I started canning in teen-age years, just turned 74. Freezing what does not can well. Lost hundreds of $$$ of frozen meat one summer when power failed for days. Nervous in '22-- and having the soul of a prepper from childhood-- I canned perhaps 100# meat that fall. Finally purchased a dehydrator (Cosori, after much investigative consideration) and wonder why it took me so long. I use that machine 12 months of the year. Like you, I found the cost of the freeze dryer out of reach. Clever you, to find that "work around". Canning I can do with my propane stove, or even on wood fire. Electricity...... mmm.
I was once told by a very smart man, my father, that a man learns from his own mistakes; But he learns more and of greater value from the mistakes of others.
Thank you for this learning lesson. I will add that to the list of things that might happen in my lifetime.
Do I tell the kids or not? Now that is a question. Do they need the experience or education? Hmmmm.
Really interesting, educational and entertaining article. Thank you! BTW, I have been told that maple syrup (and honey, too) keep virtually forever without preserving in any way. They'll thicken and crystallise a bit, is all. Hope it's true.
110, regular plug, but it is best for it to have its own circuit. My washer and dryer are on the same circuit so I do my wash between freeze drying cycles.
No special wiring.
It makes a soft mechanical group of sounds when various pumps are on and there is a fan sound, but I could easily sleep in the same room without any problem (it is not in my bedroom, but my point is that it is not really loud.)
I have Harvest Right brand - medium. They have tons of different guides, papers, videos on their site and internet in general what and how could be freeze dried, and what should not be tried. They are awesome. Recently in am into Skittles and Werther’s caramel chewies. Sorry, don’t know how to spell plural of chewy. Sausage and bacon did not work…Grease all over the chamber and the product kind of still chewy. Neither did cranberry sauce.
It is bad when we are responsible for the mess we have to clean up. It is also always good when no one gets hurt. For your entertainment (and possible edification!) there is a YouTube video on freeze drying MAPLE TREE SAP. The title is: THE FREEZE DRYER. Freeze Drying Maple Tree Sap. Making Maple Sugar.
Thanks for the laugh! I do feel terrible for the 8 hour clean up you had to endure.
What was the dumbest thing I ever did?
Christmas Eve, 1971, in a rush at a gas station adding water to a little Triumph Spitfire that overheated.
Well, standing there with the hose, a feller came walking over and said, ya know lady you are filling your oil tank with water? Yep, had to have the oil tank drained on the spot.
Lesson learned, never go out in a rush with your head on backwards on Christmas Eve!
Imagine the global mess we all need to engage and proactively clean up after the Oligarch full of themselves globalist. Won’t be as sweet as the Maple Syrup……. Mmmm… Yummy.
Loved hearing about - and not being anywhere near - your experiment with maple syrup. My sister has a home freeze dryer. and like you has found it wonderful .A limit: nocchis. They do not completely rehydrate, so after several hours of trying you have a rock hard center around goo. Aside from that, marvellous. Actually there was a disaster at one time but I was not there and remember nothing except that it took my sister hours to clean up..
No gnocci. Unless you like rock goo. I remember that my sister would not believe me when I let her know that they would not rehydrate - everything else rehydrated. It had to be something I did. And then she tried it herself! So much else is amazing. Strawberries. Bananas. Spinach (cooked Austrian style).
Cracking me up!!! It is your curious nature getting you in the sticky of it !! Excellent reporting and good to know... I wonder if honey would react the same?
I started canning in teen-age years, just turned 74. Freezing what does not can well. Lost hundreds of $$$ of frozen meat one summer when power failed for days. Nervous in '22-- and having the soul of a prepper from childhood-- I canned perhaps 100# meat that fall. Finally purchased a dehydrator (Cosori, after much investigative consideration) and wonder why it took me so long. I use that machine 12 months of the year. Like you, I found the cost of the freeze dryer out of reach. Clever you, to find that "work around". Canning I can do with my propane stove, or even on wood fire. Electricity...... mmm.
Love to hear that. I do not have the time to can and I cannot physically tolerate the heat.
