Do you have any vacuum gauges at all to test the pump? ( Though I doubt that is the problem based upon your tests )
Brian Nichols Albert was responsive, informed and efficient. Harvest Right freeze dryer and kit are as expected, arrived sooner than expected, passed functional test and initial "bread run". Highly recommend both the company and the product.
Not only does this save time and money, it saves the headache of trying to throw together a last minute meal if we are in a hurry. And again, it cuts down on food waste.
I would prefer those fittings to have internal Este rings and knurled thread on ports (similar to R134a vacuum gauge sets) that do not require high torque compression fittings. Finger tight and you are good to go. You spot a leak, change the Este ring and you're back in business.
Obviously things like ice cream and marshmallows you would want to let the freeze cycle run longer. When I'm ready to start the drying cycle, I open the door, remove the insulator, and check the temperature of the food on the trays with an infrared thermometer. As long as it's below -10F I start the dry cycle. A side note for TonyC, have you ever thought about attaching a mirror to each side of the tray rack to reflect the radiant heat back in to the trays? I've looked at some mirror finish stainless on ebay, and it looks like you could do it for about $quarenta. Not sure if it's worth a try or not. I would think it would let you get more water out in a cycle because the radiant heat wouldn't be warming the ice on the chamber walls. Just a thought.... Edited December 16, 2015 by Pipsqueak duplicate post (log)
Freeze drying is a dehydration process that removes moisture from food while preserving its structure and nutritional value by freezing it first and then creating a vacuum around it.
14 Posted December 16, 2015 On 7/31/2015 at 11:12 PM, TonyC said: Here is my first pass on a Vapor Trap... it is an old whole house water filter that I modified. It failed to reduce the moisture in the oil... I'm in the process of modifying it to catch and suspend the moisture in the container long enough for desiccant beads to absorb the water. The air flow comes into the inlet, down the central pipe to the bottom of the screen and filters up through the beads and out the top. I know this was like forever ago, but I thought I would respond anyway. I haven't been on much in a while, I only run my freeze dryer in the winter. So I think you'll find it's a lot harder to remove water vapor from a vacuum than just using desiccant, as the vacuum will just pull the water out of the desiccant.
The pros and cons are easy to understand. In fact, there really is only one pro and it’s a huge one. YOU control the food you’re storing away for yourself and your family. Those who are willing to spend the time and money to freeze dry their own food should do so as long as they’re going to be committed.
I freeze dry right now so I can have as much preserved food as possible. For me, it’s a lot cheaper in the long run, even with the initial investment and run time.
Without an pump isolation valve I would expect some air to flow back into the chamber through the pump resulting in the steady rise you witnessed. I saw the same phenomenon before I installed an isolation valve on my pump.
You will be addicted once you realize how much you can freeze dry, how easy it is and how much you can preserve for your household in a short amount of time.
The current and emerging food crises in the United States have millions of Americans very concerned about the future. From supply chain shenanigans to food processing plants “inexplicably” being compromised to bird flu decimating Buy Now the poultry industry, it’s no wonder there has been a sharp rise in the “prepper” food industry.
5. Noise Concerns: If noise levels become excessive during operation, ensure that all components are securely attached and functioning properly; consider placing the unit in a less frequented area if necessary.
The food options we had there were extremely limited and full of preservatives. To counter that, my buddy Lance went in with family members on the purchase of a freeze dryer for home use.