now that I've filled you in on why the most affordable freeze dryer is the small Harvest Right, let's talk about how you can score one without breaking the bank.
•Control of the Shop Now shelf temperature during the dry cycle. This includes setting as many as five different shelf temperatures, thus allowing the material to dry in phases, at different temperatures.