We are considering one of these, mostly for goodies we bring back from periodic trips to Lancaster, PA. We haven't started shopping seriously yet. Anyone use these? Recommendations to buy or to avoid? Tips for use? Thanks.
When I fished a lot, I used to vacuum pack a lot of fish and keep them frozen. Worked great. Super easy to use.
I have one. Gets considerable usage. The bags can get pricey, so I buy aftermarket ones and cut them to size.
Foodsaver. Smallish one, cost less than one Benjamin. I didn't want one that sat on that on the countertop.
I've had a Foodsaver for many years, and use it often. It is great for storing things in the deep freeze. Sometimes it is tricky to seal. Possibly because this was one of the first or second gen units. Do your research, and read plenty of reviews, before you buy. Also, order your bags online, you will save plenty of money.
Buy one of the best Foodsaver models that you can manually do and automatic if the budget allows . Sometimes its nice to have the model where you are in control not the machine for making seals. The Foodsaver I first bought has paid for it's self many times over and freezer spoilage and food waste has gone down drastically. Buy quart bags at Cabela's hunting supplies in the fall during hunting season that are usually on sale, I buy 400 (they pay for shipping then)at a time and use about 300 to 400 a year. If you want to vacuum seal liquids freeze them first and then seal. The nice thing about quart bags you can portion meats. Make sure you buy at least the wide mouth mason jar sealer also through Amazon is where I purchased mine. The Foodsaver in the back ground was bought at a garage sale and was like new and has sealed lots of food but is totally automatic and it has that flaw IMO. Nothing beats a foodsaver unless you go commercial and that is costly. The model in the front is old now but It is more manual and has auto feature.
I love my food saver. I have the same black one in Ron R.’s post. I don’t use mine as often as I should. Bags are expensive but they go on sale at Costco from time to time. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I buy these. A lot cheaper and you can customize the size. (They are available in a wider format, if that fits your needs) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CQ8IXIK/?tag=thshde-20
That’s a heck of a deal. I prefer that size bag over the narrow ones that come in the multi packs Costco sells. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I had a foodsaver for a couple of years, but realized I didn't use it enough to justify the counter space or cabinet space. I have local access to good grocery stores, and prefer to buy fresh instead of freezing a lot. I can see where others may benefit from a vacuum sealer more than I did though. My advice would be to think about how often you will use it and what the benefit would be, and then make your decision. I generally buy things on impulse, so I'm much better at giving advice than following it.
@Erik Redd you make a good point. That is why I am asking you folks for advice before I even look in the stores. All your input is appreciated. I do notice that all of you like the Food Saver brand. What do you like about that particular brand?
I expect it was at a good price at Sam's Club or something. I didn't do any market research. Foodsaver appears to be the most common brand available locally.
I got a foodsaver yesterday.The one they sell at Costco went on sale for 99.99. Too good a price to pass up. We had a chance to use it already. Nice & easy to use. Thanks for all the input.
Update- we already find ourselves using it a lot. We notice that when we package meat, for the freezer (in 2-person portions) it doesn’t get freezer burn. Also, when we are defrosting it, there is no liquid leakage. I also got their marinating container. I have done vacuum marinating before & know that it can work well. What it does is to expand the microscopic air spaces within the meat fibers, to allow the marinade to permeate better. The container is easy to use and cleans up well. Last night, I made the best buttermilk chicken we’ve ever had.
