Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer: The Machine and the Supplies You Need
As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.
Harvest Right is the best-known name in home freeze dryers, the appliances that let you preserve fruit, vegetables, meals and even candy in your own kitchen. Freeze drying works in three stages: the machine freezes food very cold, then a vacuum pump lowers the pressure so the ice inside the food turns straight into vapor without melting, and finally gentle heat removes the last bit of moisture. The result is light, crunchy food that keeps its shape and flavor and can be stored for years when sealed properly.
This guide covers one Harvest Right machine, the Large Pro Home Freeze Dryer, plus five supplies that make it easier to use: oxygen absorbers, disposable tray mats, a collapsible funnel, a bagging scoop and a set of stainless steel replacement trays. To be clear, the Large Pro is made by Harvest Right, while the five accessories are third-party products sold as compatible with Harvest Right freeze dryers, not made by Harvest Right. We compared the Amazon listings to show what each one does and who needs it.
Harvest Right Freeze Dryer and Accessories Compared
| Product | Made by | What it does | Size or quantity | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Pro Home Freeze Dryer | Harvest Right | Freeze-dries food | 6 trays, 1,107 sq. in. | Not listed |
| 400cc Oxygen Absorbers | Third party | Removes oxygen from sealed bags | 100 count (20 packs of 5) | Food-grade packaging |
| Freeze Dryer Tray Mats | Third party | Lines trays to stop sticking | 200 sheets, 19.9 x 8.4 in. | Wood pulp parchment |
| Collapsible Freeze Dryer Funnel | Third party | Guides food into jars and bags | 15 in. wide mouth | Food-grade silicone |
| Freeze Dryer Scoop | Third party | Scoops food from trays into bags | 1 scoop | Plastic |
| Metal Trays for Large Freeze Dryer | Third party | Extra or replacement trays | 6 trays, 20.5 x 9 in., 22 stackers | 304 stainless steel |
Harvest Right Large Pro Home Freeze Dryer for Big Harvests
Harvest Right
Large Pro Home Freeze Dryer by Harvest Right with 6 Trays and Mylar Kit
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Large Pro Home Freeze Dryer by
Best for: Families preserving big harvests at home
Pros
- 1,107 sq. in. tray area
- 10 CFM vacuum pump included
- Six trays plus Mylar kit
Cons
- Heavy at 143 pounds
- Mylar kit contents not detailed
The Large Pro Home Freeze Dryer by Harvest Right is the main appliance in this guide and the one piece everything else supports. It comes with six trays for a total of 1,107 square inches of tray space, and Harvest Right says it can freeze-dry up to 5,000 pounds of food a year. The listing adds that properly stored food can last up to 25 years, which makes it popular with gardeners, hunters, large families and anyone building an emergency pantry.
An industrial-grade 10 CFM vacuum pump is included. The pump is the part that pulls air out of the chamber so the ice can vaporize, so having it in the box matters for a first-time buyer. The machine measures 31.3 inches deep, 27.5 inches wide and 21.3 inches tall and weighs 143 pounds. Harvest Right calls it suitable for countertops or tables, but at that weight, choose a sturdy surface and plan on two people to move it. The title also mentions a Mylar kit, though the listing does not specify how many bags or absorbers it contains, so the supplies below are useful for restocking.
This Harvest Right Large Pro freeze dryer suits households that want to preserve large amounts at once. Because it runs for long cycles, some owners keep a backup portable generator on hand in areas with frequent outages so a batch is not lost mid-cycle.
400cc Oxygen Absorbers for Long-Term Storage
Zrlei
400cc Oxygen Absorbers for Food Storage – 100 Count (20x Packs of 5) – for Long Term Food Storage & Survival, Mylar Bags, Canning, Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, Dehydrated, and Preserved Foods
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
400cc Oxygen Absorbers for Food Storage
Best for: Sealing 1-gallon Mylar bags
Pros
- 100 absorbers in packs of 5
- 400cc sized for 1-gallon bags
- Heat sealed at production
Cons
- Third-party, not Harvest Right
- Bags will not shrink like vacuum bags
The 400cc Oxygen Absorbers for Food Storage are small packets you drop into a Mylar bag or jar before sealing it. They soak up oxygen, which is what causes stored food to go stale over time. This set contains 100 absorbers, packed as 20 heat-sealed packs of 5, so you only open what you need and the rest stay fresh. It is a third-party product listed as compatible with Harvest Right freeze dryer storage.
The 400cc size is recommended for 1-gallon Mylar bags and similar airtight containers, and the listing names grains, beans, pasta, powders, cereals, dehydrated and freeze-dried food. The packaging is described as food grade with a double layer and anti-oil film. The listing is also refreshingly honest about one common surprise: bags will not shrink like vacuum bags, because oxygen is only about 20% of the air. Around four-fifths of the air remains no matter how many absorbers you add.
These are essential for anyone storing freeze-dried food for months or years. They work alongside the Mylar kit in the Harvest Right box rather than replacing it.
200 PCS Freeze Dryer Tray Mats for Easy Cleanup
Tici Kim
200 PCS Freeze Dryer Tray Mats for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Trays, Non-Stick Baking Mats One-Off Parchment Paper Compatible with Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Trays (Large – 19.9" x 8.4")
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
200 PCS Freeze Dryer Tray Mats
Best for: Skipping tray scrubbing between batches
Pros
- 200 pre-cut sheets
- Both sides silicone coated
- Thicker 45gsm paper
Cons
- Third-party, not Harvest Right
- Disposable, single use
The 200 PCS Freeze Dryer Tray Mats are pre-cut parchment sheets sized about 19.9 by 8.4 inches for Harvest Right Large freeze dryer trays. They are sold by a third-party brand, not by Harvest Right. You lay a sheet in each tray before adding food, then throw it away after the batch, which means less scrubbing of sticky fruit or sugary candy.
