At this point, I'm not up for navigating all the regulatory kerfuffles that comes with producing and shipping food. I know some states are relatively simple in terms of that, others are crazy...and then there's the feds in terms of what you can and can't do. Maybe it's simple, but I'm not up for finding out...so for now, no, I won't be selling/shipping anything myself.
There are dozens of people that do custom batches on etsy, and will put in whatever you want provided they can get it. They're all setup to handle that kind of stuff, since it's already their business.
Just wanted to say watch out for off brand jars when using the reusable lids. Last year I used the lids with some PUR jars, the threaded neck on some of the jars was so short I couldn't get the thicker lids to tighten properly. Had one pop right off IN my pressure canner!
I experienced the same issue with PUR lids and jars as well as many quality issues with name brand canning lids. Lehman's offers bulk canning lids at comparable prices but I haven't checked availability as of late. These lids appear to have zero quality quirks.
I see from your tray that you got the large machine. I semi wish we had too, but an making do. We love the blueberries and strawberries fd. I did batches of my home grown and home made chicken stock turned into bouillon which was great. Hoping to do tomatoes but our garden was a flop this year. Beans took forever due to the seeds and we didn't love them fd so ate the rest fresh. Hoping to plan a big cooking day, or at least plan to do bigger portions each meal and freeze left overs to try and fd. We run a lot of items for our business in there so don't get too much free time for our own things yet. It's been exciting!
I've been using TATTLER reusable lids (looks just like the Harvest Guard) for a couple decades now and absolutely love them! I put up about 100 cases a year, mostly pressure can, and I rarely have any fails!
You'll find they have a 'tighter' seal when you open them... POP! No worries if they're sealed!
You're gonna love those lids!
I still put up my gift jars with single use metal tho (I see Tattler is making metal lids now too!)
I've heard some people say that Tattler and Harvest Guard are actually the same company, and that they stated up under another name to create artificial competition. I have no idea if that's true...but at least it shows that people can't tell the difference between their products, and think they're produced at the same factory.
Wonderful! I actually just made a batch of it yesterday, and I've got tomatoes on the counter to make 2 to 3 more batches this week too. It's sooo good!
Apples and pears are exceptional, and really unique. They're good as they are just for snacking, and they rehydrate really well for baking into pies and such. The main problem is you can only fit about 2 lbs of fruit per tray...which with raspberries isn't a huge deal...that's a lot of raspberries. My "large" freeze dryer would hold about 10 pounds of chopped apples and take about 24 hours to run. We pull in apples by the bushel ful, so 10 pounds at a time wouldn't dent that. Cider, sauce and all that are still going to have to be a big part of your preservation plan if you have multiple productive trees, but freeze dried apples are in fact delicious.
As to grapes, each grape needs to be cut in half before freeze drying, so it's labor intenive (grape skins really don't let water out easily). The other option is blanching them, which is what most people do when making raisins, and that works too.
Personally, I don't think freeze dried grapes are all that great...but my husband liked them well enough. I think it's a matter of personal taste there, and really depends on how much flavor your grapes have (if they're just "sweet" without a lot of flavor, they won't taste like much when freeze dried).
Apples were easy when we used the mandolin slicer and they were gone in moments around here 😂 I could run it full time with apples and it wouldn't be enough to fill the hungry munching that follows.
Just popping in to say I made your tomato jam and it’s so good!!!
Awesome!
Amazing variety. Do you think you would ever consider selling some of your freeze dried fruits? Maybe some of your more unique ones.
At this point, I'm not up for navigating all the regulatory kerfuffles that comes with producing and shipping food. I know some states are relatively simple in terms of that, others are crazy...and then there's the feds in terms of what you can and can't do. Maybe it's simple, but I'm not up for finding out...so for now, no, I won't be selling/shipping anything myself.
There are dozens of people that do custom batches on etsy, and will put in whatever you want provided they can get it. They're all setup to handle that kind of stuff, since it's already their business.
I think you are right. Government reps can be exhausting, especially when it comes to food.
I love Your ideas.
Thank you!
Just wanted to say watch out for off brand jars when using the reusable lids. Last year I used the lids with some PUR jars, the threaded neck on some of the jars was so short I couldn't get the thicker lids to tighten properly. Had one pop right off IN my pressure canner!
Good to know!
I experienced the same issue with PUR lids and jars as well as many quality issues with name brand canning lids. Lehman's offers bulk canning lids at comparable prices but I haven't checked availability as of late. These lids appear to have zero quality quirks.
I see from your tray that you got the large machine. I semi wish we had too, but an making do. We love the blueberries and strawberries fd. I did batches of my home grown and home made chicken stock turned into bouillon which was great. Hoping to do tomatoes but our garden was a flop this year. Beans took forever due to the seeds and we didn't love them fd so ate the rest fresh. Hoping to plan a big cooking day, or at least plan to do bigger portions each meal and freeze left overs to try and fd. We run a lot of items for our business in there so don't get too much free time for our own things yet. It's been exciting!
Oh neat! What's your business that uses a freeze dryer?
PetGrocer.ca - we make custom freeze dried items for dogs and cats (meat and veg primarily) 😃
I've been using TATTLER reusable lids (looks just like the Harvest Guard) for a couple decades now and absolutely love them! I put up about 100 cases a year, mostly pressure can, and I rarely have any fails!
You'll find they have a 'tighter' seal when you open them... POP! No worries if they're sealed!
You're gonna love those lids!
I still put up my gift jars with single use metal tho (I see Tattler is making metal lids now too!)
I've heard some people say that Tattler and Harvest Guard are actually the same company, and that they stated up under another name to create artificial competition. I have no idea if that's true...but at least it shows that people can't tell the difference between their products, and think they're produced at the same factory.
Just wanted to say that I tried your tomato jam recipe, and I'm hooked! It is indescribably delicious. Really enjoy your newsletter and IG feed.
Wonderful! I actually just made a batch of it yesterday, and I've got tomatoes on the counter to make 2 to 3 more batches this week too. It's sooo good!
How does the Harvest Right do with apples, pears, and grapes? I'm overwhelmed with them.
Apples and pears are exceptional, and really unique. They're good as they are just for snacking, and they rehydrate really well for baking into pies and such. The main problem is you can only fit about 2 lbs of fruit per tray...which with raspberries isn't a huge deal...that's a lot of raspberries. My "large" freeze dryer would hold about 10 pounds of chopped apples and take about 24 hours to run. We pull in apples by the bushel ful, so 10 pounds at a time wouldn't dent that. Cider, sauce and all that are still going to have to be a big part of your preservation plan if you have multiple productive trees, but freeze dried apples are in fact delicious.
As to grapes, each grape needs to be cut in half before freeze drying, so it's labor intenive (grape skins really don't let water out easily). The other option is blanching them, which is what most people do when making raisins, and that works too.
Personally, I don't think freeze dried grapes are all that great...but my husband liked them well enough. I think it's a matter of personal taste there, and really depends on how much flavor your grapes have (if they're just "sweet" without a lot of flavor, they won't taste like much when freeze dried).
Apples were easy when we used the mandolin slicer and they were gone in moments around here 😂 I could run it full time with apples and it wouldn't be enough to fill the hungry munching that follows.
Thanks for the info on the reusable lids! It’s nice to see such an option is available. I just ordered some to try... 😊
Awesome, let me know how you like them!
I have canned a bunch of produce using the new lids and they worked great! 👍
Wonderful!