Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2018 16:30:05 GMT -8
Hi, I don't want to use commercially available freeze dried food. I want to prepare it myself for my next backpacking trip. However, available freeze dryer machines are about $2000. Any suggestions how to freeze dry food for less? Does anyone own a freeze drier?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Nov 2, 2018 16:46:22 GMT -8
Dehydrator is the way to go. Nesco makes some affordable ones. Some people make entire meals just to dehydrate, others dehydrate leftovers from a meal. |
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Post by johntpenca on Nov 2, 2018 17:04:17 GMT -8
An alternative to dehydrating or commercial freeze dried meals is to buy freeze dried ingredients and make your meal from those. Or combine home dehydrated/grocery store food and purchased freeze dried ingredients. Cooking the combo is a bit tricky as freeze dried ingredients re-hydrate much faster than dehydrated items.
There are no economical freeze dryers. Unless you do a LOT of backpacking, freeze drying your own is not economical.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 2, 2018 17:48:48 GMT -8
What the guys said. I mix home-dried and commercial freeze-dried ingredients based on what works. And despite the varied cooking times, since I "cook" it all in a freezer bag, I just left everything soak for as long as the slowest thing needs, and it's fine. There's no need for a freeze-drier to make your own meals.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Nov 3, 2018 8:06:35 GMT -8
I mix home-dried and commercial freeze-dried ingredients based on what works Same for me. I prefer freeze dried veggies and meats over dehydrated, but pasta, rice, fruits, and sauces work great dehydrated. |
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Nov 3, 2018 10:02:20 GMT -8
For the individual the numbers are against you. If you do 200 batches with a machine with a $2000 price tag that adds an overhead of $10 a batch. Then you have throw in the ingredient prices and your time. I have gotten good FD stuff from North BayFor meat I have bought a few #10 Mountain House cans. The freeze dried chicken I like a lot. I break it up into 16oz Mason jars and vacuum them then store them in the fridge. Some I have used after a couple of months stored like that with no apparent loss of quality/freshness. |
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