Buying a Harvest Right freeze dryer is only the beginning. After running hundreds of pounds of food through a freeze dryer, most owners quickly discover that a few accessories can make the process easier, faster, and less messy.
The good news is that you don’t need every accessory Harvest Right sells. Some are genuinely useful, while others are nice to have but not essential.
If you’re just getting started, these are the Harvest Right accessories I would spend money on first.
If you’re still deciding which freeze dryer to buy, you may also want to read my Medium vs Large Harvest Right Freeze Dryer comparison.
Why Accessories Matter
Freeze drying is more than simply loading food into trays and pressing Start.
You’ll need a way to:
- Package food for long-term storage
- Keep trays organized
- Reduce cleanup time
- Maintain your vacuum pump
- Store food efficiently
The right accessories can save hours of work over the life of your machine.
Quick Accessory Comparison
| Accessory | Worth Buying? | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Trays | Yes | High |
| Silicone Mats | Yes | High |
| Tray Lids | Yes | Medium |
| Mylar Bags | Yes | High |
| Impulse Sealer | Yes | High |
| Oil Filter Kit | Yes | Medium |
| Oil-Free Pump | Optional | Low |
| Wi-Fi Kit | Optional | Low |
| Silicone Molds | Optional | Medium |
1. Extra Stainless Steel Trays
My #1 recommendation.
Extra trays allow you to pre-freeze your next batch while the current batch is running.
Instead of waiting for one cycle to finish before preparing more food, you can have another set ready to go.
Benefits include:
- Faster batch turnaround
- Better use of freezer space
- Easier meal prep
- Less downtime between loads
Harvest Right offers replacement and additional tray sets for all machine sizes.
Amazon Link Text: Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Extra Stainless Steel Trays
2. Silicone Tray Mats
If you freeze dry sticky foods, silicone mats quickly become one of your favorite accessories.
They work especially well for:
- Eggs
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Purees
- Sauces
- Candy
The food releases easily and cleanup takes only a few seconds.
Harvest Right’s silicone mats are reusable, dishwasher safe, and designed to fit their trays.
Amazon Link Text: Harvest Right Silicone Mats
3. Tray Lids
Many new freeze dryer owners overlook tray lids.
They’re useful because they allow you to:
- Stack prepared trays in the freezer
- Prevent spills
- Organize multiple batches
- Protect food before loading
If you’re freeze-drying large garden harvests, tray lids make preparation much easier. Harvest Right sells lids designed specifically for each tray size.
Amazon Link Text: Harvest Right Tray Lids
4. Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers
Your food isn’t truly protected until it’s packaged properly.
For long-term storage you’ll want:
- Mylar bags
- Oxygen absorbers
- Permanent marker
- Heat sealer
Harvest Right sells Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers specifically for freeze-dried food storage. Properly packaged food can last for decades when stored in cool, dry conditions.
You may also enjoy:
5. Impulse Sealer
A quality impulse sealer creates a stronger seal than many household vacuum sealers when working with Mylar bags.
Benefits include:
- Fast sealing
- Consistent results
- Better long-term food protection
- Easy operation
Harvest Right offers a dedicated impulse sealer designed for Mylar food storage bags.
6. Oil Filter Kit (For Oil Pump Owners)
If your machine uses an oil vacuum pump, this accessory will save money.
Filtering oil allows you to:
- Reuse oil
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Extend pump life
- Improve performance
Harvest Right offers oil filters and replacement filter cartridges specifically for maintaining vacuum pump oil.
7. Oil-Free Pump Upgrade
This is expensive but worth considering if you freeze-dry frequently.
Advantages include:
- No oil changes
- Less maintenance
- Cleaner operation
- Simpler ownership
For occasional users, the standard pump works fine. For heavy users, the oil-free pump can be a worthwhile upgrade. Harvest Right offers both standard and oil-free pump options.
8. Wi-Fi Upgrade Kit
The Wi-Fi upgrade kit allows remote monitoring of your freeze dryer.
You can:
- Check cycle progress
- Monitor operation remotely
- Receive updates
- Reduce unnecessary trips to the machine
This isn’t essential, but many owners appreciate the convenience.
9. Silicone Food Molds
If you freeze dry liquids regularly, silicone molds are extremely useful.
Perfect for:
- Soups
- Stews
- Bone broth
- Baby food
- Smoothies
- Sauces
These molds fit directly into Harvest Right trays and make portioning much easier. I purchased a couple of the mixed cavity molds for freeze-drying different things
Accessories I Would Buy First
If I were starting over today, my first purchases would be:
These five accessories provide the biggest improvement in day-to-day freeze drying and food storage.
Accessories I Would Skip Initially
You can wait on:
- Wi-Fi upgrade kit
- Silicone food molds
- Oil-free pump upgrade
- Additional specialty trays
They’re useful, but not necessary when you’re first learning your machine.
Final Thoughts
A Harvest Right freeze dryer is already a significant investment, so it’s worth choosing accessories that genuinely improve efficiency. For most homesteaders and food preservation enthusiasts, extra trays, silicone mats, tray lids, and proper packaging supplies provide the best value.
Once you’ve freeze-dried a few dozen batches, you’ll quickly discover which accessories fit your style of food preservation and which ones can wait.
Related Posts
- Harvest Right vs Vevor Freeze Dryer
- Medium vs Large Harvest Right Freeze Dryer
- Is Freeze Drying Worth It?
- Best Foods to Freeze Dry
- Long-Term Food Storage Guide
Disclosure
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use, trust, or believe would be helpful for off-grid living and food preservation.
© 2026, Teresa. All rights reserved.