Freeze dryer

[YarnSpinner]

Hi, has anyone bought a domestic freeze dryer in the UK or anywhere else in Europe?
I really want a Harvest Right machine but they’re American made and import tax would be a Hugh amount to add to the already very high price of the machine.

I’ve looked for similar products across Europe without luck but have found a website thedabroom selling the harvest right machine. Problem with them is I can’t find any reliable reviews or a social media page to establish if they are a trusted supplier. I’ve emailed the US company to ask but they haven’t replied.

Would anyone with any science-y-ish knowledge know if I could use a pharmaceutical freeze dryer for preserving food or does anyone know of a trusted harvest right supplier?

I would love one but they are just too pricey for me.

Theres a UK company that makes freeze dryers for the pharmaceutical industry, and for chefs and commercial kitchens, so I assume they are the same thing;

www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/post/benchtop-freeze-dryers-uk-manufactured

They are way out of my budget, but I have a dehydrator. I dont think the end product is as good as freeze dried and the shelf life isnt anywhere near as long, but its been useful.

My Dh is hankering after one. I think it would be a good investment but I don’t know where it would go as they are quite big and noisy too. The freeze dried food looks amazing on the YT channels I watch.

I saw a Facebook group (presumably US) where people were complaining that their Harvest Right freeze dryer either never worked or else broke after only two uses...and they were looking for a repair person. So doesn’t sound as if they would be reliable or easily reparable. I would love a small home one because to purchase freeze dried foods is extortionate. And hydrators I’m not keen on due to the loss of nutrients. Did you make any progress with your search?

We have a dehydrator and use it all the time. We will probably get a freeze dryer next year as we have made some bigish prepping purchases recently. I certainly think in terms of long term storage they are the best option. We vacuum seal bulk buys and dehydrated food anyway so wont need to buy a vacuum sealer to go with it.

There's a US-based Christian blogger called Three Rivers Homestead who has a Harvest Right freeze-dryer and has written/vlogged about it extensively. She loves it, but is very clear-headed about the pros and cons, including the cost-benefit equation of running it. She's on insta and Youtube.

I have a large one, with a premier pump. White.
they’re good.
you can’t do fats, but meats, veg, eggs -very good. You need Mylar and 02 to store the food afterwards. Keeps for 25 years plus. Batches vary in length of time they take and you need to have them up on a cupboard/table that can carry their weight as they drain downwards. It’s best if you have a basement or spare room. I’m in an apartment and using a spare bedroom which is a bit of a waste.
feel free to ask anymore questions. There’s a Facebook group and plenty of you tube videos around showing the use of them. I’ve been running mine for a few months -no issues.the prices are going up/ the value of the pound down .