The sheets are made from natural wood pulp with food-grade silicone oil coating on both sides for a non-stick surface, and they are water and oil resistant. At 45gsm, the listing says they are thicker than standard parchment, which helps them lie flat without curling. Two hundred sheets cover over 33 full loads of six trays.
These mats suit anyone who freeze-dries often and wants less downtime between batches. They are a thoughtful add-on gift for a friend who already owns a Large machine. If you prefer a reusable solution, look at the non-stick metal trays at the end of this list.
Extra Large Collapsible Funnel for Jars and Mylar Bags
The Extra Large Silicone Collapsible Funnel helps you pour freeze-dried food from a tray straight into a mason jar or Mylar bag without spills. Its 15-inch wide mouth is designed to fit all sizes of Harvest Right freeze dryer trays. It is a third-party accessory, and the listing names different brand and manufacturer names in different places, which is common for small sellers.
It is made of food-grade, BPA-free silicone and collapses to save about two-thirds of its storage space, so it can hang on a wall or fit in a drawer. The listing describes a stand and says it is dishwasher safe or can be washed by hand. Dimensions are 13.75 inches wide and 7.5 inches high.
A freeze dryer funnel is one of the most practical freeze dryer accessories for first-time owners, since light, crispy food tends to scatter when poured. It pairs well with the scoop below.
Freeze Dryer Scoop for Fast Bagging
Diatomiteco
Freeze Dryer Scoop, Perfectly Fit Harvest Right Trays, Freeze Dryer Accessories, Quick Fill Tool to Bag Freeze Dried Food, Multipurpose Speed Scooper for French Fries, Skittles, Snacks, Double Handle
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Freeze Dryer Scoop
Best for: Fast bagging of candy and snacks
Pros
- Shaped to Harvest Right trays
- Double handle, left-hand friendly
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Third-party, not Harvest Right
- Plastic build
The Freeze Dryer Scoop is a plastic bagging scoop shaped to fit Harvest Right trays. It is a third-party accessory. It has a wide end for scooping and a narrow end for funneling food into bags, plus double handles that the listing describes as ergonomic and left-handed friendly.
It is made of food-grade, high-temperature resistant plastic, has no sharp edges and is dishwasher safe. The listing says it also works for popcorn, fries, ice, candy and sprinkling toppings, so it is not only useful on freeze-drying day. It weighs 0.18 kg.
This scoop suits people who make freeze-dried candy or snacks and bag many small portions. If you mostly fill jars, the wide funnel may be the more useful of the two.
Stainless Steel Metal Trays for the Large Freeze Dryer
Best for: Replacing worn trays or adding spares
Pros
- Six 304 stainless steel trays
- 22 tray stackers included
- Non-stick coated surface
Cons
- Third-party, not Harvest Right
- Fits Large size only
The Metal Trays for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer are third-party replacement or extra trays for the Harvest Right Large size. The set includes six 20.5 by 9 inch trays made of 304 stainless steel and 22 green tray stackers, enough to stack six trays with two spares. Stackers let you pre-freeze food in your home freezer and carry the whole stack to the machine without trays sliding.
The trays have a one-piece, non-porous design meant to withstand freeze-thaw cycles and vacuum pressure, a non-stick coating for easy release, finished edges and are dishwasher safe. The listing says they double as baking, marinating or storage trays. The set weighs 16.12 pounds. The warranty description is simply listed as “1” without further detail.
Extra trays are one of the smartest upgrades: while one batch runs, you can prep and pre-freeze the next. These suit owners of the Large model only, since they are sized for it.
How to Choose the Right Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Supplies
Start with the machine itself. The Large Pro includes six trays, a vacuum pump and a Mylar kit, so you can begin freeze drying right away. The accessories simply make each batch faster and cleaner.
Next, plan for storage. Oxygen absorbers and Mylar bags are what give freeze-dried food its long shelf life. The 400cc absorbers match 1-gallon bags, so if you use smaller or larger bags, adjust how many you add.
Then decide how you want to handle trays. Disposable parchment mats save cleaning time, while the stainless steel trays are reusable and add capacity for prepping the next batch. Check that anything you buy fits your tray size; the mats and metal trays here are for the Large model.
Finally, consider bagging tools. The funnel suits jars and wide bags, the scoop suits quick portions of candy and snacks. Freeze drying releases some odor from foods like onions, so some owners run an air purifier for the house nearby while packing.
FAQ
What do you need for a Harvest Right freeze dryer?
The Large Pro comes with trays, a vacuum pump and a Mylar kit. Most owners add oxygen absorbers, tray liners and a funnel or scoop for bagging.
Are these accessories made by Harvest Right?
No. Only the Large Pro freeze dryer is made by Harvest Right. The absorbers, mats, funnel, scoop and metal trays are third-party products listed as compatible.
How long does freeze-dried food last?
Harvest Right says food can last up to 25 years when properly stored. Sealing it in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers is key.
Do the tray mats and metal trays fit every Harvest Right size?
No. Both are sized for the Large freeze dryer. The funnel listing says it fits all Harvest Right tray sizes.
Why does my Mylar bag not shrink after adding absorbers?
Absorbers remove oxygen, which is only about 20% of the air. The remaining air stays, so bags do not shrink like vacuum-sealed bags.
