5 Month Old Zucchini, Chicken Melts | Freeze Dryer Experiments

Today we got to try our freeze-dried fruit for the first time, and it was a hit! We have a new batch going in with a few new things. I also made delicious chicken melts for lunch using our micro greens and roasted chicken for dinner.
I hope you enjoy spending the day with me.
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[@LittleMountainRanch]

I heard back from Allison after I was done filming, and she said not to worry about oxygen absorbers or vacuum sealing the jar if we're going to use the food up right away. Have a wonderful day, friends!

[@desiree3488]

If you leave the root end on the onion when slicing it won’t burn. It works for me every time.

[@joannak4640]

Love you, girl ❤️

[@mikalasimpson7789]

When courgette grows into a marrow the UK hollows it out and stuffs it

[@brendahoffer5534]

Sometimes if you use two lids, one facing up towards the vaccuum lid and the other correctly on the jar, it will help your lid seal. Hope this makes sense :)

[@elizabethpendleton3421]

You should try vacuum sealing a jar again but remove the hose from the plastic sealing top first to release it's seal, then remove the the plastic adapter. Also, you can clean your dutch oven with Bar Keepers Friend it works great on any baked on crud extremely well without scrubbing. Just wet whatever your cleaning and put the powder on the crud creating a paste, let it sit for a minute to activate and then wipe with a rag. Or make a paste on the rag and spread it it around letting it sit for minute before wiping. My choice is the first way, using my finger to make a paste.

[@aneenvanniekerk7029]

You have such a calm nature and I feel so much less stressed and calm after watching your videos! Thank you for putting so much positivity into the world! You don’t know what an impact you have in our lives! 😊

[@LittleMountainRanch]

You are so welcome!

[@carmancloud]

As for things in the background, I can’t speak for anyone else but all I ever see is how hard you work and what great care you are taking of your family! 👏❤️

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I appreciate that!

[@heatherpfeil2939]

Don’t stress about if your kitchen is tidy or not; it’s a real house with a real family. Looks like my kitchen! We’re cooking together😁

[@kayemoore]

I am a freeze dryer - Harvest Right Large for a year now. I’m not trying to be bossy, just trying to be helpful. WARM your freeze dried foods before removing from the FD to avoid instant (and often intense) condensation aka moisture! You will be much happier with a much longer lasting FD product 😍

[@tjeanvlogs9894]

I'm a microgreens grower. At the density you have with your first round of peas, cut and come again will work for a short period unless you add fertilizer to the water. Bottom watering is best if you are doing this. I add fish fertilizer to a strong compost tea and add this to my bottom watering tray highly diluted. Normally you cut the microgreens closer to the medium so regrowth isn't likely. If you plant denser, you run into mold issues though bottom water does minimize this. For your grow room. Move the cooler germinating plants down towards where it is cooler. A bowel of water with a plate as a lid to evaporate in the room to increase the humidity. Adjust the lid for more or less humidity. You can run a draped shower curtain along the front of the shelves to create the microclimate your plants need. From your friendly maritime pac north wet permaculturist.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Thank you so much for your tip! I saved this one.😊

[@lisabooker6405]

Chelsea you can use a brake bleeder and your food saver lids (the white part you use to suck the air out) to remove the air from your jars and no electricity is required. I’m sure Dan probably has a brake bleeder since he works on so many things. If you look on RainCountry Homestead Heidi has tons of videos on it. I actually have the food saver but just use the brake bleeder so I don’t have to drag out the clunky machine all the time. Lol Hope this helps. Love and hugs ~Lisa

[@KrafTlady61]

I LOVE my brake bleeder. So easy to get out, use and put away. I also learned about it from RainCountry.

[@ldg2655]

when using the jar attachment, try disconnecting the tubing from the lid. Maybe that would release the suction in the lid, allowing you to remove it without losing your jar’s suction.

[@weloveourkittens]

That is how I do it with no problems. Most times I will rerun it just to get extra air out. The seal is much tighter running it a second and third time.

[@kathleenhamilton483]

You have to take off the hose from the jar before you disconnect it from the jar top. Once I learned that I haven't had a problem. You can use two lids if still having trouble, but take the hose off the jar before you disconnect it from the jar top attachment.

