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Restarting My Freezing Adventure

Hi everyone, it’s been a while. You might have been wondering where I’ve been. We put our house on the market, which meant packing up my beloved freeze dryer. It spent an agonizing four or five months sitting idle in the garage. Then we moved, and as you can see, our lives are still in boxes. Despite that, my freezers are full, and it’s time to get back to freeze drying.

Moving the Freeze Dryer

We managed to make space to bring the freeze dryer back into action. My daughter helped move things around, and my husband set up shelves for food storage. We got this amazing cart from Harbor Freight and drilled a hole for the valve, making it easier to handle. The move did result in a minor breakage, but nothing that can’t be fixed.

The State of the Machine

After six months, I knew my freeze dryer would need a thorough cleaning. I discovered mold inside, which means a deep clean with bleach and vinegar. Mold in your freeze dryer can ruin your food, so it’s vital to get rid of it completely. I’ll wipe everything down methodically to ensure no mold spores survive.

Fixing Broken Parts

We had a snapped plastic piece that needed fixing. My husband, being the problem solver he is, used brass fittings to create a sturdier fix. He even drilled a larger hole in the cart to reduce pressure on the valve. New tubing was also added to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Cleaning Process

The cleaning process wasn’t quick. The tray went through the dishwasher, and I wiped everything down with bleach and vinegar. I also cleaned the tubing to eliminate any mold. These steps are essential for safe freeze drying, and it’s worth the extra effort.

Ready to Restart

Now, everything is nearly set. I just need to hook up my vacuum hose and change the oil. I replaced the oil before packing up the freeze dryer, but I’ll change it again to ensure it’s fresh. This step is like winterizing a car – you want everything clean and ready before starting up again.

Protecting the Machine

Protecting the glass on the freeze dryer is crucial, especially in colder climates. I found a great cover on Etsy that helps protect against severe cold. This has kept my machine in excellent condition for almost five years.

Excited to Begin Again

I’m excited to start freeze drying again. My freezer, affectionately named Frosty, is ready to go. While I haven’t updated the software yet, I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs. One of the foods I’m desperate to start storing is more eggs.

Conclusion

Thank you for sticking around. I’m back and ready to dive into freeze drying with renewed passion. Don’t forget to follow me on Youtube for more upcoming videos where I share more tips and tricks. Hit subscribe and the bell notification to stay updated. Let’s get freeze drying!