Homemade Freeze Dried Raw???

[RedSky]

I've been looking into how FDR is actually made and wondering if it is something I can do at home.
Dehydrators etc aren't as common in the UK as the US. Neither is FDR. The only stuff I can find has fruit, veg or other stuff added (what's with all the pumpkin seeds anyway???).

The human freezer (for human food, not for storing humans... ) has a bit of an issue with ice cubes (or anything uncovered for that matter). I have to use ice bags or wrap the ice cube trays otherwise the water disappears within a week or two. So I'm wondering if I use the ice compartment at the top and make a soupie and put it on a baking tray would it dry out enough? I could do little blobs and see if they would turn into sort of 'ferret yoghurt drops'.
It can be stored in either our freezer or Korra's freezer (which would be better as it's at least twice the size of ours... how did that happen? lol).
But I need something less messy and gross for her to snack on while she's out during the day, and wondering if this might work.

[RedSky]

I found a pinned thread which mentioned doing this sort of thing so I've quickly chopped a bit of frozen pork, heart, kidney, liver and some commercial raw into small bits and put them onto a tray and put that at the top of our freezer. I'll check it in a couple of days and turn the bits.

I have only done a few, partially as a test and partially because with my back I couldn't do anymore safely. But the amount, if they work should do a day or two as snacks for her while she's out and about. If it does work and they dry out fully then maybe this is my way forwards. With help I could get a week's worth of her muscle meat and organ meals and freeze them like this. Then she could have those as 'snacks' though the day and just have smaller bone in meals (or whole prey) for morning and night in her cage.

[abbeytheferret6]

I found this using dry ice. What I have highlighted in blue is interesting lol.


First you will want to slice your food into thin pieces, which makes the freeze drying process much easier. After you have become more experienced at freeze drying, feel free to move onto more complicated items such as spaghetti or ice cream. Next, place your food items into food containers with lids, such as Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers. You will want to poke some small holes in the lids of the containers, so the moisture from the food can escape. Next, place a thick layer of dry ice into the large cooler or bucket. Then place a container of food on top of the dry ice. You never want the food to come in direct contact with the dry ice, as it will render the food unusable. Make another layer of dry ice, then another food container. Layer as many times as necessary. Finish with a top layer of dry ice. Cover the cooler or bucket slowly to allow any moisture or gas to escape. Place the cooler or bucket in a large freezer, which will keep the dry ice solid as long as possible. After 12 hours, check on the food. Keep checking until the dry ice is gone. After the dry ice is no longer present in the cooler or bucket, your food should be completely freeze dried and ready to store.

Store Your Freeze Dried Food

After the freeze drying process is complete, you will need to store your food items in the proper manner. Vacuum-sealing machines work great for this step as they will eliminate any and all air from the packages. You can also use plastic zipper bags, just make sure all the air is removed prior to zipping them closed. Store your freeze dried food packages in a cool, dry location and your supply should last for many years to come.

Now that you know how simple it is to freeze dry food, you should definitely give it a try. Once you become experienced, you can create a stock of freeze dried food that will be very useful in....

[RedSky]

Wow, that sounds good. The only issue is I have no idea where to find dry ice and a quick google search shows it's pretty expensive and dangerous. But wiki how seems to think you can buy it at most 'stores' so assuming it means America. Why is the UK so lame with FDR, dry ice and graham crackers...

[bitbyter]

Technically you can "freezer burn" meat at home using various methods but it won't be like commercial freeze dried meat for one important reason. The commercial freeze drying process uses a vacuum chamber to "pull out" or "boil off" all the moisture.

The vacuum process is essential to "true" freeze drying. While you can produce something similar at home through various methods, it's not really freeze dried and will still have more moisture that commercial freeze dried (but less than fresh or sealed and frozen). It will also not have a palatable texture to us (the ferrets won't care though).

harvestright.com/how-it-works/