Ok, that caught me completely by surprise:
$2295 from the manufacturers website
I know from what I’ve seen on the internet that the oil pump system is annoying, messy, and kind of a pain. The optional non-oil pump system is rather expensive but if you offset it with the savings from getting this at CostCo….well, that might make it worthwhile.
But…heres the other thing: CostCo has a very generous return policy. So, perhaps after a while you may decide this product isn’t for you. Head back to CostCo, hand it back, and get your money back.
Hmmm…I have a large amount of freeze drieds already, but this would be interesting to experiment with. And I know enough local LMI that perhaps we could ‘group buy’ it and shuttle it around to our respective locations for use.
Also, how big could the market for this really be at CostCo? Perhaps if I’m patient I’ll see it marked down l50%~ like the LifeStraws. Maybe get it for under $1000 in a couple months.
Hmmmmm.
They sold out quickly at my local Costco the two different times I saw them in stock.
I have one. Harvest Right medium. I have no idea how I lived without it prior to getting it. I’m an avid gardener and having lots of food with no refridgeration needed is a no brainer. I see the aftermath of Helene and would be willing to bet alot of folks would fair alot better in a situation like that with a stockpile of freeze dried food.
Get one, you wont regret it.
JT
Ditto. I do like having cooked chicken with and without seasoning in my freeze dried preps so I don’t have to hear my family b*tch about all the SPAM and tuna.
PS. Recommend plenty of seasoning, salt, pepper, etc. Tastiness helps consumption when calories mean life or death. Man can not live by potato flakes alone.
Ditto too. We have had a medium for a few years now, use it regularly to keep a stock – and to improve/concentrate flavors sometimes. We went with upgraded oil pump and very happy we did so.
I envy you your Costco.
No such inventory hereabouts.
Following. My tiny Town’s farm store outlet also carries freezedryers as well. I think this food storage mode and equipment is a slow creep technological advancement and a replacement method for the whole canning jar methodology on some types of foods. When computing in the input cost and weight of jar stored foods, freeze drying is probably more suitable in many instances. The outlay investment would only make math sense if you are an already accomplished gardener, with a good system in place for bumper crops, and a successful amount of yearly or average harvests. This could then be a parallel method of putting up food along with canning, freezing, etc methods. Many folks would be best served by having a good green thumb skillset and ability first, and then more importantly having a respectable garden and it’s supporting infrastructures in place and operational with proven results first. These will be easily found for sale cheaply on Facebook marketplace etc by folks who spaz bought them along with their hobby farm redoubt property to prep for the end of the world as we know it scenarios. It was then not used much, or at all, and collected dust like bread machines and ice cream makers in the pantry closet. Stay in good storage conditions, thus staying frosty.
I’ve had one for five years and it’s still going strong. I’m not a gardener but I’m sure it has paid for itself many times over. Need to check my Costco; if they have them, I’ll get another.
I just checked the Costco website. They do not list the size small freeze dryer. The medium is $2899.99, large is $3599.99, andX-large is $4799.00.
I have one of these things. I actually found it, in almost new condition, on Craigslist for $500.00; one of my “deals of the century.” The oil pumps aren’t that big a deal. The mineral oil used in the pumps does get contaminated with water from the drying process, and the water settles to the bottom of the oil sump. I replaced the drain plug on the pump with an extender pipe with a petcock on it. The day after I run a load through the machine, I drain off oil into a glass container until it runs clear, and then backfill the sump. Every few loads I replace the oil entirely. I let the used oil sit for a while, until the water and contaminants settle to the bottom. Then I decant the clean oil into another container to be used again. I run it through a paper towel in the funnel to remove anything that gets past. There are actually filters marketed for this very purpose if you want to buy one.
Freeze-drying has the benefit of removing the water from the food but retaining the nutrition. The downside is that the water must be replaced when the food is eaten, either by adding water to reconstitute the food while cooking, or by drinking more water if you eat the food dry, as your body will grab water from your system to hydrate the food for digestion. Just keep that in mind. Also, be advised that the drying cycle is around 24 hours long. The pump is somewhat noisy so I run mine in the garage. It’s tolerable inside the house if need be though.
Cool thing is, aside from fresh food, you can run things like frozen vegetables through the machine, as well as canned stuff. Frozen mixed vegetables, after running through the machine, are a surprisingly tasty snack as-is! Running your canned veggies through the machine when they’re getting somewhat close to their “best by” date will extend their shelf life by SEVERAL YEARS. You can also make things like “yogurt kisses” in the machine. They’re good for the kids and they LOVE them. They melt in your mouth! Kids and adults also love freeze-dried bananas and strawberries!
When all is said and done, given the cost, a Harvest Right is something you DON’T want to buy and than FIND a need for it. You should have the need FIRST!