Off Grid Home › Forums › Technical Discussion › Freeze drying food › Re: Freeze drying food
Wretha,
flash frozen does not have to use nitrogen or dry ice. But it does use a lot of power. The unit I wired up on a fish tug needed 3 phase power of about 35 kilowatts. The vacuum pump system also uses a lot of power which is why home dehydrators are popular.
The food saver system which is available as a consumer item is the closest approach that is cost effective and can be used at home. Many of my boating friends use these and report fresh foods can remain stored for six months or longer. The catch being if they do not remain frozen they can spoil at room temperature.
Commercial freeze dried coffee on the other hand can be stored at room temp then reconstituted by adding water. Ditto for camping food packs. The chief advantage being you can store it without power and by removing the water it is lighter to back pack.