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Techstead Life
United States
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 20 ก.พ. 2024
Welcome to Techstead Life, where technology meets homesteading in the most practical and exciting ways! Whether you're a budding homesteader or a tech enthusiast, our channel is your go-to source for integrating cutting-edge technology into everyday rural living.
🐝 Beekeeping: Discover our journey of novice beekeeping.
🌞 Solar Power: Learn all about setting up and optimizing solar panels to power your homestead sustainably.
🐔 Poultry Care: Get tips on everything from caring for chickens to building high-tech feeders and waterers.
🌿 Freeze-Drying: Follow our journey as we preserve our harvest and share how you can do the same with a Harvest Right freeze dryer.
Based in the scenic mountains of Northeast Georgia, Techstead Life brings a laid-back yet educational style to each video. We make technology approachable and fun, helping you apply it in ways that are both innovative and functional. Subscribe to join our community of tech-savvy homesteaders today!
🐝 Beekeeping: Discover our journey of novice beekeeping.
🌞 Solar Power: Learn all about setting up and optimizing solar panels to power your homestead sustainably.
🐔 Poultry Care: Get tips on everything from caring for chickens to building high-tech feeders and waterers.
🌿 Freeze-Drying: Follow our journey as we preserve our harvest and share how you can do the same with a Harvest Right freeze dryer.
Based in the scenic mountains of Northeast Georgia, Techstead Life brings a laid-back yet educational style to each video. We make technology approachable and fun, helping you apply it in ways that are both innovative and functional. Subscribe to join our community of tech-savvy homesteaders today!
How to Freeze Dry Twix Like a Pro
In this video, join us as we dive into the art of freeze-drying Twix bars! We'll guide you through the entire process, starting with the preparation phase and including essential tips to avoid common pitfalls, like dealing with caramel. Learn how to set your freeze dryer to candy mode and why it's crucial to avoid warming the trays if you're working with caramel-filled treats.
Key Highlights:
Setting Up: Wait for the initial 15-minute phase before placing Twix bars in the freeze dryer.
Post-Freeze Drying Care: Tips on how to firm the chocolate back up by refrigerating the bars before packaging.
Packaging Advice: Best practices for using silicone mats or parchment paper to ensure the bars don’t stick to the tray.
Whether you're a freeze-drying veteran or just starting out, this video has something for you. We also didn't show this step in the video, but we'll share how a quick chill in the fridge can make a big difference in handling the chocolate post-freeze drying.
👉 Have questions? Drop them in the comments below!
👍 Like this video? Hit the like button and subscribe for more innovative guides on freeze drying your favorite snacks!
Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video!
00:00 Intro
00:04 Freeze Dryer Settings
00:19 Unwrapping Twix
01:33 Cutting Twix into Thirds
02:35 Placing Twix on Trays
03:58 Twix Before Going into Machine
04:09 Candy Mode Settings
04:18 Twix After Coming out of Machine
04:21 Post Processing Tips and Tricks
05:46 Outro
#freezedried #twix #harvestright #freezedrying #candy #homestead #homesteading
Key Highlights:
Setting Up: Wait for the initial 15-minute phase before placing Twix bars in the freeze dryer.
Post-Freeze Drying Care: Tips on how to firm the chocolate back up by refrigerating the bars before packaging.
Packaging Advice: Best practices for using silicone mats or parchment paper to ensure the bars don’t stick to the tray.
Whether you're a freeze-drying veteran or just starting out, this video has something for you. We also didn't show this step in the video, but we'll share how a quick chill in the fridge can make a big difference in handling the chocolate post-freeze drying.
👉 Have questions? Drop them in the comments below!
👍 Like this video? Hit the like button and subscribe for more innovative guides on freeze drying your favorite snacks!
Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video!
00:00 Intro
00:04 Freeze Dryer Settings
00:19 Unwrapping Twix
01:33 Cutting Twix into Thirds
02:35 Placing Twix on Trays
03:58 Twix Before Going into Machine
04:09 Candy Mode Settings
04:18 Twix After Coming out of Machine
04:21 Post Processing Tips and Tricks
05:46 Outro
#freezedried #twix #harvestright #freezedrying #candy #homestead #homesteading
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I love this video!!! thank you for getting to the point. I salute you sir!!
Have you ever done spice drop candy
Never done it! Not even sure what it is. I'll try to check it out
Have done spice drop
That freeze dry machine are how much price in now
It depends on the size you want and the brand. Check out Harvest Right freeze dryers. That is what we have and we love it!
I love the way you explain. You saved me! Thanks
Glad it helped!
