Freeze Drying Tools and Supplies: What You Actually Need:
If you’re just getting started with freeze drying, it’s easy to assume you need a long list of tools to be successful. In reality, you only need a few core items to get good results. Most other tools simply make the process easier over time. This guide will walk through what you actually need, what can wait, and how to keep your setup simple.
See: Freeze Drying Food at Home (Beginner’s Guide)
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Equipment Choices That Matter
If you’re setting up a freeze dryer or deciding what to buy, these choices have the biggest impact.
What size freeze dryer do you need?
A medium freeze dryer is a good fit for most households. Choose based on how much food you want to process at one time.
Pump type?
Oil-based pumps are strong and reliable, cost less upfront, but require regular oil changes based on time and amount of use.
Oil-free pumps are basically maintenance-free but come with a higher initial cost.
What’s Usually Included with a Freeze Dryer?
Most home freeze dryers come with a starter setup, so you don’t need to buy everything right away. This usually includes:
A vacuum pump (usually oil-based unless upgraded)
Stainless steel trays
A heat sealer
A small supply of Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers
Vacuum pump oil and filter
These tools and supplies are enough to get started, but the included supplies are usually limited and will need to be replaced as you begin running regular batches.
For a full overview of how the process works, see: Freeze Drying Basics for Beginners
Essential Supplies For Short-Term and Long-Term Storage
These are the items you will use on almost every batch.
Vacuum sealer – Countertop and handheld. Some foods stored in Mylar bags benefit from vacuum sealing. (Buyer beware: not all units can vacuum seal smooth mylar bags) Having an additional handheld vacuum sealer sealer essential for resealing pantry jars that you access often.
Mylar bags for long-term storage. Freeze-dried food packed in properly sealed mylar and stored in a cool dark place can last 20 to 25 years or more.
Oxygen absorbers are highly recommended to extend freshness and storage time with mylar bags or glass jars.
Glass canning jars (also called Mason jars) are great for storing freeze-dried foods. Mason jars should be vacuum sealed for best results. Stored in a cool, dark place, freeze-dried foods in vacuum-sealed jars can maintain good quality for many months up to 2–3 years. Adding oxygen absorbers can help extend storage time further. Mason jars are also ideal for storing freeze-dried ingredients that you use regularly, such as freeze-dried pantry ingredients like herbs, peppers, onions, broth powder, etc.
For detailed storage methods, see: How to Store Freeze-Dried Food for Short‑and Long‑Term Use
Tools That Make the Process Easier
These are not required, but they make freeze drying more efficient and less messy.
A handheld vacuum sealer to reseal jars accessed frequently, such as herbs or everyday pantry ingredients. Resealing after each use helps preserve freshness and extend shelf life.
Extra trays allow you to prepare and/or freeze your next batch while one is running. This saves time and keeps the process moving.
Reusable silicone tray liners and/or disposable tray liners reduce sticking and make cleanup easier. Reusable and disposable both work well.
Funnels and scoops make it easier to transfer food into bags or jars without spills. This becomes more helpful as you process larger batches.
To see how these tools are used in real batches, see: Freeze Drying the Harvest: How to Preserve Garden Fresh Food the Easy Way
Helpful, but Optional Tools
These are useful if you are freeze drying regularly, but they are not necessary when getting started.
Food processor and/or a mandoline slicer speeds up prep time when working with large amounts of food and ensures uniform pieces necessary for consistent drying.
High-speed blender is useful for turning freeze-dried foods into powders for cooking or storage.
Batch Tracker helps you track times, results, and adjustments so you can improve consistency over time.
You can start with these and add tools as your volume increases or your workflow changes.
For examples of foods commonly processed and used this way, see: Best Foods to Freeze Dry (Beginner-Friendly List)
A Simple Setup That Works
A practical setup for most home kitchens centers on a reliable, efficient, medium freeze dryer capable of handling regular batches combined with the above list covers the full workflow from preparation to storage without adding unnecessary complexity. Additional tools can be added later, but this core setup is enough to produce consistent, high-quality results.
For a closer look at what to consider before choosing a machine, see: What to Know Before Buying a Freeze Dryer
Final Thoughts
Freeze drying does require some specialized tools, but you don’t have to buy everything immediately. Remember most freeze dryer packages come with starter supplies. Start with those until you figure out what works best for you before you purchase additional items.
Start with the basics and focus on building a simple and efficient workflow
Add tools only when they solve a real problem
Cook’s Note
I wasn’t sure how much I would use a freeze dryer at first. After a few months with one machine, it became clear that a second freeze dryer made sense. What started as primarily seasonal has turned into year-round use, with a steady supply of convenient freeze-dried ingredients kept on hand in the pantry.