[@kristiebaker7125]

Do not be dicouraged with the sealer. The regular mouth accessory does not work well by itself but if you invert a second lid (sealant side up) on top of the main lid, you will approach 100 % . This is NOT a problem with wide mouth sealing. Kris in Orlando

[@gillianmellin8315]

Don’t worry about how your kitchen looks like, nobody notices, honestly. It’s a family kitchen .As a mum of four grown up sons and now a grandmother of four , life is hectic and messy 🤣

[@daralynnhale1565]

We use parchment paper for anything that contains sugar or starch One year later still don't use the silicone mats. Mangoes are absolutely delicious. Our journey has been single items like you would shop your pantry to make meals. Mac and cheese does fantastic. Any grapes or tomatoes cut in half :) Lemon and orange slices are fantastic and easy to rehydrate. Ground hamburger meat is my favorite time saver freeze dried meat :) Tips from your Oklahoma friend :) 1870's Homestead! Love them!!!!

[@ldg2655]

I was wondering if parchment paper or waxed paper could be used to line the trays with, and if the grit stuck to the paper or not.

[@robingirven4570]

@@ldg2655 I use parchment- haven’t used the silicone mats yet 🤷‍♀️

[@janetpaulsen195]

So much fun content. It was fun listening to the kids off camera giving their opinions.

[@deno.520]

I love how you've turned one of your least favourite activities into content that is entertaining, informative and inspiring. The perfect example of turning lemons into lemonade.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

My favourite comment in reference to my kitchen video ever!!❤️

[@vickyprice1932]

Don't stress about the little things. With little drips and a cluttered window seal, it's just life and a happy family. 😊 ❤️ We enjoy watching you not your little messes.

[@maritzakincaid4303]

I too have a high sensitivity to chopping onions but I have found a genius way (at least I think so😂) to avoid that altogether. I chop up a full bag of onions out on my back porch, with my food processor or by hand. The breeze helps keep the fumes from irritating my eyes or sometimes I put a fan on. I then put the onions into gallon size freezer bags that I lay flat in my freezer., no thicker than 3/4". When I need chopped onion, I just break off a piece, it thaws very quickly. It has been a game changer for me.

[@jackthornton2510]

Hi this is Christine from Az. I use the hand held food saver vacuum sealer for my wide and regular mouth jars. I have the big food saver but I only use it to seal bags. I do not use an oxygen absorber if you take all the air out by vacuum sealing in my jars. I have never had an issue with the seal lids popping off. I just gently rock the adapter off Love your growing room. I ordered the special lids to try to grow my own sprouts in Mason jars. I will have to look up on your site to see how you grow your spouts so I do correctly. Thank you for being such a great teacher and homestead influencer❤️

[@deanscott8289]

Hi Chelsea, Alberta here again. You can seal your jars with the freeze dryer. Remove the seal ring from the chamber then unclip the harness at the back of the shelf unit and remove it. Put a cookie sheet in the bottom of the chamber and set in your unsealed jars. Leave the rings 1/4 turn from being tight. Put the door seal back on and close the drain. Now go to the settings on your screen and run the vacuum test for 60 seconds and voila your jars are sealed.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Thanks so much for the tip!

[@metamud8686]

I just use a break-bleeder together with those white pop-on vacuum suckers that you showed. About twenty hand-pumps per jar and they're absolutely perfectly vacuum for food. Tip from Heidy from Rain Country YT channel. No need for an electric vacuum pup to suck those jars vacuum; just use a breakbleeder and handpump. Great exercise for your handmuscles as well. Make sure to alternate which hand you use to pump between jars, so both hands improve equally in strength. 🙂

[@kathleenroberts7972]

Try lighting a candle and keep it burning near by when chopping onions. I love this freeze dried adventure, that's a part of homesteading I haven't tried.

[@suziereinhart7975]

Hi you can also vacuum seal all your jars and or Mylar bags in the freeze dryer machine. You can do numerous jars at once . We’ve had a FD for 5 years and have learnt some tricks. Also liners for the trays you can use cut up parchment paper but can get pricey so we use oven liners that we have cut up and they are washable and reusable. This trick makes it a lot easier to scoop stuff up and won’t stick. Much faster process.

