How much does it cost?

$15 Base Fee (per batch)

This includes one batch of freeze drying for 24 hours. The machine can hold about 6-10 lbs (raw weight) (about 1.5 of the gallon size ziplock bags) of most foods but this fee also applies if the machine is not full or food is lighter weight.

$5 each additional day

Some high moisture content foods and foods that don’t like to release moisture can take up to 3 days to dry! Most foods take 24-60 hours. Up to 24 hours is covered by the base fee. Between 25-48 hours is an additional $5. And 49-72 hours is an additional $5. This is to cover the electric needed and machine wear. Longer batches mean more frequent oil changes. The food determines the time it takes to dry. The machine has to run until the food is fully dry and this can vary from batch to batch even with the same food type. Sometimes prep work can affect dry times as well.

.50 per minute for food prep

If you don’t want to do all the prep yourself, you can have me do it.
BE SURE TO READ THE FOOD PREP PAGE!
** If food is not properly prepared, it can make it impossible to freeze dry or it may negatively impact the quality of the end product.
NOTE: FREEZE DRYING DOES NOT COOK FOOD OR KILL PATHOGENS! If you freeze dry raw meat, it will still be raw meat when it is freeze dried and will need to be cooked after you re-hydrate it. But if you freeze dry yogurt or sour dough starter, it will preserve the microbes and you can re-hydrate and use it as you would fresh. For processing in my machine, any meat for human consumption will need to be cooked.

$5 pre-freezing

This applies if I need to freeze your food (before it goes in the machine). This fee will apply to anything liquid or semi-solid. Liquid/semi solid foods will need to be frozen here on the trays that go in the machine. If you freeze your own food, be aware it needs to be in individual pieces that I can arrange on the trays. I can’t work with a solid block of food or big chunks.

Per-item cost for packaging

If you don’t provide your own packaging, but want your food sealed in mylar bags, this will be limited to the sizes I have on hand at the time and the price of the bag(s) and oxygen absorber(s) will be added to your food. These bags are not see through. You won’t be able to see your food and opening the bag will break the heat seal. See “storing your food” for details on what to provide for storing your food.