Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Reviews

I made the right choice in buying a Harvest Right Medium freeze dryer directly from Harvest Right. After calling into Harvest Right about some questions I had and needing some Tech support I knew I had bought a product from a company that really cared and wanted you to be happy with their product. They were supportive, professional, friendly and very knowledgeable in their product.

I have enjoyed freeze drying some of my garden goodies, the end results of drying were so yummy, great to snack on with a light crunchiness and packed with flavor. This is my new favorite way to preserve my garden surplus. Thank you Harvest Right !! and Thank you to all whom I dealt with in my quest to understand more. Dem

The Harvest Right is easy to use but it’s not plug-and-play. The capacity is amazing—I can run big batches without babysitting—but the XL does takes up a ton of space, and cycle times do vary depending on the product. Some runs go 40+ hours easy, even without overfilling the trays. But the end product is always great quality. Just know the learning curve is real but once you get past that you’ll love it!

I’ve had mind for over 4 years and it works so well I ended up purchasing 2 more.

Customer service has improved a great deal, though. Loved working with Victoria! Harvest Right is definitely investing on their staff and listening to their customers.

We recently bought the medium Harvest Right Freeze Dryer with room for five trays. We've been reluctant to spend the money, but last year we simply couldn't consume all the fruits and vegetables we managed to harvest from our garden. We would vacuum seal and freeze what we could, but it was never a good solution, so this year we took the plunge.

In the end, we've been impressed by how simple is was to get up and going. Everything we needed was in the box, and it took us longer to drive home from the store than it took to get it unpacked and up and freezer drying. We've been running tests with fruits and vegetables, trying to be purposeful in freeze drying what we most often use for cooking, but to keep it simple until we get our sea legs under us; peas, carrots, corn, zucchini, etc.

Yes, it's an investment, and if your plan is to use it just to freeze dry Skittles, save you money because you're underutilizing this incredible machine. It's like buying an iPad to play Angry Birds. But if you find yourself interested, but concerned about cost, just start adding up all the money you toss away when you throw out food you could have otherwise easily saved.

The customer support and sense of community with this company has been amazing so far. There was a cosmetic issue with my freeze dryer when I got it and I was worried it would affect the use.

I contacted customer support and they ensured me it was perfectly safe to use, then held my hand while I tried to get it going to make sure everything was right. I'm actually really glad it had that issue, because they walked me through many other questions and concerns and just gave me complete peace of mind that everything was running as it was supposed to, and ensuring that I was set-up for success without any hesitation.

They shared resources and tips, they called, text and emailed, and checked in to make sure everything was going well, and were very patient when I said 'yes, but I'm still nervous, can I try something else', haha. They never once seemed irritated or annoyed while I nervously tried to get this going. While It's now only been a few weeks, I am so much more confident and excited to try making real food and preserving the goodies from my backyard garden. So far my kids are obsessed with the homemade yogurt bites, and that seems to be the only thing they want me to make, haha.

There is a Facebook group I discovered after dealing with the customer support, where Harvest Right is actively engaging with users, answering questions, and offering feedback. They have made themselves available via so many avenues, and it just gives me a great sense of relief that I know others have questions, and Harvest Right has answers with zero judgement and a smile on their faces.

The only thing better than our Harvest Right freeze dryers (one large and one medium) is their customer service! We had a small functional issue with a new machine, and Amanda stayed with us, in contact daily, until it was resolved. Can't say enough about their customer support!

As for the freeze dryers themselves, they're such an amazing way to preserve foods for future use. The freeze dried foods store easily, and retain both quality and nutrients.

Some of our favorite foods to freeze dry...watermelon slices (the flavor of a watermelon Jolly Rancher with the texture of cotton candy), cucumber slices sprinkled with dry ranch dressing mix, sliced tomatoes (great crumbled on salads or grilled cheese sandwiches), apple slices dusted with cinnamon, and casseroles or soups or sauces (chicken and rice, chicken and dumplings, chili, spaghetti sauce, lasagna chunks, etc.)

Basically, we no longer have food waste! All leftovers go into the freezer until we can run them in the freeze dryer. Produce that isn't eaten quickly as fresh is also freeze dried before it goes bad. Any foods we find on clearance or on a big sale are purchased in bulk and preserved for later. The machine pays for itself fairly quickly!

We've been using our Harvest Right freeze dryer for over a year now, and it's just as amazing today as it was on day one! The functionality is top-notch, and the quality of the freeze-dried foods we make is outstanding.

We did run into a slight issue with the machine, but Harvest Right's customer service was phenomenal! Their support team went above and beyond, far surpassing what we've experienced from other companies. They truly stand by their product, and that level of care makes all the difference.

