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If you had told me a few years ago that one of my favorite homestead tools would be a freeze dryer, I probably would’ve laughed. But honestly, our freeze dryer has become one of the hardest-working appliances in our home, especially during garden season.
Between the overflowing baskets of produce, extra eggs from the chickens, and the constant need for easy snacks and meal prep, our Harvest Right freeze dryer gets used year-round.
And right now is honestly one of the best times to buy one because Harvest Right is running a major sale this month.
Why We Decided to Buy a Freeze Dryer
Like a lot of homesteaders, we started out preserving food the traditional way by canning, dehydrating, and freezing. We still do all of those things, but eventually we hit a point where our freezers were packed full, and pantry shelf space was disappearing fast.
We wanted another way to preserve food that:
- lasted long term
- kept flavor and nutrition
- reduced food waste
- made quick meals easier
- worked well for garden harvests and farm fresh eggs
A freeze dryer checked every box.
Now, when the garden explodes with tomatoes, peppers, herbs, zucchini, strawberries, or green beans, we can preserve nearly all of it without feeling overwhelmed.
How We Use Our Freeze Dryer on the Homestead
Preserving Garden Overflow
Every summer our garden seems to go from “nothing is growing” to “why do we suddenly have 47 zucchini?” overnight.
Instead of scrambling to use everything immediately, we freeze dry a huge portion of our harvest.
Some of our favorite things to freeze dry:
- tomatoes
- peppers
- onions
- herbs
- strawberries
- blueberries
- corn
- potatoes
- homemade soups
- leftovers
One of my favorite things is opening jars of summer produce in the middle of winter. It feels like a little piece of July during the cold months.
Freeze Drying Eggs From Our Chickens
Spring and summer usually mean an overload of eggs around here. Some weeks the chickens seem determined to outdo themselves.
Freeze drying eggs has been such a practical way for us to preserve the extras instead of trying to give them all away before they pile up on the counter.
We scramble them first, pour them into trays, freeze-dry them, and then powder them for long-term storage. They rehydrate surprisingly well and are incredibly handy to keep on hand.
Especially with grocery prices constantly changing, having shelf-stable eggs in the pantry gives me a lot of peace of mind.
The Fun Side of Freeze Drying
Not everything has to be practical.
The kids LOVE when we make freeze dried treats. Honestly… the adults do too.
Some family favorites:
- freeze dried strawberries
- birthday cake
- ice cream sandwiches
- candy
- cheesecake bites
- bananas
- marshmallows
The freeze dried candy especially disappears almost immediately in our house.
It’s become one of those fun little family traditions where everyone gets excited to see what’s going into the machine next.
Is a Freeze Dryer Worth It?
For our family, absolutely.
A freeze dryer is definitely an investment upfront, but for us it’s paid off in:
- reduced food waste
- long-term food storage
- preserving our garden harvest
- saving freezer space
- easier meal prep
- healthier snacks
- preparedness and peace of mind
We use ours far more often than I originally expected.
If you already garden, raise chickens, buy in bulk, hunt, or simply cook a lot from scratch, a freeze dryer can become incredibly useful surprisingly fast.
The Harvest Right Sale Happening This Month
If you’ve been considering getting a freeze dryer, this month’s sale is honestly a great opportunity to finally make the jump.
We waited a long time before buying ours because it felt like a big purchase, but now it’s one of those homestead tools I wish we had bought sooner.
You can check out the current sale here:
Why A Freeze Dryer Has Been a Game Changer For Our Homestead
Homesteading is all about making the most of what you have.
Whether it’s preserving fresh garden vegetables, storing extra eggs from the chickens, creating homemade pantry staples, or simply making fun snacks for the kids, our freeze dryer has helped us waste less and preserve more.
And honestly, it’s pretty satisfying and impressive to see rows of jars filled with food we grew and preserved ourselves.
From our homestead to yours,
Eliza