HR manual: "You can put the shelf in a large sink and wash it with dish soap, brushes and rags" Only handwashing, no dishwasher, it states in manual that voids warranty.
Thank you. I don't know why there are so many people that don't do this. It won't hurt anything. And as you said - the manual says it's OK. . . . I even saw one youtube creator, after making a big mess, try to clean everything without taking the shelving unit out of the freeze dryer. (Spoiler Alert . . . that Really Doesn't work very well) We've been freeze drying for over 7 years and if we can see anything on the shelves - top or bottom - we will take the shelf rack unit to the kitchen sink to wash it. (two stories up from the basement) If the shelves and barrel look clean we still wipe everthing down with a microfiber cloth attached to a flexible grabber tool so we can reach all the way to the back. Keep having Fun freeze drying. 🙂
Regarding the foam board from the top of your shelf rack. Mine came loose and I used double sided alien tape and that has worked well for me. I also taken a scrub daddy ran a sharp knife through it at what you might imagine as the chin/neck up to the forehead area and the put a paint stir stick through it as a handle. It is gentle and lets you reach where you need for normal cleaning. May not be the answer for a crusted mishap though.
I set the tray stacker in my kitchen sink with the electrical plug oriented to the top so I can keep water away from the plug and I spray it and let the gunk run into the sink. I have even set it on the middle divide of my sink so I can see between the layers without breaking my back. Wrap a wet dishcloth around a bottle brush and go for it. I’ve yet to have to scrape anything tho 😂
Great suggestion ! We have always done this since getting our freeze dryer over 7 years ago. The HR manual says it's OK to do this so I don't know why people don't even think of it. Soooo much easier. (except the lugging it up two stories to the kitchen, and back down again) 🙂 Keep having fun freeze drying !
I do the same!!! Only not the two flights of stairs. When I take the rack out my cord is long enough to rest it on the table in front of the FD to undo the cord.
For something real sticky, shove a really wet cloth in there, warm water even better, and let it sit on your sticky stuff a few minutes. The cloth keeps the moisture against the mess and softens it.
I don’t have a freeze dryer yet so I don’t know the restrictions on cleaning but Dawn power wash works great on baked/burnt on messes. I use it on all my cookware just spray it on let it sit a bit then wash off with a damp rag.
I have a 5 tray machine have had Ice cream and Peanut Brittle both destroy my machine but good news both are more easier to melt with water. I always do a machine defrost first to help. So you got it clean.
I know you felt about flying. I dropped off my parents at the airport to fly back home to germany on saturday and I was so nervous. I kept checking the flight until I eventually fell asleep. I am so sorry for all the families that have lost loved ones in that and the other crash.
@DIYfreezedry it is. And the same night around the time their flight was supposes to depart a ground worker at ORD was struck and hospitalized. For a moment I wasn't sure if they would be able to get out but it all worked out.
I also put it in the sink, on it's end with the plug up toward the ceiling. I then put a zipper sandwich baggie around the plug to ensure I don't get it wet. Use my sprayer and hose 🚿it down. Lol 😂 But I have the small pro HR and those shelves are not as tall as yours!
I know you haven’t used this since before going to California, and I think that’s what made the cleanup so hard. It had a week to really dry and crusty on. It probably would have been better to clean right away… which would have meant not using it a couple days before going on a trip. That was the first mistake. Doing something “new” when you don’t have time to clean up should something go wrong. Anyway, good to see you got it cleaned! To answer your random question, yes: it is supposed to be at an angle. The shelving angle is to “straighten out” the shelves from the angle the drum is at from the freeze dryer’s angle backwards (so water drains out the drain in the back of the drum and doesn’t just sit there after defrosting. The shelving is at an opposite angle so the food and liquids placed on it are not at an angle.
When my rack gets like this (well, not quite that bad) I put it in the tub and spray the shower on it (trying to keep the back dry). Let it sit a while, scrub between the shelves with a bottle brush and soapy water, and rinse. Repeat until clean.
