Freeze Drying Vs Dehydrating Part 2 

I clicked on this video because I've been having nothing but regrets since purchasing FD. It' would be a rather lengthy story so maybe no one would read it but I'm writing in case someone is on the fence. Had I known all these issues I'm having now, I would have DEFINITELY NOT bought one especially from HR. We purchased a medium size one when HRFD was having a big sale back in June. It was not an easy decision cause it was and still is a lot of money but we really wanted to preserve our organic home grown produce and pasture raised eggs. Well we couldn't try the machine right away when we received it in July cuz I just got diagnosed with cancer. I was busy going through biopsies and surgery and all that. We did try once in the middle of dealing with the health issues but it failed. The cycle which had a few trays of eggs and some veggies would NOT complete even after running for 60 some hours. It was ridiculous. Also when we were filling up the trays with scrambled eggs, the front of the trays would fill up but the back half of the trays were completely empty. So we thought maybe it was our fault cause we forgot to make sure that it was leveled at first. Well, when we finally got to try again(while recovering from the surgery), we made sure we leveled it and moved it to a different room with better environment. And this time, we were determined to let the cycle run till it's complete(the first time we cancelled it after 60 some hours). Well over 72 hours into it, the cycle was still not done. We contacted HRFD and was told no refund cause it had just passed 30 day return window but we were told what we could do to try some troubleshooting. We were told to take the machine apart to put some silicon on some electrical component and also update the software system. Mind you, this is a brand new machine that we got to use only two times which failed miserably and WE were told to pretty much fix it ourselves. The user log we had to send them using usb should show them we only ran a couple cycle and failed but still we, the customers are expected to try fixing it when the machine didn't even work properly to begin with?? Oh, and we also found out that the machine was not draining properly. While defrosting, the water would flow toward the front rather than the back where the drain hole is which means the machine is tilting forward which explains why the trays were filling up on the front half but not the back half when we were pouring eggs. So when we brought that up while talking to the customer rep, she asked her supervisor about it and she said that the supervisor has heard of that issue. Apparently other people were having the same issues and they simply told us to just prop it up with something on the front. I was so mad. So they are well aware of issues but refuse to correct it and expect the customer to simply prop it up with something??? The machine is still not running right after many "suggested fixes" and my stress level is just going through the roof when I really need to rest and focus on healing. There seem to be many people on youtube that are happy with their HRFD and I truly wish I were in that shoe but this has been nothing but nightmare for us. So when I see lots of youtubers and homesteaders receiving free HRFD, I just can't stop wondering why the company is giving away so many well over 3-5k machines lately. Why would a company not stand by their product just because it had passed 30 days from purchase date when the machine clearly didn't work from the beginning? I really was looking forward to using this machine cause a lot of homestead channels that I watch seem to love it. Maybe the company makes sure to do a thorough quality check before sending out the free stuff or something. Or maybe we were just simply unlucky to get a lemon. But I truly wish the company would have some integrity to stand by their product when it's clearly a faulty machine even if it had passed the 30 day refund window just by a few days or send a replacement rather than having the customer try to fix it. So if this machine ends up not getting fixed with all the suggested fixes, then we are pretty much out $3k and stuck with a heavy junk. Sorry for a long writing here but hopefully it would help some people re-think or make them do thorough researches before purchasing one. You gained my respect for turning down a free FD as I'm sure it wasn't an easy thing to do.

I never comment on videos, but I so respect you for this. It irritates me so much when content creators get free stuff and become a salesperson for that company. FD use so much electricity on an already overburdened grid. Thank you for creating videos about preserving foods without needing expensive gadgets. I could afford one but haven't purchased one for the same reasons you listed in a previous video. Thank you for not selling out.

Thank you, Heidi! It can get a bit discouraging hearing some of my favorite RU-vid homesteaders pushing for freeze-drying over dehydrating. It's funny how dehydrating has been a primary method of food preservation for thousands of years, but now all of a sudden it's no good because they're earning kickback $ from the company. Thank you for always telling it like it really is!!!!

Thank you Heidi for keeping it real. Most people cannot afford a freeze dryer

Thank you for thinking about the people that are just trying to survive during this time where EVERYTHING is so expensive, my wife and I are seniors and doing our best to survive, we had to come out of retirement and clean offices for extra income, so great job on lookin out for the little guy, or gal lol, love your videos!❤

So glad you put this vid out. I have un followed a couple utube channels because they focused on the use of their (free to them) freeze dryers. I appreciate how logical and considerate of others you are. Thank you for the wealth of info you share.

