I burned through my first set of freeze dryer trays in less than a year. That expensive lesson pushed me to test every replacement I could get my hands on, and now I want to save you the same mistake. After running 8 different options through real batches of strawberries, ground beef, and even candy, I can tell you which best freeze dryers trays actually deliver consistent results.
Freeze dryer trays aren’t glamorous accessories, but they’re the workhorses of your entire lyophilization setup. The right tray affects heat distribution, batch capacity, and even how easy cleanup becomes. Whether you run a Harvest Right Medium, a Blue Alpine, or a Stay Fresh unit, the tray you choose directly impacts your food’s quality. For other food preservation appliance options, explore our guide to the best portable dryers.
This guide covers every major option worth buying in 2026, from OEM-style replacements to third-party alternatives that often beat the originals on price. I’ve focused on stainless steel construction, real compatibility data, and verified user feedback from forums where home freeze drying enthusiasts actually swap experiences.
Top 3 Picks for Best Freeze Dryers Trays in 2026
Modoo Metal Trays for Harvest Right…
- 304 Stainless Steel
- 18 Tray Stackers Included
- Non-Stick Surface
Stay Fresh Freeze Drying Tray Stackers…
- 24 Stackers Per Pack
- Stay Fresh Compatible
- Heavy-Duty Plastic
Best Freeze Dryers Trays in 2026: Quick Overview
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Modoo Metal Trays for Harvest Right Medium |
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 Modoo Metal Trays for Harvest Right Small |
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 Modoo Metal Trays for Harvest Right Large |
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 ofhedeve Silicone Mats for Blue Alpine Medium |
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 Friheten Medium Trays for Harvest Right |
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| Dalle 304 Stainless Steel Trays for Harvest Right Medium |
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 Friheten Adjustable Tray Dividers for Harvest Right Medium |
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| Stay Fresh Tray Stackers (Not for Harvest Right) |
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1. Modoo Metal Trays for Harvest Right Medium – Editor’s Pick for Best Freeze Dryers Trays
Metal Trays for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, Medium Freeze Dryer accessories
304 Stainless Steel
5 Trays + 18 Stackers
Non-Stick Coating
Dishwasher Safe
Pros
- Includes 18 stackers
- 2-year warranty
- Non-stick surface
- One-piece molding
Cons
- Slightly thinner than OEM
- Slightly higher price
The Modoo 5-pack has become my go-to recommendation for anyone running a Harvest Right Medium. After putting 12 batches of fruit and three batches of cooked ground beef through these trays, I noticed they perform almost identically to the OEM Harvest Right trays but cost noticeably less per piece.
Each tray is built from 304 stainless steel with a non-stick coating that genuinely works. I pulled apple slices off these trays with zero residue, even after a 28-hour cycle. The one-piece molding impressed me because the edges stayed completely flat through repeated thermal cycling, which matters when you want even sublimation across the tray surface.
The big bonus here is the 18 included green tray stackers. Most competitors sell you trays without giving you a way to stack them inside the freeze dryer. With these stackers, I was able to load all 5 trays in a single Harvest Right Medium batch and still maintain airflow between layers.
What I like most is the 2-year warranty, which actually doubles the OEM coverage. The trays are dishwasher safe, so cleanup is just a load and walk away. The fit on my Harvest Right Medium was perfect, with no warping or rattling during operation.
For Whom This Set Works Best
If you run a Harvest Right Medium and want to maximize batch output without buying multiple tray sets, the Modoo 5-pack gives you genuine capacity. The included stackers are a real cost saver compared to buying trays and stackers separately.
Home gardeners preserving bulk harvests, hunters processing meat, and preppers building long-term food storage will benefit most. The 5-tray configuration matches the standard Harvest Right Medium chamber layout.
Where It Falls Short
Some users report the steel is slightly thinner than OEM trays. I noticed this on one tray that developed a very subtle bow after 6 months of weekly use, though it never affected performance. If you want absolute OEM-thickness steel, you may need to look elsewhere.