[@thispreparedlife]

Hi Chelsea! Tip on the sticking I use parchment paper. I cut pieces to fit and use them over and over until they are too dirty.

[@cindy-ki8ex]

When you use the vacume sealer you need to detach the hose first and then take off the lid attachment and it should work then.

[@doriskuhberger8559]

Hello Chelsea. I usually don't comment or your videos. I put my onions in freezer for half hour before I use them. That helps a lot. Love your videos. I learn so much from them. Thank you so much for sharing. Love and Blessings to you all. Doris, Penrith 🇦🇺🦘

[@lizhaynes3524]

Living Traditions did a video on the cost of running their freeze drier that was very informative while using a power monitor

[@rkr5106]

'Middle-of-Winter' IS prime season for citrus/lemons (Dec - Apr). Buying them in late Summer to late Fall (in the Northern Hemisphere) is off-season when the prices will be the highest. So, by all means, purchase & process them NOW!

[@susanvandermolen4677]

Hi Chelsea, I love following your site and seeing what is going on at Little Mountain Ranch. I want to tell you about how I peel and chop onions, which always made me tear up when I chopped. I have to say this idea came from my husband. We have a fan above the stove that is vented outside, so when I have more than one onion to chop, I take my cutting board to the stove top and turn the fan on high. It seems to suck up all the onion fumes and I never cry any more when chopping onions. It doesn't look like you have a vent/fan, but it may be worth the investment with all the cooking and preserving you do. All the best.

[@ashleycarwile6427]

I have the rechargeable vacuum sealer and love it. Try removing the hose from the top before taking it off the jar. It releases the pressure

[@jarrodashley-vanduser676]

Thank you for not getting hair sheep. It makes me so sad how popular hair sheep are becoming when wool is such an amazing, useful fiber.

[@dolorescampbell]

With the vacuum sealer, try disconnecting the hose from the adapter before trying to remove it as that works for me.

[@ldg2655]

I just paid my freeze dryer off yesterday… it will ship in 2 weeks! I can’t wait!!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Yay!!

[@momthebest5908]

We use parchment paper on our trays to help with any sticking problems. Also, we slice our apples like you would for pie and dust the apples with cinnamon sugar before pre-freezing.

[@shfrederick1]

FYI...When the food saver stops, immediately pull the hose out of the attachment on the jar. Then remove the lid attachment from the jar. Then detach the hose from the machine. I hope this helps.

[@stefuhfuhmarie]

So glad you can finally use your new freeze dryer! It seems to be one of the best ways to preserve stuff. The comment on the styrofoam feeling is exactly why I stopped buying freeze dried fruits! I’m such a weird texture person 😂 If I had one I would probably use it more for eggs / milk/ broth/ spices / herbs than direct eating snacks. ❤

[@weloveourkittens]

I always take the hose off the white mason jar sealer first after vacuuming it. That way, you are not putting pressure on the seal.

[@chrisanndunn8814]

Have you ever thought about the time it takes to grow the food, harvest, can, and now freeze dry? Time is valuable. Hmmmmm, something to think about. Love watching you in your kitchen, it truly is my blood pressure pill.

[@gracieshepardtothemax1743]

Not once did I notice your “cluttered” window sill. But it did make me realize mine matches yours! Great video once again! I live in Alberta but am watching on vacation in Dominican! Cheers!

[@elenacuthbertson2954]

Chelsea try taking the hose off of the lid sealer before removing it. That’s what I do with no problem ❤

[@kathleenritter4532]

I've seen that RoseRed used 2 lids to get the first one to seal. That way the cap pulls the one on top instead of pulling the sealed lid when you take it off. I've been researching this because I'm adding food savor to my preservation tools this year.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

That makes sense!

[@kevinsleeter8830]

I was going to mention doing this. It helps increase success rate for us.

[@TrishInThePiedmont]

I saw that also and I have a food saver. I also purchased the vacuum jar sealer accessories. Both sizes. I’ve only used brand new lids so far and have only needed to use one. I’m curious about when I reuse lids that I originally used for canning. I may need to start using two in that scenario.

[@barbcutright5581]

I believe that just has to be done for the regular mouth lids. I think the wide mouth do fine.

[@melindawargowsky8176]

It sometimes works for me. And sometimes I put one upside down on top of the other.

