Understanding Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Sizes

Imagine savoring your garden's summer bounty in the depths of winter or having ready-to-eat, nutritious meals at your fingertips year-round. The Harvest Right home freeze dryer makes this possible! However, with multiple models available, how do you choose the perfect one for your needs?  

In this article, you’ll learn about the different Harvest Right™ freeze dryer sizes, their specifications, use cases, and pros and cons. Let’s get started! 

Key Takeaways

• Harvest Right offers four freeze dryer sizes—small, medium, large, and extra-large—all catering to different needs. 

• Each size processes different amounts of food, ranging from 6 to 35 pounds per batch. This makes it easier to select based on your storage goals and family size.

• Smaller freeze dryers are countertop-friendly and lightweight, while larger models require more space but handle significantly larger food quantities.

• Smaller models consume less power and are budget-friendly, whereas larger models provide value for bulk preservation despite higher upfront costs.

• All models retain 97% of nutrition, flavor, and freshness and can preserve food for up to 25 years.

• Harvest Right freeze dryers feature automated controls, which simplifies the freeze-drying process. 

What is Freeze Drying?

Freeze drying is a preservation method that removes moisture from food while retaining its structure, flavor, and nutritional content. 

Unlike methods like canning or dehydrating that use heat, freeze drying freezes the food, reduces pressure, and sublimates water directly from solid to vapor form. This process ensures that 97% of the food’s nutrition remains intact while maintaining the appearance and aroma. Explore a variety of freeze dryers that fit your off-grid lifestyle in the Freeze Dryer collection.

Why Choose a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer?

A Harvest Right freeze dryer is a smart investment if you value fresh, long-lasting food, savings, and self-sufficiency. You’ll never have to worry about food shortages, unexpected grocery price hikes, or running out of your favorite snacks. 

Other benefits are: 

Save Money & Reduce Waste

Ever thrown out leftovers or bulk groceries that went bad too soon? With a Harvest Right freeze dryer, you can preserve fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and even full meals for up to 25 years. Impressive, right? This means less food waste and fewer grocery runs – which saves you money in the long run.

Better Than Store-Bought

Store-bought freeze-dried foods can be expensive and often contain preservatives. With a Harvest Right freeze dryer, you control the ingredients—no additives, just fresh, real food. Plus, homemade freeze-dried snacks taste better than anything in a package.

Perfect for Any Lifestyle

Whether you’re a prepper, a home gardener, an outdoor adventurer, or just someone who loves fresh food year-round, a Harvest Right freeze dryer makes food storage easy and convenient. You can freeze-dry seasonal produce, batch-cook meals, or create lightweight, packable snacks for hiking and camping.

Easy to Use, Built to Last

Harvest Right freeze dryers are designed for home use and have simple, automated controls. Just load your trays, press start, and let the machine do the rest. Plus, they’re built to last so you can rely on them for years of food preservation.

Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Sizes

Harvest Right offers a range of home freeze dryers designed to preserve food by freeze-drying while maintaining its taste, nutrition, and aroma. Selecting the appropriate size depends on your food preservation needs, available space, and desired capacity for each batch. Discover the perfect Harvest Right products for your food preservation needs.

What Sizes Are Available?

Harvest Right provides four primary sizes of freeze dryers: small, medium, large, and extra-large. Each size is designed for specific freeze-drying needs and fits different storage capacities:

• Small Size: Compact for in-home freeze drying – best for smaller households or occasional use.

• Medium Size: A larger capacity but countertop-friendly.

• Large Size: Best for users with bulk food preservation needs. 

• Extra-Large Size: This option processes up to twice the load of the large option, making it perfect for high-demand scenarios or commercial use.

Let’s go through each of these dryers in detail. 

Harvest Right Small Size Freeze Dryers

The Harvest Right Small Freeze Dryer is a compact model for home users with smaller freeze-drying needs. Its user-friendly design and efficient performance make it an excellent choice for preserving a variety of foods.

Who is the small freeze dryer best suited for?

The small freeze dryer is best for individuals with limited storage space and small processing needs. It's perfect for home users who want to preserve produce from small gardens or store up to 6-10 pounds of food per batch. 

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 17.4"W x 21.5"D x 26.8"H (fits on countertops or carts or tables). 

• Weight: 91 lbs, portable enough for most kitchen setups.

• Batch Capacity: Processes 6-10 lbs of food per batch, translating to approximately 1800 lbs annually.

• Trays: Includes four trays 

• Power: Operates on a 110V standard household outlet 

• Accessories: A premier industrial vacuum pump, mylar bags, oxygen absorbers and impulse sealer  

• Price: Starting at $2,295 

Pros:

• Its compact weight makes it easy to fit into small spaces or relocate as needed.

