Freeze drying works best with a specially designed freeze dryer for home food preservation There are a few different brands to choose from with more joining the market every year As freeze drying increases in popularity, this will continue

On average freeze drying machines will run you anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 depending on the brand and size They cost roughly $2/$3 in electricity a day to run This can change depending on local rates

Purchasing a freeze dryer for home use is a great investment if you use it and consistently maintain your machine Committed gardeners, hunters, hikers and campers, and those who are into living sustainably are the best candidates for a home freeze dryer

The place your freeze dryer goes needs to stay between 45 degrees F and 75 degrees for optimal use  They can run outside these temperatures from 30 to 90 degrees safely so unheated shops and garages will work but may not give you ideal performance

The medium and small freeze dryers can plug into a regular 110 outlet For a larger freeze dryer you may have to install a 20 amp plug in They also have a pump that needs some space, so consider the need for a designated area

The basic equipment needed will come with most machines, but you will need to invest in food storage containers, bags, and vacuum sealers if you do not already have those

A wide range of foods can be freeze dried including Certain fruits and vegetables Herbs and spice foods Some dairy products Some raw meats Prepared soups and stews Cooked meals Read our full blog post for an in-depth look at this

Nutrient and flavor preservation, long term storage, and ease of use are three of the biggest perks to home food freeze drying

Click the link to read our  in-depth post on everything to consider if you are interested in home food freeze drying