Best Freeze Dryers for Home Use

Canning and dehydrating are great options, but if you want to preserve food with the longest shelf life, you’ll need a freeze dryer. Preserve your garden and homestead harvest with a freeze dryer, or stock your pantry to prepare for emergencies. Use one to freeze-dry candy or dog food- the uses you can explore are unlimited, or you can even make a small business around it.

I’ve been reviewing freeze dryers since 2023, and it is encouraging to see the prices getting lower and more affordable despite tariffs lately. As an industrial engineer, I created freeze-dryer calculators to help you find the best freeze dryer for your situation based on how you plan to use it.

My main recommendation is for the Harvest Right Home Pro Medium, which hits the inflection point of capacity compared to price, making it a great value for most freeze-drying hobbyists.

If you need even more capacity, the Harvest Right Home Pro X-Large is the best for processing serious amounts of food for a prepper pantry. I also suggest an option that works well for beginners and is cheaper than ever.

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Contents (Jump to a Section)

• Best Freeze Dryer
• Beginner Freeze Dryer
• High-Capacity Freeze Dryer
• Comparison Table
• How I Compared Freeze Dryers
• Why Trust TruePrepper
• What Size Do You Need?
• What to Look For
  • Value: Cost vs. Benefit
  • Efficiency
  • Capacity
  • Quality
  • Size & Weight
• What is Freeze Drying?
• How to Use a Freeze Dryer
• Best Food to Freeze Dry
• How It Fits Your Food Storage Strategy
• Sources & References
• Conclusion

In this latest update on the best freeze dryer, I updated prices for accuracy- one even dropped below $2,000. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»

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The Home Pro Medium model from Harvest Right (still the clear leader in freeze-dryers) is an updated version of their best-selling model. The capacity it provides has been almost doubled and is perfect for small families. This puts it at a value inflection point, where it gives the best capacity for the cost of all the Harvest Right models.

Specifications

• Exterior options: black, white, stainless steel (adds $100)
• Batch size: 10-15 lbs of food (3,000 lbs per year)
• Trays included: 5
• Running noise: 52 dB
• Electrical requirement: Standard 110 V (20A circuit recommended)
• Size: 19” W x 25” D x 29″ H
• Weight: 119 pounds

You can get better energy efficiency by getting a larger capacity model from Harvest Right or another brand, but you won’t be coming anywhere near this price point. This model is also still relatively small and can fit on a counter or a cart.

Pros & Cons

The best feature of the Medium model is how it balances capacity versus cost. It has almost twice the capacity of the Small model, but doesn’t even cost 50% more. Your friends, families, and community will inevitably come calling when they learn you have the best freeze dryer, and this bad boy can pump out the vittles to make them happy.

The upgrade compared to previous Medium models also includes the Premium pump, which runs about 15 decibels quieter. That’s the decibel equivalent of a running dishwasher compared to a running refrigerator. The oil change frequency also increased from 5 batches to 20 batches, making the already minimal maintenance even easier.

There is an oil-free pump available for all of the Harvest Right models, but my cost analysis doesn’t support buying it for the additional $1500+. The oil-free pump also runs louder despite its lower maintenance requirements.

The main drawback is that this machine still doesn’t have the capacity of the higher-end residential models, meaning it doesn’t process as much food per batch. If you aren’t willing to spend twice as much on the X-Large model, this machine is the perfect fit for most people.

Cost Analysis

When compared to purchasing premade freeze-dried food, processing an emergency mix twice per week on your own Home Pro Medium model should see an investment payback of 20 weeks, according to our freeze dryer calculator. There are many assumptions here that you can see in our calculator section below, but we estimated conservatively when needed. The total investment needed to break even on a Home Pro Medium model is over $4,000 (costs include everything: over 1250 running hours of energy, 430+ pounds of food and packaging, and the initial machine investment).

