Freeze-dried food, as a new type of healthy food, is becoming increasingly popular among people. Due to the persistently high prices of freeze-dried foods available in the market, many enthusiasts are deterred and are starting to explore how to freeze-dry food at home.
Freeze drying involves a low-temperature vacuum environment, which necessitates the use of a professional home freeze dryer. So, how does one choose the right home freeze dryer?
Selection of a Home Freeze Dryer
Home freeze dryers come in various sizes and models to meet different family needs. Prices range from $2,000 to $6,000. For instance, the small freeze dryer model FK-04 has dimensions of 58X47X76 cm and can process 4KG of food at a time. The medium model FK-06 measures 62X69X110 cm and can handle 8KG of food per cycle. The large model FK-10, with dimensions of 89X73X123 cm, can process 10KG of food at a time. You can choose a home freeze dryer that fits your needs and budget.
Once you own a home freeze dryer, you can start preparing to freeze-dry food.
Preparation Steps for Freeze-Drying Food:
- Selecting Ingredients: Choose fresh and high-quality ingredients because freeze-drying will not improve the original quality of the food. You can freeze-dry almost any type of food, including fruits, vegetables, meats, milk, breast milk, and even pet food.
- Cleaning and Cutting: Ensure that the food is thoroughly cleaned before freeze-drying. For most ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, they need to be cut into uniform chunks or slices to ensure even drying and consistent quality of food texture during the freeze-drying process.
- Starting the Freeze-Drying Process: Place the prepared ingredients into the freeze dryer, close the door, select the appropriate freeze-drying curve, and then you can wait for the delicious freeze-dried food to be ready. Modern home freeze dryers are very easy to operate, and even ordinary people can easily DIY their favorite freeze-dried delicacies.
- Packaging Preparation: After the food is freeze-dried, prepare packaging bags (vacuum packaging bags are preferred) or sealed containers to facilitate the long-term storage of freeze-dried food. Using a dehydrator in the packaging would yield better results. Although the freeze-drying process removes moisture from the food, moisture still exists in the air. Without packaging, freeze-dried food can become moist, moldy, or deteriorate over time. Detailed explanations on packaging freeze-dried food have already been provided in our article: How Long Does Freeze Dry Food Last?
This is the process of freeze-drying food at home. Owning your own freeze dryer makes home freeze-drying very simple.
If you have any questions about freeze dryers or freeze-dried food, feel free to contact us anytime.
