Use and Care Manual

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YOUR FIRST BATCH
8.1 FINAL CHECK
When running your freeze dryer
for the rst time (and every time) it
is important to do a nal check in
order to assure that your food will
freeze dry properly and optimally.
Check the following:
1. Drain valve is in the off position
(perpendicular to the drain hose).
2. Acrylic door is clean (important
for achieving a good seal).
3. Rubber gasket that the acrylic
door compresses against is clean
(important for achieving a good seal).
4. Place black insulator door pad
inside the chamber to allow for more
efcient freezing/drying times.
5. Turn the door handle ½ to ¾
turn in order to compress the door
against rubber seal.
6. Assure that exterior hoses and
connections are hand tight on
both the freeze dryer as well as the
vacuum pump.
8.2 START SIMPLE
When using your freeze dryer the
rst few times, it will be tempting
to freeze dry many different foods
at the same time. It will also be
tempting to make these items extra
thick because you want to create
amazing freeze-dried food.
While it is okay to freeze dry thick
servings of fruits, vegetables, ice
cream, soups/stews, yogurt, etc.,
we recommend that you run the
rst few batches with simple 1/4”
to 1/2” thick slices. Meats, fruits,
or vegetables are a good place to
start (extra thick slices will take
longer because there is more water
to remove from the food). As you
become more comfortable with
your freeze dryer, you can move
into more challenging foods like
pineapple and watermelon.