While we’re very data-oriented, a freeze dryer does afford you much more flexibility than store-bought freeze-dried food. If you want more control over your food, then a freeze dryer will certainly let you make your food the way you want it. The versatility and personal control can’t be captured in break-even charts, so keep that in consideration.

With solid construction, perfect capacity level for the cost, and easy operation, the Harvest Right Home Pro Medium Freeze Dryer takes our top spot.

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You won’t find a freeze dryer cheaper or smaller than this option, but it still boasts the quality and effectiveness of our other picks. Even inferior models from new freeze-dryer manufacturers cost more than the Small Harvest Right.

Specifications

• Exterior: Black, stainless steel (adds $200)
• Batch size: 6-10 lbs of food (1800 lbs per year)
• Trays included: 4
• Running noise: 52 dB
• Electrical requirement: Standard 110 V
• Size: 17.4” W x 21.5” D x 26.8″ H
• Weight: 98 pounds

The easy-to-use and proven firmware, convenient modes like ‘candy mode’, and service track record of Harvest Right on the Home Pro models all push the quality to the top.

The main drawback is the capacity here. The smallest capacity available, paired with a respectable 7 CFM pump, makes it one of the least efficient models. It’ll draw an average of 1080 W/hr while running, even with the much smaller batch sizes. Still, if you plan on using your freeze-drying appliance occasionally or as a hobby, then this model will more than fit the bill.

Pros & Cons

Harvest Right had the least expensive model before, but now they are the clear price leader, with the small coming in at well under $2,000. This price is the most compelling ‘pro’ for this model, because it lets more people try out freeze drying. Beginners, hobbyists, and people who want the freeze dryer for convenience rather than long-term storage benefit from the Small model best.

The downside to the Home Pro Small is the capacity. It’s the smallest freeze dryer available, both in size and in how much food it can process. Because it still uses the same premier pump as the other models (and other overbuilt components), it’s also the least energy-efficient model.

Cost Analysis

If you use your Home Pro Small at a decent capacity twice per week, your investment will break even at week 27 when compared to pre-packaged freeze-dried food. While the initial investment is the lowest, the capacity and efficiency restrict the payback period to take longer compared to larger models. The total investment needed to break even on a Home Pro Small model is over $3,700 (costs include everything: over 1700 running hours of energy, 370+ pounds of food and packaging, and the initial machine investment).

Data, however, doesn’t tell the complete story. All home freeze-dryers give you complete control over the type of food that you store and how it is prepared. Many people find that invaluable. Also, we recommend this small size for beginners, hobbyists, and occasional use situations where tracking investment payoff is not as necessary.

The Harvest Right Home Pro Small Freeze Dryer is the budget choice that can get your family started down the freeze-drying path.

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Almost as big as a clothes dryer, this thing will pump out some serious shelf-stable food. With this, you can easily freeze-dry a two-year supply of food for a family of four in less than half a year.

Specifications

• Exterior: Stainless steel
• Batch size: 40-50 lbs of food (10,000 lbs per year)
• Trays included: 7
• Running noise: 52 dB
• Electrical requirement: 110 V NEMA 5-20 outlet (20A circuit required)
• Size: 24.4” W x 37.4” D x 35.6″ H
• Weight: 258 pounds

It’s easy to use and maintain, and comes with the option to select an oilless pump.

Pros & Cons

The best thing about the X-Large model is the capacity- it’s the largest capacity freeze dryer available on the market, designed for home use. This also makes it extremely efficient, which will help you maximize your energy usage and time. Despite the large size of the machine and strong vacuum pump, it is also relatively quiet at just 52dB while running.

The major downside is the price- at close to $5,000, the X-Large is a serious investment. You may also need to have some electrical work done for the NEMA socket on the dedicated 20-amp breaker. It’s also difficult to move, with the machine about a cubic yard in size and weighing over 250 pounds.

