Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Reviews

We don't like our freeze dryer it came with old pump and we have to change oil every 5 runs.

I've had my medium-sized freeze dryer for 2 years now. Have had an issue with vacuum pressure and really got discouraged with it. I finally broke down and got service team on it. First thing they recommended was to update the software. I was really hesitant about because have been hearing bad things about the update. Figures what the hell can't hurt to try it since machine isn't working anyhow

First batch after update finished great did another and same thing finished great.

Having some issues with my less than two year old Harvest Right freeze dryer. I'm a little disappointed to be having issues with such a young machine but they are very sophisticated, The service department has been working hard to get my machine up and running. Been very pleased with their efforts.

Harvest right freeze dryers don't come with much of a user's manual as far as specifics on processing foods and how the freeze dryer cycle timing works so I had a number of batches not dry to the crisp snap you are supposed to achieve. I called customer service and had someone very helpful to work with who also created an account for me so we could reference our conversations later if I needed a technician to work with me specifically on my issues. They were able to answer my questions and I was able to have some success in my next batches!

After 5 years of research and wanting a HR FD I decided to take the plunge and get one in July. After I got it I received an email about the new PRO versions, I called to find out thats what they sent me, they have great customer service and look out for their customers. My first batch went for 48 hours so i called to find out I had to do a software update, JC walked me through getting it loaded. I’m looking forward to many years of use and lots of wonderful freeze dried foods. I have health issues and have to eat organic so this way i know i can store up my healthy food. There’s tons of great videos online to watch help with the do´s and don'ts and lots of great suggestions. I’d highly recommend a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer!!

I received my Medium Freeze Dryer in Aug and have done 36 loads. I had put in a ticket because my bottom tray was not getting as warm as the rest. Jacqueline was my tech and I received excellent service from her. I send my log to her. I had assumed because it was closest to the ice is why it did not get as warm. Jacqueline made sure I was satisfied and told me to let her know if I needed more assistance.

I would recommend Harvest Right freeze dryer to friends. Thank you for the prompt service I received.

I really liked the Harvest Right salesperson whom I placed the order through. He was very friendly, competent, and professional.

I have found my Harvest Right Freeze Drier to be a solidly built machine that someone has put a lot of thought into.

I like the fact that there is redundancy built into the machine. When my heater relay failed, there was a way for me to use the drain relay to get the machine back up and running. Which was awesome!

The Harvest Right tech that I spoke to was lovely to speak to and quite helpful.

Things that could be improved:

1. When dealing with international clients in different time zones, choose a tech whose work hours best match the client's time zone.

2. If you say you are going to call a client on a specific phone number at a specific time use the method that you say you're going to use, or at least give the client a heads up that you may email them instead. That way they probably won't miss the appointment.

3. Asking a client for the same unchanged files 3 times is probably not ideal.

Overall though, based on my experience to date, I do really like Harvest Right as a company, and I love my machine. If I had my life to live over again I would happily buy from them again.

I purchased my medium Harvest Right with the premier pump directly from the company in late 2020. The first two years I used it almost non-stop with cleaning as needed and oil changes after every 20-25 batches and encountered very little, if any problems with it. I was very pleased.

Then I began having “inadequate vacuum” errors popping up and incomplete batches. I spent about 8 months trying to self-diagnosis and self-repair by following suggestions provided by my HR manual and Facebook groups. I would have several more successful batches, and then the same error pop up off and on.

Finally contacted HR for tech support and they immediately wanted me to update to their newest software version, which I really didn’t believe was the problem when it had run fine for the first 2 years with the original version, but in order to receive any further help, it seemed that was the first step for free. Then when that didn’t solve my problem, $45 was required to receive help from a real tech support person since I was out of the 1 year warranty period. My husband is a service person, and $45 isn’t bad, as long as they stick with you till the problem is solved, which they promised to do and did.

All in all, this whole process took about a month of sending log files back and forth, doing minor things, mock batches and function tests and resending log files. For a person like me who is not very tech or computer -savvy, it was a big challenge, but I eventually saw the pattern and figured out the process. It seemed to me that the tech support has pressure on them to close the tickets quickly, because by the end of the week, I was always being asked if they could close my ticket,, but was given the option to re-open it if needed within 30 days without an additional charge, which seemed fair. I just didn’t like them being in a hurry to want to call it “good” when I had only done two good batches and nothing more had been done other than update the software or change the oil again. Finally, as I suspected, replacing the vacuum sensor tube was suggested. It took about a week to get it, but my tech person sent me a video of how to install it and I’ve had six successful batches in the past few weeks ever since and the best vacuum pump readings (mTorrs) ever. I do wish I could revert back to my original software which made the process go faster, but they say that’s impossible.