I ran into some issues when I initially bought the freeze dryer and had three runs before it stopped working. I worked with technical support who was diligent in working with me to diagnose the problem.

Ultimately, the machine had to be sent back for repairs, but Harvest Right support was in contact with me the whole time, letting me know what to expect and what step in the process they were one. It was then repaired and shipped back to me, although got damaged in transit. I contacted Harvest Right again, who advised me to refuse the shipment and stated that they would make sure everything worked and replace the panels.

None of this was at cost to me and they handled it every step of the way. I have no had it back, and it works perfectly fine and is a great piece of machinery to have. It is great to have the ability to be able to preserve left over dinners, or food scraps you don't want to go to waste, or pretty much anything you can think of. I would recommend getting one to have, even if you end up getting one of the small ones.

As a newbie to the whole freeze drying process (8 weeks), we are thrilled for what we accomplished so far. We purchased a Large 6-tray unit with the XL Premier pump. Our primary reasons for purchasing a Harvest Right freeze dryer were both food security and the nutritional benefits.

Even though our initial FD unit had a mechanical issue, Harvest Right was quick to get a complete replacement to us. The technical support from Harvest Right is awesome. Lizbeth was so easy to work with, I cannot thank her enough.

If you are thinking about purchasing a Harvest Right freeze dryer, I’m confident that you won’t regret the decision. We should have done it years ago.

I have the medium Harvest Right and am loving it so far! I bought it mainly with the intention of preserving food from the harvest season on my families homestead farm.

My boyfriend and I are also very outdoorsy(hunting, fishing, camping) and planned to make homemade freeze dried meals to take with us. So far we’ve done lots of fruit and a bunch of leftovers. I wasn’t expecting it to save us from wasting as much food as it has so far. So much of our leftovers that have would have gone to waste we’ve been able to turn into healthy freeze dried meals that are shelf stable. We’ve also saved lots of fruit from getting tossed.

One thing we didn’t initially realize is that we would need to have electrical work done so that we could have the machine on a dedicated 15amp circuit.

Overall, super happy with the decision to invest in one! Only wish we had gotten the large!

Owning a Harvest Right freeze dryer has been an incredible experience. While my unit arrived with a minor issue, I was thoroughly impressed with how well Harvest Right handled it—their technical support team is top-notch and truly stands behind their product.

The freeze dryer itself is built with high-quality components and features an updated software interface. I highly recommend the optional app for remote monitoring and control—it's a game-changer.

Some must-have accessories include the silicone mats, which make cleanup quick and easy, and the tray lids, which are perfect for covering trays and stacking them in the freezer before drying. These additions make the process smoother and more efficient from start to finish.

I’m also amazed by the unit's capacity, especially for liquids. Each tray held nearly a half gallon, allowing us to freeze dry about 2.5 gallons of milk in one batch!

If you're serious about food preservation, do yourself a favor and invest in a Harvest Right. It’s a unique and worthwhile addition to any kitchen.

My neighbor and I purchased the large freeze dryer at the same time, they arrived a few days apart. Hers worked perfectly but I had a few problems. The first freeze dryer worked for the bread run and then I ran strawberries. The next run after that the compressor stopped working. I got in contact with the tech rep and after sending videos, pictures, etc. we sent it back and they sent me a brand new one.

The new one made it through the bread test and then the compressor failed again, I reached out to the same tech Chet Sampson and he did an excellent job of staying on top of the problem and replaced the second freeze dryer.

The third freeze dryer arrived and Yes, I was extremely hesitant to get excited about it. I felt it was my fault but the technical representative Chet Sampson called and checked in to make sure all was going well and reassured me that it wasn't my fault. I have ran 4 batches now in my freeze dryer and things are going well. I believe we have a winner now!

I highly recommend this company for their salesman (Brent Johnson), technical Support (Chet Sampson) and the way Harvest Right does stand behind their product, the freeze dryer is American Made and I am proud to own one.

I worked for 10+ years for a local manufacturer and they believed American Made was the Best. They also stood behind their slogan that Failure was Not an option.

I believe in Harvest Right Products and Highly Recommend their Large Freeze Dryer!

We received our Harvest Right freeze dryer just a couple of weeks ago. The instructions and communication from the company about shipping and receipt were extremely thorough and detailed, up to a literal unboxing video to watch before it arrives.

We contacted customer support twice already, and had very good experiences. The door didn’t appear to seal properly when first delivered, so we contacted customer support. They sent very helpful instructions on adjusting the door hinge. The second was when the bread batch wouldn’t complete, even after more than two days. We had a great experience with detailed steps and sending photos for review. Reseating the plug on the back of the rack did the trick, and we’ve put up our first finished batch!

