By Backyard Homestead HQ
Food Storage, Freeze-Dryer
Most freeze-dryers are for commercial, scientific, or lab use. Only a few are for home use.
Due to parts, labor, and overhead costs, these units reasonably cost $1,060 or more. In any case, they’re just expensive in general. Some are prohibitively expensive – others are just kinda expensive – but totally a manageable price if you can save up for them.
Vacuum controller
Vacuum pump oil-based
(with oil filter, oil, etc)
$100 – $1650+
$150 – $1000+
Freeze Dryer Components
Price Range
Vacuum pump, oil-free
$210 – $600+
Condenser
$60+ each
Freeze dryer casing – stainless steel
$500 – $700
(estimates based on wall-mounted cabinets)
Miscellaneous parts
(screws, hardware)
$40+
Labor
(design, manufacture, assembly, etc)
variable
Marketing
variable
Software
(to control the temperature, vacuum, et al.)
variable
TOTAL
$1060 – $4050+
Based on the information I’ve found so far, I’ve concluded that the best freeze dryer on the market are all from Harvest Right – and they’ve got 3 basic sizes they offer to the general public for home use.
Harvest Right has 3 model sizes that can be considered upon purchase – Small, Medium, Large
The capacity of Fresh Food can accommodate 4-16 pounds depending in the size chosen.
The capacity of Freeze-Dried Food can accommodate 1 – 1.5 gallons, 1.5 – 2.5 gallons and 2 – 3.5 gallons
It has a 3-year limited warranty
Color options are as follows: Blue, Black, Red, White, Stainless Steel
Freeze dryers are worth the costs for those who want to pick and choose which foods they want to store.
Freeze dryers are the only way to build food storage full of shelf-stable foods.
Freeze dryer gives you the peace of mind in every food preparation dilemma.
Freeze dryers saves you the time and effort since all the food you're supposed to store will always be available (and usable).
Yes, you can make your own freeze dryer. There are some YouTube videos that we recommend on how to make your own freeze dryers! Would I make my own? Um, no.
Food Storage, Freeze-Dryer