As far as my tech support went, the two persons I dealt with were polite and professional, but time lapses between communication was initially very slow sometimes taking a week before I heard anything back and that seemed to be after I sent a reminder email. I was pleased that when my tech support was challenged by the inconsistent results of my function tests and batch attempts, that, upon request, she reached out to her supervisor for recommendations and finally recommended the part that ended up being what I needed. She could’ve had me spending money on numerous other parts that would’ve not solved the problem, but was cautious and finally recommended the needed part that my husband and I had thought it probably was all along. I appreciated her patience and professionalism with me after I had sent her several emails expressing my frustration in how long it was taking to diagnose. The last several contacts with her were unscheduled phone calls she made to me checking up on my progress, informing me she would be out of the office for few days and her date of return, and letting me know that if once she closed my ticket, that I was welcome to contact her with any additional issues. I appreciated those personal phone calls.

Needless to say, I am back being a happy camper again and am keeping very busy catching up on all the garden harvest I was storing up in my freezer waiting for the day when my freeze dryer was working again. Since I had completed almost 200 batches in the 2 years of trouble free freeze drying, I really don’t believe that’s a bad record at all! Every appliance used for that many hours almost every day is going to need periodic maintenance and parts replaced now and then. I do hope some day Harvest Right could train enough tech support to do house calls so the users wouldn’t have to do so much self-diagnosing, but I believe with the increased demand for freeze dryers and the recent competitors in the market, they are trying to make those improvements as quickly as possible.

Had the FD up and running on day of delivery about 17 months ago. Have a small garden for produce but have ventured out to FD meats, meals, dairy and a host of other things. After about 5 months of use ran into a problem which I solved by updating the firmware. Been working OK since. It really helps if you are a 'hands on' type person for maintenance as you can avoid going the time consuming process of the tech support route. Tons of online video how to resources to expand your FD knowledge. I suggest you do some homework here prior to…

It has been a wonderful machine for the most part and has preserved a lot of food at high quality. However, the technology is new, and they are still getting bugs out. Also we have had some issues with motor failure and having to replace it way more often than should be, and spotty customer service with some telling us the warranty was a year when it was only 6 months. Overall, through we've been happy.

I bought the Harvest Right 5 tray 2 ½ years ago. I wish I would have upgraded to the premier vacuum pump at that time. I have run at least a hundred batches on the original vacuum pump and wore it out. I just upgraded to the primer pump.

I do suggest a good surge protector, I think I got hit by a surge after a power outage which took out my thermostat sensor which I just replaced my self (Harvest Right sold me the sensor $3). My first batch had a drying time issue (11) which I think could also be an issue of the surge.

Support at Harvest Right was great to work with =) They helped me upgrade my software and we very patent with me having to run from the computer to the freeze dryer, but the update went without a hitch.

I’m here to say that my Harvest Right freeze drier is one of my very best investments. Now that I’ve had it 17 months, I can still say things are going smoothly. My poor machine probably wishes I’d give it a break.

I am most happy with my FD and no regrets.

I see people who complain, but keep in mind USER ERROR. SADLY, based on what I read on FB, many many customers have NOT even read the manual. Their lack of success is VERY often due to lack of educating themselves, FIRST.

I have had my medium freeze dryer for a month now and it has not stopped running since I bought it. My husband was not 100% on board until he tasted the reconstituted foods. I would say he's a fan now. I hate wasting food and am so excited with the prospect of increasing the shelf life. I had a little issue with my impulse sealer right out of the box, but Greg at Harvest Right made that good immediately. He even called to let me know a new one was on the way. So far, so good Harvest Right! I look forward to a long relationship with my new freeze dryer.

After purchasing my Harvestright Freeze dryer, I read the manual several times due to being an "older" woman I just needed re-assurance I was doing the right steps. I called their customer service line several times asking different questions each time. Guessing they could tell I was older they were so patient and gracious with me, someone who dont understand technology so well. They assured me I could do this by following each step on the screen, just as it says. They were on the phone with me for a while but I now preserve almost everything this way. From my own garden harvest, to good deals at the grocery stores and even candy for the local school fundraisers.