The system is very simple and user-friendly, and even allows a degree of customization. We’re about to try the candy setting, which my granddaughters will find very gratifying.

got my freeze dryer couple months ago and I'm obsessed. It's been running 24/7 since I got it. Having so much fun with it, freeze drying everything in sight, I'm trying to save money for the future by stocking up as well for camping and for motorhome traveling and the apocalypse. I made a few mistakes

along the way so make sure you watch videos on how to care for it, and use it properly. I wasn't defrosting it between uses (didn't know )so I had build up ice and it stopped working properly. Got a hold of customer service and they are freaking amazing, Chet The repair guy worked with me on the phone. Sent me videos talked me through what to do and we figured out what I was doing wrong. He was sending me email information, videos, calls backs to see how everything was going follow-ups so their serviced is amazing. I absolutely recommend getting one. It takes a while for each batch to get done and for impatient people like me, I hate waiting but it's so fun and worth it. So easy to set up and clean. Just make sure you click the cords back together tightly That was one of my problems. You have to click it in tight. Buy it, buy it? Buy it? Yes it's expensive but it's worth.

The Harvest Right freeze dryer stands out as one of the most popular and accessible options for small-scale, at-home lyophilization. After extended use, this unit demonstrates a solid mix of engineering quality, ease of operation, and thoughtful design, although there are a few notable compromises in terms of component quality and support.

Pros:

• High-Quality Vacuum Pump: The included vacuum pump delivers strong, consistent negative pressure essential for the sublimation process. Vacuum levels stabilize quickly and remain within spec throughout batch cycles, ensuring reliable drying without requiring constant oversight.

• Stainless Steel Construction: The primary chamber, shelves, and structural components are manufactured from high-grade stainless steel. This enhances durability, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance—key factors in repeated freeze/thaw cycles.

• User-Friendly Interface: The touchscreen controller is intuitive, offering automatic and custom cycle modes. Users can monitor vacuum levels, temperature, and process stages in real-time, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced operators.

• Ease of Maintenance: Routine maintenance is minimal. The oil-based pump does require periodic oil changes and filter cleanings, but these are straightforward. System diagnostics and firmware updates are also accessible via USB.

• Efficient Batch Processing: Batch cycle times are reasonable, typically ranging from 24–36 hours depending on product density and moisture content. The thermal profile is well-calibrated to avoid over-drying or case hardening, especially with proper pre-freezing.

Cons:

• Mobility Constraints: The unit is heavy and lacks integrated mobility solutions. At over 100 pounds (depending on model), relocation requires significant effort or a dedicated cart system.

• Inconsistent Internal Components: While the structure is robust, several electrical and PCB components appear to be budget-grade. Relay failures and display glitches have been reported within the first year of operation in some units.

• Short Warranty Period: For a product in this price category, the one-year limited warranty is underwhelming. Extended warranties are available but come at an additional cost.

• Paid Technical Support Post-Warranty: Once outside of the warranty window, users are required to pay for technical assistance, which is a downside for a machine with expected long-term use and a price tag in the multi-thousand-dollar range.

Conclusion:

The Harvest Right freeze dryer delivers professional-grade results for small-batch applications with a user-focused design and strong mechanical components. However, potential buyers should be aware of some of the cost-cutting in electronic components and the limited support structure. It's a highly capable machine, but not without its engineering compromises.

I love my Harvest Right freeze dryers! I started using a Large freeze dryer in Feb 2022 and loved it so much that I added the XL freeze dryer in May 2023. Both are running almost 24/7. Favorites are fruits (strawberries, mango, raspberries, bananas, pineapples and apples), vegetables (corn, mashed potatoes, peppers, onions and herbs) and meals (taco meat, soups, pasta dishes, sauces, and lasagna). We use the food for quick meals at home or work, camping trips to the mountains, canoe trips and gifts to family and friends.

Excellent customer service! The team members are very helpful in solving any problems I had. They were patient and very helpful. I would highly recommend investing in a Harvest Right freeze dryer!

Happy with the (replacement) unit. Very unhappy with customer service and online systems.

The first unit died during its fourth run. Compressor cut in and out repeatedly and did not cool. I tried to use the online form, which I eventually found does not allow punctuation in the text boxes. Really?

Never heard back from that submission. My wife found an online forum with someone who walked through the basics and then set us up with an appointment to talk to someone at HR.

They decided it needed to be replaced. Great. But due to seasonal road restrictions, we had to go to the FedEx depot to do that. When we got there, they didn't have paperwork for the return, as it had been sent to one person who was not working when I arrived. An hour on the phone and they could not fix it, so had to take the unit home and go back the next day.

Both units failed to register with the QR code, saying the CPU number, which it pulled from the QR code, was wrong.

So the unit if great. The service form is broken, customer service is difficult to obtain, follow through is iffy, and you can't register by QR code.