10 Things Freeze Dryers DON'T Come With That You WILL Need!

[@heatherdplans37]

The tray risers are supposed to straddle the bottom tray, larger side down. That way if you have something messy, the risers don’t get the food on them.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@heatherdplans37 ahhhh I didn’t think of that 😆😆😆

[@richardthorne7775]

We called the early snow "Termination Dust" as it was time for the "Chechakos" (AKA: greenhorns) to head back to the lower 48. Lived there for five years and still miss Alaska. A happy freeze drier in Texas.

[@DIYfreezedry]

Yes the termination dust!! Ive heard that here :) So cool you lived here before, it really is an amazing place, somewhere I NEVER thought I would be, but here I am! Hopefully you can come back and visit.

[@MrMasonLuke]

Parchment for the top of foods to prevent sticking, French fry scoop for getting items into bags/jars easily, and pipe cutters for cutting apart candy.

[@DIYfreezedry]

Awesome things to add to the list! Thx for sharing 👏

[@markg2051]

What I use as a large Funnel i had taken a 5 gal. water jug that you put on top of a water cooler ( the see thu blue ones ) cut it off just above the handle and use the top for the funnel and the bottom part with the handle i use for my drain water.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@markg2051 this is an awesome hack! So smart

[@Dannieat1136]

I like to make my funnels from the non refillable 4 gallon water bottles. They do not have a handle molded in and i made a very tall funnel that i can dump a medium size HR tray into all at once. I also use a 1" diameter rod or bottle as a pusher to push fd food through the mouth.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@Dannieat1136 you’re all so smart - I never think of things like this 😆😆😆

[@AZJH8374]

Hi Brooke. Met you in Texas at the convention. New subscriber. Looking forward to your channel and journey. God bless you all and many prayers 🙏🏻 Nurse Judi in Scottsdale AZ and Eucharistic Minister 🙏🏻

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@AZJH8374 hi!!!! We had the best time in TX thanks for commenting! We’re actually visiting family in AZ this week and are prepping for the heat haha!

[@tonyb33168]

I use the FD to vacuum my mylar bags. Yes, it actually works!!!😊

[@MarkSavides]

But how to you seal the bags?

[@tonyb33168]

I use the silicone for portion size snacks. Yes, i have also found that freezing in mold and than removing them to be dryed works best, and fits more per tray. I use my wife's various molds, for baking, to freeze before drying.

[@theresadavis1834]

I just popped over from This Alaska Life. I have a medium freeze dryer in the basement doing it's 24 hr rest period. Tomorrow is the bread run and then ice cream freeze drying. I make my own ice cream and have over 25 flavors I have created and now 6 sorbet flavors too. This will help those who are not close enough to try the frozen flavors. Then my husband want to try candy followed by low calorie treats. I will be look back on your other videos. My extra trays and lids arrive in the morning. The silicone tray liners are delayed. But I do have parchment I can cut down. Will be getting some precut sheets. Thanks

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@theresadavis1834 you sound like you’re totally prepared to get going! How exciting! Hope you can get some fun ideas from my videos. I love Lauren’s channel - she’s the best!

[@tonyb33168]

I love the video! The tray risers are usually known as 'Tray Stackers', which install on the outside of the corner. They don't sit inside of the tray. For me, dividers are a must, but good ones are expensive.

[@tonyb33168]

5:05

[@BonniesCraftRoom]

Brooke, The parchment sheets are awesome! You can put them on the bottom of trays as well as lay the parchment sheets on the top to prevent sticking to the rack. The second set of parchment sheets make for a no mess clean up if the candies want to blow up in the freeze dryer. Love your videos by the way.

[@jago4673]

Banana slicer and tray dividers.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@jago4673 ooo I haven’t gotten tray dividers yet - that would be useful!

[@stacyrobbins2378]

I found you while watching this Alaska life when you all were in Texas. So happy to find you.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@stacyrobbins2378 oh thanks for being here!! I love Lauren’s channel, she’s the best!

[@katherinez9654]

Termination dust on that mountain. I don’t enjoy the winter seasons. However it means spring is coming too.

[@fygmicrogreens]

Agreed that the silicone molds are pretty useless except for m&m's and skittles. I tried taffy and like you said it didn't pop out easily so the candy was breaking. Also with the lids I found out that they're kind of fragile. I was freeze drying microgreens and overfilled one of my trays so I was using the lid to push it down for a pre freeze, and the lid cracked when I pushed down on it! Harvest right did send me some new ones for free but it was kinda disappointing.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@fygmicrogreens oh bummer about the lid cracking - that’s good that they replaced it at least. But that’s good to know to need to be gentle with them

[@Wvrent]

I just got the Avid Armor Cellar chamber series and it is insane how much more effective it is as vacuuming the air out of my jars! I mainly got it to save on buying oxygen absorbers as it will eventually pay for itself in that regard

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@Wvrent that’s awesome!! I’m wishing i would have gotten a larger one so it could seal larger jars…. I still love the one I have but may need to upgrade in the future 😆

[@Wvrent]

@@DIYfreezedry I'm glad I held off until they released the Cellar series. The prices was good and that extra size makes all the difference for jars and bags

[@homesteadrevivals]

I use the silicone trays for broth and for applesauce. The grandkids LOVE crunchy applesauce!