I LOVE my Harvest Right Freeze Dryer

I've had my Harvest Right Freeze Dryer (FD) since late 2020 but due to Covid and getting an electrician to put in a dedicated 220V electrical outlet, I didn't really begin using it until the New Year. I've been using it ever since. I've had a few seemingly minor problems (one required an electrician only because I would have no idea how to wire in new parts) but Harvest Right customer service is excellent; they send any necessary parts and walk you through what you need to do. They helped get my FD back up and running. Harvest Right technical support agents are very accessible, friendly, knowledgeable, professional and PATIENT! Often, they can tell you what's wrong from your description of the problem, but if not, the FD has a computer port where you can download onto a jump drive the history of use with all the times, temperatures and such. With that information, they can diagnose problems. My only regret is that I didn't know about Harvest Right until just before I purchased my FD! I wish I'd had one YEARS ago! Oh my... the hours I put in when canning season came around. It was awful. This is so much easier! I so appreciate Harvest Right and their freeze dryers. I hope I never have to be without one! They are awesome. I would recommend a Harvest Right FD to anyone. Just do it! Just go buy one. You will love it! (I wish Harvest Right - with all their experience - would come out with a sort of "tried and true" food drying manual! I still feel like a novice in many respects and unsure about what foods can and can't be done - and how to do the ones that can be done! Also include how to rehydrate foods and use them! I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning!) Even without that, I give them 10 thumbs up! You won't be disappointed when purchasing a FD from Harvest Right!

I had my medium freeze dryer for about a month when it had an issue the person I talked to was very patient as we tried to figure out the problem. When it was determined that it couldn't be fixed at home they got me the shipping materials and got it shipped pretty fast. The shipping didn't cost me anything and they got it fixed and shipped back in a timely manner. It works great now. I love my freeze dryer and recommend getting one.

Called to arrange replacement of touch screen and USB board as per previous support recommendations. Technician indicated a new firmware was available since I last called and it had fixed some update problems. She sent me the firmware and stepped me through the sequence. This time the firmware did update and all went well. No need for new hardware and the high cost.

I bought my medium 4tray, HarvestRight Freeze Dryer about two years ago and have put it to the test. I belong to a Preppers group and most of them have purchased the freeze dried foods from different sources. After comparing what they paid for their products and the fact that not all of the prepackaged was as healthy as it could be, I decided it would be more beneficial to own mine own freeze dryer and make it healthy, what a great choice to get a HarvestRight. With the variety of stuff I was able to freeze dry, we decided to have a re-hydration party and they didn’t have to open the expensive stuff they bought. What a great time.

Many thanks to the HarvestRight crew, especially Brandon, who has helped with an issue that got me back in full swing again. I recommend HarvestRight to anyone who wants the easiest way to prepare food for long term storage.

Janet K

Have you been considering taking the plunge to purchase a Harvest Right Freeze Drier? Well, we did and liked it so much we ended up purchasing a second one. Now we have 2 large machines. We have ran so much food through the machines that would have had to remain in the freezer to not go bad. Now, after freeze drying and storing in mylar bags, refrigeration is no longer needed for these items. We have freeze dried so many things like salsa, Pico de Gallo, guacamole, meats (raw and cooked), whole meals, leftovers, ingredients, eggs, tomatoes, just to name some of the things. Canning or dehydrating items is good, but you lose some of the nutrition in the food doing those processes. Freeze drying foods is supposed to keep over 90% of the nutritional value compared to the other methods of storing food.

Practical application: Today for lunch we made chicken salad with the leftovers from a rotisserie chicken. We did not have any celery to put in it so we had some freeze dried raw celery in a vacuum sealed jar we added. Tasted just like if we had added fresh raw celery.

We took a trip up north and had brought freeze dried meals with us to save money and also not have to eat out. All we had to do was stop at a gas station and get hot water to add to the food and wait a bit for it to soak up the water. We ate a homecooked meal that did not require refrigeration! This would also be ideal for someone who camps or backpacks.

Do know if you purchase one, there is maintenance involved. Just like owning a house or car, there is maintenance! Just keep that in mind when purchasing.

I have only been using mine for about a week now, but the thick sliced garden fresh tomatoes i did turned out great.( My wife even enjoyed the taste and texure of them). I put some in the mylar bags with abosorbers for later use down the road. I have tried some samples at the store I purchased my machine from and they have been very tasty and light. (sliced apple with carmel on it, also zucchini withsome spices on it) VERY TASTY.

Very excited and happy with my new toy.