With simple-to-use dial controls and straightforward cycles, It truly is an excellent decision for those who dislike fidgeting with buttons and configurations.
The food and pharmaceutical industries crucially rely on freeze drying for the long-term storage of products. This method enables businesses to preserve product quality, extend shelf life, and improve stability.
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.
When isolated, the pump seems to behave well. Short of putting a meter on the pump, my impression is that it is operating properly. I'm considering investing in a good meter to verify that it is reaching a good ultimate vacuum.
Nor is it affordable for all of our extended family to eat gluten-free for the holiday meals. This challenge has been easily remedied with my freeze dryer.
I did a couple of batches (peas and carrots, and another load of precooked chicken meatballs cut in half) and it all worked perfectly. Looking forward to trying out some new things and sharing the results.
The differing vacuum levels during the system tests would be consistent with either a door seal leak or an drain valve leak.
What I presume was happening was that condensation was building up on the cooling coils between the insulation and the chamber and freezing. When I finally turned the FDer off it took 3 days for the ice buildup to melt and slowly soak through the insulation and drip onto the counter.
Control of the amount of time a material is held at the ultimate freeze temperature before the drying cycle is started.
Based upon your work experience you probably know more about vacuum pumps than most of us. Chasing a vacuum leak can be frustratingly difficult.
Never allowing the unit to heat up to ambient temps - Quickly removing more info the ice from the chamber and starting the next cycle while the chamber unit is still very cold.
So the bottom line is this: If you can afford the money, space, and time to spend on freeze-drying your own food and you believe the need for the food is many months or years away, then eventually the Harvest Right freeze dryer will pay for itself.
Depending on how you want to use freeze dried food, it doesn’t have to be reconstituted. There are some freeze dried foods I like to powder in my blender or food processor and then add to other foods. These powders can be used in smoothies, soups, and baked goods.
I, too, have noticed a significant difference when I defrost mid-cycle. I do that routinely now. I carefully use a heat gun to "shock" the surface of the ice, moving back and forth across it fairly swiftly, which causes it to crack and separate somewhat from the cylinder.