Freeze dried meals are not at all the same as dehydrated ones. Freeze dried food is lighter and will ‘cook’ by just adding hot water, while most dehydrated meals require some boiling. Often a fair bit. I don’t know a single backpack backcountry hunter using dehydrated meals. The time and fuel savings very much favors FD.
Dehydrators are inexpensive, and work well for jerky, fruit snacks, etc.
Consumer freeze driers are much more expensive. I’ve looked at getting a home freeze drier set up many times, but the RoI seemed a little out there. Tho with the current prices of freeze dried meals it may be worth looking at again.
We eat a bit from many companies. Picking and choosing our favorites from each. MH, Alpine Aire, Peak Refuel and others. I’m going to try out a few ‘new to me’ Canadian brands on some spring bear trips here soon.