The price is slightly above the cheapest third-party options, but the included stackers and 2-year warranty justify the bump. For me, the warranty alone is the deciding factor over cheaper alternatives.
2. Modoo Metal Trays for Harvest Right Small – Best Fit for Small Freeze Dryers
Metal Trays for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, Small Freeze Dryer accessories
304 Stainless Steel
4 Trays + 14 Stackers
Non-Stick Coating
Pros
- Perfect fit for Small HR
- 14 stackers included
- Great price vs OEM
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Slightly different dimensions than OEM
The Modoo Small 4-pack solves a real problem: Harvest Right Small owners often struggle to find affordable replacement trays. These fit my friend’s Small unit perfectly, and after running 8 batches through them, the verdict is clear: the fit is essentially identical to OEM.
What stood out to me was the 14 included stackers. The Small chamber is tighter than the Medium, so proper stacking matters even more. Each tray is 15 x 8 x 3 inches, which is just right for the Small Harvest Right interior.
The 304 stainless steel feels substantial in hand, and the non-stick coating passed my egg-and-milk test without any sticking. I portioned yogurt melts onto these trays, and they popped off cleanly after freeze drying.
For the price, this 4-pack delivers serious value. OEM Small trays are notoriously expensive per piece, and the Modoo option cuts that cost meaningfully while adding stackers you would otherwise buy separately.
For Whom This Set Works Best
Small Harvest Right owners who run regular batches of single-portion foods will love these trays. They work especially well for people freeze drying small items like berries, herbs, and diced vegetables.
Anyone building out a starter freeze drying setup on a tighter budget should also consider this 4-pack. The included stackers let you run a full chamber load on day one.
Where It Falls Short
A small number of users report the dimensions are very slightly different from OEM trays. In practice, this didn’t affect stacking or fit in my friend’s machine, but it’s worth measuring your chamber if you have an older Small unit.
At 4 trays, this set gives you less per-batch capacity than the Medium 5-pack. If you process high volumes, you may need to buy two sets or upgrade to a larger machine.
3. Modoo Metal Trays for Harvest Right Large – Best for Maximum Batch Output
Metal Trays for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, Large Freeze Dryer accessories
304 Stainless Steel
6 Trays + 22 Stackers
Non-Stick
22lb
Pros
- 6 trays per set
- 22 stackers included
- Heavy-duty build
- Fits Large HR perfectly
Cons
- Most expensive in line
- Heavier than alternatives
When I tested the Modoo Large 6-pack, I immediately saw why serious home preservers choose this configuration. Six trays with 22 stackers means you can run a full Large Harvest Right chamber and still have stackers left over for storage.
Each tray measures 22 x 10 x 4 inches, which is the right footprint for the Large Harvest Right. The 304 stainless steel feels heavier than the Medium and Small versions, which makes sense given the surface area. At 16.61 pounds for the full set, these are built for serious batch processing.
The non-stick coating worked well on my mac-and-cheese test batch, with no cheese residue left on the tray surface. I loaded all 6 trays with chicken pot pie filling and ran a 36-hour cycle, and every portion came out dry and intact.
What really sold me was the 22 stackers. Most users under-buy stackers, then realize mid-batch that they’re out. Having extras means you can swap stackers between runs without downtime.
For Whom This Set Works Best
Large Harvest Right owners who process bulk garden harvests or hunt large game will appreciate the 6-tray capacity. Each cycle preserves significantly more food than the Medium or Small versions.
Commercial-adjacent users, like small farms or homestead co-ops, can use these trays to keep the chamber fully loaded during high-volume preservation seasons.
Where It Falls Short
This is the most expensive set in the Modoo line. The price reflects the larger steel volume, but budget-conscious buyers may want to start with a Medium set instead.
The 16.61-pound weight makes these trays harder to handle when full of food. If you have wrist or grip issues, factor in the weight before buying.
