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Freeze Drying Essentials I Use to Preserve Garden Food and Make Family Favorite Snacks
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items One of my favorite parts of gardening is figuring out how to preserve the harvest so nothing goes to waste. I recently added a freeze dryer to my kitchen, and it has opened up a whole new world of preserving fruits, vegetables, and even fun snacks my...
Sections
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Freeze Drying Equipment and Setup
Tools That Make Freeze Drying Easier
Packaging and Long-Term Storage
Freeze Drying Equipment and Setup
A good freeze dryer setup makes the entire process easier and more reliable. These are the core tools that help turn fresh food into long-lasting pantry staples.
This is the machine that started the whole adventure for me. My parents have a large one and have been preserving fruits, vegetables, and even leftovers, so they last for years instead of days. Now that I have one, it feels incredibly satisfying know...
Harvest Right Freeze Dryer
This book was a great resource for a newbie like me. It provides tips, tricks, and great recipes for meals, snacks, and treats.
Recipe Book - Discover Home Freeze Drying
This table is perfect for the small freeze dryer. I like that it has a lower shelf to store all of my tools, trays, and such.
GRIDMANN Stainless Steel Work Table
These stainless steel trays are made for your Harvest Right Freeze Dryer. I like to have extras on hand, so I can rotate batches with ease.
Freeze Dryer Trays
I like to use these silicone mats as an alternative to parchment paper. Food comes off of them easily and they are easy to clean - they are even dishwasher safe!
Silicone Mats
These lids can be used in a variety of ways - to keep food fresh after drying, to separate food, or even as trays.
Tray Lids
Tools That Make Freeze Drying Easier
These simple tools help make the freeze drying process smoother and more efficient.
These bowls are helpful for preparing batches of fruits and vegetables before loading trays. I like that they all have lids and keep food fresh until I get to freeze drying it.
Viking 9-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
A good knife makes slicing fruits and vegetables quick and consistent. I like to have dedicated knifes to prepare my fruit and vegetables, so I would recommend getting a good set like this one pictured.
Paring Knives
I like using a large cutting board that fits over most of the counter to prepare my food for freeze drying.
Stainless Steel Cutting Board
I like using a mandoline when preparing large batches of fruits or vegetables for even drying. It allows for consistent slices/pieces.
Benriner Mandoline Slicer
Silicone molds are a great way to freeze dry foods in smaller portions. They are great for baby food, liquids, yogurt, smoothies, and bite-sized treats.
Silicone Food Molds
Packaging and Long-Term Storage
Proper storage is the key to making freeze dried food last for years. These tools help protect flavor, texture, and nutrition.
These bags protect freeze dried foods from moisture and light, helping them last for many years. I highly recommend the resealable bags.
50-Pack Resealable Zip Mylar Bags
Adding oxygen absorbers to storage bags helps maintain freshness and extend shelf life.
50-Pack Oxygen Absorbers
A simple sealer makes closing Mylar bags quick and airtight, which is essential for long-term storage.
Impulse Sealer
My favorite way to store freeze dried foods is in mason jars of various sizes. The food looks so pretty in these jars and they can be kept handy for everyday use in the pantry.
Ball Mason Jars