Freeze Dryer Trays - Medium (Set of 5)

These medium freeze dryer trays are a set of five 9 x 13 in quarter-sheet trays in 304 stainless steel, sized for the Blue Alpine Medium. The set is $74.12, so about $14.82 per tray.

First, check which machine you have

We carry two Blue Alpine sizes, and they take different trays. The Medium takes 9 x 13 in trays. The Large takes 13 x 18 in. If you’re not sure what’s in your kitchen, pull a tray out and measure it across the top. A 9-inch side means these are the ones. An 18-inch side means you want the large trays instead.

Medium freeze dryer trays at a glance

• 5 quarter-sheet trays per set
• 9 x 13 in each
• 304 stainless steel
• Sized for the Blue Alpine Medium
• Mats not included

Running two sets of medium freeze dryer trays

The Medium comes with five trays. That’s fine until you want to keep it busy. Each cycle averages 12 to 20 hours, and the machine averages about 8 lbs of fresh food per 24 hours, so the trays are tied up for most of a day.

A second set changes the routine:

• Morning: the current batch is running. You prep and spread tomorrow’s load on the spare trays.
• Covered, those spare trays wait in the fridge or freezer.
• Cycle done: bag the dry food right away, while it’s still crisp.
• Swap the loaded medium freeze dryer trays in and start the next run.

Less waiting around, and the finished food doesn’t sit out on a counter while you clean and reload.

Quarter-sheet, 304 stainless

A 9 x 13 in tray is a quarter-sheet, a standard size in US bakeware (the sheet pan article lists the family of sizes). These are 304 stainless, the 18/8 grade that’s common in commercial kitchens. It holds up in damp conditions, so condensation and defrost water are far less likely to leave rust spots.

Mats are a separate purchase. Our medium silicone mats are 9 x 13 in and fit any quarter-sheet tray, so they go straight onto these.

How much goes on each tray

Blue Alpine gives the Medium a maximum load of up to 15 lbs, or 1 gallon. Split across five medium freeze dryer trays, that’s roughly 3 lbs, or a little over 3 cups, per tray at the very most. Treat that as a ceiling, not a target. Keep food in a single layer, cut pieces to a similar thickness, and leave the rim clear so trays slide in without catching.

Keeping medium freeze dryer trays clean

Hot water and dish soap handle most of it. Fruit is the usual problem, because the sugars dry into a hard film. Let the tray soak for ten minutes and that film usually wipes off without much effort.

Use a soft sponge or a nylon scrubber. Steel wool leaves scratches, and bleach and other chloride cleaners can pit stainless over time. Dry each tray before stacking, especially if they’ll sit in a cupboard for a few weeks between harvests. Stacked, all five fit in a 9 x 13 in footprint on the shelf.

A liner helps more than any cleaner. With a silicone mat underneath, sticky food peels off the mat and the tray barely needs a rinse.

Common questions

Will medium freeze dryer trays work in the Large?

They’re sized for the Medium. The Large uses 13 x 18 in half-sheets.

Can I buy extra 9 x 13 pans from a kitchen store?

Quarter-sheet is a standard size, so you’ll find them. Compare one against a tray from your machine before buying several, since rim height and edge shape vary between makers.

I still can’t tell which size I need

Measure the tray you have, then call +1 (443) 514-5708 or message us through the support form with the numbers. We’ll point you to the right set.