1 year ago

This batch comes with extra ranting about oxygen absorbers and Mylar bags.
Freeze dryer batch #22 - 10 lbs of Milk. Started freeze drying this batch June 4th.

First 500 lbs data spreadsheet link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ieekdk5aH_2OWLUealeOLurU9_zl03BfFEg_qhAgcaA/edit?usp=sharing
Batch worksheet link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13DCB2hXo9_ZYrhIUicLk2IrEaQGszwbaJTcEH8wJxk4/edit?usp=sharing

Want to support this work? Buy me a coffee :-) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/DanZm

Cost of the milk: $4.38 for 10 lbs
Total batch time: 45 hours 8 minutes
Weight before drying: 10 lbs, Weight after drying: 506 grams (about 1.1 lbs)
Power use: 31.43 kWh
Bagged into: 5 quart 7 mil Mylar bags with 300cc oxygen absorbers.

Starting your freeze dried food pantry. 100 Days: The first 50 batches - Freeze Drying Your First 500 lbs of Food
Start by asking yourself this question. Why are you freeze drying food? Knowing this should help you decide what you should freeze dry first.
I'm freeze drying because:
Just to freeze dry leftovers?
You want to make your own food for camping/backpacking?
For if/when the SHTF?
For a short term emergency?
You have your own garden and want to freeze dry the food?
You love Costco but don't have a family of 6?
You are good at finding the food sales but only have 1 freezer?
When you cook homemade chili just for yourself you make 10 gallons? Because you have 3 full freezers and are worried about power outages?

This list is about getting started on a 500 lb mixed pantry of freeze dried foods in 100 days.
(This may be a bit optimistic and perhaps it'll only be 400 lbs)
Goal of about 85 lbs per category. (100 lbs per category if we don't do the Meals/Dishes)
1) Meats:
2) Vegetables:
3) Fruits:
5) Grain / Starch
6) Meals / Dishes

BOOKS:
Freeze-Drying 3rd Edition (I haven't read this one, but I would like to, Too much $)
by Peter Haseley, Georg-Wilhelm Oetjen

Foods and Food Production Encyclopedia (I have this set. I got a deal!)
by Douglas M. Considine, P.E.
Glenn D. Considine

LINKS:
A great/fun/interesting demonstration of gases going through balloons. Self Inflating Balloons?! ( Cody'sLab) https://youtu.be/4VY62gmMFrY

The barrier film breakdown https://www.inteplastef.com/news/read/the-barrier-film-breakdown#

Barrier Properties of Polymers https://polymerdatabase.com/polymer%20physics/Permeability.html
https://polymerdatabase.com/polymer%20physics/Polymer%20Solubility.html

Oxygen Transmission Rate https://www.polyprint.com/understanding-film-properties/flexographic-otr/

Oxygen and Water Vapour Barrier - Properties of Flexible Packaging Films
https://usa.dupontteijinfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Oxygen_And_Walter_Vapour_Barrier_Properties_of_Flex_Pack_Films.pdf

Food spoilage – Rancidity and food chemistry. September 14, 2017 Storing Food - chemical reactions, fats, food enzymes, preservation https://foodcrumbles.com/food-spoilage-rancidity-and-food-chemistry/

Freeze dried food will stay fresh for many years and be ready and waiting when you need it.
We do videos showing how we are using our Harvest Right Freeze Dryer to freeze dry food for long term storage. (We have the medium size machine that we got in August of 2017) Freeze dried food is also great for prepping or just for camping and snacking!

AFFILIATES & REFERRALS
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If you are thinking of buying a freeze dryer, please consider supporting us by purchasing through our link. It helps us and costs you nothing! https://affiliates.harvestright.com/995.html
We have the medium freeze dryer with the original vacuum pump.
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Amazon affiliate links to some of the things we have been using; it helps us and costs you nothing.
• Escali Primo Kitchen Scale https://amzn.to/3r8VqRe
• Etekcity Kitchen Scale11lb/5kg https://amzn.to/3K3ajhY
• Power meter https://amzn.to/3s4RVOr
• The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: https://amzn.to/33NTPtt
• This is the scoop I "adjusted" (see video) for bagging https://amzn.to/3pdTB4J
• Silicone Square Cake Pan - Set of 2 https://amzn.to/2YvAp6L
• Teflon Tape for Impulse Sealers https://amzn.to/3pt2nMd
• Dial Thermometer -40 to 160 F 1-Inch https://amzn.to/3pvAfIm
• Parchment paper - We usually get our at Costco, but they also have it on Amazon https://amzn.to/3owy5qC or https://amzn.to/3Cw1WXL
• Corrugated Plastic Sheets we use in our freezer https://amzn.to/2YqAM2A
• Drill Bit 5/32" x 10" Extra Length https://amzn.to/3tEOvRx
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We are participants in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.