• Capable of freeze-drying 6-9 pounds per batch, handling various foods like fruits, vegetables, and small meals.

• Features intuitive, beginner-friendly controls 

• An affordable option compared to larger or advanced models

Cons:

• Its compact size may be unsuitable for users needing mass food preservation.

• Processing large batches of food can take days because of its 36-hour average cycle duration. 

• Though compact, you may still need an extra hand to move and install it 

• Offers basic settings without advanced programming options available in pharmaceutical or commercial-grade models.

Medium Size Freeze Dryers

The Medium Harvest Right freeze dryer balances capacity and functionality. It's designed to handle larger batches than the small model while maintaining user-friendly features and efficiency.

Rohan K., one of our customers who purchased this unit, said: 

“I love this unit and am happy with the investment. Great to preserve and store food for the long term. YOU CAN FREEZE DRY ANYTHING WITH THIS!!! We freeze-dried hummus so we can eat it 2 months later after we return from vacation and SURPRISE!! It was able to retain the flavor and taste of the hummus.”

Who is the Medium Freeze Dryer Best Suited For?

This model is ideal for users with more space who need to preserve larger quantities than the small model allows. It's perfect for home gardeners with large harvests or families aiming to store 10 to 15 pounds of food per batch.

Specifications: 

• Weight: Weighs 119 lbs, depending on if it's powder-coated or stainless steel.

• Batch Capacity: Freeze-dry 10-15 lbs of food per batch 

• Features: Includes advanced smart technology that ensures consistent performance and monitoring.

• Trays: Comes with five trays 

• Power: Operates on a standard 110V household outlet, simplifying setup.

• Accessories: Vacuum pump, oil filter, mylar bags, oxygen absorbers and impulse sealer 

• Price: Starts at $2,595

Pros:

• Larger capacity accommodates bigger batches, reducing the number of cycles needed.

• User-friendly controls make it accessible for both beginners and seasoned users.

• Suitable for a wide range of foods, including full meals, meats, and bulk produce.

Cons:

• Requires more space compared to the small model, which might be a constraint for some users.

• Longer freeze-drying cycles can extend processing time, especially for high-moisture foods.

Large Size Freeze Dryers

The large Harvest Right freeze dryer excels at preserving food in large volumes while maintaining taste, nutrition, and long-term shelf stability. These models enable you to freeze-dry extensive quantities, making them best for large households or those focused on bulk storage. 

Who is the Large Freeze Dryer Best Suited For?

This model is ideal for individuals or families who wish to preserve substantial quantities of food, whether from large gardens, bulk purchases, or extensive meal preparations. It's also suitable for small businesses or homesteaders looking to extend the shelf life of their products.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 21.3"W x 27.5"D x 31.3"H 

• Weight: 143 lbs, with a shipping weight of 243 lbs for the full package.

• Batch Capacity: Processes 18-27 lbs of food each cycle

• Tray Space: Contains six stainless steel trays  

• Power: Operates on a 110V outlet but requires a dedicated 20-amp circuit due to higher power consumption.

• Accessories: Industrial vacuum pump, mylar bags, impulse sealer and oxygen absorbers. 

• Price: Starts at $3195

Pros:

• Its high capacity allows you to preserve large batches at a go

• Comes with advanced features that cater to experienced users seeking more control over the freeze-drying process

• Preserved foods can last up to 25 years when properly stored

Cons:

• You’ll need a dedicated area for storage/operation due to its size  

• Its advanced functionalities make it costlier than other options 

• You’ll also need to maintain it regularly to prevent breakdown 

X-Large Size Freeze Dryers

The Harvest Right extra large (XL) freeze dryer offers the highest capacity in the Harvest Right lineup. This model can process (very) large quantities of food while maintaining the taste and nutrition. 

Who is the Extra Large Freeze Dryer Best Suited For?

This model is perfect for large families, homesteaders, small businesses, or anyone who wants to efficiently preserve significant quantities of food. 

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 24.3 inches wide, 37.4 inches deep, and 35.6 inches high.

• Weight: Approximately 265 pounds.

• Batch Capacity: Capable of freeze-drying 40 to 50 pounds of fresh food per batch ~ to up to 10,000 pounds annually.

• Trays: Includes seven stainless steel trays

• Power: Operates on a standard 110V outlet but requires a dedicated 20-amp circuit

• Accessories: Industrial vacuum pump, oil filter, mylar bags, oxygen absorbers and impulse sealer. 

• Price: $5,095

Pros:

• Processes large batches at a go 

• Freeze-dried foods can last up to 25 years when stored properly

• Features user-friendly controls with smart technology that calculates necessary dry time and monitors the process to completion.

