Operational Overview; Main Points Of Operation; The Freeze Dry Process; Packaging And Storing Freeze-Dried Foods - Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer Owner's Manual

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

5.1 MAIN POINTS OF OPERATION

1.
Gather all of the ingredients.
2.
Prepare your food to be freeze dried.
3.
Load the freeze dryer, making sure
that the food is spread evenly across
the shelves. Load foods that are
similar size/depth in order to assure
optimal freeze-drying conditions.
4.
Turn the freeze dryer on.
5.
When cycle is complete, remove
food from the freeze dryer and
package for short-term or long-term
use, as desired.

5.2 THE FREEZE DRY PROCESS

1.
Fresh or cooked foods are placed
into the freeze dryer where they
are frozen.
2.
After freezing, the freeze dryer
creates a vacuum in the food chamber.
3.
As the food is gradually warmed, the
ice molecules in the food turn to vapor
which condenses on the cold inside
surfaces of the vacuum chamber.
4.
When the vapor is removed, the
food may be removed from the
freeze dryer and sealed in moisture
and oxygen proof bagging to ensure
freshness until opened.
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5.
When water is added to the food, it
is restored to its original fresh flavor,
aroma, texture, and appearance!
5.3 PACKAGING AND STORING FREEZE-
DRIED FOODS
In order to preserve food for 15+
years it is important to package
freeze-dried foods in a moisture
and oxygen free environment. We
recommend that you immediately
place your food in a Mylar pouch and
include an oxygen absorber. Seal the
bag and it will be protected against
the two things that spoil food the
fastest: oxygen and water. Another
very effective way to package your
freeze-dried meals is sealing the
product in #10 cans or mason jars.
Include an oxygen absorber to
ensure fresh taste, color, and texture
for many years.
5.4 PRETREATING FOOD
While your freeze dryer will freeze
the food to temperatures below -30
degrees Fahrenheit, you may want,
or need, to prepare larger quantities
of food than your freeze dryer can
process in one cycle. Freeze drying
food that is already prepared and
pre-frozen in your freezer will allow
you to reduce the freeze time and
allow you to do the freeze drying
later. Freezers are typically set to
about -2 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
This pre-freezing would allow you to
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