Will a home freeze dryer pay for itself?
Estimate your cost per batch, monthly savings and payback period for a Harvest Right freeze dryer — using your state's electricity price. Or model a freeze-dried candy side business.
Per-batch breakdown
Cumulative net position (36 months)
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Per-bag breakdown
Cumulative net position (36 months)
Selling food from home is regulated by state cottage food laws, and sales tax may apply. Profit assumes you can actually sell every bag. See our candy profit guide.
How the numbers work
Electricity
kWh per batch × your rate. Harvest Right states its Small/Medium draw ~9–11 A on average (≈990–1,210 W) and estimates $1.25–$2.80 per batch; Large ~$2–$3; X-Large ~$4. Our defaults (14 / 18 / 24 / 40 kWh) are estimates consistent with those statements; real use varies with load, room temperature and cycle length.
Supplies
Mylar bags (~$0.30–$1 each), oxygen absorbers (~$0.08–$0.20 each) and pump oil amortized per batch. Defaults ($5 / $7 / $10 / $18) are estimates from typical US retail pack prices. See the supplies guide.
Store value
The biggest and most personal input. Commercial freeze-dried fruit, meals and meat often cost $6–$15+ per pound of fresh-food equivalent (estimate). If you would never buy freeze-dried food, compare against canned/frozen instead and the payback gets much longer.
Sources: Harvest Right product pages and FAQ (capacity, power, cost per batch); U.S. EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (residential ¢/kWh, July 2026, released Sept 24, 2026). Rates are monthly state averages; your utility tariff may differ.
Guides
Is a Freeze Dryer Worth It? An Honest Cost Breakdown (2026)
A numbers-first look at whether a home freeze dryer pays for itself: upfront price, running costs, and the one assumption that decides everything.
Freeze Dryer Cost per Batch by State (2026 Electricity Rates)
Estimated electricity cost per freeze dryer batch in every US state, using EIA residential rates, plus the supplies that matter more than power.
Freeze-Dried Candy Profit Guide: Costs, Pricing and Payback
How much can a freeze-dried candy side business make? Cost per bag, pricing, realistic volume, legal basics and payback math.
Harvest Right Small vs Medium vs Large (and X-Large): Which Size?
Compare Harvest Right freeze dryer sizes by price, capacity, tray area, power and cost per batch to choose the right one.
Harvest Right Alternatives: What to Know Before You Shop
A neutral checklist for evaluating any home freeze dryer brand: capacity claims, trays, electrical needs, included accessories, warranty and payback math.
Freeze Dryer Electricity Cost per Month (2026, by Usage)
How much a home freeze dryer adds to your electric bill each month, by machine size, batches per month and state electricity rate — with worked examples.
How Many Batches Until a Freeze Dryer Pays for Itself?
Break-even batch counts for each Harvest Right size under low, mid and high savings assumptions — and how to find your own number.
Best Foods to Freeze Dry for the Biggest Savings
Which foods save the most money when freeze dried at home, which save little, and which to avoid — ranked by the gap between store-bought and homemade cost.
Starting a Freeze-Dried Candy Business: Licenses and Costs by State
A general overview of cottage food laws, permits, insurance and startup costs for selling freeze-dried candy in the US. Not legal advice.
Freeze Drying Supplies List and Costs (2026)
Everything you need besides the machine — mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, sealer, pump oil, trays — with estimated costs per batch and per year.