Adventures in freeze drying

One year update

After unpacking. No foul smell no loss of vacuum

80/20 ground beef. I put it in the chamber vac with a cup of water. It was totally absorbed at the end of vacuum. I considered that a success. Cooked it up with onions and sauce. I had to add a quarter cup more water as the sauce got thick. I think the meat was absorbing the sauce. The meat was a bit tough, but not too tough but after it simmered a bit, it was like I just unpacked it. I am very happy with this and will test again in 6 months.
 

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So had the local meat wholesaler make up a bunch of ground meats for my aging Shepard. She is now 13 and will not eat dry food. I tried her in a raw diet a while back but with our busy schedule it became a hassle. It also took up way too much freezer space. I bought a couple bags of carrot and broccoli and threw in some of the chickens eggs. I gave her a sample and she couldn’t get enough. I just tossed the first 10 pounds in the dryer and will do up the next 10 right after. The 20 pounds of I have going cost a total of $23 plus the electric cost to run the dryer. I am not sure at this time how long it will last though.
 

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So had the local meat wholesaler make up a bunch of ground meats for my aging Shepard. She is now 13 and will not eat dry food. I tried her in a raw diet a while back but with our busy schedule it became a hassle. It also took up way too much freezer space. I bought a couple bags of carrot and broccoli and threw in some of the chickens eggs. I gave her a sample and she couldn’t get enough. I just tossed the first 10 pounds in the dryer and will do up the next 10 right after. The 20 pounds of I have going cost a total of $23 plus the electric cost to run the dryer. I am not sure at this time how long it will last though.

Can you explain this process to me like I’m 5?

As you can see in my profile pic we have 2 dogs that I was making their food (not freeze dried) but got tired of it after like 8 years cause it was such a process.

I’ve been getting those fresh pet logs, one dog likes it just fine the other begrudgingly eats it. They’re also pretty expensive.

I have the medium freeze drier so if I can make enough in bulk it makes sense.
 
The wife and I landed nine of these on Saturday. I froze half and freeze dried the other. I made a batch of cubes for the animals. The dog,cat and chickens all went nuts for it. What I have been doing is vacuuming them in plastic with ann O2 absorber and leaving it out for a few hours. If it maintains vacuum I throw them in mylar, date and store.
 

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