I admire you making this video for your budget-conscious viewers, at risk of getting the expected negative comments you’ll get from those that don’t listen fully to your message. I can see why people would love their freeze dryer and I know I’d enjoy having one. I simply just can’t afford it.

Completely agree and let me add that these machines are energy hogs. For someone off grid, it's going to be really hard to provide enough energy along with your already current energy needs to make this work. 🙃 I passed several times on these machine. Plus, everything I've heard is that they are high maintenance. 😳 nope nope nope. I have enough things to do to take care of a machine that's needy. And I also agree that these are really expensive for most people for something that is not really life or death essential.

For the cost, repairs & energy use of a freeze dryer, you can easily buy a year's supply of FD food already canned!

THIS is why I love you. I stopped canning for 10yrs or so and started back up 3yrs ago and holy crap! All these rules. What you HAVE to do and what you don't. Everything they said cost too much money for me and wasn't my idea of preserving. Every content person I watched, you saw them do cheap videos and then they started getting all of the free sponsors, 4jars, the freeze dryers, etc and I THEN knew they were in it for the money and not to help us out. I am disabled and on a fixed income. The furthest I got following all the "new" rules was investing $125 on a presto pressure canner that I use for waterbathing npw. Thank you so much Heidi!✌️❤️😁

This is why I love this channel so much, you may work with more modern methods (electric dehydrators) but you base your principals in time proven knowledge. I have for years now been asking why do most people buy into and spend thousands for "the next biggest thing" in prepper equipment when they should be looking back to the way people lived BEFORE all our modern conveniences. It was just about 4 generations ago there was no "grid" for rural folks to be connected too. 😁

Heidi, you are so thorough in your research and just the process that you use to evaluate your topics! I came to the conclusion that a freeze dryer is not only very expensive, but it takes a lot of maintenance, as well as electricity, and is too noisy to use in your living space. It sounds like it would only be worthwhile if you grew a massive amount of food. I really appreciate the methodologies that you use in creating the content that you publish on your channel.

I appreciate this video so much! I have wanted a freeze dryer long before I saw anyone promoting them on RU-vid. Over a decade ago. But never been able to justify the cost. I quit my well paying, high skill job to stay at home as a new mom. We lost 2/3rds of our income then. As inflation comes has increased it feels like we are only making less every year. But we can't justify me going back to work & sending out kids to traditional school only for the money to afford all the things we want. We have been homesteading for over 15 years. What I see on so many homesteading channels is SOOO deceptive to what people can afford & do in a real, normal, middle class homestead/farm. I appreciate you for this video so much!!!

Thanks so much for making this. Between canning and dehydrating, I also don't feel a need to buy a freeze dryer.

I think you just convinced me not to get a freeze dryer. I've been going back and forth about it for the last year. That price is a doozy! Thanks for educating us so well on so many things, Heidi. You are such a blessing! 🙏❤

Thank you, Heidi! I don’t begrudge anyone having a freeze-dryer at all. It just isn’t for me. I think I have pushed as far as I can go on equipment, and a little rectangular dehydrator is all I could shell-out for. I'm finding fascinating things to do with all of my dry food, and I really count on people like you to give tips and tricks, because you have plenty of experience that I don’t have. Today, I picked fresh herbs, including comfrey, that I wanted to dry. I've noticed that not every herb "likes" to be put in the dehydrator. So I have 3 methods: paper bag, hanging dehydrator with 6 or 7 shelves, and my electric. I put the comfrey, rosemary, and lemon balm outside in the hanging dryer, along with sweet potato leaves to add to my greens blend. I put basil in paper bags. And I will be putting thyme, oregano, chives, and maybe cilantro in the electric. I found that sage is another herb that prefers air drying, and i used paper bags last time--perfect!

Hey Heidi! Love your channel and absolutely respect your reasons for not buying into the freezer dryer method. I feel so honored to be apart of your wonderful group!❤

Thank you for your honest opinions. That must have been hard to turn down a free expensive machine from the company. I just wanted to say I appreciate your Integrity.