I notice you set the drying time for 12 hrs. Did you leave them that long. If not, when did you take them out?
Great question! I did run the jolly ranchers for 12 hours. Most candy doesn't take as long but I wanted to make sure it was good and dry.
Try strawberry shortcake
That's a great idea! We will add that to the list.
So is this also possible with ice cream from a vendor? there is small bissness in my area that repairs coffemachines and servers coffe and ather things during summer they got italian ice and final months they sold it at discount / sadly i do think they trew some of it away includding my flavour taste mocca. but they get it freshly made and its normaly good for 3 months in the freezer unit for sale. --- would freeze drying that ice cream into chunks maybe helped / not trowing it away but extend shelf life as cookie thing? --- me wondering
That's a good question. I think you depends a lot on fat content. If it is high in fat it either won't last long freeze dried or won't freeze dry at all.
@@TechsteadLife Well the one you used in this short Neapolitan ice cream is ofcourse not one that gets sold at icecream vendor booths those get used in steeltubs so far i know they get this icecream made on demand and deliverd but there must be a serten Fat and sugar to the one you used p.s ive never seen that icecream you used in EU shops - i live in Holland by the way. - Freeze drying stuf for consumpition issent realy a thing here - how ever you're thing does make me remember some cookies brand from very long ago. that looked foamy. Also these freeze dryed icecream cookies probaly have a serten texture to it now.
If putting in mylar bags are you using oxygen absorbers?
No OAs in candy.
@@PierceWellnessCentergreat to know. thank you.
To piggy back I've seen people use silica packets in candy instead of oxygen absorbers
thanks for the follow-up . guess I need to get some of them too. 😊
thank you. I've seen other snicker videos but yours is the only one that mentioned the peanuts and to clean and sanitize before doing other candies.
Feels important if you're selling to the public. Peanut allergies seem pretty common!
Great video, but I think we need help. We did exactly what you said and our skittles puffed up huge into one giant clump, there was no breaking them apart. What did we do wrong? Thanks
What machine do you have?
Can you comment on whether or not you think this set up could power a 100w chicken water heater?
That's a good question Mike. Doing some quick research I see there is 1 that is 100w and 120v from The Chicken Coop Company. I'm not sure how it works, if it runs 100% of the time or just runs enough to keep the water above a certain temperature. Assuming that it runs all of the time, my 70ah lead-acid battery bank would only run it for around 3 and a half hours. A lithium-ion battery bank at the same 70ah could do it for about 6.8 hours, though. Of course you could get a bigger battery bank that could support it just fine!
And do you have e to put them in the refrigerator after??
No they can be stored in a pantry for likely 25 years if stored properly! Don't quote me on that I'm not a food scientist by any means
@@TechsteadLife thanks for your response.
How does these last for??
What size is your Harvest Right?
We've got a medium harvest right freeze dryer. It's the slightly older version that has 5 trays.
Awesome!! Have you ever done Bueno minis?
No but we will definitely add it to the list!
ماهي طريقة العمل
ohhh nice,cutting in thirds increases profitability,more pieces to sell per bag of candy
That's a great point!
@spaceagesnacks Try It!
Finally, someone who is honest and takes time to explain the settings as well as the process. Would you consider doing a how to video for airhead, saltwater taffy, Laffy Taffy and sour Skittles, nerd gummies, and werther hard and soft carmels? In your spare time of course😊 Not starting a business just don't want to waste any more candy and money. Thank you for the great, trustworthy, and informative videos!
Sure thing! We will add those to the list
They look so good
Great little video! caramel m&ms are the only chocolate item I've tried so far. Candy bars, milk duds and junior mints are on my list next.
Milk Duds are crazy good
Thanks for the great video, worked great, except one questions, the trays (and candy) are freezing cold when complete, so when I take out the candy to package, they begin to sweat in regular room temperature. Is there a setting that once freeze dry is complete the trays would warm a little so this does not happen?
Are you sure you are running the machine on candy mode? When I pull them out they are generally hot to the touch.
Yes, I am in candy mode, my screen looked exactly like yours. When I did these when I first got my freeze dryer they were warm when they came out. Then it was quite some time since I'd tried it again I honestly don't use the freeze a whole lot And thought I must have forgotten a step. I watched your video did it exactly the same but when the cycle is over There is still ice lining the cylinder and the candy and trays are super cold Candy freeze-dried well taste great but there is that sweating issue
@tjfelker1 check your software version, I think older softwares have that problem
Please, can you tell me where I can buy this freezer for candy?