Cost Analysis

Cost analysis is a much more crucial consideration when you are looking at larger machines. Processing a mix of emergency food twice per week on your own Home Pro XLarge model should see an investment payback of just 11 weeks, according to our freeze dryer calculator. The capacity makes this very quick, but it is also a large amount of food. The total investment needed to break even on a Home Pro XLarge model is over $7,700 (costs include everything: over 680 running hours of energy, 770+ pounds of food and packaging, and the initial machine investment).

You can speed this payback period up even more by saving on food costs, one of the largest delays to the break-even point. Getting your veggies and fruits from gardens and your meat from hunting would drastically lower the costs, as we used average shelf prices for food in our analysis.

Harvest Right Home Pro X-Large Freeze Dryer is what you want if you are stocking food for a community, a side job, or just have a massive pantry.

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Comparison Table

Freeze Dryer	Recommendation	Price*	Tray Count	Max Capacity (lbs)	Max Capacity (sq. in.)	Electrical Requirement	Energy Use (Avg W/hr)	Vacuum Pump	Vacuum Flow (CFM)	Noise (dB)	Batches Per Oil Change
Harvest Right Home Pro Medium	Best Overall	$2,495	5	15	675	Standard 110V	1100	Premier Oil	7	52	20-30
Harvest Right Home Pro Small	Best for Beginners	$1,795	4	10	434	Standard 110V	1100	Premier Oil	7	52	20-30
Harvest Right Home Pro X-Large	Best for High Capacity	$4,995	7	50	2251	110V NEMA 5-20 (20A dedicated)	1700	Premier Oil	7	52	20-30
Prep4Life Cube Select		$2,995	5	17	832.5	Standard 110V	970	External Oil	8	62	15-20
Prep4Life Cube Select Expandable		$2,995	4-8	17	1332	Standard 110V	970	External Oil	8	62	15-20
Stay Fresh Standard		$2,999	5	18	640	Standard 110V (15A dedicated)	950	Standard Oil	7.2	62	3-5
Blue Alpine Medium		$3,095	5	15	601	Standard 110V	1080	Standard Oil	12	60	5-10
Stay Fresh 7-Shelf		$3,399	7	23	1120	Standard 110V (15A dedicated)	950	Industrial Oil	7.2	62	30
Harvest Right Home Pro Large		$3,195	6	27	1107	Standard 110V (15A dedicated)	1500	Premier Oil	7	52	20-30
Blue Alpine Large		$4,095	5	25	1170	110V NEMA 5-20 (20A dedicated)	1080	Commercial Oil	12	60	5-10
Prep4Life Cube Elite		$4,595	5	14	666	Standard 110V	970	Oil-Free	3.5	55	N/A
Prep4Life Cube Elite Expandable		$4,595	4-8	17	1332	Standard 110V	970	Oil-Free	3.5	55	N/A
StayFresh Mega		$5,950	6	50	1733	110V NEMA 5-20 (20A dedicated)	1600	Industrial Oil	10.2	54	30

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How I Compared Freeze Dryers

I compared several models from Harvest Right, Blue Alpine, StayFresh, and Prep4Life after researching and reducing the brands down to residential models.

I focused on freeze-drying machines designed for home food preservation rather than laboratory-grade pharmaceutical models and massive industrial models. Of course, those are useful for their purposes, but our review is focused on increasing food storage shelf life.

After collating all of the manufacturing data into a table, I developed freeze dryer calculators to help find value inflection points, graphing capacity against price, and overall score against price.

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Why Trust TruePrepper

Hi, I’m Sean Gold, and I’ve been reviewing freeze dryers for several years now. As a manufacturing engineer and as a prepper, I have the background to approach the comparison, review, and testing of freeze dryers from a uniquely broad perspective.

I enjoy digging into the details, like finding the break-even point for pounds of food needed to process for the investment, or learning more about how they work by taking the freeze-dryers apart. I’ve always found lyophilization fascinating ever since I tried ‘Astronaut Ice Cream’ as a young kid.

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What Size Do You Need?