I’m in the “not interested in a freeze dryer” group. We actually discussed buying one, but in the end, the cost, the noise, the dedicated outlet, the maintenance and the small amount of space that can actually be used were big deterrents for us. We just have other places where that much money suits us better. Many Blessings!

I only have the same Cosori dehydrator that you have. Thank you for confirming that we do not need a freeze dryer to preserve food! They cost too much money and there’s too many other ways to store food up to constitute buying one. Like you said, the time you put into the maintenance of it, and the breakdowns are not worth it. I know someone who has one and it is constantly having to be we worked on.

Thank you for showing everyone the facts about a freeze dryer. I just can't afford one and they take up room. I have chosen to put my money on a sun over and a Berky system and extre filters. Now that I have these items I put my money into buying trees and bushes, perennial food plants, and chickens. I hope to expand to pigs next year God willing!! Always love your videos ❤😊

I am 💯 % with you. I will NOT be getting a freeze dryer. I am learning so much how to dehydrate everything I need, thanks to you. I did buy another dehydrator, so I can do more at a time. I love how much I can put away and safe space in my pantry. Thank you.

I love your perspective and approach. I figured for $5000 I could buy a lot of dehydrated food. If we ever had a problem getting electricity because of the grid I want to know how to do more with less!

Thank you Heidi for maintaining such a high level of integrity. You are a rare and precious lady.

Love the Cosori. Cost is pennies compared to freeze driers. Focusing on fresh herbs, fruits and veggies while they're available, will do meats etc over the winter. Thank you Heidi, as always, for the great information you share! ❤

Love you hidi, all your videos inspire me.....some days I really don't feel like doing anything despite having a ton of things to dehydrate and put up. One video of yours and I'm instantly inspired to get working. Much love and respect ❤❤

Takes several years to recover from the cost of purchasing a freeze drier.

I am not sure you are going to see this but you are AMAZING! Thank you for not buying in to the freeze dryer - much repect. The old ways are best and you have taught me soo much! And restored my faith once again. Thank you for staying real! No offense to those who have one or would have taken one!

Here the UK, the Harvest Right medium size is approximately $7,500! Think I'll be studying your dehydrating meat videos

Thank you, Heidi, for this video. I've entered contests in the hopes of winning a freeze dryer. I simply can't afford the cost, but kudos to those who have one. I do have a Corsoi dehydrator, which I love. Between canning, freezing, and dehydrating, I think I'm covered as far as food preservation.

Thank you! On soc sec i can't afford a freeze dryer so I appreciate these 2 videos. I too love my cosori. Thank you!

I'm so glad you posted this. Advertising, in house freeze dryer & all the hype on them get a lot of customers. Thank you for giving your wonderful tips on dehydration..

Props to you for turning it down! My freeze dryer has given me nothing but trouble in the last year and I fully regret my purchase 😭

Thank you! I have been on the cusp ...jumping off and on the decision to purchase one of these freeze dryers. I have researched them for 2 years and waited... watching for comments from current owners about how they viewed them after using them for a while. I have a new 10 tray LEM dehydrator that I purchased last year and we are loving it. Space is a premium for us in our small home, especially canning. We have a large refrigerator with a good sized freezer on the bottom, a chest freezer and a huge upright freezer...all are full. We have removed our big wood dining table and added 2 more large racks to store the canned goods and dehydrated items. 10 racks of roasted tomatoes dehydrated down to one quart jar and one half pint so I am sold on that alone. We make jerky for the kids before we go to visit and they look forward to it. We do use it for many things and used in combination with our foodsaver we have eliminated a lot of need for freezer space and we can store our food items in boxes in areas that canned goods wouldn't work for us. You have brought out many points in your comparison that I had not even thought to address. Your tips and ideas on this topic and so many others is why I love your channel and I will follow you as long as you have one. God be with you.

I have been wanting a freeze dryer. Thank you for changing my mind. Price is very high on freeze dryer. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Thank you for being so thoughtful and honest! Being a senior on a fixed income and having health problems I have thought about trying dehydration in place of canning some items for food storage. With my arthritis sometimes all the heavy lifting of canning is just too much. I appreciate you and your channel so very much. God Bless you❤

Thank you Heidi and community! I considered getting a 'new-to-me' freeze dryer about 3 years ago. So happy now that I didn't and for some of the reasons mentioned here today! Some I wasn't aware of.😮 Blessings always! 💜

Excellent informative video. Not everyone wants a freeze dryer. I think it would take a long time to see a return on your investment at $3000-$5000 just for the machine. I already have a dehydrator and use it frequently. I am looking forward to more videos from you on dehydrating. Oh, and I won't even watch freeze dryer videos from any channel anymore. I feel like I'm being given a sales pitch from a sleezy salesman every time I watch one. Thanks again for a thoughtful and encouraging video.