[@carolyncecil748]

parchment paper is really better than the mats

[@fionacuthbert4684]

For cutting onions, I always leave the root intact when cutting, half as best you can, cut the rootless half, then dice the other half up til the root is all there is left ... 😁 Hope that actually makes sense 🤣

[@harrietmartens742]

Hi Chelsea the bananas and apples turned out very nice. When doing bananas the peel can have brown spots on it, but if there is browning on the inside, cut that part out and do not freeze dry that piece. When the inside of the banana get too ripe they will explode up and can make a real mess inside the freeze dryer - it’s caused by all the If you are eating the fruit soon and not long term storing no oxygen absorbers is needed. When doing strawberries it is best to slice them up, plus add more dry time at the end of the cycle because the seeds retain extra moisture. Also do not mix frozen and not frozen foods in the same batch

[@donnasouthwood]

You said that the trays were cold when you removed them. If you are finished "drying" and "extra dry" and the machine has gone into the holding mode where it keeps everything frozen, you need to hit "warm trays" for awhile before you remove them. It doesn't matter that much since you are using the fruit right away, but the issue with taking cold food out of the freeze dryer is that you will get condensation on the food that is instantly absorbed into it. To keep your food as dry from the machine to packaging it needs to be warm. This is also how you can check th all of the food is thoroughly dry. Any food that feels cool still contains moisture. The best thing to do is customize the extra dry mode from the default 2 hours to 10 or 12 hours so you can always let it run well past the dry cycle and remove the food while it is still warm

[@debminder4420]

Remove hose from jar first before removing part that covers lid. Hope that makes since. Also use parchment paper on freeze dryer trays. Helps and saves money.

[@fredsimmons2793]

Hearing you and the family chewing that fruit was like music to my ears Chelsea.

[@Bev437Sqn]

We finished 4 trays of strawberries last night and have 4 more trays of strawberries to go in tomorrow morning when the beet chips and garlic are finished tonight.

[@garybenaszeski3465]

Hi Kelsey, just started watching your channel, your one busy hard working women! We have had a large freeze drier for several years and just love it with over a 100 cycles on it and it works great. I hate to bring you bad news but like you guys we have large gardens, a dozen or so mature fruit trees and a small vineyard (about a quarter acre) and your quickly going to find you needed the large drier. In fact we just placed an order for the new model XL drier today. We had our larger drier going going 24x7 for 2 and a half months and just could not process everything we wanted to. Any way we like the channel and good luck!

[@chrissyfrancis8952]

Keep trying the jar sealer. I have to do it several time too & my FoodSaver is new. The trick is to make SURE it locks on(snaps when it does) the jar before sealing.

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

Good evening LIttle Mountain Ranch. I'll bet those chicken melts with micro greens left over from dinner will make the perfect lunch - especially with that chopped lemon zest. I most certainly can't wait to try them!

[@lynsmith2698]

Hi Chelsea. Regarding your cost to run the freeze dryer. When living tradition homestead got their freeze dryer he bought a metre to find out what a batch of freeze dried stuff cost and it turned out to be Pennie’s. Like a 24 hour run cost like under 50 cents if I remember correctly. Their hydro cost was comparable to ours here. I’m Excited for you and all the things you will dry. That’s incredible about the zucchini eh…who knew they would keep so well. Great video. Cheers 🌷

[@pennynewell3459]

I use parchment paper when freeze drying fruit, works great. You can buy precut paper, but I buy a large roll and cut my own. Much cheaper.

[@SylvieTDoyon]

I just chopped about 20 pounds of onions that I bought in spécial at 75¢ for 5 pounds last september or august (so they were getting smelling srong) I did it all by hand with 2 cups filled with water, one on each side of my cutting board and it worked fine. At first, after 2 or 3 onions I was starting to cry and this is when I remember that trick. Just get a cup or a bowl of water near your cutting surface, it does work. You need to have more water around than the water content of your eyes, the onions gaz is attracted to whatever has the most water content around, if my explaination is clear.(french is my first language, I'm from Québec) By the way, I love your channel

[@angellaleboeuf3776]

Love watching you in the kitchen, so motivating! Thank you

[@williej3831]

Thank you so much for all your hard work putting out all these wonderful videos. I have truly enjoyed everyone.

