Freeze Drying vs Dehydration

Freeze Dried vs. Dehydration which is best? 

• Shelf life
• Nutrients retained.
• Rehydration
• Convenience 
• Cost

Shelf life: Freeze drying typically removes more moisture than dehydration. Because there is an end product with less moisture, this typically makes the product last longer. Of course, there are outside factors to consider before assuming that one is better than the other. Where are the items being stored? How are they being stored and what is the product? A product that has been dehydrated will last typically 4-12 months, shelf stable (unopened) once you open the item you will drastically decrease the shelf life. Same is true for Freeze drying. If you have a freeze-dried product, but you open it the shelf life will start to diminish as well. However, a freeze-dried product will last on the shelf in vacuum sealed packaging for anywhere from 6 months to 25 years. Whereas a dehydrated vacuum sealed product will only last up to 15 years. Again, this depends on the leftover moisture content. 

Nutrients Retained: Due to the processing of dehydrating foods, whether it's heat dried, or air dried the length of time it takes in those processes can diminish the nutrients more than freeze dried foods, because freeze dried foods is frozen and then the moisture is sublimated quickly it leaves behind more nutrients. On average freeze drying can retain up to 97% of the nutrients, whereas dehydrated foods typically lose up to 65%.

Rehydration: Both dehydrated and freeze-dried items can be rehydrated with a little effort. However, because freeze dried items don't tend to shrink in size like dehydrated items, it reconstitutes much nicer than dehydrated items.

Convenience: Depending on what your role is in either freeze dried or dehydrated items will determine the convenience factor of each. If you are just purchasing either, they are both readily available for anyone at most grocery stores.  If you are stock piling emergency items, freeze dried it the way to go. If you are planning on freeze drying or dehydrating on your own both have their pros and cons. Dehydrated food doesn't need freezing prior to the process, which can make it easier in terms of starting; but they still require a drying time. Whereas freeze dried goods, they may need freeze time prior, as well as the dry time that can be a bit longer. Also, noted dehydrators are typically smaller than a freeze dryer, so space could be considered a convenience factor as well. On average the maintenance from a dehydrator to a freeze dryer, the freeze dryer would require more service. 

Cost: If you are planning on dehydrating by yourself, or freeze drying by yourself the cost is going to be substantially different. A small freeze dryer right off the bat costs thousands, a dehydrator can be as little as $50 at your local store. So, naturally the cost in store is also going to be more expensive for purchasing. In the long run you will need to weight the options and see what your goals are. If you are concerned about costs, dehydration is likely the way to go. If you are an established dehydrated food or product that is looking to turn your business into a larger scale of growth, switching to freeze drying and investing in a larger scale freeze dry machine may be more cost, time and storage effective for you. 

At the end of the day, both dehydrating and freeze drying have their pros and cons. It really depends on what your goals are with each. If you are looking to have a home based, save some food options, a dehydrator will be your best bet. If you are stock piling food for storage, a freeze dryer will be worth your while there are a lot of great tabletop freeze dryers out there. If you are considering a business of dehydrated goods that will last a long time, with great quality upgrading to a commercial grade freeze dryer is going to be the best option for you. 

Parker Freeze Dry does not offer any small tabletop options, but if you are considering scaling up a business, we can help you decide just how much freeze-drying capacity you will need. 

If you are interested in more information; please see our products. HERE

Articles:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7602416/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7603155/