Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Reviews

Love this machine...I am still learning the ins and outs, but customer service has been great.

We live in a hurricane area, so we want to be prepared for a worst case scenario....

We purchased our Stainless-Steel Harvest Right Freezer back on July 27, 2015. This original unit is now called the Medium Freeze Dryer (4 trays). Since then, we have run hundreds of batches through the dryer. We have a large garden in Arizona and produce large quantities of fresh produce. This year we are expanding into a larger number of fruit trees. Over the last 7+ years we have gone through two old oil type vacuum pumps (JB Eliminator). We were changing oil, rebuilding the pump, installing an oil filtration system, etc. Those pumps were high maintenance, short life span due to the moisture entering the pump. While it was a lot of work, the results and benefits far outweigh the work or cost of parts. I suspect the pumps performed as well as they could given they are A/C service pumps and not designed for the amount of moister that results from freeze drying.

Then in August 2020 we ordered the new Premier Vacuum Pump. Needless to say, it is FAR SUPERIOR to the old pumps, easy to maintain and trouble free. WELL WORTH the extra cost. We are able to run MANY batches before changing the oil. We have recommended these dryers to family and friends and they all love their machines. Our brother-in-law told us to buy a small electric cheap fan and direct it onto the vacuum pump when drying. I think it has helped a lot, especially in the summer months here in Arizona. The dryer is kept in the garage due to the noise.

Over the years we have had a couple of issues. The software got a glitch (possible power surge, we seem to get quite a few), a wire broke from removing the tray shelf for cleaning after every batch, and a heat mat died on one shelf. Since we were early in the development of these machines it did not bother us of the few problems. Harvest Right's Customer Service is OUTSTANDING and they were always there to help us through the issue, whether it required software updates, part replacement, or trouble shooting until we found the problem. Service of this caliber seems hard to find these days. I am sure they will continue. They have made many improvements over our original model, and all of them are outstanding.

Over the years, their web site has improved greatly with useful information. Also, the number of people using these machines have shared lots of information, helpful hints and useful tricks and gizmos to help along the way. The videos people share are fantastic, and many prepers have featured the equipment. In the end it is about healthy good tasting food, prepared at home, and saving for the future. I highly recommend these dryers and the company that makes them. I truly expect our machine to run another 20 years with minimal problems. Thank you Harvest Right.

Four months ago I would have given the Harvest Right a 5 star review. I loved my freeze dryer and was using it weekly. Then after having if for 16 months I have started having issues and have spent the past 4 months back and forth with the company trying to figure out what the problem is. They are working with me but had been a long and tedious process.

We still have not fixed the problem and it has been completely unusable for the 2 and 1/2. Of course we are past one year warranty and am concerned where this will end up financially. For such a large investment I would have thought things should have lasted much longer. A little disappointed right now.

Hi there!

I’m a newbie at freeze-drying yet so far, I’ve been very pleased with my large Harvest Right Freeze Drier. We have a world-famous garden. I’m married to Paul Gautschi from “Back To Eden” film! We have wanted one of these for years, we saved and bought it early this year.

I was told that they were out 10 weeks, yet received ours in around five weeks! The delivery went smooth and as long as you follow their instructions you will be pleased. It is all they say it is so you need to be prepared with a cart or shelving that can hold its size and weight.

The only problem I have had has been “consumer error” and this machine has been kindly forgiving and proves to be solid in its recovery. I am so grateful that it guides you through each step of what to do next. It’s also helpful to connect with others that have one. And even if you don’t have access to that, their customer service is right there when you need them.

Yes, their customer service is great and no question seems to be too dumb! This thing really intimidated me when I first received it, because I had no clue what I was getting into and pleasantly it has been surprising how easy it is to use.

And the food? Amazing – how it actually preserves the flavor and even its physical integrity!

Just add water!

Get one if you can!

Carol Gautschi, Classical Midwife, food snob and plant lover!

Love our Harvest Right freeze dryer, approx. 2 years and still going strong. To start with, Harvest Right customer support is outstanding, very professional staff and knowledgeable tech. support. Product quality: Excellent!

Overall we're very satisfied with our medium size freeze dryer, we've prepared lots of meals at a fraction of what it would cost purchasing those same freeze dried survival meals online. Bottom Line: We highly recommend Harvest Right for your freeze dryer and accessories, Thank You So Much!

Regards,

Mary P. (New Hampshire)

No home should be without.

Products come out perfectly and taste is exactly like the fresh.

Stored properly shelf life lasts a loooong time.

Customer service can't be beat.