[ActionJackson]

Well ... it appears that Harvest Right has some new competition, and this new unit seems to have improved upon Harvest Right's products. I'm not planning on getting rid of my Harvest Right, and I'm perfectly happy with it, but if I were just now entering the market searching for a new freeze dryer ... I'd give this new product a serious look:

The CUBE Home Food Freeze Dryer | Prep4 Life

At Prep4 Life, we make The Cube home freeze dryer, which is the most efficient drying chamber on the market. Freeze drying food at home has never been easier!

p4lfood.com

Comes with an oil free pump which is built into the unit. Also comes with a rolling cart. Square (cubed) freezing chamber. New technology tells you when the food is completely dry. The Harvest Right doesn't always get the food 100% dry without some additional drying time.

But the price is pretty high at $4495.00.

 

[NY Min]

Hmm. Unlike HarvestRight that will just offload the freight truck at your address, they are offering inside delivery to room of your choice. That probably accounts for some of the price difference (along with the internal oil-free pump).

 

[lowlife]

Glad they have hopefully some legit competition, anything new I usually shy away from until bugs are worked out. The pump built in is convenient but I wonder if it's a "special" pump that requires a special price if replacement is needed. I dont mind my pump outside. Out of sight out of mind isn't always a good thing. Hope it works well,

 

[ActionJackson]

Glad they have hopefully some legit competition, anything new I usually shy away from until bugs are worked out. The pump built in is convenient but I wonder if it's a "special" pump that requires a special price if replacement is needed. I dont mind my pump outside. Out of sight out of mind isn't always a good thing. Hope it works well,

Even Harvest Right offers an "oil free" pump, but it's almost as expensive and the freeze dryer, itself. And replacing any of Harvest Right's pumps (I believe they offer three kinds) will be costly. I have the low maintenance pump. And as much drying as I've done ... I haven't had to change the oil even once since I bought it around a year ago.

 

[justanothergunnut]

I don't understand the issues with having to change the oil. I have a premium pump and its about as simple a process as can be.

 

[ActionJackson]

I don't understand the issues with having to change the oil. I have a premium pump and its about as simple a process as can be.

I bought a pump that I expected would need an oil change far more often. For some reason ... my pump oil is as clear as it was the first day I used the system. So I don't think it's an issue with everyone, but some people don't want to take the time, or they don't want to have another thing to monitor, or they don't want the expense of buying oil.

 

[justanothergunnut]

like I said.. I hear your possible objections I just don't find them to be a concern. The oil is cheap compared to the added cost of a oil free pump and it takes about 3 minutes to change the oil. To each his own. For me its a total non issue

 

[Aceoky]

I "think" a major "sticking point" for some folks is the concern if they cannot get the required oil when they need it .

Just my opinion/thoughts

 

[KoolAde2]

I "think" a major "sticking point" for some folks is the concern if they cannot get the required oil when they need it .

Just my opinion/thoughts

what is is special about the Oil being used in that pump. What 10W non foaming

 

[44 Guy]

Even Harvest Right offers an "oil free" pump, but it's almost as expensive and the freeze dryer, itself. And replacing any of Harvest Right's pumps (I believe they offer three kinds) will be costly. I have the low maintenance pump. And as much drying as I've done ... I haven't had to change the oil even once since I bought it around a year ago.

What are you talking about?
An oil free pump is nowhere near as much as a medium, or large, a quite a bit less than a small freeze dryer.
That being said in 1.5 years I've changed my oil once and filtered twice. My usage is nearly 7 days a week with some time down for defrosting, a few hours in the summer, a day or so in the winter (unheated garage).

 

[ActionJackson]

What are you talking about?
An oil free pump is nowhere near as much as a medium, or large, a quite a bit less than a small freeze dryer.
That being said in 1.5 years I've changed my oil once and filtered twice. My usage is nearly 7 days a week with some time down for defrosting, a few hours in the summer, a day or so in the winter (unheated garage).

Oil Free Pump
$1,695

Premier Vacuum Pump
$795

Standard Oil Vacuum Pump
$295

I paid a little more than $2000.00 for my freeze dryer. The oil free pump is $1695.00. Pretty expensive.


So I realize I'm not as bright as you are, but (according to the above) my eyes don't lie. $1695.00 isn't pocket change for most of us.

Accessories | Harvest Right™ | Home Freeze Dryers | Freeze Dried Food Storage

harvestright.com

 

[ActionJackson]

like I said.. I hear your possible objections I just don't find them to be a concern. The oil is cheap compared to the added cost of a oil free pump and it takes about 3 minutes to change the oil. To each his own. For me its a total non issue

The key phrase is that "you don't find them to be a concern," but, apparently, others do. Their concerns aren't my concerns. Like I said ... I bought a pump that DOES require oil. But I am pleasantly surprised that I haven't had to change it yet. It's still very clear and appears to have a long life ahead of it.

 

[ActionJackson]

what is is special about the Oil being used in that pump. What 10W non foaming

I think it's basically food grade (meaning that it can be used in and around the food industry), mineral oil. But it's by no means for human consumption. All three containers that I own call it "pump oil."