Yes, I am really happy that I found a way to get a freeze dryer so I could share my experience, and to have the experience to share.
I LOVE the product, except for the Maple Syrup, of course.
LOL on You.
I was once told by a very smart man, my father, that a man learns from his own mistakes; But he learns more and of greater value from the mistakes of others.
Thank you for this learning lesson. I will add that to the list of things that might happen in my lifetime.
Do I tell the kids or not? Now that is a question. Do they need the experience or education? Hmmmm.
Some children don't know how to use a manual can opener.
Without a drop of solemnity I swear to never attempt to freeze dry maple syrup, so help me Dr. Rima.
Thank you, Jean. I am truly relieved.
Really interesting, educational and entertaining article. Thank you! BTW, I have been told that maple syrup (and honey, too) keep virtually forever without preserving in any way. They'll thicken and crystallise a bit, is all. Hope it's true.
thank you
What kind of power supply does the unit need? Any special wiring in your house needed? What is the noise level like?
110, regular plug, but it is best for it to have its own circuit. My washer and dryer are on the same circuit so I do my wash between freeze drying cycles.
No special wiring.
It makes a soft mechanical group of sounds when various pumps are on and there is a fan sound, but I could easily sleep in the same room without any problem (it is not in my bedroom, but my point is that it is not really loud.)
I have Harvest Right brand - medium. They have tons of different guides, papers, videos on their site and internet in general what and how could be freeze dried, and what should not be tried. They are awesome. Recently in am into Skittles and Werther’s caramel chewies. Sorry, don’t know how to spell plural of chewy. Sausage and bacon did not work…Grease all over the chamber and the product kind of still chewy. Neither did cranberry sauce.
It is bad when we are responsible for the mess we have to clean up. It is also always good when no one gets hurt. For your entertainment (and possible edification!) there is a YouTube video on freeze drying MAPLE TREE SAP. The title is: THE FREEZE DRYER. Freeze Drying Maple Tree Sap. Making Maple Sugar.
Tim suggested diluting the maple syrup to the consistency of sap if I wanted to do that again. I do not. EVER.
No. I wouldn't expect you too.
Thanks for the laugh! I do feel terrible for the 8 hour clean up you had to endure.
What was the dumbest thing I ever did?
Christmas Eve, 1971, in a rush at a gas station adding water to a little Triumph Spitfire that overheated.
Well, standing there with the hose, a feller came walking over and said, ya know lady you are filling your oil tank with water? Yep, had to have the oil tank drained on the spot.
Lesson learned, never go out in a rush with your head on backwards on Christmas Eve!
LOL!
Imagine the global mess we all need to engage and proactively clean up after the Oligarch full of themselves globalist. Won’t be as sweet as the Maple Syrup……. Mmmm… Yummy.
You got that right!
How awful that you wasted Maple Syrup. So sorry! But thanks for the alert on these freezers! ❤️
If you want someone to taste your food experiments, I'm the guy.
I was inspiration for Mickey on commercials.
OFFER NOT OPEN TO REMDESIVIR DOCTOR/ MURDERERS
Very funny. Not serving remdesivir, so no worries.
Loved hearing about - and not being anywhere near - your experiment with maple syrup. My sister has a home freeze dryer. and like you has found it wonderful .A limit: nocchis. They do not completely rehydrate, so after several hours of trying you have a rock hard center around goo. Aside from that, marvellous. Actually there was a disaster at one time but I was not there and remember nothing except that it took my sister hours to clean up..
Got it. No gnocci!
No gnocci. Unless you like rock goo. I remember that my sister would not believe me when I let her know that they would not rehydrate - everything else rehydrated. It had to be something I did. And then she tried it herself! So much else is amazing. Strawberries. Bananas. Spinach (cooked Austrian style).
Cracking me up!!! It is your curious nature getting you in the sticky of it !! Excellent reporting and good to know... I wonder if honey would react the same?
I understand undiluted honey is another really bad idea.
He, he, he...
I'm sorry, but Laughed out loud
Nothing to be sorry about. After the mess was cleaned up. It was pretty damn funny.
I would imagine so.