What I presume was happening was that condensation was building up on the cooling coils between the insulation and the chamber and freezing. When I finally turned the FDer off it took 3 days for the ice buildup to melt and slowly soak through the insulation and drip onto the counter.
Hopefully I said that in a way that makes sense! As well, does it matter which port is used as "in" and which as "out"?
After the 3rd cycle I had hit my 20 cycle oil limit so it was time to change the oil. This time I took the time to add a flush port to my pump. When I replaced the plumbing with larger diameter brass and a cutoff valve I did not think to add the oil flush out port.
Gleaming, inviting, New Age—the siren call to Americans who love their gadgets. But is a home freeze-dryer the appliance for you? Here is some information designed to cut through the advertising hype and provide a voice of reason on the pros and cons of home freeze-dryer ownership. The Science Behind Freeze Drying
One oil free pump. The oil free vacuum pump can be used with any size freeze dryer. They are quiet, fast, and easy to use. The Harvest Right oil free vacuum pumps do not require oil changes and do not require regular user maintenance.
Isolated pump by capping the stack (pelo meter to measure pressure, but pelo bubbling after a very short pumpdown - pump sounded normal for a high vacuum situation)
The types of cooking equipment you have available are very important for your business, so it’s crucial that you buy the correct equipment for cooking and preparing mouth-watering meals for guests.
I did have a vacuum hose fitting leak at the FDer port once. I had similar symptoms to yours. I found that the hose would slightly rotate even when the fitting was snug.
Size of machine. This is not a small appliance, as shown by the table below using specifications from a popular “home” freeze dryer manufacturer:
For example, a reseller might charge more for shipping, or they might not include a warranty in the package. Resellers may also not offer the same prices as the manufacturer.
Many online stores (taking Harvest Right as an example) have sections of their websites devoted to all the different benefits of using freeze dryers, explaining how to freeze dry, how it affects nutrition, and all other additional info you may need.
Odds are the problem is the vacuum hose or its end connections, the drain valve, or the door gasket. Based upon my harvest right home freeze dryer experience I'd double check the fittings while installed on the FDer.
The key is to freeze as fast as possible then dry as slow as possible. The freezing stiffens the cells so that when it is dried, it still maintains it's shape and texture.
3) Inside the front panel I installed a plastic shield over the display card and a water deflector just below the hole to route the exterior condensation to an 11x17 pan beneath the FDer.