Dried jelly, dried fruits and vegetables, dog food – these products can be stored longer. Freeze dryers and dehydrators preserve food, but in different ways and with different results. They also vary in size, weight, cost, and time the process takes. Your food preferences and budget will greatly influence your choice between a freeze dryer and a dehydrator.
Buy this article: Harvest Right Medium Size Home Freeze Dryer, Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator, Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
Both freeze dryers and dehydrators work by reducing the moisture content of food. This is an important step in food preservation, as moisture causes decay and promotes mold growth. Although freeze dryers and dehydrators have a common purpose, they work in different ways.
A freeze dryer freezes food, then unpacks and heats it. Raising the temperature heats the frozen water in the food, turning the water into steam. The dehydrator dries food in the air at low temperatures. This lower heat level means that food will not be cooked in the machine. The freeze drying process takes 20 to 40 hours, and the dehydration takes 8 to 10 hours.
The freeze-drying process removes up to 99% of water, allowing canned foods to last 25 years or more. On the other hand, dehydration only removes 85% to 95% of the water, so the shelf life is a few months to a year.
Freeze drying usually results in crunchier foods as more water is removed during the process. On the other hand, dehydration results in a chewy or crunchy texture, depending on the amount of moisture removed.
Dehydrated foods have a shriveled appearance, and the original taste may change during the drying process. Food cannot be rehydrated to its original state and nutritional value is reduced during the heating phase. Many foods are prone to dehydration, but some are not. Foods high in fat or oil, such as avocados and peanut butter, do not dehydrate the body well. If you plan to dehydrate the meat, be sure to remove the fat beforehand.
Freeze-dried foods largely retain their original appearance and taste after rehydration. You can freeze and dry a variety of foods, but you should avoid foods that are high in sugar or fat. Foods such as honey, mayonnaise, butter and syrup do not dry properly.
A freeze dryer is larger and takes up more space in the kitchen than a dehydrator. Some freeze dryers are about the size of a refrigerator, and most dehydrators can be countertop mounted. At over 100 pounds, a freeze dryer is also significantly heavier than a dehydrator, which typically weighs between 10 and 20 pounds.
Freeze dryers are much more expensive than dehydrators, with basic models ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. Dehydrators are relatively affordable, typically $50 to $500.
Freeze dryers are much rarer than dehydrators and Harvest Right is the leader in this category. The following Harvest Right freeze dryers come with everything you need to start freeze drying right away and are compact enough to fit on most countertops.
Ideal for most homes, this top-of-the-line machine can freeze-dry from 8 to 13 pounds of food per batch and freeze-dried up to 1,450 pounds of food per year. The four-tray freeze dryer weighs 112 pounds.
If you have a small family or don’t freeze a lot of food, this 3-tray unit might be the best choice. Freeze-dried 4 to 7 pounds of product per batch, up to 195 gallons per year. The device weighs 61 pounds.
This high end machine is a step up from previous Harvest Right models. Although it is designed for use in the lab, it works just as well at home. With this freeze dryer, you can control the freezing speed and temperature for more customized results. A four-tray dryer can freeze 6 to 10 pounds of food at a time.
This 5-tray dehydrator features a 48-hour timer, auto-off, and an adjustable digital thermostat. The 8 lb unit comes with fine mesh sheets for drying small items and solid sheets for fruit rolls.
This dehydrator comes with 5 trays but can be expanded up to 12 trays if you want to dry more food at once. It weighs less than 8 pounds and has adjustable temperature control. The dehydrator includes two sheets for fruit rolls, two fine mesh sheets for drying small items, a seasoning sample for jerky and a recipe booklet.
This dehydrator includes five trays, a fine mesh sieve, a fruit roll and a recipe book. This model weighs less than 10 pounds and features a 48-hour timer and auto shut off.
This large capacity dehydrator holds nine trays (included). The 22 lb model has an adjustable thermostat and auto shut off. The dehydrator comes with a recipe book.
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Amy Evans writes for BestReviews. BestReviews helps millions of consumers make buying decisions easier, saving time and money.
Post time: Aug-18-2023
