We have some really great 'techy' type guys here who are, as they have been exploring the FD mechanics and sharing that in their posts, writing what is turning out to be a 'troubleshooting manual' for us less capable folks.
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.
There are many good bean varieties for sale in local gardening outlets and through seed catalogs. Most grow well in Utah. Pod shape, size, and color vary among varieties. Here is a list of some potential varieties and plant types that have performed well
You cannot run a good commercial kitchen without plenty of food. Commercial walk-in coolers are needed for keeping a lot of food chilled. If you’re running a very large scale operation, then a standard-sized refrigerator will not be enough.
Beyond electric or gas, you can get stand-up fryers or countertop fryers. These are available in all varieties of different sizes and volumes, based on your requirements.
However, be very careful when buying any machine that was already used. Make sure to test it and see if it works properly before actually buying it.
Installation of unit. This appliance cannot sit on the floor: both because it must be elevated for the ice melt tubing to drain into a container below it, and to be able to access the vacuum pump and the on/off switches for the unit.
If you’ve ever put off cooking and cleaning around the house because of a faulty appliance in desperate need of repair, you’re certainly not alone. This is a frequent occurrence in households around the world, and is often limited to the confines of the kitchen. People frequently find themselves frustrated, trying to decipher whether or not they should repair their broken appliance, or simply give up and purchase a new one.
This method of shopping is usually considered a bit outdated, but you can still get all the necessary information about freeze dryers on the phone by talking to a company salesman.
While I had the unit apart to replace the display I decided to correct the water condensation problem. If you find yourself using your FDer in the same conditons as we do you may want to consider modifying your FDer to keep the condensation from your FDer control circuit and display cards. Here are the steps that I followed to minimize what the NC high humidity climate does to my FDer.
Additionally, freeze dried food is very light, since all the water is removed, and can be easily transported for hiking and camping or when used during long term emergency needs.
Dehydrators take the water off the surface first, then water eqilibrates with the surface, more water is drawn off the surface. You are left with a shrunken item, with some residual water. Makes gorgeous leather.
Is it flash freezing and dehydrating at the website same time? Do the items need to be kept frozen, or stored at room temp?
So the bottom line is this: If you can afford the money 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.