home Freeze Drye Dryer OWNER’S MANUAL The Essential Guide For Every Freeze Dryer Owner
Congratulations! You have purchased the world’s first and only intelligent home freeze dryer. The freeze dryer is smart; it knows how to perfectly freeze and dry your material/food. Once it is set up, you can just put in your product and press start. The process is entirely automatic. When your batch of product is dry, the freeze dryer will beep to let you know it is finished. Please do not bypass the freezing cycle of your freeze dryer. Doing this will void the warranty on your vacuum pump.
CONTENTS UNPACKING...........................................................................................................1 GENERAL INFORMATION……...…………………......................................................2 Important safeguards Safety Information.................................................................................................3 Never Operate the Freeze Dryer if it Appears Damaged......................................4 Be Careful About What You Put in Your Freeze Dryer.................
UNPACKING UNPACKING Your Freeze Dryer You should have taken the box off the freeze dryer and inspected for damage at the time you received your unit, before you signed the Shipper’s Bill. Do not accept a damaged unit.
GENERAL INFORMATION MAJOR COMPONENTS Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Power Switch: Located on the back of the freeze dryer (“0” is off, “I” is on). Vacuum Chamber: This circular chamber includes a shelving unit for the trays. The orange heating pads on the shelving unit should face down. Trays: These hold the material to be freeze dried. Do not overload trays or batch times will be extra long.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS Safety INFORMATION Read all instructions carefully before using your Harvest Right Freeze Dryer. Following these instructions will help prevent injuries, damage to the freeze dryer, and will ensure that you have the best possible experience with your freeze dryer. Save these instructions. When using this appliance always exercise basic safety precautions, including the following: • Use this product only for its intended purpose as instructed in this Owner’s Manual.
• Do not use a wet or damp cloth when cleaning the plug at the end of the power cord. Remove any dust or foreign matter from the power plug pins. A dirty power plug can increase the risk of fire. • Do not block vent air holes. If the air holes are blocked, the freeze dryer could overheat. Keep vents clean. • Never unplug your freeze dryer by pulling on the power cord. Always grip the power plug firmly and pull straight out from the outlet. Pulling on the power cord could cause a fire and/or electric shock.
RECOMMENDED OPERATING TEMPERATURES Your Harvest Right Freeze Dryer is designed to work in a wide variety of environmental temperatures, but extreme heat and cold will affect performance. The recommended temperature range for operation is 35-90°F. The most efficient temperature range is between 45-75°F. Although safe, operating your freeze dryer in temperatures above 90˚F will increase batch times and may have an adverse effect on the condensing unit (freezer).
leak because it interferes with the O-ring in the hose. Instructions for connecting the oil-free pump are on page 23. 6. Connect the freeze dryer power cord to the receptacle on the rear panel of the freeze dryer and to a 110 outlet. A dedicated 20 amp circuit is required for large freeze dryers. 7. Connect the vacuum pump power cord to the receptacle on the rear panel of the freeze dryer. 8. Make sure the power switch on the vacuum pump is in the “ON” position. (“O” is off, “I” is on).
Important Information About Your First Batch: Throughout the freeze drying process, the system will monitor the cooling, vacuum, and heating functions. If it detects a problem, it will provide information to help you resolve the issue. While waiting for you to respond to the error message, the system will attempt to resolve the issue itself. If it is successful, it will no longer display an error message and continue processing the batch. New freeze dryers need to have a one batch burn in period.
FREEZE DRYER OPERATION To customize freeze dryer name, please go to “Customize” settings, pg 12. 1. From the startup, press START. The first time you use your freeze dryer, the next screen prompts you to choose which type of vacuum pump you are using. Select Standard Oil Pump, Premier Oil Pump, or Oil-Free Pump. 2. Once selected, press SAVE. If you ever need to change the type of pump you are using, press the Harvest Right logo on the startup screen to see the selected pump.
4. Place trays in the shelving unit, close the acrylic door, and turn the door latch clockwise as far as it will go, compressing the door against the rubber gasket. Visually check to make sure the door is sealed properly to the gasket. If the door is not latched tight, there may be a vacuum leak. 5. Press CONTINUE. The unit will begin freezing the material in the freeze dryer. From here, everything is automatic.