[@myworke-mail339]

I really like how you index the videos so I can find exactly the parts I am looking for. Great info. Thank you so much! God bless!!!

[@sallyhostetter2820]

I love your freeze dried fruit taste testers (your kids). Your plants in the grow room look great.

[@belieftransformation]

Thanks for sharing! Great info & food prep! 🤗💜🇨🇦

[@donnasouthwood]

Re the vacuum sealer: You need to remove the vacuum tube from the jar sealer attachment to release the vacuum BEFORE you remove the vacuum sealer from the jar.

[@robynclarke5274]

I had a clut of zucchini recently (we are in the southern hemisphere) so I made zucchini boats, one with chicken and mexican flavours and another with tuna mornay. These were a great hit. I now want to make a relish. I have just bought some sprouting peas, yours looked great. I also got some broccoli seeds for sprouting. I grew up on sprouts they are so good for you. Live food is the best.

[@paulamcerlane6829]

Onion chopping became a lot easier for me when I learnt this method. Cut the onion in half skin and all from tip to root. Keep the root on.and peel skin off. Chop from end to tip keeping the root on. Then chop the other way. No tears.

[@krishunter6355]

When using the food saver vacuum lids sometimes you can use two lids at a time. This helps it seal for some reason. Nice job on the freeze dryer

[@debminder4420]

Absolutely love your channel and look forward to watching them every week.

[@AOKUrbanHomestead1]

May you always be blessed as you teach us and all your people so much. Thank you

[@katehassen6021]

Just had a thought about trying to grow lettuce and cooler growing plants. Since cold sinks the lower shelves might be a better place to put those trays.

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Really enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@robingirven4570]

I just pulled my first batch out this morning- bananas and apples! Too funny They do have super lids! They work great!

[@redgingerbreadpam]

Absolutely enjoyed it. I love the realness if your videos in a real kitchen & cozy home.

[@mylifesjourney...sharonkar7802]

For your onion remedy, try a cup of water next to you. They are drawn to moisture and if the cup is closer to the onion rather than your eyes it should help. Helps me anyway. Let me know. Blessings ❤️

[@MK-wt9nj]

This is just a note to let you know how much I appreciate and enjoy your videos🎉 I always learn something, see something beautiful in nature, and feel happier for the time spent. Thanks😊

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I'm so glad!❤️

[@lassa8435]

Definitely chop up your frozen strawberries before free drying and try preserving your zucchini in the freeze dryer so good!

[@scotserve]

Looks absolutely gorgeous.

[@usbpphillips]

Push down on the jar sealer for a second and twist just a bit to help it get a good seal and then see how it does. I sometimes have to do this with my old food saver.

[@pamt8430]

Hey Chelsea!! Great video as usual. Before you "give up" vacuuming sealing jars try taking the hose out first before removing the attachment or try an older lid since they are thinner. (no clue if that would work.) Thanks for all your videos!!! 😁 LOL guess I should have watched a few mins more before commenting.

[@rachellepollock9877]

Love your videos. I never heard of a freeze drier before you explained what it is and its purpose. I have learned a lot from your videos. Thank you.

[@ksd6122]

Chelsea, I really enjoy your content and learn a lot. Thank you for sharing. I’m looking forward to more freeze dried stories as you get accustomed to incorporating it into your leftover care, preserving, etc.

[@kukaburraFM]

I use 2 lids if I’m working with my food saver and the mason jar attachment to avoid pulling the one I want on my jar off.

[@elizabethlink3993]

💚 I love hearing about the freeze dried foods. Not sure I'll ever be able to get a freeze drier, but I'll keep it on my "Wish List". So cool that you're getting the sheep..and bred too! 💚

[@clschaan]

The size of that chicken is impressive! The ones in the grocery store are like half the size

[@donnaa4775]

I hope those grow back again!! I love my freeze dryer, using it right now for ground chicken, sourdough starter and onions. I have to try the bananas now. Thank you and love your land.

[@sarahqueener946]

I love that you use goggles when cutting onions! I do the same thing. If I don’t, I am a crying mess. Lots of great meal ideas and loved seeing your grow room.

[@sandyperreault9326]

I have found that if I use a small fan when cutting up onions I no longer tear up. Fan is placed to the side and elevated enough that the fumes are blown away.

