Looks like they restocked. We went in after your original post and got the last non display that they had. As always, thanks for the heads up on that, and the Lifestraws, and a couple of other things too.
The machine isn’t as loud as the complaints make it seem.
CostCo only sells the one size, and their discount on it is such that the next size up, purchased from other vendors, is expensive enough to dissuade me from purchasing it.
Yep, still kicking myself for not grabbing one ASAP, I went home to look up prices and when I came back the next day all 14 of them were sold. They don’t currently have plans to get more in my area.
Following. This is what is referred to in our frens circles as strategic investments. The ROI, or return benefit will not be immediate gratification like most consumer purchases, but it’s value will far exceed any other appliance that runs on electricity. I guess the best route will be sharp minded aquisition of your food inputs, i.e. buying cheap and bulk, not mail ordering some faggy fruits at inflated costs just to freeze dry up and brag that you did so. At our current defcon trajectory, this is a wise aquisition, no matter the cost. About that case of coca cola though, as long as not a regular fare and only for apocalypse storage, adult beverage mixer, barter goods, or reward treat for a waifu, that cost expenditure must be justifiable. Proper long term storage aids in staying frosty.
Most people buying these things are buying them to prepare against the end of the world which , to me, indicates that these are used mostly before such an event.
I’d bet most peoples plan is to use a machine like this to build their stockpile before the electricity goes out , not after.
That’s true , but the way pedo joe and his master’s are headed, might not have much time. Things might go where we are just in a depression , not CW2 or big flash time.
We’re shopping for a medium or a large. People we’ve talked to say it’s too much work to monkey around small batches. We’ve also been told that going with an oil-free compressor is worthwhile. We’ll be buying in 2025.
I was leaning towards the oil-free as well. I started reading abunch of usergroups (mostly on Reddit) for people who own these things and there were a lot of people saying the oil-free pump, when it worked, was great but it had a high failure rate. Can’t recall the exact numbers, but I saw enough people talking about it that it seemed like sticking with the oil pump made more sense for me.
I recommend staying away from the oil-free. Once you run the cost of oil on what was their mid-range pump, it is quite reasonable. in 2 years we are still on our 1st case of oil, and we do not skimp on the oil changes.
Hey Commander Z! Welcome to the family. I also have a small as I am now single and starting over at 66. I can cook 3-4 dozen eggs at a time and 5 pounds of lean hamburger. I have to try the candy mode very soon.
A friend of mine’s neighbor has a side business freeze drying candy and it does well enough that she has three of the large ones now. I missed out on them at my local Costco but maybe they will get them in again.
We have a medium, premium oil pump. Paid for itself in the first year ….. Not only do we FD eggs (raw, dozen per package), whole milk (quart), cooked chicken breasts, cooked ground venison; but also left-overs. I FD berry mix, grind afterwards, and add to pemmican.
Hint – get a 2nd set of trays. Freeze product in between FD runs. I’m already running the freezers, so no need to extend the FD process by freezing. We also add 12 hours to every load to ensure complete dryness.
Check out YT videos from “Homesteading Family” and “Retired at 40” videos for a slew of good information.
We got a medium sized one 2 years ago. Compared to commercial canned products we had recovered our money in 5 months. The only problem we’ve had is a broken value that was less than $20 to replace. Because of costs, we primarily freeze dry proteins (beef, chicken, eggs) but have done some fruits and veggies. I really like what it has enabled us to do with our “prepper pantry”.
While I do not own a FD, 2 of my brothers do and I have worked with them to stockpile our pantries.
I have read several times now where people are suggesting freezing food first to speed up the process. The reason FD food is so “good” is the way that the food is frozen as the moisture is removed. Freezing food in a freezer first, breaks down the cell walls and reduces the quality that FD brings to the product – eliminating one of the key benefits.
Since I am no expert, please research this before you use it as a method to speed up the FD process.
Excellent, good Sir! I look forward to reading what lessons you pull from this project.
Looks like they restocked. We went in after your original post and got the last non display that they had. As always, thanks for the heads up on that, and the Lifestraws, and a couple of other things too.
The machine isn’t as loud as the complaints make it seem.
take it back and get at least a medium. the small is too small. otherwise they are awesome.
