Did I just click bait you with this title? Yes. Do I think you NEED any of these items to preserve foods and build a flourishing and successful food storage? Absolutely not. However, if you’re interested then keep reading as these products have genuinely been game changers for me and my family and are items that I use on a daily basis.
Harvest Right Freeze Dryer
First up is my trusty freeze dryer, and if you’ve read previous posts you’ll know that I rave about this machine regularly. It’s the top product that bulks out my food storage and preservation arsenal in the most versatile of ways. We have this machine running almost 24/7 as it preserves pretty much all foods including meats, dairy, fruits & veg, full meals and even candy!
“In times of plenty, prepare for times of need.”
These are a costly investment, with the smallest machine coming in at $2,295 but if you’re serious about putting up long term foods, it’s a worthwhile one. You can find more about them here.
Pressure Canner
Pressure canning isn’t as big a thing in the UK as it seems to be within the States, so I went down a rabbit hole to try and find the best place to buy a reputable pressure canner online. Which after speaking to a lot of people and doing a lot of research, just happened to be a seller from the US on eBay (if you’re within the UK and searching for one then feel free to message me and I’ll share the link). And if you’re within the US, you can find the Presto 23 Quart pressure canner link here .
My main motive to pressure can was so that I could save and can all the meats in the freezer if there happened to be a lasting power outage, but it’s done so much more for us than that. I now can soups, stews and other meals, making it so quick and convenient to grab off the shelf when needing a fast dinner! I will say that normal food precautions should be taken and it’s something I made sure to get a knowledgable mentor to help teach me as I did not want to give botulism to my family. However, the risk is almost non existent when you practice safely and know what you’re doing!
Vacuum Sealer
I bought the FoodSaver vacuum sealer after reading great reviews, I also appreciated that it was so compact compared to other massive machines I’ve seen (my brother owns a retro vacuum sealing chamber that’s almost the same size as me!). I wanted this to prevent the foods in my freezer from getting freezer burn and to help prolong the freshness while also keeping everything labeled and organised. Organised freezer = organised life, right? Haha!
Another feature I LOVE about this particular machine is the separate jar attachment that you can buy with it. This effectively pulls oxygen from the jar and then seals your jars shut (that contain DRY goods like oats and rice) removing the need for an Oxygen absorber. Although I must admit that I often still use an OA if it’s stored for long term, just for peace of mind in case the seal is compromised in anyway.
There are loads of different versions of FoodSavers to choose from, although you can find the exact model that I own here.
Dehydrator
The last item that I use regularly for food preservation is my dehydrator. That being said, I don’t actually use it as much now that I have the freeze dryer, but it still has its perks and I still dry a lot in here.
Now, for a lot of things, like herbs, you can dry without a machine. You’d just take a bunch and tie a few together to hang upside down for a week or two. Many things do however need the extra heat which you can also do by putting your oven on the lowest temperature setting and even leaving the door cracked a little if you’re struggling to get the temperature low enough. I preface by saying this because I truly don’t want anyone spending their hard earned money on a product that they then find out they don’t really need.
I appreciate my 9 Tray Excalibur Dehydrator for many reasons, but the main one being that I can fit a lot in it at once, cutting down my processing time and also because of the amazing timer feature it has on it. If I start a load in the afternoon which isn’t due to be finished until the middle of the night you can then set the timer to shut off the machine after a certain amount of hours. It’s a game changer and super convenient!
Final Thoughts
In the world of food preservation, each of these tools plays a crucial role in helping my family stay prepared and organised. As you embark on your journey, remember that the right tools for you can look very different to what is right for me and my family. I encourage you to make educated and conscious purchases and never buy out of fear nor simply because someone else recommends them.