[@DawnPalmer55]

If you want to know how much power the freeze dryer uses, go to Living Traditions Homestead KZbin Channel. They did a video on this, when they first got their freeze dryer, and they don’t use much power at all. Also, Becky at Acre Homestead did a video showing you how to change the oil in the pump and it’s super easy! She used her freeze dryer for over a year, before she had to change the oil, which is amazing! So, you don’t have to buy the upgraded oil less pump, because changing the oil is not difficult at all. It is also recommended to leave the door open on the freeze dryer when not in use or it can grow mold, because of the moisture inside.

[@janecannon5567]

Everything looks good and growing good.

[@barbmoyer6345]

Using a scoop for cupcakes/muffins is great for consistent sizes and nice round tops. Great for klutzes like me :)

[@carriem7832]

You can use parchment paper to place juicy items on to dehydrate. I dehydrate pea shoots for green powder which is very expensive to buy. Great for smoothies and soup.

[@leoratriden8757]

hey Chelsea! found your channel about a month ago & wanted to tell you that you're my new favorite! thanks for sharing!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Thank you so much and welcome!

[@bcworth444]

Super impressed with the longevity of that zucchini!

[@karenchaney9160]

I can see eating peanut butter with the apples and Nutella with the bananas perfect snacks

[@alesiawallin3860]

Freeze dried lemons are wonderful in tea!

[@sgrvtl7183]

Your pea shoots look very healthy & substantial. Enjoy all your videos~

[@camicri4263]

Delicious!🤗💞🤗

[@cynthiafisher9907]

Great video, Chelsea! It would be fun to have a freeze dryer, especially with kids. I doubt I’ll ever get one, as my kids are all up and out.

[@chrissyfrancis8952]

I LOVE my jar sealer attachment bc I buy a lot in bulk & seal them in 1/2 gallon jars. Just ordered my seeds & a few more seed flats(trays, we call them flats in PA) & can’t WAIT for micro-greens!

[@dianneb208]

So fun to have the freeze dryer. I had a zucchini last into winter. I diced it up into soup, thinking the skin would soften - and it didn't! I had to pick it out when eating. I hope the skin was soft for your muffins. My sourdough recipe calls for 25 gm of oil, I use about 15 - it makes for a softer loaf and yes, I also am amazed with sourdough. Such a gift! Take care.

[@bowenfamilyfarm9776]

I just love watching your channel. God's blessing to you and your family.

[@jenniferspeers2453]

Living traditions homestead did a cost analysis of using the freeze dryer maybe about 12-18m ago. As well as some taste test videos if anyone is considering getting one but wants a bit more info about those factors. From what I remember, it was pretty negligible. Around $2 (cnd) a session Their video is titled " will our electric bill skyrocket from our harvest right freeze dryer? Nerdy freeze dryer math "

[@dasroberts6811]

I find that parchment paper works better than the silicone mats. Also be sure to drink plenty of fluids when eating freeze dried foods. When using the vacuum sealer, remove the tubing from the top as soon as the vacuum stops suctioning and then remove the top cover. Everything you make looks delicious!

[@TheOriginalBrian]

It's funny to see you going through this process as I have just been doing the same thing with my mom since I got her a freeze drier for Christmas. Try grapes they are like candy. It's great to see your channel growing so much recently. Keep making great videos.

[@jmt7676]

I'm learning so much watching your channel. So pleased I found you.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Welcome!

[@leahsiemens1424]

Just found your channel. It's like KZbin knows I love watching people with freeze driers and homesteads :-D A few freeze drying tips: Don't pack your food cold. When I first got my machine, I set the extra dry time to 12 hours (see your manual for how to do it) so that if it's done in the middle of the night or while I'm away, I still have 12 hours to get to it before it goes back to freezing it. And as someone already suggested, add some parchment to your trays if you have sugary foods like fruit. I would also recommend a layer of parchment on TOP if you're doing blueberries as they tend to splatter a lot. You also need to make sure the skins have been pierced so the liquid has some way of escaping. Lots to learn! But I love my machine! You can also learn a lot from Retired at 40: Live Life Simple (KZbin and Facebook) :-) Happy freeze drying! Keep up the great work!