Frequently asked questions

All four: Small, Medium, Large and XL. See Models & pricing for specs and indicative pricing.

Not yet. We're getting ready to launch and are taking waitlist sign-ups and enquiries. We'll contact waitlist members first when hire opens. No payment is taken on this site.

We currently use Harvest Right freeze dryers, and we may add other brands in future.

Indicative pre-launch pricing: Small from €180 a week or €550 a month; Medium from €210 a week or €650 a month; Large from €250 a week or €750 a month; XL from €320 a week or €950 a month. 3-month hires are billed monthly at a lower rate. Refundable deposits range from €1,750 to €4,000 depending on the model. Delivery is €75 each way in the Dublin area, or about €160 round trip elsewhere in Ireland. See Models & pricing for the full table. Prices may change before launch.

1 week for the Small, Medium and Large; 2 weeks for the XL.

A refundable deposit is held against damage while the machine is with you. We photograph the machine at delivery and again at return. If there's no damage beyond normal use, the full deposit is returned. Deposit amounts: Small €1,750, Medium €2,000, Large €2,500, XL €4,000.

We deliver from Dublin to anywhere in Ireland: €75 each way in the Dublin area, or about €160 round trip elsewhere. You can also collect and return the machine yourself. Either way, we use a photo checklist at handover.

A dedicated 230V wall socket with no extension leads, and a clean, ventilated room between 2°C and 35°C. A utility room, kitchen or dry garage usually works. See How hire works.

We're based in Dublin and plan to deliver anywhere in Ireland. Tell us your county on the waitlist form.

Freeze-drying is slow. A batch usually runs for more than a day. The time depends on the food, how thick and watery it is, how full the trays are and the room temperature. We'll give you guidance when we deliver.

The vacuum pump makes a noticeable running noise, and a batch runs for many hours. Most people put the machine in a utility room, garage or outbuilding, as long as it stays between 2 and 35°C.

The machines run on 230V / 50Hz. We supply them ready for standard Irish (Type G) sockets. Please plug it straight into a wall socket and don't use an extension lead.

It runs for long periods, so it does add to your electricity bill. We'll publish running-cost guidance before launch.

Most fruit, vegetables, cooked meals, meat, fish, dairy and many sweets freeze-dry well. Foods that are very high in fat or sugar, such as butter, pure chocolate, jam or honey, don't freeze-dry well on their own.

No. Freeze-drying removes water. It doesn't cook food or kill bacteria. Prepare and handle food as you normally would, and treat raw meat, fish and eggs with the same care after freeze-drying.

Store it in airtight, light-blocking packaging such as Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, or in airtight jars, and keep it somewhere cool and dry. You can add these extras when you enquire.

Contact us straight away. We'll help troubleshoot remotely and arrange a repair, parts or a replacement for faults that aren't caused by misuse.

Our machines carry a 2-year manufacturer warranty for manufacturing defects under normal use. Covered faults are diagnosed and parts are replaced. Not covered: damage from moving or transport, improper setup, poor ventilation, misuse, unsuitable power or extension leads, modifications, normal wear and tear, consumables such as gaskets, filters and oil, and lost or spoiled food. Any damage caused during the hire or at your premises is your responsibility and is held against the deposit.

You're responsible for the machine while it's with you. Damage from misuse, moving it, a poor setup, poor ventilation, unsuitable power or consumable wear beyond normal use may be deducted from your deposit. Details are in our draft hire terms.

Hiring a machine doesn't cover food business registration. If you plan to sell food, check your obligations with the FSAI and your local Environmental Health Service.