You're a sweetheart and we appreciate all the knowledge you impart. Glad to see that you pinned D Witt's post. One should always make an informed decision, whether $500 or $5000.

Excellent video! Can’t thank you enough. The food I can preserve by dehydrating vs the cost of a freeze dryer….no brainer.

Thank you so much for all your videos, I have learned so much😊 I’m growing food,dehydrating, vacuum sealing…bartering is going to be my next challenge.

I agree with you. I appreciate your integrity in turning down the free offer.

Heidi Heidi Heidi I just so so love you and what you and Patrick do to bits. You share so much. I feel very privileged to watch your videos. Thank you thank you thank you. God bless you and yours. Stay safe be well 🙏🏼💕🙏🏼

Thank you for the explanation and it touched my heart to know that you care about us - 💖. God bless you!!! You are right, I would have felt pressured into feeling like I had to get a freeze dryer if all of my favorite RU-vid personalities had freeze dryers.... And we have way more important things to spend our money on right now. We just bought our first casori a month ago. I have a request /suggestion for a video on how to make dried meats like sausage links... And can we use our dehydrated spices and vegetables in these meats? I will understand if you don't have the timer energy for a video like this because you already have such a wide variety of topics that you cover. As soon as I'm done preserving the last push from our veggie garden, I will start watching and learning how to make healthier soaps for bathing.... I think they're VERY pretty and we need to detox our bathroom.

Heidi. I haven’t been able to watch your channel for a while and when I clicked on here and saw how many subs you have I was so pleased to see how your channel grew. I know a couple of yrs ago when your channel was still in the lower thousands range you were saying how you were struggling to grow. So happy for you. Congratulations, nice job. I love your videos. Have a wonderful week.

I can even count all the things I've learned, and used that knowledge, from watching your videos. I also love the fact that those videos RU-vid has decided can no longer be here are available on Rumble.

Thank you for this. I could never afford a freeze dryer not to mention I live in a tiny house with very limited space and electricity. I dehydrate in my oven with my pilot light using no additional energy or space.

I did not know freeze meat after it has been cooked to dehydrate. I love learning and will be trying this method out . Something we like to do with our fruits, mostly apples and pears is to rinse them in lemon juice once cut and put into the dehydrator. It gives a extra tartness to them and tastes like candy, atleast to our family. Blessings from the Arkansas yonder.

I generally learn something each video I watch from you. You are a smart cookie, girl.

Good info. My Great Grand mother, Grand mother Mother and Myself have been putting up food and we have never needed the freeze dryer.

I can and dehydrate. I have a small home and a tight budget. Thank you for saying that. I can afford it, but I love 💕 living on less is more. I’m hoping my family hears what your teaching. They are young an in debt.

you are a wonderful inspiration and that was a beautiful selfless act by passing up on that free freeze dryer. God/Yah bless you sister!

Your practicality and honesty is so refreshing.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for telling it like it is. You are so right about so many unable to afford it. I find myself wanting one when I see so many promoting them on their channels. Yes, I would take one if someone offered it at no cost- tho I understand why you didn’t. But honestly, of all the equipment you have shown, it’s the wood stove I want most. (The hubs isn’t down with it, unfortunately). I do hope to graduate to the Cosori, if for no other reason, it’s square instead of round. Again, thank you for helping us keep our heads on straight.

While a luxury I can live without, I still hope to experiment with freeze-drying someday when I can afford it. This is my first video I've seen of yours, and it's broadened my perspective on what's possible with a dehydrator. Even if I get a freeze dryer, a dehydrator is simpler and more economical and I'd like to use it instead where it doesn't make a difference. I'd like to experiment myself and try foods both ways. I'm particularly excited to hear about your success dehydrating tomato puree flakes. That might free up dozens of mason jars in my pantry! So I'm going to watch more and do more research. I'm sure I'll still be be curious about freeze drying, and would prefer it for certain foods. But it sounds like dehydrators are more versatile than I've been led to believe. I want to learn more. Thank you for these videos.

