Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Reviews

I really like my Harvest Right freeze dryer and being able to preserve food for years in this manner.

This review is in response to help I received from Denisha on a relay board that went bad and gave me a mid-batch heat failure message. Denisha helped me for a few weeks to, first of all, figure out if the relay board was working right in regard to the heat failure. After determining that is was NOT working as it should, she ordered me a new relay board and sent instructions on how to install it. After I was able to get the relay board installed, Denisha had me do an "apple run" and found that everything was working as it should. Denisha called me several times during this process as well as emailing me. Thanks to Denisha for the great job she did on this issue and getting me up and running again!

We have had our Harvest Right Medium Freeze Dryer since July 2022. We have completed just short of 90 loads. The unit is not as plug and play as a TV. There is a learning curve involved with using and maintaining the unit.

We have only had 2 minor issues with our machine.

If you do any research, which I recommend, you will see that many people have had to replace the drain valve with a brass gas valve. We replaced ours early on as we believed that we would have to eventually. Very easy process with 2 wrenches.

We needed to update our software to the latest version. I called customer service and JT sent the files for the BETA version .24. It wouldn’t update so we had to call customer service again.

John was very helpful. He emailed us the latest stable version, .23. He suggested that that I install while he waited on the phone to make sure the updated files installed without any problems. He walked me through the process, which went very well.

Our machine runs 24 hours a day. It is sitting in our living room on a Husky workbench, right next to me. I am watching TV while it is running. Many people complain about how loud the machines are when running. We got the Premier Pump, which seems to be much quieter than the other options.

We are happy with our purchase. Everyone loves freeze dried ice cream, cheesecake bites and strawberries. We currently have 4-27 gallon totes full of freeze dried food including beef, eggs, vegetables, fruit and other items. A month or so ago we processed 200 pounds of potatoes. We freeze dried at least 150 pounds.

We vacuum seal our freeze dried food in Mylar bags. The shelf life is said to be between 25-30 years. When most freeze dried food is re-hydrated, it tastes exactly like it did when fresh. Surprisingly, most of the time the texture is the same as well. On many foods you would be hard pressed to tell the fresh from the re-hydrated freeze dried food.

When food is not re-hydrated, it can still be eaten. My 10 year old granddaughter calls them flavored Styrofoam. Many foods that are not re-hydrated, have the texture of Cheetos.

I received my HRFD (medium) as a Christmas present. I did not set it up until after Christmas. But as soon as I plugged it in I knew there was a problem, a big crack appeared on the touch screen. No crack on the outside glass but something was definitely wrong internally. I submitted an online ticket. HR staff was minimal during the Holidays but my ticket was resolved as soon as folks came back to work. I am assured that replacement part is being shipped and if tech support is needed for the repair it will be provided. I wish I had plugged it in as soon as it had been delivered. My fault for being sentimental. But HR is standing behind their name even though I delayed.

(I have to be honest though. There was mention of free oxygen absorbers if I wrote a review.)

We purchased a medium Harvest Right freeze dryer at the end of February 2022. Our first pleasant surprise was that it shipped faster than anticipated and arrived in great condition! Out of the box, everything worked wonderfully and we were able to get several loads done.

Due to unforeseen circumstances on our end, our freeze dryer sat unused for several months. When we started it back up this past November, we started to receive the dreaded Vacuum Error. I emailed my CS rep at Harvest Right who very quickly gave the Tech Support info. Within 24 hours of Tech Support receiving my ticket request I had a response back!

Our Tech Rep, Bobbie, has been amazing to say the least. She diagnosed our issue quickly and sent us all the necessary information. She was in contact with us on a regular basis through the entire process (including two different phone calls to walk us through everything). The issue has been resolved and Bobbie made sure to keep check on us until we were able to successfully run multiple loads in the freeze dryer.

Everyone has been very friendly & knowledgeable from Harvest Right! We are looking forward to many more loads going through the machine.

Like you, I am concerned about making expensive purchases online because once the purchase is received, too often there is little to nothing done to resolve warranty issues… and that is only IF you can even find a number or speak to any living person.

Harvest Right is different!

Monday PM (before midnight): Submitted service ticket

Tuesday AM (next morning)

8:15 AM Technician made contact and set up phone call for 10:15 AM

10:15 AM Technician called and reviewed problem

10:23 AM: Received email with software update and the problem was fixed!

11:42 AM Received followup email (and call) to ensure all is well

Where on earth can you find that level of service? I can tell you where… and I can also tell you where you will not find it. Yes, it pays to shop reputable companies in the USA (and Canada). Reputable companies like Harvest Right.

My review will be based on our Harvest Right customer service experience, as I have been delayed in using my new freeze dryer.

We purchased and picked up our medium freeze dryer in October at a local Tractor Supply store, after enthusiastic recommendation by a friend who had done the same. At home, we carefully removed the packing material which included nylon strapping securing the boxed unit to a small palette. The bottomless outer cardboard box was intact and undamaged except for a small hole poked in one side; this box simply slipped up and off.

We began to remove the foam surrounding the unit and immediately noticed a strange bend in the top front metal panel. I stopped at this point and called Harvest Right as the bright yellow sign taped to the inner plastic bag instructed (“STOP-Call Harvest Right with any inquiries”). They initially suggested sending a replacement panel. With some back-and-forth communication during continued opening and inspection, photos were emailed of other major damage to outer metal pieces, bent brackets, the door that would not seal, and the electronic display panel disconnected from its mount- all mysteriously inside an undamaged box.

Speculation of how this happened was unaddressed. It was just decided we return the unit to the store for replacement, which the store had offered to do from the start. Though we were inconvenienced in time and physical effort having to complete the exchange, Harvest Right did make it right in an expeditious way and, at my request, sent an extra box of mylar bags and absorbers. Based on other reviews, I don’t foresee any issues with function once in use, as it seems Harvest Right will stand behind their product.

I am still waiting to run an actual batch- customer service has been helpful. But I absolutely hate having to work on and do ‘fixes’ on a brand new product. I hope it is just the initial setup and doesn’t continue. Excited to start batches of useful foods.

I have an older model, Feb 2017, medium size, freeze dryer with the older oil pump. I have used the freeze dryer to freeze dry multiple different types of foods and so far, it's been a good addition to canning and dehydrating. I don't particularly care for the older oil pump and have recently ordered a newer premier pump and a large freeze dryer.

If you have the money, and are willing to put in the work, freeze drying can be a good investment to help preserve food for future use.