Hi, Reader!

I'm sure you've been inundated with Black Friday newsletters in the last few days. And yes, I'll link to some of my tools and deals to be had.

Why is this different?

I get that money feels very tight right now. In an uncertain world, it's hard to know where to invest to make life easier, or to help you feel better prepared to take on the next weeks, months and years.

But one of the most brilliant things I ever did almost 20 years ago was to purchase a dehydrator. Little did I know how it would change our family's future with food security and how many times I would have to rely on what I had put up.

Between job losses, serious illnesses, and economic downturns, my dry pantry (in all its forms) helped us get through those really tough times.

What I DO NOT want you to do is spend money you just don't have.

Don't put dehydrating tools on a credit card. Don't put a dehydrator or freeze dryer on a credit card if you don't know how you'll pay it off in a month or two.

You can use these links as a reference to help you save up for when you can purchase them or to investigate which things you need versus which things are just good.

So here we go:

As a note - these will be affiliate links. They are tools I use and recommend, so I'm not going to just throw things out there because they are a good deal even if I don't use them.

​My Merch:

These products are on sale through Monday, 12/2/2024.

• ​Dehydrating Basics & Journal - ebook version​
• ​Dehydrating Temps Magnet​
• ​Dehydrating Temps Sticker​
• ​30 Day Pantry Challenge​

Dehydrating Tools

​My favorite dehydrating tools - not all of them will have a great price this weekend, but those that do have a 'Black Friday Deal' banner on them. I broke it down to actual tools, dehydrators, etc.

Dehydrators:

• ​Nesco Stackable - it's a very reliable and functional machine that will last you a very long time. I use it for all of my outdoor drying or if I have a lot of overflow.
• ​Excalibur 6-tray Performance (less expensive on Excalibur's website) for a more modern take on a dehydrator or the old, reliable
• ​3900 Excalibur 9-tray (not on sale, unfortunately). I've had this one for more than 10 years, and it has never let me down.
• ​Best Deal on a Dehydrator - The Magic Mill 7 tray machine. 1000 watts, a really great machine, and it might just be perfect for you! I don't use this machine, but know plenty of folks who do, and it gets glowing reviews.

Freeze Dryer

​I use a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer - and this is the best price you're going to see on them for a very long time. They do a once-a-year sale for Black Friday, but with the way prices may be going up in the future, this may be the lowest you'll see. So if you've been itching to get one, now is the time. This price will end 11/30, so don't wait if you're ready.

Free freeze dryer? If you can't afford one now, enter to win one! On the site's home page, there is a 'Win a Freeze Dryer' section you can enter monthly for a chance to win a free freeze dryer!

Grow Your Own Food

​Green Stalk: This verticle gardening system is something my father and I have really enjoyed having in the garden. It's helped us grow a lot of food in a very small footprint. We've grown herbs, strawberries, onions, peppers, and more! If this is your first purchase with Green Stalk, be sure to use the code PANTRY10 for an extra 10% off your purchase. I don't regret purchasing from them, ever. We have three now!

Again...

Please don't feel pressured to purchase something if it's just not the right time for you. You can dehydrate by air drying. Or use your oven or air fryer if that's what you've got right now.

Until next time...

Nevertheless, she preserved!

P.S. Don't forget! The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer sale ends 11/30!

​