Agree about a freeze dryer. Maybe if I was in my 20s I’d invest in one. Although no way we could have afforded that then. At this age (60) I don’t see how it could pay for itself.

Zack from An American Homestead recommended watching this and the earlier video, and wouldn’t you know, it came up as a recommendation on RU-vid. I had considered getting a FD until I saw the price tag. Now, hearing all the problems that come with, I’m definitely not considering anymore. I have a cheap Presto dehydrator, but it works just fine. I do like your tomato flakes idea. I’m going to continue canning tomatoes because I like chunks in things like chili, soups, etc., not just tomato flavor. But the flakes are a great idea to do up a jar of ketchup.

Thank you for sharing. I have been dehydrating food for years now. A freeze dryer is too cost prohibitive for us, as retirees.

This video is great! I have been preserving food since I can remember. During pandemic, I couldn’t find canning lids, so I purchased a freeze dryer. I know many people used their stimulus money to purchase one. Knowing what I know now, I would not purchase one. You are exactly right, the only thing that you cannot dehydrate is ice cream or candy. My freeze dryer has been nothing but a nightmare, and I’ve had to replace almost every single part which they did send because they can view the logs on how much it was used. I hadn’t use mine right away because I am a nurse and was working the pandemic, so it was a few months before I actually used it. But I had to repair it. I’ve also had to send it back two times, which was inconvenient because it was right in the middle of harvest. Also, if you don’t store the food properly, it can become rancid/moldy. It takes up more space than a dehydrator & definitely WAY more electricity. I prefer many dehydrated foods over freeze-drying, tomatoes, berries, apples being among some. Another thing I noticed is that if you leave dehydrated food out versus freeze dried, dehydrated is much more forgiving. My state does not recognize freeze drying under the cottage laws and therefore you cannot sell it, unless you get a license, if that is what people were contemplating…be sure to check with your state laws.

I really appreciate your balanced approach to your message. I am not going to get one myself for the very reasons you offered. I am repairing an older Excalibur to work with my Magic Mill that I was gifted. I will also continue to search for a small commercial unit as I am considering the possibilities of selling a limited line of dehydrated foods but that would require that I have a separate kitchen set up to meet the State department of health requirements including but not limited to all the licenses and permits. Just a shared thought. Wolf Mama

I enjoyed watching your video. I especially liked the tips about tomatoes. I have a Cosori and a Medium HR freeze dryer. I got the FD to do meat, eggs, fruit, and vegetables. I had a few problems, but the CS walked me through it. FDs are much higher maintenance than I imagined, but I am still happy with the purchase. They are definitely not for everyone.

Thank you for these videos. We have waffled between getting one and not getting one. You showing that most of the food we considered getting a freeze dryer for can be done in the dehydrator. Plan to try dehydrating the various meats soon.

Thanks for info and your opinion. I’ve been going back and forth on getting a FD and now am confident I don’t want one. You really helped me with my decision

I have the same dehydrator, like it well. I do can and have a fder. I don’t like somethings canned, by like them fd. Somethings l like dehydrated and not canned or fded. I'm happy with my fder. They can be price now, but not bad when i purchased a few years back. Im not one that does the junk food, candy etc... To me it's just another tool. I fd a lot of raw and cooked meat and eggs. Between canning, dehydrating and fding our food will keep us well into retirement. Thank for teaching others, how to preserve and store food on the cheap.

The puréed tomatoe flakes are amazing. I added a bit of basil and super dried it. Rehydrated it was bright tasting and delicious. Thank you for the inspiration ❤️

Thank you for your honesty! I always look forward to your inspiration, wit and wisdom!

Thank you! I keep thinking I want one because "all the other kids are doing it". But being single and on a fixed budget, I really don't "need" a freeze dryer. I keep looking at all the companies that sell freeze dried foods. I can get enough to last me the rest of my life for the price of a freeze dryer. And I don't have to buy the product, use electricity, or do the work.

My mind always goes into the break even analysis on expensive purchases and I can't envision FDing enough to ever reach that point. The dehydrator, however, is very affordable. My newest one is a Cosori and I really like it. Thank you for pursuing the DH eggs, meat, and dairy. I am really interested in getting egg powder and meat.

Great video Heidi! Thank you for sharing all the information on dehydrating.