CostCo only sells the one size, and their discount on it is such that the next size up, purchased from other vendors, is expensive enough to dissuade me from purchasing it.
Yep, still kicking myself for not grabbing one ASAP, I went home to look up prices and when I came back the next day all 14 of them were sold. They don’t currently have plans to get more in my area.
Following. This is what is referred to in our frens circles as strategic investments. The ROI, or return benefit will not be immediate gratification like most consumer purchases, but it’s value will far exceed any other appliance that runs on electricity. I guess the best route will be sharp minded aquisition of your food inputs, i.e. buying cheap and bulk, not mail ordering some faggy fruits at inflated costs just to freeze dry up and brag that you did so. At our current defcon trajectory, this is a wise aquisition, no matter the cost. About that case of coca cola though, as long as not a regular fare and only for apocalypse storage, adult beverage mixer, barter goods, or reward treat for a waifu, that cost expenditure must be justifiable. Proper long term storage aids in staying frosty.
Great idea , but you need electricity. Got solar , wind or generator with plenty of fuel?
Most people buying these things are buying them to prepare against the end of the world which , to me, indicates that these are used mostly before such an event.
I’d bet most peoples plan is to use a machine like this to build their stockpile before the electricity goes out , not after.
That’s true , but the way pedo joe and his master’s are headed, might not have much time. Things might go where we are just in a depression , not CW2 or big flash time.
We’re shopping for a medium or a large. People we’ve talked to say it’s too much work to monkey around small batches. We’ve also been told that going with an oil-free compressor is worthwhile. We’ll be buying in 2025.
I was leaning towards the oil-free as well. I started reading abunch of usergroups (mostly on Reddit) for people who own these things and there were a lot of people saying the oil-free pump, when it worked, was great but it had a high failure rate. Can’t recall the exact numbers, but I saw enough people talking about it that it seemed like sticking with the oil pump made more sense for me.
I recommend staying away from the oil-free. Once you run the cost of oil on what was their mid-range pump, it is quite reasonable. in 2 years we are still on our 1st case of oil, and we do not skimp on the oil changes.
Hey Commander Z! Welcome to the family. I also have a small as I am now single and starting over at 66. I can cook 3-4 dozen eggs at a time and 5 pounds of lean hamburger. I have to try the candy mode very soon.
A friend of mine’s neighbor has a side business freeze drying candy and it does well enough that she has three of the large ones now. I missed out on them at my local Costco but maybe they will get them in again.
We have a medium, premium oil pump. Paid for itself in the first year ….. Not only do we FD eggs (raw, dozen per package), whole milk (quart), cooked chicken breasts, cooked ground venison; but also left-overs. I FD berry mix, grind afterwards, and add to pemmican.
Hint – get a 2nd set of trays. Freeze product in between FD runs. I’m already running the freezers, so no need to extend the FD process by freezing. We also add 12 hours to every load to ensure complete dryness.
Check out YT videos from “Homesteading Family” and “Retired at 40” videos for a slew of good information.
Good advise. It’s what we do. We actually have several sets of trays with lids.
One of those has been on the list since they came out.
Looking forward to future reports.
We got a medium sized one 2 years ago. Compared to commercial canned products we had recovered our money in 5 months. The only problem we’ve had is a broken value that was less than $20 to replace. Because of costs, we primarily freeze dry proteins (beef, chicken, eggs) but have done some fruits and veggies. I really like what it has enabled us to do with our “prepper pantry”.
My local Costco has the medium. The freeze dried Costco chicken breast is awesome.
I use a plain old food dryer to make dog treats – slices of apples, carrots, etc. The dogs love them.
I need to use my freeze drier more….just to see what can be done with it. Freeze dried pineapple is excellent…Pitted Flathead cherries are great too.
While I do not own a FD, 2 of my brothers do and I have worked with them to stockpile our pantries.
I have read several times now where people are suggesting freezing food first to speed up the process. The reason FD food is so “good” is the way that the food is frozen as the moisture is removed. Freezing food in a freezer first, breaks down the cell walls and reduces the quality that FD brings to the product – eliminating one of the key benefits.
Since I am no expert, please research this before you use it as a method to speed up the FD process.