[@MisterEMystery]

If you only used the “ice cube” trays more, you’d love them. I suggest watching the “John in Bibs” channel, he uses a variety of silicone molds as he makes his own candy concoctions, such as ‘banana cream pie” balls, where he adds a banana mix to a graham cracker mix in the mold, freezes them, pops out the molds and freeze dries them, then dips them in chocolate. He uses round molds, but the ice cube molds should work just fine. I didn’t see a use for the square molds myself and never bought them, but have already bought some of the molds he uses.

[@gayeknight]

With little grandbabies, our freeze dryer is Frosty!

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@gayeknight cute!! Love that

[@victoriafoust1298]

I seal my jars in the freeze dryer. Quick and easy

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@victoriafoust1298 oh awesome I’ve heard of people doing this but haven’t tried it yet!

[@victoriafoust1298]

@@DIYfreezedry you must, it's great

[@scarleenswalker7923]

@@victoriafoust1298would love to know how!

[@victoriafoust1298]

@@scarleenswalker7923 pull out the rack and slide in a tray, load your jars (with the rings finger tight) on the tray make sure you close the valve. Go into the test screen and choose "vacuum" let it run for 1 1/2 - 2 mins. Easy peasy

[@juliabrown5948]

​@@victoriafoust1298is it hard to pull out/unplug the rack and plug it back in? I've heard that's a high point of failure and it's best to leave it alone, so I've never pulled my rack out.

[@juliabrown5948]

This is so helpful! Can you PLEASE share how you clean the tray holder inside the freeze dryer? Im scared to take the tray holder out because people say that plug is a point of gasoline, and i cannot reach my arm all the way to the back of the trays! Even my ten year old cannot reach to the back. How do you clean the top of the tracks? I got food up there on the second to the top shelf and i CANNOT reach it. What are your tips?? Every tool I've used and what I've seen others use, doesn't reach quite far enough. HELP!

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@juliabrown5948 I do have a video where I show cleaning the machine - I hope I have an angle of how I pulled the shelving unit out, I don’t totally remember! But I’ll post the link next

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@juliabrown5948 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4TUcoWvarNrbcksi=WkxldLoSy6i-EyTF

[@victoriafoust1298]

@juliabrown5948 Don't be afraid!! It really isn't hard and you feel so much better knowing it is cleaned properly

[@juliabrown5948]

@@DIYfreezedry thank you so much!! I hadn't ever seen anyone take it out, so I feel much more prepared to do so myself now!

[@carriebeard-R.I.T.S]

Hint/tip....until you get that funnel: I use the rolled vacuum sealer bags. I cut a length longer than my tray and seal one end. I slide the tray inside the bag once FD'd. Stand it vertically, give a little shake and all the food slides into the bag. Easier to pour into jars or mylar bags this way. I 100% use this technique when freeze drying batches of eggs! (I toss the vacuum bag when I'm finished. Raw egg could be big issue later. Guess I could wash and reuse....)

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@carriebeard-R.I.T.S yesssss ok that’s so smart! And I have lots of rolled vacuum bags still….. I’m gonna try this in a future video - thanks for the tip!

[@TeachLongbeard]

Thank you for the information - I am hoping to start "prepping" in the next few months

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@TeachLongbeard awesome!! Thx for watching. This is my favorite way to prep 🥳

[@juliabrown5948]

Start now, don't wait! Just start with buying extras of whatever shelf stable food you normally buy, so you use one and save one. There are so many threats coming in the next couple months, you don't want to wait!

[@kevinj1975]

Great ideas so thanks 😊

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@kevinj1975 thx you! Thx for watching!

[@Thenagymom]

Good to know we're already stocked up with everything you showed, except lids. We even have the chamber vac. LOVE IT. Thanks!

[@onlineservicesolutionsunil]

Glad I watched this before buying-now I'm fully prepared!

[@highyellow740]

Hi I'm loving your channel I came over from This Alaska Life

[@felixmorales1858]

Hi and thanks for the video. Wow I've never heard of this super interesting!!! The cost breakdown was helpful but what does it cost with the sealed pouches and electricity running over so many hours? Again thank you.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@felixmorales1858 thanks for watching! So electric cost is in average $3-$5/24 hours of use. Depends on local electric costs. The pouches you can get like 100 for around $20 - depending on what style you get.