Cons:

• Its large weight requires dedicated space and assistance with setup.

• Needs a dedicated 20-amp circuit 

Choosing the Right Size for Your Needs

Selecting the right Harvest Right home freeze dryer depends on several factors, including food preservation goals, available space, and budget. Let’s discuss them in detail: 

What Are Your Food Preservation Goals?

Your preservation needs determine​​ the size of the freeze dryer you’ll buy. A small freeze dryer is well-suited for smaller batch processing, handling 6-10 pounds of food per cycle. This option is suitable if you live alone or have a small family.  

If you're looking to freeze dry food regularly or have a medium-sized family, a medium freeze dryer will better support your preservation needs.

When dealing with larger quantities, such as bulk produce harvests, substantial meal preparation, or small business operations, purchase a large or X-large freeze dryer, which processes more than 27 pounds of food per cycle. To learn more about the different options, check out the Types of Harvest Right Freeze Dryers.

How Much Space Do You Have?

The available space in your kitchen or storage area also impacts your choice. 

Small freeze dryers fit easily on most countertops, carts, or tables, making them an excellent choice for compact setups. Medium freeze dryers, on the other hand, are slightly larger but fit well in standard kitchens or utility rooms without significant adjustments. 

Because of their larger footprint, larger units (the large and X-large) will need a substantial, dedicated space—think a spacious utility room or garage. 

What is Your Budget?

You also need to evaluate your budget. Small freeze dryers are often the most affordable option because they have basic specifications. 

Medium freeze dryers offer a balance between cost and output efficiency. They’re equally affordable and offer good value for active users who need reliable performance.

(Extra) Large freeze dryers are expensive because of their bulk processing capabilities. Additional accessories, such as the oil-free pump, can increase the cost of your choice model.  

Conclusion

Investing in a freeze dryer extends the shelf life of your food and ensures its flavor and nutritional value are retained. By selecting the appropriate size, you can maximize efficiency and enjoy the long-term advantages of this innovative preservation method.

Ready to purchase your choice model? Check out our collection of Harvest Right freeze dryers. You can also contact any of our experts for a personalized recommendation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a home freeze dryer work?

A home freeze dryer removes moisture from food by freezing it and then using a vacuum to sublimate the ice directly into vapor. This method preserves the food's nutritional value, flavor, and structure while significantly extending its shelf life.

How long does freeze-dried food last?

Freeze-dried food can last up to 25 years when stored properly in airtight containers or mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, making it ideal for long-term storage and emergency supplies.

What are the benefits of using a home freeze dryer?

Home freeze dryers help reduce food waste, save money, and preserve the nutritional content of food. They are perfect for preparing emergency supplies, meal prepping, or preserving seasonal produce.

Which foods can be freeze-dried?

Almost all foods, including fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and complete meals like soups and stews, can be freeze-dried. However, foods with high fat or sugar content may require special handling.

What sizes of Harvest Right freeze dryers are available?

Harvest Right offers small, medium, large, and extra-large freeze dryers. Small units are ideal for occasional use, while large and extra-large models are for bulk food preservation.

How much food can a small freeze-dryer process?

A small Harvest Right freeze dryer can process approximately 6-10 lbs of fresh food per batch, making it suitable for small families or infrequent use.

How much power does a Harvest Right freeze dryer consume?

Power consumption depends on the model. A medium freeze dryer averages 700-900 watts, while larger models can draw up to 1500 watts.

How much space is needed for a freeze dryer?

Freeze dryers require space on a countertop or table. For example, a medium-sized Harvest Right freeze dryer typically measures around 18" W x 21" D x 28" H and requires adequate clearance for ventilation.

Are Harvest Right freeze dryers easy to maintain?

Yes, Harvest Right freeze dryers are user-friendly and require basic maintenance, such as cleaning the trays and chamber after use. Oil maintenance for the vacuum pump is minimal and straightforward.

Can freeze-dried food be rehydrated?

Yes, freeze-dried food can be easily rehydrated by adding water. The food quickly absorbs moisture, returning to its original texture and flavor while retaining its nutritional benefits.

How much does it cost to operate a freeze-dryer?

Operating costs vary depending on energy rates and model size, but they typically range between $2 and $3 per day for larger models. Smaller models are more energy-efficient and cost less to operate.

What is the best freeze-dryer size for beginners?

For beginners, a small or medium Harvest Right freeze dryer is ideal. It balances affordability, compact size, and sufficient capacity for household preservation needs.

Can a freeze dryer help save money?

Yes, investing in a home freeze dryer can help you save money by reducing food waste, preserving leftovers, and buying food in bulk for long-term storage. Users can save up to $3,000 annually.