 

[KoolAde2]

Oil Free Pump
$1,695

View attachment 508652




Premier Vacuum Pump
$795

View attachment 508653




Standard Oil Vacuum Pump
$295

View attachment 508654



I paid a little more than $2000.00 for my freeze dryer. The oil free pump is $1695.00. Pretty expensive.


So I realize you think I'm as dumb as a rock, but (according to the above) my eyes don't lie.

Accessories | Harvest Right™ | Home Freeze Dryers | Freeze Dried Food Storage

harvestright.com

Educate me on what makes the Vacuum pumps so special. I have quite a few Packaging Machines that use a Vacuum to pull a vacuum to move film or make a Pocket (think chicken in heavy plastic). These Vacuum pumps are being used any where from 8 to 24 hours with minimum down time to change material etc. Yes some of them use Oil and a few don't.
I have machines that pull a vacuum to evacuate existing O2 and replace it with Nitrogen.

 

[KoolAde2]

I think it's basically food grade (meaning that it can be used in and around the food industry), mineral oil. But it's by no means for human consumption. All three containers that I own call it "pump oil."

All the machines I listed above are used in Food Production for packaging and most are SKF3 facilities.

ProSeal Lidding Machine

 

[ActionJackson]

Educate me on what makes the Vacuum pumps so special. I have quite a few Packaging Machines that use a Vacuum to pull a vacuum to move film or make a Pocket (think chicken in heavy plastic). These Vacuum pumps are being used any where from 8 to 24 hours with minimum down time to change material etc. Yes some of them use Oil and a few don't.
I have machines that pull a vacuum to evacuate existing O2 and replace it with Nitrogen.

I know a little bit about the science behind the freeze dryer vacuum pumps, but I'm by no means an expert. As the food is frozen to -17° below zero (approximately) the pump pulls air, moisture, and even small bits of food from the freezing chamber. As the food warms up ... it releases its water content through evaporation and the pump sucks it out. You're left with dry and crispy food. The food retains more than 90% of its nutritional value, but is extremely lightweight and easy to store in Mylar bags. I add oxygen absorbers and desiccants to the Mylar bags to minimize oxygen levels and any possible moisture that the machine might have missed.

 

[KoolAde2]

I know a little bit about the science behind the freeze dryer vacuum pumps, but I'm by no means an expert. As the food is frozen to -17° below zero (approximately) the pump pulls air, moisture, and even small bits of food from the freezing chamber. As the food warms up ... it releases it water content through evaporation and the pump sucks it out. You're left with dry and crispy food. The food retains more than 90% of its nutritional value, but is extremely lightweight and easy to store in Mylar bags. I add oxygen absorbers and desiccants to the Mylar bags to minimize oxygen levels and any possible moisture that the machine might have missed.

It would seem to me that any of the Vacuum pumps I have seen in use would do that as none of the Machines that are using a Vacuum aren't used in a Dry area. Lots of Moister and food particles
Though the process is quite quick and certainty are looking to dry anything. I will check with a Guy the Company hired from Proseal and English company

 

[ActionJackson]

It would seem to me that any of the Vacuum pumps I have seen in use would do that as none of the Machines that are using a Vacuum aren't used in a Dry area. Lots of Moister and food particles
Though the process is quite quick and certainty are looking to dry anything. I will check with a Guy the Company hired from Proseal and English company

For me ... the process of drying the food that I dry (which almost always contains meat) take a little longer than 24 hours. It's a completely sealed system, so it works well even on a humid day.

 

[44 Guy]

Oil Free Pump
$1,695

View attachment 508652




Premier Vacuum Pump
$795

View attachment 508653




Standard Oil Vacuum Pump
$295

View attachment 508654



I paid a little more than $2000.00 for my freeze dryer. The oil free pump is $1695.00. Pretty expensive.


So I realize I'm not as bright as you are, but (according to the above) my eyes don't lie. $1695.00 isn't pocket change for most of us.

Accessories | Harvest Right™ | Home Freeze Dryers | Freeze Dried Food Storage

harvestright.com

Right now, on the harvest right website link You posted, if you get a medium machine, upgrading to an oil free pump is only $1495. Just select a medium freeze dryer and look at the pump options. I'm on my cell so I can't copy and paste.

Since the discussion centers around the cube coming with and oil free pump, quoting a new pump purchase for and existing machine is not a fair comparison. The price of a oil free pump with the purchase of a harvest right is the correct comparison.

THAT is , of course, unless my eyes are deceiving me.

 

[country_boy]

It would seem to me that any of the Vacuum pumps I have seen in use would do that as none of the Machines that are using a Vacuum aren't used in a Dry area. Lots of Moister and food particles
Though the process is quite quick and certainty are looking to dry anything. I will check with a Guy the Company hired from Proseal and English company

A vacuum pump on a freeze dry machine isn’t pumping air most of the time, it’s pumping water vapor. Lots rougher on the vacuum pump and oil.

We had a lab freeze dry machine in college that could condense some of the moisture back out to protect the pump- basically had an ultra low temperature evaporator coil just before the pump. If you put enough food in it the coil would be a block of ice at the end of a batch.