@DIYfreezedry ahh. Some how I missed that one. I get notifications for new uploads but never saw that one for some reason. Anyways, thanks for the reply! Can't wait to see more videos.
I watched a RUclips video once where someone removed a shelf to make space for a special project. Could the shelves be taken apart? Just asking, not suggesting. May be a no no, but….
@@scarleenswalker7923 no, on Harvest Rights anyway, they’re definitely one piece!!! But, like she removed the shelf system to clean, i have heard of people removing it to vacuum seal items in the drum…..
@@SasssyPie The shelves are currently riveted in, but you can drill the rivets out and replace with a nut and bolt. SchoolReports does this to lift a tray for some different camera shots. He only does it for 1 tray, but the modification is doable. As for voiding the warranty, just wait until the year is up, and then you are free to modify as much as you are brave.
In the freeze-dry chamber, you should use 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 water, nothing more. Don't let the vinegar go down the drain in the chamber; it's used solely to wipe the chamber down. Only fresh water should be poured down the drain.
The drain hose Can grow mold and be a problem if all you ever wash it out with is just water. Let the vinegar solution go down the hose and use a very long "straw" cleaning brush, from the top and bottom to clean the hose. Then pour more water down the drain hole to rinse it out. And always, when the freeze dryer isn't running, leave the door open so molds don't get the chance to grow. (over 7 years FD experience so far - with many mistakes 🤪)
I've never heard of the freeze dryer brands Stay Fresh nor Freeze Right. We've been cleaning our Harvest Right freeze dryer this way for over 7 years now with no problem. This is how we were Told to clean it when we first got it. (We were told we could use dish soap and water, vinegar, alcohol, or diluted chlorine bleach to clean with, and to make sure we cleaned the drain hose from the barrel all the way to the outlet and let dry thoroughly if not starting another batch right away. And to leave the door open to lessen the chance of mold growth.
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HR manual: "You can put the shelf in a large sink and wash it with dish soap, brushes and rags" Only handwashing, no dishwasher, it states in manual that voids warranty.
Thank you.
I don't know why there are so many people that don't do this. It won't hurt anything. And as you said - the manual says it's OK.
. . . I even saw one youtube creator, after making a big mess, try to clean everything without taking the shelving unit out of the freeze dryer. (Spoiler Alert . . . that Really Doesn't work very well)
We've been freeze drying for over 7 years and if we can see anything on the shelves - top or bottom - we will take the shelf rack unit to the kitchen sink to wash it. (two stories up from the basement) If the shelves and barrel look clean we still wipe everthing down with a microfiber cloth attached to a flexible grabber tool so we can reach all the way to the back.
Keep having Fun freeze drying. 🙂
Regarding the foam board from the top of your shelf rack. Mine came loose and I used double sided alien tape and that has worked well for me. I also taken a scrub daddy ran a sharp knife through it at what you might imagine as the chin/neck up to the forehead area and the put a paint stir stick through it as a handle. It is gentle and lets you reach where you need for normal cleaning. May not be the answer for a crusted mishap though.
3M Double Stick tape is what Harvest Right told me to use to reattach the top insulating pad. 🙂
Thanks for the info! I will definitely pick up some 3M Double Stick tape!!
Girl! My daughter is an American Airline Flight Attendant. This week has been so emotional and hard! Praying for your husband!
@@kimberlyrailey4890 oh wow I hope she’s holding up ok. Prayers for her and your family too 🙏
To clean my heating pads I flip it upside down, so the heat element is on the bottom, lots easier than trying to look up at it 😉
I set the tray stacker in my kitchen sink with the electrical plug oriented to the top so I can keep water away from the plug and I spray it and let the gunk run into the sink. I have even set it on the middle divide of my sink so I can see between the layers without breaking my back. Wrap a wet dishcloth around a bottle brush and go for it. I’ve yet to have to scrape anything tho 😂
@@lavernadubois5239 ohhh thats a good idea I didn’t think of using the sink!
Great suggestion !
We have always done this since getting our freeze dryer over 7 years ago. The HR manual says it's OK to do this so I don't know why people don't even think of it. Soooo much easier. (except the lugging it up two stories to the kitchen, and back down again) 🙂
Keep having fun freeze drying !