This is a Harvest Right freeze dryer. You can visit their website at harvestright.com/ to see if it is available where you live.
Dosen't the bananas taste like lemon?
They don't! They just taste a bit tangy. I actually like it more.
My mom makes tea with the cone
That's a great idea! I'll need to try that
You can “ate” this? wtf? You mean eat?
I said eat I might just have a bit of a southern draw 😆
@@TechsteadLife drawl
That's right!
It’s great in making beauty supplies or candies, but eating the comb.. nope.
Great for candles as well! A lot of really interesting uses for the beeswax
I’ve had bees wax before, it’s surprisingly good, really recommend spending a bit more money on this next time you see it! ☺️
It is a really interesting experience for sure
Isn't it just wax
It is! But it's 100% edible and it's very interesting to eat. You can kinda chew it like gum
Yup that's exactly right!
How do you prevent overflow on the jar? Didn't see a way to block or turn off the spout.
Realistically there is no way, you need to physically swap out the jars if it overflows and lose a bit of honey, but each frame seemed to fit a half gallon mason jar almost perfectly.
Honest curiosity. How do you keep the honey flow clean? Dirt and mites dont build up at the bottom of the hive?
Great question! Honestly the bees do it, they are incredibly clean creatures. They make sure to keep the honey pure. There is a work force constantly dedicated to cleaning.
@@TechsteadLife so they even clean the bottom of the box? Thats really cool i didnt know bees even kept stuff that clean. Ty for teaching me something new today
You can harvest and process all your honey in a single space. Once you’re done just open the doors or windows and the honey bee’s will come in and take care of any spillages or sticky surfaces. To the point where ALL trace of anything ever being there is gone. They are almost magic!
Poor bees
They've got plenty of honey to last them the winter!
If you dont take some honey they run out of room.
First time may not be reflective of what lies down the line acc to other vid comments
That's a great point, it was super easy this first year but after cleaning and storing the super for next year we may be singing a different tune
I love honey 🍯
Nothing like local honey!
@@TechsteadLife how long does the spout drip after turning the valve back to closed?
It didn't drip afterwards, we turned the key back to closed and then put a cap back in the hole. Any residual honey will be cleaned and restored by the bees.
Less stress on everyone, especially the bees❤
They really didn't seem to mind at all!
Nice
Just use Paint trays & nesting liner.
That is certainly one option
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I haven't used solar before. Does the solar charge the battery? What happens when you have cloudy days?
Yes it does! We've got it hooked up to 2 batteries. Cloudy days it doesn't charge as optimally, so they really on the battery power to keep the cameras and lights going. We've only had one day with 5 consecutive cloudy days that has been a problem for the batteries, but that can be fixed by adding more solar panels and more batteries.
At what temperature did you freeze dry them? And for how long ? Thank you
We used the default settings, so I believe it was 125 degrees on the machine. The entire process took about 40 hours for freeze drying.
@@TechsteadLife thank you
👍👍👍👍👍
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Reminds me of the original donkey Kong game
I love that the first one ran under one of the bigger chickens, so cute!
Gotta get to momma!
then how do you get down?
They jump down to the ground. They've got a nice thick bed of wood shavings so no harm done.
Hi James, As I am new to all of this, I tend to get a bit nervous about whether to warm trays or not and how long would I do it for if I am meant to warm trays? It would be cool if you had a guide to share of warming trays or not for certain foods. Thank you so much for the awesome videos, they are so easy to follow 🌻
No problem! I'll work out a guide for that. If you check out the guides on the website at techstead.life it'll tell you which ones individually need trays warmed or not. As a general rule, I've never seen any normal foods that need trays warmed. Warming trays mostly applies to hard candies that need warmth to make them more malleable.
I am really enjoying your videos, thank you 🙏 Just a couple of questions please….do the Bannanas taste a little like lemon, and do you warm the trays and if so, for how long? I live in Australia Tasmania and I have only just received my Harvest Right and intend on Bannanas being my next batch. Thank you 🌻
No tray warmers needed for bananas, if anything you may want to pre-freeze them to make it faster. From my perspective, the lemon juice doesn't make it taste like lemon at all, maybe a little more "tangy". I can hardly tell the difference between the taste of lemon juiced bananas and non-juiced bananas. I'd say experiment with a few with and without and see if you can tell the difference.
Thank you for actually posting what settings you use!! It seems like an industry secret that nobody shares on TH-cam. Much appreciated 🫡
Exactly what I came to comment thank you
No problem! I've found it difficult myself to find clear instructions which is why I am making these videos. Glad to see it helping!