Thanks again, Heidi. Such wonderful information.

Wow Heidi, it is so nice that you touched on the freeze dryer. Thank you for great information and your time to let us know your thoughts. Thank you for another great video.

I'm so happy I finally got enough money saved up to purchase my freeze drier. I often run my freeze drier off my solar system. But even when I don't i only use about 24 kwh of electricity. This time of year at 7 cents/kwh costs me about a $1.70 a batch. It must really take a long time to dehydrate raw eggs. I've heard that can be dangerous. I can freeze dry 72 eggs in one batch then i powder them & can use them for everything that i can use a beaten egg in. Freeze driers are expensive & certainly everyone can't afford one , but once you see the results there's just no comparison to dehydrators. I've an Excalibur & haven't used it since I got my freeze drier.

Thanks for explaining your decision to turn down the free freeze dryer. When you first mentioned that you had done that, I wondered why, but then you mentioned that you'd have a video coming out explaining why. It definitely makes sense now. Thanks again!

I love my Cosori. Thank you Heidi. God is good!!. I almost got succed in to buying one

Put three products in the dehydrator today. I have a space issue with these jars of food and the weight counts too. If i can cut back on some of that it will be a huge game changer for me. Thanks

Thank you for talking me off the ledge... As a foodie, I'd heard that freeze-dried herbs were superior in flavor but the sheer cost just for having so few ingredients turn out better than dehydrated makes no sense (to me). I watched the unofficial Part 1 video again as you suggested and can't express how thankful I am that I did because I now know that my next big dehydrating projects next year (since tomato season is pretty much done) is to puree them to dehyrate. This also takes care of me thinking that I need to can, so this saves yet another type of project. THANK YOU!!!

thank you so much for this video, i've been on the line, and you've helped me decide to stick with my dehydrators

I bought one and ran it almost non stop for three months. I then sold it for just shy of what i paid for it and kept the sealer which i use almost daily! My freeze dryer ran perfectly and loved it but the electric bill was pretty high (about $100/month). I have my cake and eat it too! Heehee. Love the dehydrator tips. Thanks

Great timing. I had this dehydrater on my wish list at amazon and I decided to go ahead and get it now. Wow! The price is a bit lower than it had been. I bought one for my daughter a year ago and it was less then so I was glad to see it had come down a little. Thanks for all your information you share with us.

It's so obvious when channels get free products, they shove it your face. The current item in addition to Harvest Right is For Jars canning lids. They show boxes of lids artfully arranged in every frame while extolling their many virtues. A friend gave me some to try and they performed at the exact same level as Ball and Golden Harvest. I don't watch those channels anymore because for me they have no credibility. Thanks for being realistic and putting your viewers above free products👍

Thank you! I really appreciate that you teach your viewers they don’t need very expensive equipment to preserve food. I just couldn’t understand why so many content creators push using a freeze dryer they got for free to their viewers who may not be able to purchase one and worse may influence someone into getting into debt to purchase one just because someone on social media made them think they needed it.

Thanks for your inspiration and recipes/tips.

Thank you so much for all this wonderful information

You ARE AMAZING Mrs Heidi.....Thank You ❤️❤️🙏🙏 Kendra

You are awesome!❤ I could probably afford one but chose not to for some of the same reasons- expensive to use and maintain. We hike and use freeze dried meals alot but we would never recoup our investment. Love my Cosori.

Thank you for saying it. I often send people to your videos about this!! I have the same dehydrator and love it! I have some other Cosori products and they have excellent customer service!

