Vacuum Food Sealer??

[MountainDon]

We're looking at getting a vacuum food sealer. Who's got what brand/model and how do you like it? If you were doing it all over again what would you do different? Tips/tricks?

Thanks.

[glenn kangiser]

Ours sucks, Don...

I don't know but Sassy got one - worked OK after she read the instructions.

[Whitlock]

Food saver vac 350 has my vote- Has pacaged 40 deer give or take 1 or 2. A dozon or so hogs.Lots and lots of food storage stuff.
clothing for backpack,hunting and prospecting trips.

I don't know if they still sell this model but you can still get the bags. Or rolls of bag material so you can make your own.  

[Whitlock]

Ours sucks, Don...

I don't know but Sassy got one - worked OK after she read the instructions.

They are made to suck Glenn  [slap]I guess you are being sarcastic arn't you

[MountainDon]

Ours sucks, Don...

[glenn kangiser]

[Q]

Food saver vac 350

I second that:)

If they still produse the model or something simaler ti would defentily be a good choise. We've used our for everything, and it still works like great.

[peternap]

Food saver vac 350 has my vote- Has pacaged 40 deer give or take 1 or 2. A dozon or so hogs.Lots and lots of food storage stuff.
clothing for backpack,hunting and prospecting trips.

I don't know if they still sell this model but you can still get the bags. Or rolls of bag material so you can make your own.  

It doesn't look like they make that model anymore.
http://www.foodsaver.com/Category.aspx?id=c&cid=87

[NM_Shooter]

Don, I bought a FoodSaver V2220 at Wally World that we have been pleased with.  It was ~$100 if I remember right.

I chose that one because I didn't need all the whistles and bells of some of the "automatic" ones, and the foodsaver came with a separate tube for providing a vacuum seal for the vacuum containers as well.

The seal strip that it makes is nice and wide, and it makes a consistent seal across the entire path of the element.  I sealed some primers up with it, and it provides enough vacuum to really smoosh down the box around the individual trays. 

A couple of tips you probably already know:

Always seal way out on the edge of the bag.  That way you can open the bag and reseal it

For stuff you want to seal for a long time, double seal the bag.  Make sure that there are no folds in the plastic when sealing.

[cholland]

I have a food saver as well.  The attachment for sealing jars has worked great the few times I've used it.
Mine has an adjustment for altitude that I've played with to get the vacuum seal I want.
I've had it for about 8 years and it still works even with one of the side locks broken.

The one extra that would be nice is some come with a cutter for the roll.  I'm always searching around for a sharp pair of siscors or cutting a crooked line.

I'll get another one if this one ever quits.

[peternap]

I went shopping today Don.
I bought a Foodsaver V3440. It does the marinate Jar and smaller storage jars, wide seal strip, automatic (whatever that means), etc. I'll  let you know how it works. I ground about 5 pounds of turkey today. 

[Daddymem]

http://www.jardenstore.com/index.aspx?bid=18

Search "V2830", it will come up for $99.99, then at checkout apply the code L8FAV28 and it will be reduced down to $59.99 + Free Shipping.  This offer is valid 12.1.08 to 12.31.08, or while supplies last.  Add an accessory hose (from the replacement parts tab) for $0.64 to bring total over $100 for the free shipping prior to code.

[glenn kangiser]

Daddymem knows all of the angles.  A penny saved is a penny earned, eh:

[NM_Shooter]

Here is the vacuum capability of ours.  It is strong enough to crush a cardboard box when it is evacuating.  Note the double heat seal on the bag for long term storage.

My wife insists that many people use these vacuum packers for food use. 

I remain skeptical of her claims.

-f-

[MountainDon]