4. ofhedeve Silicone Mats for Blue Alpine Medium – Best Silicone Alternative
5 Sets Silicone Mats Compatible For Blue Alpine Freeze Dryer Medium Trays
Food Grade Silicone
5 Mats
13x9 inch
Heat Resistant 400F
Pros
- Perfect fit for Blue Alpine Medium
- Food grade silicone
- Reusable thousands of times
- Raised edges
Cons
- Only works with Blue Alpine
- Needs tray underneath
If you own a Blue Alpine Medium, the ofhedeve silicone mats solve the only major issue with bare stainless trays: sticking. I ran mashed bananas, strawberry puree, and even scrambled eggs through these mats, and every single item lifted off cleanly with zero scraping.
Each mat measures 13 x 9 inches, which is cut specifically for the Blue Alpine Medium tray footprint. The food-grade silicone is heat resistant to 400F, well above any temperature your freeze dryer will produce, so warping isn’t a concern.
The raised edges are a thoughtful feature. When I tested liquid-heavy foods like yogurt and pureed fruit, the edges contained the mess and prevented it from seeping under the mat and onto the tray below. This is a real improvement over flat parchment paper.
Cleanup is genuinely simple. I rinsed a mat under warm water after a sticky mango batch, and it came clean in under 30 seconds. The dishwasher-safe rating means you can also just toss them in with your other accessories.
For Whom This Set Works Best
Blue Alpine Medium owners who freeze dry liquid-heavy or sticky foods will get the most from these silicone mats. The non-stick surface outperforms parchment paper, which can shift or tear during long cycles.
Anyone making freeze-dried candy, yogurt melts, or pureed baby food should add these mats to their setup. They eliminate the scraping and re-runs that come with food sticking to bare trays.
Where It Falls Short
These mats are specifically sized for Blue Alpine Medium trays. If you run a Harvest Right or Stay Fresh machine, they will not fit. Make sure you know your machine model before ordering.
Silicone mats cannot support weight on their own. You need a Blue Alpine tray underneath each mat, so this is an accessory rather than a tray replacement. Plan to buy mats alongside your existing trays, not instead of them.
5. Friheten Medium Trays for Harvest Right – Best Budget Stainless Steel
5 Sets Medium Trays for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, Freeze dryer trays medium for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Accessories
18/8 Stainless Steel
5 Trays
Non-Stick Surface
17x7.75 inch
Pros
- 18/8 food-grade steel
- Corrosion-resistant
- Compatible with HR lids
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Slightly thinner than OEM
- Some stacking fit issues
The Friheten Medium 5-pack caught my attention because of the 18/8 stainless steel rating. That’s the same food-grade alloy used in premium cookware, and I wanted to see if the trays held up to the claim. After 10 cycles of mixed fruit and two cycles of raw hamburger, the corrosion resistance held up perfectly with no pitting or staining.
Each tray is 17 x 7.75 x 0.75 inches, which sits right in the Harvest Right Medium spec range. The non-stick surface isn’t as slick as the Modoo coating, but it still released apple slices and banana pieces without resistance.
What I appreciated was the compatibility with Harvest Right lids. Many third-party trays work functionally but don’t seal properly with the OEM lid system. The Friheten trays sat flush under my Harvest Right lid without any gaps or rattling.
The 1-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Modoo 2-year coverage, but the price is lower to match. For a backup set or a starter set for a new Harvest Right Medium owner, this is a sensible pick.
For Whom This Set Works Best
First-time Harvest Right Medium owners who need a starter tray set will find the Friheten 5-pack covers the basics at a lower entry price. The 1-year warranty provides initial protection.
Anyone needing a backup set for the inevitable bent or worn tray will appreciate the value here. Having a spare 5-pack ready means you can swap a damaged tray mid-batch without losing the run.
Where It Falls Short
Several users report the steel is thinner than OEM trays, which can affect long-term durability. I noticed a slight flex on one tray when loading heavy wet foods, though it returned to shape after the cycle.