I purchased a large freeze-dryer 6 months ago and i haven't stopped freeze-drying since. I almost bought one two years ago, but like so many of the comments, I felt i really didn't need one. I felt they are too expensive and I've been putting up food for 40 years without one and talked myself out of it. Since then a couple friends and a family member bought one and I saw with my own eyes and first-hand tasted the results. We are not rich by any means but we are very frugal with our money. We do not eat in restauraunts or buy fancy coffees, nor do we buy expensive clothes, shoes or cars. I felt that purchasing the freeze-dryer was an investment in our food stability so we made that investment. The flavor of everything reconstituted has been amazing. I've freeze-dried dairy such as Buttermilk, sour cream, half and half and it reconstitutes to exactly what it was, awesome flavor and creamy texture. The claim is 90 percent of the nutritional value remains, unlike canned and frozen foods. I don't have to go to the store for those items.I have enough on my shelf now to last years. Eggs freeze-dry and make great egg powder for scrambled eggs and baking. Fresh salsa tastes amazing. I also freeze-dried homemade spaghetti and BBQ sauce. It comes back perfectly. I have freeze-dryed raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, peaches, bananas, applesauce, bell peppers, jalapeños, green beans, peas. I have freeze-dried my garden kale, swiss chard, spinach, beets and beet greens to make a super-healthy powder for smoothies. Im going to start on meals such as chicken pot pie filling, chili, beef stew,gravies,greenbean casserole, tomato basil soup, butternut squash soup and lots of other meals. So the reason i am defending the freeze-dryer is for the nutrition and LONG-TERM storage it provides. I dont think I've mentioned how beautiful the food is. The color of the foods are beautiful. My many years of canning, deydrating and freezing has always given me a sense of food security, but not complete security. Canned, frozen and dehydrated items have a much shorter shelf life than freeze-dried foods. It completes my food preparation methods. I have freeze-dried so many of the basic foods i cook and bake with that it relieves my dependancy on the grocery store for years. In today's world, i feel anything can happen. I never rule out there may be times in the future when the food chain could come to a standstil.. The 3500.00 I spent and the 20.00 increase in our electric bill has been worth it for the food security. We cannot survive without food security. Happy food prepping!😊

Wow, your a treasure for us who need to learn.

Thanks for giving us such and honest, down to earth report. I live in South Africa and it would be an astronomical cost to import one and then we have 220 volt so will have to get a power converter etc etc. Since we are know for our loads of sunshine, I want to make or get an outside hanging netting dryer this summer

I just bought a Cosori dehydrator and am loving it. I have a lot of herbs I'm dehydrating.

You've started me on a dehydration kick! Last year, the farmer I got eggs from increased their price by more than 25% from spring to fall - this spring the price had increased another 42+%. I went looking for another source and found a few, but all are a ways to drive - enter the dehydrator! Buy several dozen at a time, make fewer trips, and still have enough eggs.

Honestly, I’ve heard really good things of newer brands. Harvest Right can be fantastic or terrible. If I were buying one now I would try one of the newer companies. But selling my freeze dried elderberry based immune syrup mix really helped me to afford the freeze dryer. It really is cost prohibitive for I believe the majority of people if they don’t sell freeze dried products to pay for it.

I really enjoyed this video, thanks again. I am so happy to have your cook/freeze/dehydrate way of putting away meats. It's a game changer. I have found it discouraging how many channels now do so much preserving with these unaffordable machines. It's not helpful to the average person. Even if I had the money I do not think these freeze dryers are going to be maintainable with a prolonged grid down scenario.

I so agree with your points regarding a freeze dryer. It's really been pushed hard by many content creators. One thing I've never understood was almost all that promote them always pre-freeze their foods. To me that makes no sense. I believe that they say it takes less time in the freeze dryer. But to me that seems to be an extra step that should not be necessary.

Thank you for sharing. Many valid and well thought out points. I do not have or need one as the processes I use seem to be working just fine but who knows. Guess if that helps someone to get passionate about home food storage then....😊

Thank you. I got some great tips to try out!😊

Hi Heidi, thank you for this video mentioning about how unnecessary to buy expencive gadgets!! By the way, the colloidal copper generator is working great, thank you for your husband for making those.

Yes a friend has one and it works for her. Not an option for me because the special power wiring involved and also you need to be able to drain off the moisture. I appreciate learning how to use my dehydrator and wood stove

I completely agree and came to the same conclusion 15 yrs ago. There is a book published in 1980 Dried Foods Unlimited, and she makes the distinction between "dehydrated" and "dried." Dried foods you can turn into powders (they are that dry) or reconstitute. I run 2 Excaliburs 12 mos a yr, in addition to canning. And great point...half the "freeze dryer" videos you see are about sweets....ridiculous.

Yep good information to know, most people can't afford those, or shouldn't probably buy them due to to interest rate hikes as well as most probably purchase them on credit too just causing themselves way more debt. In the process too. A good to know on the "issues" I have seen and heard about others having with them, are great points to make one take a second look and thought for sure. I love my old Nesco dehydrator too though, and they're fairly easy to fix if the heating fuse goes out. There are yt videos on doing that as well.