I honestly think putting a thermometer inside the unit is an excellent idea. I sent the following note off to Harvest Right Support in an effort to gain a little better understanding of the process.
We preserve our favorite foods, which means I know my family will eat them when it’s time to break them out, whether that’s for a camp out, family vacation, or the apocalypse.
My husband has been contemplating cost effective alternative ways to get oil-less vacuum happening... what would the specs needed be, since I don't have a pump to look at. Hopefully I asked that in a way that makes sense.
5. Maintenance: Understand the maintenance requirements of the machine. Some units require more frequent servicing than others.
•Control of the amount of time a material is held at the ultimate freeze temperature before the drying cycle is started.
How does freeze drying work? To put it simply, it freezes the food then goes through a sublimation process where it dries the food.
Vic says: 2 years ago Going on a second year with the freeze dryer. Considering getting another one. It really takes commitment, but it is very rewarding. The freezer is good also, but it needs constant source of electricity, and the storage is limited to the size of the freezer.
oito) The vacuum port was up next. You can see the condensation on the brass fitting. That means cold is escaping and heat is getting into the chamber. This small section was placed inside the panel.
This is why so many people are buying their own freeze dryers to use at home. The market is essentially cornered by Harvest Right, which isn’t a bad thing since their quality and customer service are both superb.
Freeze website drying definitely saves my family money. We have a lot less food waste because leftover food can be freeze dried for later use.
Never allowing the unit to heat up to ambient temps - Quickly removing the ice from the chamber and starting the next cycle while the chamber unit is still very cold.
Odds are the problem is the vacuum hose or its end connections, the drain valve, or the door gasket. Based upon my experience I'd double check the fittings while installed on the FDer.
Control of the amount of time a material is held at the ultimate freeze temperature before the drying cycle is started.
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.