Video link: https://youtu.be/-ejqhKwO7X8
Video Summary
The video provides a detailed guide on setting up an Analog Freeze Dryer. It covers initial vacuum testing, connecting vacuum hoses, and ensuring a tight seal. Screen readings are also explained to interpret the machine's status, including when the heaters turn on. The guide walks through how to prepare the machine for freeze drying once an acceptable vacuum level is achieved.
Video Transcript
How to Set Up the Analog Freeze Dryer
First, we will show a vacuum test, then how to set your machine up to run a batch of food.
Dry Chamber Test Tutorial Video
Plug in the Vacuum Pump into the back of the Freeze Dryer.
Plug the Freeze Dryer into an outlet.
Attach the Vacuum Hose to the Vacuum Pump. This connection should be VERY tight. Tighten it until you stop getting movement on the nut of the hose.
Attach the Vacuum Hose to the Freeze Dryer. Again, this fitting should be VERY tight.
When attaching the Vacuum Hose to the pump and Freeze Dryer: Tighten it VERY tight; if the nut on the hose will tighten more, tighten it until it no longer is able to move. NEVER put any glues (e.g., Pipe Dope), tapes (e.g., Teflon Tape), etc., on these vacuum hose fittings.
Remove the Door Gasket from the rim of the chamber.
Remove the shelving unit from the chamber. You will need to disconnect the cable from the shelving unit. Then place the shelving unit off to the side of the freeze dryer.
Next, reinstall the door gasket onto the freeze dryer chamber.
Make sure your drain hose is closed tight.
Turn your freeze dryer on.
Rotate the top knob all the way down (counterclockwise) until the vacuum pump kicks on.
If the freeze dryer door and the door gasket have a good seal, we will not be able to open the door of the machine (after approx. 20 seconds).
Once we have achieved an acceptable vacuum pressure (300-400mT), we can shut the machine off. Next, release the vacuum pressure from the chamber via the drain hose. If we were able to achieve a vacuum pressure of 400-300mT, the test is complete. You can now reinsert the shelving unit and begin your batch.
After the Test:
How to Prepare Your Machine for Food Once the vacuum pressure has been released from the chamber, you will be able to open the door.
Re-attach the shelving unit to the freeze dryer. Reinstall the door gasket.
Screen Readings: Cooling = Heaters are OFF. Vacuum XXX mT = We are pulling a vacuum outside the range of our screen. Because it is cooling XXX mT, we know it is ABOVE 990 mT.
The heaters are programmed to turn on around 490-500mT. Once the heaters turn on, Cooling changes to Drying, and a countdown timer begins.
When we pull a vacuum below 10mT, we will see the XXX mT return. With our screen saying Drying with a timer and XXX mT, we know we are below 0mT.
Drying + countdown timer + Vacuum XXX mT EQUALS a vacuum pressure below 0mT.