[@felixmorales1858]

@@DIYfreezedry Nice this is really cool and doable. I've never heard of this but will put it on my list of "survival" type tools to help prep for disasters. Right now I spend a ton of money buying the name brands, but if I can do this myself it would be much better.

[@FIREWEEDthreads]

Great info thank you!

[@martinmyers1113]

Good Morning, I like your very informative videos. Thank You

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@martinmyers1113 that’s so much 😄😄

[@martinmyers1113]

@@DIYfreezedry Huh?

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@martinmyers1113 meant to say, thanks *** so much 😆

[@martinmyers1113]

@@DIYfreezedry Duh...I should have figured that out. You're the best. Thank You

[@carriebeard-R.I.T.S]

100% agree with the list

[@JenniferClements-vw6yf]

I want the avid chamber! My husband says I can order it, but my question is this: How is it different that just using the Harvest Right Bags and sealing them? How do I know when to use those and when to use the sealer? Thank you and I will be using your code to help you when I buy it.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@JenniferClements-vw6yf I have found that I like using the chamber sealer for soft freeze dried foods / powders. If I have foods that have sharp edges it sometimes punctures my bags under the pressure of the chamber - it’s possible I’m just not using thick enough Mylar bags though. But it’s worked great for softer foods sealing Mylar bags. When I am vacuum sealing food for the freezer, I loooove the chamber sealer! You can do soups, chilis, meat. It removes all the air and they last so long in the freezer. They can also vacuum seal jars which is awesome - the one I have only fits a half pint size jar on its side, but the bigger models can fit jars standing up. If you have other questions let me know!

[@JenniferClements-vw6yf]

@@DIYfreezedry thank you! I made one of your meals tonight and it was so good!!! I doubled the recipe and have plenty to freeze dry now. It was the one with the Taco Turkey and spicy rice. So yummy! Thank you!

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@JenniferClements-vw6yf I’m so glad to hear that!!!

[@chantellesaayman1941]

I do have a question tho - do you ever use the pillow in front of your freeze dryers door?

[@DIYfreezedry]

Older models of freeze dryers use the pillow, my version and the newest pro version do not come with the pillow or require one for use 😄

[@melodyadams]

Not sure which video I watched of yours but you linked a label maker. Why do you recommend that one? And can you make any style labels including shipping labels from Pirate ship? Thanks

[@DIYfreezedry]

My video where I made the candy basket is where I talked about that label maker, I love how fast it prints and that I can design everything for it on my phone. I am not sure if it links to shipping websites, I haven't used it for that purpose so sorry I'm unsure! But I'll link it here, maybe the description will have more info.... amzn.to/48fuFkB

[@Alaskan.Preparedness]

Hi from Wasilla! Do you have any recommendations of Alaskan stores that carry the new Pro freeze dryer? I'd like to purchase a large one but the shipping from HR to Alaska is $900 so I'm thinking I'll go local. ❤ I just discovered your videos a couple weeks ago and subscribed! Thanks for the fabulous videos!

[@kaylin8633]

Do you need to use oxygen absorbers if you vacuum your jars?

[@tonyb33168]

Yes. They are still recommended, although you may be able to use smaller. Depends on how much air is in and around the food.

[@tonyb33168]

Do the trays fit into the FD with the lids attached?

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@tonyb33168 no you will remove the kids before putting them into the machine

[@DIYfreezedry]

Lids not kids 😂

[@JoanWakefield]

All I did was check what I already have and found I have almost everything I can use instead of buying more stuff. The only thing I need to buy are the mylar bags and oxygen absorbers as needed.

[@Boilermedman]

Huh? No moisture meter? Mine was about $15 and I can get an instant read on whether it's dry or not. It is used for kiln dried lumber or other things but zeros means i can pack my food without worry. Feeling for cold spots on the food or pan isn't as good as a moisture meter.

[@trihonda]

Fry scooper? :)

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@trihonda oh that would be handy!!

[@trihonda]

@@DIYfreezedry I can't take credit, I saw that from another youtube video. My Large arrives in a few hours, and I'm excited. Thanks for the great content. I've been watching in preparation of my unit's arrival.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@trihonda how exciting!!! Aw thanks I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my videos 🥰

[@thefreezedryingcommunity]

Wish granted!😂Food Funnel coming your way. I'll send you an email to get your address.

[@DIYfreezedry]

@@thefreezedryingcommunity 🥳🥳🥳 That is so nice of you, thanks so much can’t wait to try it!!! The freeze dry community is the best ❤️

[@victoriafoust1298]

😃

[@redheadsinalaska6390]

🧊 🧊 👶