Maintenance includes replacing vacuum pump oil if not using an oil-free pump. Then, there’s ongoing storage costs for mylar bags and oxygen absorbers.
Data, however, doesn’t tell the complete story. All home freeze dryers give you complete control over the type of food that you store and how it is prepared.
Just a few years ago freeze dryers were only available commercially. As of 2025, there are now several brands and models of home freeze-dryers to consider.
The capacity of the freeze dryer isn’t necessarily how much you can fit inside, but also includes how long it takes to freeze-dry a batch. The vacuum pump, condenser, and compressor strength can all make a difference since they reduce process time rather than increase vacuum chamber size.
Each of our picks comes in different sizes and weights that affect how they can be used and where they can be placed.
The oil-free pump boasted many benefits but came with a downside – noise. It’s loud, and not in the charming way that a bustling kitchen might be. It’s more like the constant hum of a vacuum that’s persistent enough to drive you out of the room.
The oil-free pump adds about $1,500 to the freeze dryer’s price tag. Comparatively, the premier oil pump is included as standard in the retail price of the machine (and costs half as much to replace).
The freeze dryers profiled above represent the state of the art as far as home freeze drying technology is concerned. Use the information in this guide to help you make an informed choice about which one is right for your particular needs.
Investing in a premium home freeze dryer delivers numerous benefits that justify its position as the ultimate food preservation system. The most significant advantage lies in the exceptional shelf-life of freeze-dried food—up to 25 years when properly packaged—while maintaining nearly identical nutritional value to fresh foods.
Freeze dryers need to run a vacuum and get very, very cold in order to preserve the food. It uses a lot of energy to do this and can take a long time to freeze-dry a batch of food.
Discover how fun and delicious freeze-dried desserts and snacks can be! From freeze-dried ice cream to gummy bears and the very favorite – Skittles! There is such a demand for freeze-dried candy that many businesses specializing in freeze-dried sweets are taking off.
We hit a small Buy Now snag with the setup, discovering we needed a dedicated power outlet only after the dryer arrived. Luckily an electrician quickly solved the problem for us, but it’s a reminder to prep the space first.
If you have solar your electricity costs will decrease, and Mason jars are another storage option which will cost more upfront, but may save you money long-term.
Freeze drying food also does a better job of preserving the character of the food and its nutritional value. With so many people today concerned about long term preparedness for themselves and their families, a freeze dryer is a simple, common sense solution.