Abstract: The product is frozen and freeze-dried in a freeze-drying apparatus (1) containing a freeze-drying chamber (2) with shelves (6) for performing the freeze-drying and a condenser (11), the cooling surfaces of which are formed by a coiled tube (14) in a number of tube coil turns (15), and where the low temperature created by the condenser (11) is used to freeze the product. To carry out the freezing quickly and simply the product is put into trays or dishes (21) and these trays or dishes are positioned on the tube turns (15) of the condenser (11) already in operation.

Abstract: An intermediate support plate (4) is located between the freeze-drying chamber and the condensation chamber and is equipped with a closeable port; in order to be able to properly adjust the orifice of the port it is formed by two discs (15, 18) that can be rotated relative to each other around a central axis of rotation. Each disc carries circular holes (21, 22) at a radial distance away from the axis of rotation and these holes are so located and designed that by rotating the discs a position of complete axial overlap, one of zero axial overlap and any position in between can be achieved.