9. When EXTRA DRY TIME is finished, the PROCESS COMPLETE screen will appear and prompt you to “Open Drain Valve to Vent”. Before doing so, pull the drain hose out of the bucket and/or check to ensure bucket is completely empty of any water. If you open the drain valve while the hose is in water, it will suck the water into the chamber and ruin the material that was freeze dried. Opening the drain valve vents the vacuum and allows air to enter the chamber. Then the door may be opened and the trays removed.
When the process is complete, the condenser will continue to run, which will keep your food dry, even with the pump off. This will preserve your food until you are ready to unload the freeze dryer. 11. If the material is now completely dry, you will need to select “NO DEFROST” or “DEFROST”. NO DEFROST: Allows ambient air to melt the ice over time. You may choose to leave the door open during this time. DEFROST: Turns on the heaters in the shelving unit and accelerates melting the ice.
When the 5 minutes of venting have finished, and when the DEFROST process is complete, the screen will show “Defrost Completed”. 12. If there is still ice in the freeze dryer, press DEFROST. When the freeze dryer is finished with the DEFROST cycle, make sure all of the ice and water are now removed from the vacuum chamber and press DONE. The freeze dryer will return to the startup screen. You can now start a new batch.
Increasing drying temperatures may cause some foods/materials to scorch and decreasing the temperature will cause longer batches. The standard drying temperature is 125˚ F. These settings will remain set for future batches until you customize them again. Change Pump If you ever need to change the type of pump you are using, press the Harvest Right logo on the startup screen to see the selected pump. Press “Pump:” to change pump style. How to use the candy application 1.
Candy mode, will be during the “Extra Dry Time” that you set here. Usually, 2 to 3 hours is enough to dry any kind of candy. 4. Press the SAVE button. 5. Press START. For the next fifteen minutes you will need to wait for the chamber to cool down. 6. Once the chamber is cooled, you will then be able to turn ON the Candy process by pressing the Off/On button and switching it to On. Next, be sure to close your drain valve and then put your filled trays into the freeze dryer and press CONTINUE. 7.
First, your trays will warm to 135 degrees. Then, your trays will warm for the selected time (default is 1 minute). You can increase or decrease the time by pressing the up and down arrows. You may add up to 20 minutes of warming time. 8. Once the trays finish the selected warming time, the unit will automatically begin the drying process and will dry for the amount of “Extra Dry” time you selected in Step 3. You can modify that dry time on this screen by using the up and down arrows. 9.
A CLOSED SYSTEM WHAT IS A CLOSED SYSTEM In order to freeze dry items, your machine will use a vacuum pump that removes the air and creates a vacuum environment. In order to achieve adequate vacuum pressure, it is VERY IMPORTANT to ensure that all valves are closed tightly. If there is a leak somewhere in the system, the freeze drying process will not occur. WARNING: You may think there is not an air leak in your machine because the door will not open (a sign that you are pulling a vacuum).
PREMIER OIL PUMP MAINTENANCE Oil Filtration In a properly maintained Premier Pump, an oil change will only need to take place every 20-30 batches if the oil remains clear. If the oil gets cloudy, or looks dirty, change it immediately. (See “Filtering FAQs on page 18.) The system will display a reminder on the home screen after every 20th batch that says, “Premier vacuum pump owners, it is time to change oil.” The on-screen notification will go away after you start a new batch.
Gas Ballast Switch Location Oil Demister FIGURE 5: Premier Oil Pump showing gas ballast switch location and oil demister FIGURE 7: Demister removed, showing oil opening FIGURE 6: Gas ballast shown in “open” position FIGURE 8: Sight glass, showing oil level filtration FAQS How do I know that my filtered oil is clean for use? The best indications for cleanliness are as follows: • Oil has clarity (color may be yellow or amber and still be clear) • Your vacuum pump achieves a pressure (mTorr) suitable for
STANDARD OIL PUMP MAINTENANCE STANDARD OIL PUMP MAINTENANCE We recommend you change and filter your oil every 4-5 batches (or sooner if the oil is cloudy) in order to ensure high vacuum performance and to increase the life of your vacuum pump. The system will display a reminder on the home screen after every 4th batch that says, “Standard vacuum pump owners, it is time to change oil.” The on-screen notification will go away after you start a new batch.