The size of the freeze dryer you decide to buy is where cost analysis comes in handy. Different sizes of freeze dryers have different payback periods, and their costs and variable operating expenses vary. Oil, filters, energy, and packaging all scale with use. To look at break-even points, we developed two freeze-dryer calculators. For the first, simply input the cost of the freeze dryer you are considering, and add information about the food you expect to process.

Excel Freeze Dryer Calculator

If you want something a little more exact than the basic calculator, the Excel freeze dryer calculator is what I used to compare them all.

The Excel calculator generates a payback period based on several inputs (Main tab), including:

• Freeze Dryer Model
• Food Type, Cost, and Loading Efficiency
• Energy Price
• Batches Processed per Week

I already did the tray calculations for 34 food types, including the density, running time, factored weight loss, and comparative cost of equivalent pre-made freeze-dried food (Food Data tab).

The 12 models we compared here in our review are all included, with tray area, maintenance costs, and energy use.

The result is a graph of the return on investment (ROI) period that updates automatically, plus a summary of batch count, pounds of food, total spend, machine hours, and man-hours required to break even.

You can download the calculator in Excel format over on our Patreon page for free if you are a paid TruePrepper Patreon member, or for a low fee. I update the calculator occasionally as prices change, but the Excel download will give you total control over the formulas and all the cells. I hope this can assist you in making a wise purchasing decision on the size and type of freeze dryer that fits your food processing plan best.

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What to Look For

The best freeze dryer for home food drying has several important features to look for. We used a weight scale to set ratings for these to develop the overall scores for the machines we compared. The size and weight of a freeze dryer are more of a consideration for setup and placement rather than a measure of its performance.

1. Value
2. Efficiency – 25% of overall score weight
3. Capacity – 25% weight
4. Quality – 50% weight
5. Size & Weight

When you get the right blend of these, you can find a reliable freeze dryer that will stock your pantry with a massive shelf life for decades. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the freeze-dryer models that set themselves apart.

Value: Cost vs. Benefit

The amount of money you spend on something like a freeze-dryer shouldn’t blow out your entire budget, but that can be tough with these price points.

You may want to go the pre-packaged route if your budget and time resources don’t make sense for buying your own machine. Freeze-dried food suppliers are still a great idea for maximizing your emergency food shelf life. Typically, those are over $10 per pound of food, depending on the type.

We talked about the payback period for freeze-dryers above because capacity affects the price. If you plan on freeze-drying as a hobby or to stock less than a few hundred pounds of food, the small will probably do. The larger, higher-capacity freeze dryers cost significantly more, with the only large benefit being that they process more food at once.

Freeze dryer energy and maintenance costs are negligible compared to the cost difference between sizes, so running a small or medium freeze dryer longer is usually much cheaper than running a large or XL freeze dryer in short bursts.

You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like a freeze-drying appliance. There is a sweet spot where you get high value without overspending, which is where our top pick sits.

*Price at the time of the latest update.

Efficiency

Freeze dryers need to run a vacuum and get very, very cold in order to preserve the food. It uses a lot of energy to do this and can take a long time to freeze-dry a batch of food.

All of our picks use similar pumps and all get down to -40 degrees to effectively freeze-dry the food within a reasonable amount of time. Industrial freeze dryers can do this more quickly, but are of higher capacity and are much larger.

Capacity

The capacity of the freeze dryer isn’t necessarily how much you can fit inside, but also includes how long it takes to freeze-dry a batch. The vacuum pump, condenser, and compressor strengths can all make a difference since they reduce process time rather than increase the vacuum chamber size.

Harvest Right doubled (at least) capacity and added a tray to every model when they upgraded to ‘Home Pro’ models a few years ago.

Most freeze dryers increase their capacity with tray count and deeper drums. The front of freeze dryers in various sizes can appear to be similar when, in fact, there are large capacity differences. Tray size can illustrate this best:

As you can see, the capacity more or less doubles with each model, but the cost does not. The larger models use more energy to process the larger batches of food as well, so don’t neglect energy costs when you compare these, as that impacts efficiency as we discussed earlier.