I do the same!!! Only not the two flights of stairs.
When I take the rack out my cord is long enough to rest it on the table in front of the FD to undo the cord.
Wrap the cord around the door handle when cleaning the shelves so no water gets in the plug. It could ruin your machine if it gets wet.
@@Dilly-Bean0636 good tip thank you!
The colab sounds awesome! I love your videos, and can’t wait to see other FD videos with the people you endorse!!
For something real sticky, shove a really wet cloth in there, warm water even better, and let it sit on your sticky stuff a few minutes. The cloth keeps the moisture against the mess and softens it.
@@reneebeam426 that’s a good tip! Thx!
Look into a silicone bottle brush set and a windshield washing tool with micro fiber cloth..they are great tools to clean and dry freeze dryer racks
@@garycalcote1227 that sounds awesome
I don’t have a freeze dryer yet so I don’t know the restrictions on cleaning but Dawn power wash works great on baked/burnt on messes. I use it on all my cookware just spray it on let it sit a bit then wash off with a damp rag.
I used a baby bottle brush it works just fine. I would be careful with alcohol on the heating pads. Missed you Brooke
I have a 5 tray machine have had Ice cream and Peanut Brittle both destroy my machine but good news both are more easier to melt with water. I always do a machine defrost first to help. So you got it clean.
Turn the tray rack on its head to where the shelves are vertical, much easier to clean that way, you don't have to stand on your head!
I know you felt about flying. I dropped off my parents at the airport to fly back home to germany on saturday and I was so nervous. I kept checking the flight until I eventually fell asleep.
I am so sorry for all the families that have lost loved ones in that and the other crash.
@@silkestorey7152 I totally feel you, it’s so nerve wracking after a big tragedy 😔
@DIYfreezedry it is. And the same night around the time their flight was supposes to depart a ground worker at ORD was struck and hospitalized. For a moment I wasn't sure if they would be able to get out but it all worked out.
Folded paper towels soaked in vinegar set in the slots to presoak for a 1/2 hr.
Me too
I also put it in the sink, on it's end with the plug up toward the ceiling.
I then put a zipper sandwich baggie around the plug to ensure I don't get it wet. Use my sprayer and hose 🚿it down. Lol 😂
But I have the small pro HR and those shelves are not as tall as yours!
I use alcohol to clean mine too!
Good job! It is beautiful!
@@SasssyPie so glad it came clean! Thx!
I know you haven’t used this since before going to California, and I think that’s what made the cleanup so hard. It had a week to really dry and crusty on. It probably would have been better to clean right away… which would have meant not using it a couple days before going on a trip. That was the first mistake. Doing something “new” when you don’t have time to clean up should something go wrong.
Anyway, good to see you got it cleaned! To answer your random question, yes: it is supposed to be at an angle.
The shelving angle is to “straighten out” the shelves from the angle the drum is at from the freeze dryer’s angle backwards (so water drains out the drain in the back of the drum and doesn’t just sit there after defrosting. The shelving is at an opposite angle so the food and liquids placed on it are not at an angle.
When my rack gets like this (well, not quite that bad) I put it in the tub and spray the shower on it (trying to keep the back dry). Let it sit a while, scrub between the shelves with a bottle brush and soapy water, and rinse. Repeat until clean.
Get some foil tape from your local hardware store and use to reinstall your top pad. That is what is used on the bottom.
It would be nice if you could use a steam cleaner for a mess like that.
Is the rack all the way back? It looks like the front is contacting the back of the door gasket.
What was the gunk from? Does this happen regularly with a freeze dryer?
@@rachelcarlton7753 my last video… I freeze dried elderberry syrup which had honey in it which caused an eruption 😆😆
@DIYfreezedry ahh. Some how I missed that one. I get notifications for new uploads but never saw that one for some reason. Anyways, thanks for the reply! Can't wait to see more videos.
Is there a reason you can’t use the baking soda wit white vinegar to clean that mess?
