The Medium Elite is Blue Alpine's most precise and most serviceable freeze dryer, built to handle up to 15 lbs of food per cycle on five standard 9x13 trays. Every shelf has its own temperature sensor and solid state relay, so each one holds its setpoint instead of leaving you with hot and cold spots. A touchscreen lets you build and save your own recipes and adjust a batch mid-cycle, and KF vacuum fittings mean no Teflon tape, no thread sealant and no tools when it comes time to service it. Assembled in Idaho and shipped after several hours of quality control testing.
Why Customers Choose This Product
- Independent temperature sensor and solid state relay on every shelf
- Touchscreen interface with saveable custom recipes and mid-batch adjustment
- KF vacuum fittings that need no tape, sealant or tools
- Fully digital temperature and vacuum sensors
- Up to 15 lbs of food per cycle across five trays
- Trays are a food industry standard quarter sheet pan, 9x13 inches
- Runs on a normal 120V, 15A wall outlet
- Natural R1270 refrigerant rather than R404 or R410
- Built in Idaho and QC tested before shipping
- Free shipping to the lower 48 states, with a few small exceptions
Product Highlights
Independent Shelf Control and Sensing
Each shelf carries its own solid state relay and temperature sensor and runs at the exact setpoint. That removes hot and cold spots between layers and makes results repeatable batch to batch.
Touchscreen Recipe Control
Create and save multiple custom recipes, or start from the food recipes preloaded in the software. You can adjust an active batch at any stage rather than restarting it.
KF Vacuum Fittings
KF fittings assemble without Teflon tape, thread sealant or tools, and they come apart just as easily for cleaning and replacement. Fewer thread seals means fewer places for a vacuum leak to start.
Digital Sensors and Upgraded Electronics
Temperature and vacuum monitoring are fully digital for steadier, more precise readings than analog sensors. Refined connectors, harnessing and electronics improve long-term durability.
In-Chamber Circulating Fan
A fan inside the chamber blast-freezes the food at the start of the cycle, shortening freeze time. Blue Alpine rates this generation at 25% more cooling capacity than its previous models.
Pump Protection
A P100 filter inside the chamber keeps particulates out of the vacuum pump, and a solenoid in the pump prevents oil backflow into the chamber.
Extruded Aluminum Frame
The chassis is built from extruded aluminum, and vacuum connections use barbed fittings rather than crimped ones, which are more prone to leaks.
Specifications
- Machine size: 20" W x 21" D x 30" H
- Weight: 110 lbs
- Trays: 5, standard 9x13 inch quarter sheet pan size
- Capacity: up to 15 lbs per cycle, with 10 lbs typical for a 24-hour cycle
- Typical cycle time: 12 to 20 hours
- Door: 1 inch thick plexiglass
- Power: 120V, 15A breaker, standard wall outlet
- Maximum draw: 13 A / 1560 W
- Average draw: 9.0 A / 1080 W
- Refrigerant: R1270 natural refrigerant
- Control: touchscreen with PID control and solid state relays
- Sensors: fully digital temperature and vacuum
- Vacuum fittings: KF fittings, barbed connections, gasket thread sealing
- Frame: extruded aluminum
- Colors: Sky Blue, Midnight Black, Blazing Orange, Alps White, Forest Green, Orchid Lavender, Tropical Teal, Berry Pink
- Pump options: Premium Freeze Dryer Vacuum Pump or upgraded Commercial Freeze Dryer Vacuum Pump
- Assembly: built in Idaho, QC tested before shipping
- Full specifications: see the owner's manual
What's Included
- 1x Medium Elite freeze dryer machine
- 1x premium vacuum pump plus oil
- 1x impulse sealer
- 1x fresh air valve assembly
- 5x stainless steel trays
- 5x silicone mats
- 50x mylar bags
- 50x oxygen absorbers
- Advanced 3-Stage Oil Mist Filter, included when purchased with the Commercial Freeze Dryer Vacuum Pump
Ideal For
- Home food preservation and long-term pantry storage
- Gardeners and bulk buyers processing a harvest
- Small-batch producers who need repeatable, documented results
- Owners who want recipe control rather than fixed preset cycles
- Anyone who plans to service and maintain the machine themselves
- Freeze-dried pet treats and single-ingredient snacks
Important Information
- Requires a 120V, 15A circuit. Maximum draw is 13 A, so give the machine its own outlet and do not use an extension cord.
- The machine weighs 110 lbs and measures 20" x 21" x 30". Plan for two people to move and position it on a stable, level surface.
- Leave clearance around the cabinet for airflow and for access to the pump and fittings.
- Add the supplied pump oil before first use and change it on the schedule in the owner's manual. Skipping oil changes shortens pump life.
- Follow safe food handling practices when preparing and storing food, and seal finished batches with mylar bags and oxygen absorbers for long-term storage.
- Shipping is free to the lower 48 states with a few small exceptions. Contact us for a quote to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada or Mexico.
- Current lead time is 2 to 4 weeks on all colors. Contact us to confirm the current estimate before ordering.
- Refer to the owner's manual for complete specifications, operation and warranty terms. Questions before you buy: call 208-607-1722.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food can the Medium Elite handle per cycle?
Up to 15 lbs across five trays, with 10 lbs being typical for a 24-hour cycle. Most cycles run 12 to 20 hours.
What makes the Elite different from the standard model?
Each shelf has its own temperature sensor and solid state relay for accuracy, the touchscreen supports saveable custom recipes and mid-batch changes, and the machine uses KF vacuum fittings, fully digital sensors and upgraded electronics and connectors.
Does it need special electrical work?
No. It runs on a normal 120V wall outlet with a 15A breaker. Maximum draw is 13 A (1560 W) and average draw is 9.0 A (1080 W).
Can I buy extra trays?
Yes. The trays are a food industry standard quarter sheet pan at 9x13 inches, so replacements and extras are widely available locally.
What comes in the box?
The machine, a premium vacuum pump with oil, an impulse sealer, a fresh air valve assembly, five stainless steel trays, five silicone mats, 50 mylar bags and 50 oxygen absorbers.
What is the difference between the two pump options?
The Premium Freeze Dryer Vacuum Pump is included as standard. The upgraded Commercial Freeze Dryer Vacuum Pump is available for an additional $1,583.00 and adds the Advanced 3-Stage Oil Mist Filter.
What refrigerant does it use?
R1270, a natural refrigerant, rather than R404 or R410 which are being phased out.
How long until it ships?
Current lead time is 2 to 4 weeks on all colors. Shipping is free to the lower 48 states with a few small exceptions, and quotes are available for Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.
A freeze dryer is a real investment, so the details matter: per-shelf temperature control, recipes you can save and tune, fittings you can service without tools, and a machine that ships only after hours of quality control testing. Pick your color and pump option, and call 208-607-1722 if you want to talk it through first.
