A reader asked if I freeze all foods before putting it in the freeze dryer.
Sometimes but not always . . and here’s when I pre-freeze.
- The freeze dryer has to be tilted a bit to the back so the water drains out when it defrosts. The freeze dryer weighs a lot and I can’t move it around much so it stays tilted back. When I’m freeze drying things that are liquid-y, I freeze the trays flat in the freezer first. Eggs, buttermilk, kefir . . anything that would end up running over towards the back and having empty space in the front . . those get pre-frozen flat in the freezer.
- Sometimes we get a good buy on things – strawberries, mushrooms, peaches, etc. It takes about 50 hours start to finish for the freeze dryer cycle. If I have things that are going to degrade by a few extra days in the fridge, I will go ahead and pre-freeze those.
It isn’t required that the food be pre-frozen and I only do it as needed.
Betsy Lewis says
Thank you, good to know since my freezer space is so limited
dezertsuz says
Good information to have. All very logical, too. =)