If you don’t have the time or money, or if you believe the food crisis will hit hard very soon, then it makes more sense to buy freeze-dried food instead.

Harvest Right has created the world’s first high quality, affordable Home Freeze Dryer. It is less than one quarter the cost of comparable freeze drying systems, and is easier to use than a microwave.

There are many good bean varieties for sale in local gardening outlets and through seed catalogs. Most grow well in Utah. Pod shape, size, and color vary among varieties. Here is a list of some potential varieties and plant types that have performed well

I'm brainstorming ideas on what to do with it. Gourmet astronaut ice cream? Crispy cheesecake? Some weird variant on beef jerky?

We have two freezers in the garage as well. All of these machines generate heat and humidity. Our FDer front regularly sweats up an storm and water drips off the door and from around the entire chamber perimeter down the front of the unit. It got so bad that I taped a plastic shield above the display to route the water around it. You can see the water on the door and on the stainless steel front past the 4 screws on the unit.

We’ve bought six so far with two more on the way. But families and individuals considering getting their own can and should as long as they go in with their eyes open.

Learn how to safely preserve berries through a variety of methods, such as canning, freezing and other methods.

Used freeze-dryers can be purchased from previous owners, or sometimes the manufacturer will have returned units refurbished for sale.

Using sublimation, the food retains much of its original texture, flavor, and nutrition when rehydrated. Freeze drying is broken down into two simple processes: freezing and vacuum drying. Foods are first frozen to well below 0°F. The colder the freeze the more efficient the next step will be. Once frozen, foods are subjected to vacuum drying. The air and water vapor (gas) are removed from the food processing chamber using a vacuum pump. This includes removing the water vapor that was once inside of the foods. When these two steps are properly completed, the food is dry enough to allow for safe storage at room temperature. Is freeze drying food safe?

This product does not come standard with a new freeze dryer order. Current customers with an older model freeze dryer will need an adapter for the oil free vacuum pump. Harvest Right will provide the adapter free of charge.

Additionally, freeze dried food is very light, since all the water is removed, and can be easily transported for hiking and camping or when used during long term emergency needs.

One more info idea I that I had was to freeze-dry sorbet. Sort of a twist on astronaut ice cream. I've had freeze dried strawberries, and those have a nice crunchy texture.

I found out the hard way about the anti-drainback seal when I first tried the filter and got... nothing. I did do some research afterward and learned, as you point out, that there are some filters than don't use the seal but by then I was committed. Fortunately, it wasn't all that hard to remove it, but definitely better not to have to.

You can have electric or gas grills. Gas grills deliver higher and faster heat. They will also cook more evenly than electric. Electric grills are typically cheaper and will have more functions. However, electric grills heat slowly and can be more difficult to maintain.