My sister-in-law is a flight attendant and when I heard about the crash I was worried. Thankfully she is safe.
@@KitchenFairy61 so glad she is safe. Such a scary thing 😔
The plane crash was so upsetting and so scary. I'm flying two weeks with my two babies and my anxiety is through the roof
@@ADayNTheLifeOf it really changes your perspective when flying 😞 so heartbreaking. Hoping all will go smoothly for you with your kiddos 🙏
@DIYfreezedry thank you! And thank you for even talking about the fear. I am so heartbroken for all those people and their families and friends.
I clean the bottom of the shelves and then flip it upside down to clean the top of the shelves
Be happy you don't have the new one with the 5 shelfs .
@@dwayneneitzel4684 yeah that would have been so much harder to take care of 😅
My fd is clean, but the cloth wrap around the cord is getting a weird odor. Now the defrost water has that same odor. Any suggestions?
@@reneebeam426 hmmm I haven’t heard of that. Have you tried wiping the cord down? Does it discoloration stay?
@DIYfreezedry not discolored, just a weird funky smell. I have wiped the cord with the alcohol water and that didn't seem to change it.
I watched a RUclips video once where someone removed a shelf to make space for a special project. Could the shelves be taken apart? Just asking, not suggesting. May be a no no, but….
@@scarleenswalker7923 no, on Harvest Rights anyway, they’re definitely one piece!!!
But, like she removed the shelf system to clean, i have heard of people removing it to vacuum seal items in the drum…..
@@SasssyPie The shelves are currently riveted in, but you can drill the rivets out and replace with a nut and bolt. SchoolReports does this to lift a tray for some different camera shots. He only does it for 1 tray, but the modification is doable. As for voiding the warranty, just wait until the year is up, and then you are free to modify as much as you are brave.
@michaelchiappini1272 You got this before me, good answer. I see I’m not the only one paying attention to SchoolReports 😁!
If no big sink, try a bath tub or shower. Plenty of hot water and dish soap (dawn). Let it airdry while cleaning the chamber.
This is where the pro version won’t be a plus! One more slot but now the tray slots are narrower!
@@donnkloepfer1316 yeah that worries me 😖
@ me too! Mines the pro!
Been thinking about the four row like yours for the things that like to rise up so far.
You could have turned the insert upside down and not stand on your head cleaning the top heating pads.🤔🤔
@@HebronGrandpa work smarter not harder 🤣
I would be so afraid to scratch my shelves with a butter knife😮
You know, children's hands are much smaller than adult hands. I'm sure you could compensate them for some assistance.
1:06 what did you do?😮
Try not to let too much of that alcohol down into the vacuum system best to disconnect the hose
3:34 my top insulator came off too. I’ll keep watching to see what you find to glue it on with remember it gets - 50 in there.
👍👍👍👍👍
In the freeze-dry chamber, you should use 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 water, nothing more. Don't let the vinegar go down the drain in the chamber; it's used solely to wipe the chamber down. Only fresh water should be poured down the drain.
The drain hose Can grow mold and be a problem if all you ever wash it out with is just water. Let the vinegar solution go down the hose and use a very long "straw" cleaning brush, from the top and bottom to clean the hose.
Then pour more water down the drain hole to rinse it out.
And always, when the freeze dryer isn't running, leave the door open so molds don't get the chance to grow. (over 7 years FD experience so far - with many mistakes 🤪)
@@hydej1667 That directly contradicts what both Stay Fresh and Harvest Right recommend. The pipes can corrode; they are not made of stainless steel.
I've never heard of the freeze dryer brands Stay Fresh nor Freeze Right.
We've been cleaning our Harvest Right freeze dryer this way for over 7 years now with no problem. This is how we were Told to clean it when we first got it. (We were told we could use dish soap and water, vinegar, alcohol, or diluted chlorine bleach to clean with, and to make sure we cleaned the drain hose from the barrel all the way to the outlet and let dry thoroughly if not starting another batch right away. And to leave the door open to lessen the chance of mold growth.
Don't do these oops.