Freeze Drying Digest

[TJAnonymous]

Look for space up high. The stuff you rarely use can go where you need a step stool to get it.

Under things, as @WthrLady said, are good places too. We made a pantry under the stairs down to the basement. Several years ago, hubby built a bookshelf/wall to enclose the stairs to the second floor, so that we could close it off in the winter to save on heat.

Make a list/map of where things are if they're out of sight in odd places.

"Now where the heck is my thermoschnook? I know I put it away, but I can't find it anywhere!"

I wish I had a basement... You have no idea! I've ever looked into building a root cellar but it simply isn't possible on this property. We are on a ridge but bedrock is only 2-3 feet AT BEST below grade. And we don't slope enough to build up anywhere... Not to mention we have old growth hardwood EVERYWHERE close to the house and out buildings.

I do have some built-ins that I can leverage a few feet of space here and there... Might have underbed storage in the guest room/my office. Mine is already being utilized...

Maybe that's what I will do tonight... Clear out everything and re-organize.

 

[WthrLady]

Great idea about the supplies, soaps, etc...

We have a little breakfast nook area that has a farm table in it. We don't eat there and it acts as a catch-all for stuff as we come in from outside. I went looking for some cabinets that would fit underneath as a space idea but didn't find much. Most cabinets are built for 36" height and I've only got 25" of clearance. I DO have some of those bed frame lifters which I can use to raise the table another 6" or so. So that's an idea....

Repackaging.... You mean like canned goods? I do have some boxed goods too but most is canned or stuff I've canned.

I mean like I'm moving things from the canning shelves, freeze drying them, and those go somewhere that don't require heavy duty shelving, like the wet jars.

 

[Sally PB]

Corners can be useable space. A triangular shelf in a corner can go all the way to the ceiling.

 

[WthrLady]

I just put 24 ice cream sandwiches-cut into quarters in the freezer on trays, and 3 trays of divided cereal bars - mini Reese's balls, cocoa pebbles, and fruity pebbles.
I'm getting a box ready for a July scout outing.
All that will go into the FDer tomorrow.
OH and I saw this at Walgreens today....insane!

 

[TJAnonymous]

I just put 24 ice cream sandwiches-cut into quarters in the freezer on trays, and 3 trays of divided cereal bars - mini Reese's balls, cocoa pebbles, and fruity pebbles.
I'm getting a box ready for a July scout outing.
All that will go into the FDer tomorrow.
OH and I saw this at Walgreens today....insane!
View attachment 3859359

Funny! DH really wants some FD Skittles so I guess that will be in the next batch after my zucchini is done later this afternoon.

 

[WthrLady]

Follow the candy cycle and it skips the freeze portion, and I've heard people warming them in the oven first.
- I don't do candy, so I'm no help at all there.
My run after this one is spaghetti and sauce.
The dividers are awesome!

 

[TJAnonymous]

This is my little closet pantry where I keep excess food. It was jam-packed full yesterday. Every shelf... And while I started with an organizational process, I'd abandoned it long ago and started shoving things wherever I could find space.

So last night, I dragged it all out and organized it by type (veggies, dry goods, meat, etc...). I moved out some of the canned goods (soups, beans, etc) to another location.

I still have more to do because I need space to put the FD stuff... Or maybe just get a basket or something. Those 5 gallon buckets are also loaded with stuff... I have 5 or 6 of those to go through too...

 

[TJAnonymous]

OK, now I'm annoyed. I finished my last load (zucchini) about 4 hours ago. I picked No Defrost, figuring it would defrost naturally. It still is completely frozen over... And there's no settings to allow you to defrost on demand? Also, I have my valve open but what has defrosted so far is running in a stream out of the front of the machine (and making a big mess). It's not going down to drain tube at all...

 

[WthrLady]

OK, now I'm annoyed. I finished my last load (zucchini) about 4 hours ago. I picked No Defrost, figuring it would defrost naturally. It still is completely frozen over... And there's no settings to allow you to defrost on demand? Also, I have my valve open but what has defrosted so far is running in a stream out of the front of the machine (and making a big mess). It's not going down to drain tube at all...

Ok so grab a level and see if your machine is tipped to the front. I have 1/4" pieces of wood under my front feet to make sure it is fully, but only slightly tipped towards the drain hole.

Yes, it is defrosting naturally, it takes a while. When my ice sheets break free from the sides I pull them out and toss them in the yard.
It will defrost naturally unless you pick defrost, which is a heated process.

It is a VERY dense ice sheet and does take a while to thaw. If you want to speed that up, you can open the door and point a fan to the inside.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Thanks... I did that. Pulled the shelving out and had to wrestle the ice off but managed to get it.

I also put a level on the top. It's actually tilted to the back already. I still put some domed washers under the front to raise it up just a tad more. Still seems to be draining out the front though.

Oh..
And after watching this video below, I will NOT be doing a Skittle batch. Or ANYTHING with palm kernel oil in it.