Electricity is the big number
A freeze dryer runs a refrigeration system and a vacuum pump for a day or more at a time. Harvest Right’s own figures, published in June 2026, give an average of about 990–1,210 W for the Small and Medium while running, about 1,500 W at peak for the Large and around 1,700 W for the X-Large. The calculator uses those as average draws, except for the Large where only a peak is given, so we use 1.3 kW.
Cost per batch is just kW × hours × your rate. Here is a Medium (1.1 kW) at different rates and cycle lengths:
| Batch length | 12¢/kWh | 18¢/kWh | 25¢/kWh | 34¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 h | $2.64 | $3.96 | $5.50 | $7.48 |
| 28 h | $3.70 | $5.54 | $7.70 | $10.47 |
| 36 h | $4.75 | $7.13 | $9.90 | $13.46 |
| 48 h | $6.34 | $9.50 | $13.20 | $17.95 |
The best way to know your real number is a plug-in energy meter rated for the machine’s current, or a smart breaker. Enter the measured kWh ÷ hours as “Other” machine.
Supplies
Packaging adds up quickly once you freeze-dry every week. Gallon mylar bags run roughly 30–60 cents each in bulk, oxygen absorbers 8–20 cents. A batch of fruit usually fills several gallon bags because freeze-dried food keeps its volume. Pump oil is small per batch but real. Utah State Extension notes that owners in the Intermountain West figured $2–5 of electricity per batch, and that is before bags.
Model reference
- Harvest Right Countertop 360: 0.9 kW used here. Harvest Right does not publish a running draw for this model yet; 0.9 kW is our placeholder. Measure yours with a plug-in meter.
- Harvest Right Small: 1 kW used here. Harvest Right: averages 9–11 A during operation, roughly 990–1,210 W.
- Harvest Right Medium: 1.1 kW used here. Harvest Right: averages 9–11 A during operation, roughly 990–1,210 W.
- Harvest Right Large: 1.3 kW used here. Harvest Right gives about 13 A (1,500 W) at peak only. We use 1.3 kW as an average because the pump and compressor cycle.
- Harvest Right X-Large: 1.7 kW used here. Harvest Right: averages around 15 A, roughly 1,700 W.
Read next
- Freeze Dryer vs Dehydrator: Which One Makes Sense for You: Cost, texture, shelf life, nutrition, speed and which foods each handles best, with the break-even math on whether a $2,000+ freeze dryer is worth it over a $100 dehydrator.
- Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers for Freeze-Dried Food: Which bag thickness to buy, how many cc of oxygen absorber each bag size needs, how to seal properly, and the packing mistakes that ruin a batch months later.
- Freeze Dryer Vacuum Pump Oil: When to Filter, When to Change: How often to filter and change oil in a standard or Premier pump, how to tell oil is spent, what a slow vacuum means, and what oil really costs per batch.
Questions people ask
How much electricity does a freeze dryer use per batch?
Harvest Right says its Small and Medium machines average about 9–11 amps, roughly 1.0–1.2 kW, while running. Over a 28 hour batch that is about 28–34 kWh. Owners who measure with plug-in meters often see somewhat less, around 18–20 kWh per 24 hours on a Medium, because the compressor and pump cycle.
What is the average US electricity price?
The US Energy Information Administration reported an average residential price of 18.31 cents per kWh for July 2026. Rates range from about 12 cents in parts of the South and Mountain West to over 30 cents in California and Hawaii.
Harvest Right says $1.25–$2.80 per batch. Why is my number higher?
That range is low for long cycles at today’s average rates. At 1.1 kW for 28 hours and 18 cents per kWh, electricity alone is about $5.50. Your own rate and cycle length matter more than anything else, so use your bill and your machine’s logs.
How much does pump oil cost per batch?
Oil pumps need oil changes; owners commonly filter and reuse oil and change it every few batches to every 20 or so depending on the pump. At roughly $20–30 a gallon, oil works out to tens of cents per batch. Oil-free pumps cost more up front and nothing per batch.
Sources
- Harvest Right: How much does it cost to run a freeze dryer? (amps and watts by model)
- US EIA: Electricity Monthly Update, average residential price
- Utah State University Extension: Buying a home freeze-dryer (supplies, oil, $2–5 per batch reports)
Figures checked 2026-10-21. How we check them. Spot something off for your machine? Tell us.