A few have used marketing tactics to increase listed ‘capacity’ by including stackable drying racks that fit inside the tray to take advantage of vertical space without additional trays. We did not include those riser racks in our capacity calculations and comparison since they aren’t true tray capacity.

Quality

For quality, we split our evaluation into two sections: manufacturing quality and service. Quality determines whether your machine will start up first try, stay running with proper maintenance routines for years, and how easily (and quickly) it is fixed if a component breaks.

Manufacturing Quality

Design is important for quality because there are many separate components working together inside a freeze dryer. The weakest link can cause the entire machine to not work, whether it’s a faulty door seal or an underpowered vacuum pump.

Most freeze dryers have a powder-coated steel exterior with a food-grade stainless steel vacuum chamber. A few brands or options have aluminum and stainless exteriors.

While the machines themselves are now mostly made in the USA, components can be manufactured elsewhere, including vacuum pumps, compressors, condensers, and electronics.

While freeze dryer brands typically have similar parts, their firmware can vary widely. Some brands have very user-friendly interfaces with simple steps, while others allow total control of the system (for better or worse).

Lyophilization is a complicated process, and even the highest-quality designs, software, and manufacturing specs will still occasionally need service, support, and a warranty that the company stands behind.

Service

Good manufacturer service is a requirement for freeze dryers. Freeze dryers are complicated machines that run under stressful conditions (hot and cold temperatures, higher voltages) and need proper maintenance.

Many times, you’ll see first-time freeze dryer owners accidentally missing a setup step or routine maintenance, and service technicians can quickly get them back up and running. Harvest Right has a troubleshooting video library that can walk you through leak tests and other issues on your own before you reach out to their technicians. Other brands have troubleshooting steps listed in their owner’s manuals.

Beyond remote service, warranty service is also important since the entire machine is costly and difficult to ship. Blue Alpine has an online store with plenty of replacement parts available for DIY repairs at a reasonable cost. Other brands, like Harvest Right, want you to contact them to make sure you get the correct parts and know how to install them. There are pros and cons for both service approaches. Maintenance parts are available at most manufacturers’ websites.

To compare service levels, we used a table evaluating the various freeze-dryer company service profiles:

Company	Founded	Location	Warranty	BBB
Harvest Right	2012	Utah	1 Full, 3 Limited	A+
Blue Alpine	2021	Idaho	1 Full, 3 Limited	C
Stay Fresh	2022	California	1 Full, 3 Limited	N/A
Prep4Life	2023	Utah	1 Parts, 3 Limited	N/A

You may get a more personalized experience with a smaller company, but there is only one company that has been doing this for over 10 years, has a stellar BBB rating, and a dedicated service department. Speaking with the owners of smaller companies to resolve issues can be nice, but it’s not a viable long-term strategy if you plan on running your equipment for decades.

Be Aware: Since the freeze dryer market has had plenty of startups enter over the past few years, smaller brands with less time in the market could leave you high and dry. The 4Patriots freeze dryer is no longer available, and customers who purchased it can have trouble sourcing maintenance parts and getting service.

Size & Weight

In one of our updates, we removed size and weight from being weighed into the overall scores since it is a preference and not an indicator of overall value.

Each of our picks comes in different sizes and weights that affect how they can be used and where they can be placed. The Harvest Right Small can fit on a counter, whereas the XL will need a dedicated spot. They also all come with external vacuum pumps that will need to be accounted for when you position the freeze-dryer.

Some models, like the Cube from Prep4Life, have rectangular chambers for better space efficiency. The Elite model from them also has an internal pump, reducing the needed floor/shelf space.

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What is Freeze Drying?

Freeze drying, known by its scientific name as lyophilization, is a preservation method that removes a large amount of moisture. It does this in two steps: deep freezing to make ice, and then applying a vacuum to sublimate the ice into vapor.

