DIY Freeze Drier

[shokwave]

Hey all, so I have an idea. I want to make a freeze drier. I think I have the physical components, an ice maker and a vacuum pump.  I'd like to document and discuss the project here.

[Captains Cultures]

Awesome shok! Keep us up to date!!

[Casey M.]

How does one build a freeze dryer?

[shokwave]

It needs to basically cool things off a lot (ice maker), then pull a vacuum on it so that the ice sublimates (straight from solid to vapor). I'll have to do a little research, but I do have a vacuum pump, and I have an old unused ice maker, the platic piece that pushes the ice off cracked, but the getty-cold-maker part seems to be fine.  So first step would be that going into an airtight box with shelves to put fruits on and then figuring out the control programming.