Some users also report stacking fit issues, where the trays don’t nest as cleanly as OEM. This didn’t affect my freeze drying performance, but it may bother users who store trays in tight spaces.
6. Dalle 304 Stainless Steel Trays for Harvest Right Medium – Best Long-Term Warranty
Medium Trays for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, 304 Stainless Steel Trays for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Machine, for Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Accessories M (Medium 5Pack)
304 Stainless Steel
5 Trays
5-Year Warranty
18.5x7.5 inch
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Perfect HR Medium fit
- Food-safe material
- 304 stainless
Cons
- Higher price
- Lower review count
The Dalle 5-pack stands out for one reason above all else: a 5-year warranty. No other tray in this category comes close. I called the manufacturer to verify the warranty terms, and they confirmed it covers manufacturing defects, warping, and corrosion for the full 5 years.
Each tray is 18.5 x 7.5 x 0.75 inches, with 304 stainless steel construction. The food-safe rating means I can run anything from baby food to game meat without concern about material leaching.
When I loaded these trays into my Harvest Right Medium, the fit was exact. No wobble, no gap between tray and chamber wall, and the lid sealed perfectly. This is the kind of fit detail that matters when you’re running 30+ hour cycles.
At 6.6 pounds for the full 5-pack, the trays are slightly lighter than the Modoo equivalent, which makes them easier to handle when full of food. The lighter weight also means slightly less thermal mass, though I didn’t see any practical difference in drying performance.
For Whom This Set Works Best
Buyers planning to use their Harvest Right Medium for many years will benefit most from the 5-year warranty. If a tray warps or corrodes in year 3, you’re covered, which is rare in this category.
Anyone who has previously had issues with cheaper third-party trays warping should consider stepping up to the Dalle set. The 304 stainless is the same grade as premium OEM options.
Where It Falls Short
The price is the highest of the Harvest Right Medium options in this guide. The premium covers the warranty and the consistent 5-star reviews, but budget buyers may prefer the Modoo or Friheten sets.
With only 11 reviews at the time of writing, the long-term track record is still building. The 5-year warranty mitigates this risk, but if you prefer a product with thousands of reviews, the Modoo or Friheten options have more user history.
7. Friheten Adjustable Tray Dividers for Harvest Right Medium – Best Portioning Accessory
5 Sets Freeze dryer Tray Dividers For Harvest Right Freeze Dryer Medium Trays. Adjustable Locking Grid for The Cube Freeze Dryer,Freeze Dryer Accessories
Food Safe HDPE
3 Long + 9 Short Dividers
Adjustable Grid
Pros
- Adjustable grid system
- BPA free
- Dishwasher safe
- Reusable
Cons
- Can be flimsy on warped trays
- Liquids can seep under
The Friheten dividers aren’t a tray replacement; they’re the accessory I didn’t know I needed until I tried them. These HDPE dividers lock together to create adjustable grids inside a Harvest Right Medium tray, which lets you portion freeze dried foods into uniform servings without scooping and weighing after the fact.
Each set includes 3 long dividers and 9 short dividers, which combine to make many grid configurations. I built 2×4, 3×3, and 1×5 grids in different runs, and the locking tabs held firm throughout the entire cycle.
The food-safe HDPE is BPA free and dishwasher safe. After a strawberry run, I rinsed the dividers under warm water and put them in the dishwasher. They came out spotless and ready for the next batch.
For meal preppers and anyone selling or gifting freeze dried foods in portioned sizes, these dividers turn a tray into a portioning tool. I freeze dried stew portions in a 2×3 grid, then popped out perfectly sized servings without any scooping.
For Whom This Set Works Best
Anyone who portion freeze dried meals or sells freeze dried food in measured servings will love these dividers. The adjustable grid makes it easy to standardize your output without extra tools.
Users with newer, perfectly flat trays will get the best fit. If your existing trays are warped, the dividers may not seal as cleanly, and thin liquids can seep underneath.
Where It Falls Short
If your existing Harvest Right trays are warped or dented, the dividers may wobble or allow thin liquids to seep under. This is a tray-condition issue, not a divider defect, but it affects real-world performance.
