Why is it hard to freeze-dry liquids?

I haven’t read the thread (and don’t plan to) so I’m just responding to the title, but we routinely lyophilize liquid pharmaceutical formulations and vaccines. Not particularly difficult if you know what you’re doing and you have the right equipment.

maybe reconstitute milkshake by bringing some salt, putting salt and snow into a container, put reconstituted (liquid) milkshake in a smaller container into the bigger container and stir/shake

or reconstitute with a little water, then throwing in snow

(or wait for the shake shop on the way home)

I have a Harvest Right freeze dryer too, and last summer enjoyed freeze dried ice cream on the trail. Yes it is not cold and the texture is not the same, but it still made a yummy dessert :).

I just bought my harvest right.  Frst batch running as I type.  I would love recopies, etc. that others have developed/discovered.  Thanks, Drew, for the inspiration.

I have purchased a freeze dryer on $3000 whim and waiting for it’s arrival any day now. Was unable to listen to your extended podcast section, but have been making great discussion with cottage industry friends on the things you learn as you go in order to potentially accelerate my freeze drying skills and recipe quality.

I am ambitious to make meals I/we can enjoy when catering to my T1D requirements, as well as having a greater level of variety.

With all that, any less than common tips for a Well-Read Freeze Drying Newbie Novice that has already soaked up as much as various Facebook groups can exgurgitate?

Thankful for BP Light’s coverage of freeze drying.  My Harvest right, purchased July 2022, does not seem to have the “liquid program” that Drew refers to in his article.  It does not prompt me (e.g. “liquid or solid”) nor do I see anything in the customize/settings menu.   I am wondering if HarvestRight removed this ffeature — or whether I am missing something.

To answer my own question, I contacted Harvest Right.  They said there is no more Liquid Setting that you have to manually select (nor is there a thawed/frozen setting).  The new models automatically detect these characteristics.  Not sure how new is new though.