Freeze dryers freeze much faster than a typical freezer to avoid large crystallization of the ice, which can damage the structure of the food. Sublimation using a vacuum helps the food keep its nutrients, since they are not cooked off with heat.

Why is Freeze Drying Expensive?

Compared to other appliances, like ovens or dryers, freeze-dryers are much more sophisticated and expensive. They were not even available for residential use until Harvest Right introduced them several years ago.

The technology combines powerful equipment like a heat collector, vacuum, refrigeration, and a pressurized compartment- all controlled with automation. It is industrial technology in your kitchen.

Freeze Drying vs. Dehydrating vs. Canning

Freeze-drying, dehydrating, and canning all have benefits and drawbacks. For starters, freeze-drying equipment is much more expensive, whereas both dehydrators and canning supplies can cost less than $100.

But freeze dryers can handle a wide range of food and retain nutritional value (and flavor!) much better than dehydrators. They also give the food a massively long shelf life, extending some perishable foods to over 25 years! Dehydrating is simpler, faster, and works great for certain foods. Canning can get tedious, but it works great for some foods that are difficult to preserve dry.

Preservation Method	Max Shelf Life	Initial Cost	Average Nutrient Retention	Flavor Retention	Process Time	Packaged Result
Freeze Drying	25+ years	Very high	95%	Excellent	2-3 days	Ultralight
Dehydrating	2 years	Low	65%	Great	5-30 hours	Heavy
Canning	5 years	Very low	55%	Good	<1 hour	Lightweight

So, the answer depends on what you are trying to do. My opinion is that dehydrators are better for snacks, like jerky and dried fruit, whereas freeze-dryers are better for pretty much any long-term food storage.

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How to Use a Freeze Dryer

The operation of a freeze dryer depends on the brand (and sometimes the model). Some brands require a lot of input, specifying exact freezing and drying times and temperature limits. Others have quick start buttons and pre-programmed recipes to get you going fast.

Every owner’s manual has at least a few pages dedicated to the machine’s operation, and it’s worth the time to go through them. I often skip over instructions myself, but there is so much going on with these machines that it is worth the small time investment to familiarize yourself with the manual.

Our top picks are automated and the easiest to use. You don’t have to be a bioengineering scientist to run the thing; just follow the menu options and let it do all of the calculations for you.

Accessories

Besides the freeze dryer itself, there are plenty of accessories that are often included:

• Vacuum Pump: Most freeze dryers have an external vacuum pump, and many come with the pump included (but not all).
• Pump Oil: Unless you have an oil-free pump, you’ll need some vacuum pump oil (this is usually included unless you buy used).
• Freeze Drying Handbook: Many brands ship out an owner’s manual and offer guides, but some people prefer a hard copy. Plenty of information is readily available online, so this isn’t an accessory I use.
• Extra Trays: Trays usually vary by brand and model size, but if you get a whole set of extras, you can prep and freeze while the freeze dryer is running for a more efficient process.
• Tray Stackers: Stacking tabs reduces the footprint of trays for even more efficiency.

Once you’ve freeze-dried the food, you can package it, eat it, or reconstitute it with water. Packing the food in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers is ideal for long-term food storage. We’ve already reviewed those with dehydrated and freeze-dried food in mind:

• Best Mylar Bags for Food Storage
• Best Oxygen Absorbers for Food Storage
• Best Impulse Heat Sealer for Food Storage

Some freeze dryer models will come with all of these included (even the impulse sealer) as a way to help you get started.

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Best Food to Freeze Dry

There is nearly unlimited food to try out with your freeze dryer, as long as they start with some moisture and aren’t high in fat, sugar, or oils. Things like butter, mayonnaise, jellies, honey, and bread don’t freeze-dry well in residential freeze-dryers.

Those restrictions don’t weed out as many foods as you might expect, and there are still some clear winners to pack in your pantry.