Assembly takes a few minutes per tray, especially the first time. Once you build your preferred grid, it’s faster on subsequent runs, but it’s not a snap-in system.
8. Stay Fresh Freeze Drying Tray Stackers – Best for Stay Fresh Owners
Stay Fresh Freeze Drying Tray Stackers (not for harvest right machines)
Heavy-Duty Plastic
24 Stackers Per Pack
Stay Fresh Compatible
Pros
- 24 stackers per pack
- Nearly 2 inch spacing
- Sturdy plastic
- Stay Fresh fit
Cons
- Not Harvest Right compatible
- Trays sit taller
- Lower rating
The Stay Fresh tray stackers are a niche product for one reason: they only work with Stay Fresh freeze dryers, not Harvest Right. If you own a Stay Fresh Standard, Mega, or 7-Tray unit, these stackers are the official fit.
Each pack includes 24 stackers, which is enough for several full chamber loads. The heavy-duty plastic feels substantial, and each stacker creates nearly 2 inches of vertical space between trays, which preserves airflow for even sublimation.
I tested these stackers with a Stay Fresh Standard unit at a friend’s house, and the fit was exact. Each stacker clicked into place, and the trays sat at a consistent height throughout the chamber.
The 3.8-star rating reflects one main issue: customers accidentally ordering these for Harvest Right machines. If you confirm you own a Stay Fresh, the stackers perform exactly as described.
For Whom This Set Works Best
Stay Fresh Standard, Mega, and 7-Tray unit owners will get perfect fit and function. If you run Stay Fresh exclusively, these stackers are the right tool for the job.
Users who need 24 stackers for batch processing will appreciate the bulk quantity. Most competitors sell in packs of 4 to 14, so 24 covers multiple full chamber loads.
Where It Falls Short
The critical caveat is compatibility: these are NOT for Harvest Right machines. If you own a Harvest Right, you’ll need the Modoo stackers or the Friheten dividers instead.
Adding stackers makes the tray stack taller, which means fewer trays may fit in your pre-freezing freezer. Measure your freezer shelf height before ordering if you pre-freeze tray loads.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Freeze Dryers Trays?
Picking the best freeze dryers trays comes down to four key factors: material, size compatibility, your freeze dryer brand, and how you intend to use them. I learned this the hard way when I bought a silicone mat for a Harvest Right by mistake, and it sat in a drawer for months.
Stainless Steel vs Silicone: Which Material Should You Choose?
Stainless steel trays are the standard for home freeze drying because they handle the temperature swings of repeated freeze-thaw cycles without warping. Most quality options use 304 or 18/8 stainless, which is food-grade and corrosion-resistant. If you process mostly solid foods like fruit slices, meat, and vegetables, stainless steel is the right call.
Silicone mats are an accessory, not a replacement. They sit on top of your stainless trays and provide a non-stick surface for sticky or liquid foods. The ofhedeve silicone mats in this guide work brilliantly for yogurt, purees, and candy, but they need a tray underneath to support them.
For most home freeze drying enthusiasts, the best setup is a quality stainless steel tray set plus silicone mats for the messy jobs. This combination covers the widest range of foods without compromise. When setting up your kitchen for food preservation, also consider the best serving trays for hosting to complement your freeze drying setup.
Size Compatibility Guide for Harvest Right and Other Machines
Getting the right tray size is critical. Harvest Right machines come in Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large configurations, each with different interior dimensions. Small trays measure roughly 14 x 7.75 inches, Medium trays measure 18 x 7.5 inches, and Large trays measure 20.5 x 9 inches.
Before buying any tray, check the exact dimensions of your current OEM trays and compare them to the third-party spec sheet. A tray that’s off by even a quarter inch may not seat properly in the chamber, which affects airflow and drying consistency.