Oil Filtration 1. Approximately every 4-5 batches (preferably when the oil is still warm), place the oil filter below the oil reservoir drain valve. 2. Open the oil reservoir drain valve and allow oil to drain into your oil filter. Assure all of the oil comes out by lifting the rear of the vacuum pump slightly. 3. Wait for the oil to filter through your filtration system (this could take a couple of hours). 4. Remove the water from the oil by pouring off the oil and discarding the water.
CLEANING CAUTIONS Do not use stiff bristled brushes or abrasive cloths/pads to clean the freeze dryer, interior or exterior, as this will dull or scratch the surface. Do not use Benzene, Thinner, or Clorox for cleaning. They may damage the surface of the appliance and may even cause fires. MOVING OR LONG ABSENCES If you have a long vacation planned, or if the freeze dryer is not in use for an extended period of time, empty the freeze dryer and keep it turned off.
After my freeze dry cycle finished and I released the drain valve, water came rushing into my vacuum chamber. What happened? Make sure to empty the container that your freeze dryer drains into. If the drain hose is sitting in water when the vacuum is released by opening the drain valve, water will suck through the drain hose and into the freeze dryer vacuum chamber like a giant straw. We had oil spray out of our vacuum pump, what is happening? 1.
material is not completely dry, simply put it back in the freeze dryer and press “More Dry Time” to get right back into the vacuum pump/drying portion of the freeze dry cycle. The freeze dryer will then finish the pieces that weren’t quite complete. PUMP ISN’T TURNING ON DURING THE DRY CYCLE: Make sure your pump is plugged into the back of the freeze dryer and is switched to the “ON” position.
raspberries should be placed in one layer across the trays. The fruit slices may be placed close together, but should only be one layer deep. • Fruit should be sliced and the skin side (if it is kept on) should be placed down on the tray with the cut side up. Pieces may be thickly sliced; however, if they are thick, they will take longer to dry. For instance, some people just cut strawberries and apricots in half and place them skin side down on the trays.
WARRANTY INFORMATION 3-Year Limited WarrantY All sales of Harvest Right Freeze Dryers after February 1, 2019, are covered by this warranty. Full One-Year Warranty (only includes the U.S. continental 48 states) Warranty Period: For one year from original ship date. Included: Premier oil vacuum pump and oil-free vacuum pumps. Harvest Right will be responsible for: Repair or, at our option, replace any part of this freeze dryer and/or pump which proves to be defective in workmanship or material.
Normal Responsibilities of the Consumer: This warranty applies only to freeze dryers used in clean environments and when operated in accordance with Harvest Right instructions. The consumer is responsible for the following items: 1. Proper use of the appliance in accordance with the instructions provided with the product. 2. Proper installation in accordance with the instructions provided with the appliance and in accordance with all local electrical codes. 3.
4. Damages caused by services performed by persons other than authorized by Harvest Right. 5. Parts other than Harvest Right repair parts or parts obtained from suppliers other than Harvest Right personnel. 6. External causes such as abuse, misuse, inadequate power supply, or acts of God. 7. Products with original serial numbers that have been removed or altered and cannot be readily determined. 8. Using an extension cord instead of direct line connection to available power supply. 9.
SAFE USE OF FREEZE DRYERS & PUMPS 1. Harvest Right oil-sealed vacuum pumps and oil-free pumps are only to be used with foods and organic materials that are not harmful when swallowed or when vapors coming from those materials are also not harmful when inhaled. a. Harvest Right expressly warns users of its freeze dryers and vacuum pumps to not use them for any purposes other than freeze drying food or other healthy, non toxic materials.
“Drying,” and “Final Dry” do so at the peril of damaging their food and freeze dryer equipment. Harvest Right accepts no responsibility for intentional or unintentional acts performed by customers that circumvent Harvest Right’s automatic “freeze dry” process(s). 7. Do not stand in puddles of water when using the freeze dryer. 8. Do not allow water to get on electric plugs and receptacles. 9.
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