Protein

Stockpiling protein into the pantry is every prepper’s goal, since it’s an important macronutrient and the base for most entrees. Here are my favorites to freeze-dry:

• Ground Beef: Brown the beef, drain the fat, and then crumble it onto a tray. Reconstitute with water for cooked beef.
• Shredded Chicken: You can grill the chicken, but I prefer to cook it in my Instant Pot and then shred it. Reconstitute with water, and it’s great in a variety of dishes.
• Eggs: Crack and stir eggs until they are blended, and pour onto trays in thin layers. It’ll break into egg powder, which we’ve reviewed extensively: Best Powdered Eggs for Long-Term Food Storage

Veggies

One of the benefits of having a freeze dryer is being able to process your garden harvest for maximum shelf life.

• Spinach/Kale: Dry leafy greens are made into incredibly versatile flakes after they are processed by a freeze dryer.
• Peppers: Whether it’s bell peppers or spicy peppers, they can add vibrant flavors to any dish.

Fruit

Entire aisles of supermarkets are starting to get taken up by freeze-dried fruit, but you can make all of it at home, too. Don’t even bother with reconstituting; freeze-dried fruit makes an excellent snack on its own.

• Bananas: Sliced bananas work well in freeze-driers just like they do in dehydrators. Slice them into chips and lay them flat on the tray for the best results.
• Apples: Again, slicing thin is key for making great apple chips in the freeze dryer.
• Berries: Strawberries and blueberries are the favorites in my house

Candy or Sweets

Freeze-dried Skittles are the most popular by far, but any of these is a fun way to use your freeze dryer. Kids love to get involved with anything involving candy, so it’s a good opportunity to share a hobby with them. It also doesn’t take very much time if the freeze dryer has ‘candy mode’ like our picks. Ranging between 30 minutes to 2 hours per batch makes it easy to process a lot of batches at once.

• Skittles (both regular and sour) – My personal favorite (I have a sweet tooth and these things are great!)
• Nerds Gummy Clusters – My kids like how large these get in the freeze dryer.
• Yogurt Drops – Dollop yogurt with a spoon or squeeze out of a bag into quarter-sized drops on a tray.

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How It Fits Your Food Storage Strategy

Freeze-dryers are not a necessity, but can quickly let you break even if your food plan includes a lot of freeze-dried food. Freeze-dried food is one of the longest shelf life options, making it ideal for fire-and-forget food storage plans.

• Pantry Stockpile Plan and Checklist

Having one of the most sophisticated food processing machines for preservation is something that anyone can benefit from. Many people with freeze-dryers end up supporting their community with them or turn freeze-drying into a side hustle once they’ve filled their own pantries.

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Sources & References

All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best freeze dryer is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical prepping experience:

Bhatta, S., et al. (2020). Freeze-Drying of Plant-Based Foods. Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods. Volume 9. Issue 1. (Source)

Harper, J., et al. (1957). Freeze-Drying of Food Products. Advances in Food Research. Volume 7. Pages 171 – 234. (Source)

Nowak, D., et al. (2020). The Freeze-Drying of Foods—The Characteristic of the Process Course and the Effect of Its Parameters on the Physical Properties of Food Materials. Foods. Volume 9. Issue 10. Page 1488. (Source)

Ratti, C. (2001). Hot air and freeze-drying of high-value foods: a review. Journal of Food Engineering. Volume 49. Issue 4. Pages 311 – 319. (Source)

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Conclusion

Food storage and long shelf lives can be hard to achieve with a variety of food, but high-quality equipment can make it happen. Freeze dryers aren’t for everybody, but if you take the plunge, you may quickly find your pantry full and your preparedness groups and communities asking for more! There is no better preservation method, and the investment can quickly pay for itself.

Here are a few related articles our readers have also found helpful:

• Survival Bread: Timeless, Cheap, and Nonperishable
• The Best Food to Dehydrate for Long-Term Survival Storage
• Survival Food List | Pantry Stockpile Plan and Checklist

See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.

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