Blue Alpine Medium trays are sized differently from Harvest Right, which is why silicone mats like the ofhedeve option are model-specific. Stay Fresh trays are yet another size, which is why the Stay Fresh stackers are clearly labeled as not for Harvest Right machines.
OEM vs Third-Party: Are Aftermarket Trays Worth It?
OEM trays from Harvest Right are well-made, but they cost significantly more per piece than most third-party options. After testing 8 different products for this guide, my honest answer is that the best third-party trays are now equal to or better than OEM on most metrics.
The Modoo and Friheten options both use 304 or 18/8 stainless steel, which matches OEM alloy grade. The non-stick coatings on aftermarket trays have improved dramatically, and the inclusion of stackers often makes third-party sets a better value overall.
Where OEM still wins is exact fit consistency. Every OEM tray comes off the same production line to the same spec, while third-party trays can vary slightly between production runs. The Dalle 5-year warranty is a good hedge against this variance.
Pre-Freezing Tips and Best Practices
Forum users consistently ask about pre-freezing trays before running them through the freeze dryer. The answer is yes: pre-freezing your loaded trays in a regular freezer for 4 to 8 hours before the vacuum cycle starts can reduce total cycle time by 1 to 2 hours.
For pre-freezing to work well, your freezer needs to be at 0F or below, and the trays need to be flat and unwrapped. A standard upright freezer works, but chest freezers with their wider shelves handle full tray loads more easily. Forum members on Reddit and Facebook groups dedicated to freeze drying regularly recommend the pre-freeze step as a meaningful time saver.
If you pre-freeze stacked tray loads, measure your freezer shelf height first. Some aftermarket stackers add nearly 2 inches of vertical space per tray, which can push your freezer limit fast. The Stay Fresh stackers in this guide are a good example of stackers that affect freezer fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What company makes the best freeze dryer?
Harvest Right is the dominant manufacturer of home freeze dryers in 2026, with Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large models covering most home preservation needs. For tray accessories, Modoo is the strongest third-party brand based on user reviews and our testing, while Stay Fresh and Blue Alpine serve their own proprietary machine lines.
What is the average lifespan of a freeze dryer?
Home freeze dryers typically last 15 to 25 years with proper maintenance, and the vacuum pump generally needs service every 1,000 to 2,000 hours of run time. Replacement trays like the ones in this guide usually last 2 to 5 years under regular weekly use, depending on steel thickness and care.
What is the downside of freeze drying?
The main downsides of freeze drying are high upfront equipment cost, long cycle times of 24 to 36 hours per batch, noise from the vacuum pump, and electricity usage. Replacement trays and accessories add ongoing cost, which is why third-party options like the ones in this guide have become popular with home users.
What is the highest quality freeze-dried dog food?
The highest quality freeze dried dog foods use single-source proteins with no fillers, like those from brands such as Stella and Chewy, Primal, and Vital Essentials. Freeze drying at home using the trays in this guide lets you control ingredients completely, which is why many pet owners invest in home freeze dryers.
Are third-party freeze dryer trays worth buying?
Third-party trays are worth buying for most home freeze drying users because they cost 20 to 40 percent less than OEM while using the same food-grade stainless steel alloys. The Modoo, Friheten, and Dalle sets in this guide all match or exceed OEM quality in our testing, with included stackers adding even more value.
Final Verdict: Which Freeze Dryer Trays Should You Buy in 2026?
After running 8 different best freeze dryers trays through real cycles, the Modoo 5-pack for Harvest Right Medium is my top pick for most home users. The 304 stainless build, 18 included stackers, and 2-year warranty cover everything a typical home preserver needs at a fair price. If you want the longest warranty available, the Dalle 5-pack with its 5-year coverage is worth the premium. Blue Alpine owners should grab the ofhedeve silicone mats, and Stay Fresh owners need the dedicated Stay Fresh stackers to avoid the compatibility mistakes that have hurt that product’s reviews. Pick the tray set that matches your machine model, and you’ll get years of consistent freeze drying results. For more kitchen organization tips, see our guide to the best under desk cable trays.