Food Saver recommendations?

[kathrynn]

If you wanted to get a Food Saver (or type of one)....which would you buy/buy again?  I am looking at several and wondered which one yall had the best of luck with.  Going to use it for meats, cheeses and veggies this summer.

 

[toby bryant]

I was looking at vacuum sealers before Christmas 2011, I did a lot of research online, reading reviews, etc.  The basic foodsaver brand $79, got much better reviews than there more expensive models, so that is what I bought.  I have had mine for over a year now and use it at least twice a week.  It is still working like the day it came out of the box.  Don't waste your hard earned money on foodsaver bags though, order from Lisa at Vacuum Sealers Unlimited. Her bags are higher quality and much less expensive.   Just my 2 cents, good luck! 

 

[kathrynn]

Toby....that is what I have been hearing too. Looked at theirs too....since they are a sponsor...of course would do that too. Just checking too see what thoughts are out there. Hands on info is the best.

 

[chef jimmyj]

Budget is a major issue and amount of use. I went middle of the road with a unit that got the most good reviews. If you go with any Food Saver, make sure the Seals are replaceable and order a spare set at the same time. I only use mine occasionally and the seals getting crimped, not sure how this happens, is the only issue I am finding. I have a Food Saver 2840. Seems to be unavailable right now. I would not buy a unit that has an Auto Sensor to sense the bag is in and auto seal. It can be tricky to get everything lined up and you want to only vac and seal when everything is perfect or you waste bags. These guys are sponsors... http://www.vacuumsealersunlimited.com/  Good luck...JJ

 

[doctord1955]

I have a Gamesaver deluxe!  Bought the second because Foodsaver has some good sales and got it so when the 4yr old one died would have one!  Old one hasnt died yet!  I processed and packed 18 deer this year alone with the old one!  By the way paid $69 for it on sale!  Take the seals out of unit when u get it and sparay them with food grade silicone and u dont have ner the problems with them!

 

[shtrdave]

I am on my 2nd foodsaver and it is starting to give me issues.

I would be looking here for one.

http://shop.vacuumsealersunlimited.com/VacMaster-Home-Use-Vacuum-Sealing-Machines_c12.htm

And my next may be this

http://shop.vacuumsealersunlimited....ber-Vacuum-Sealing-Machine-VACMASTERVP112.htm

I guess it all depends on your budget.

 

[linguica]

I'm in the same place but looking at a less expensive model: Don't forget we get 10% off.
[h2]VacMaster Pro 140  $169.95[/h2]
Dual piston pump capable of drawing 26” hg vacuum level

Automatic and manual, customizable modes, as well as a “seal now” option

Marinate mode

 

[handymanstan]

Has anyone tried the foodsaver freshsaver containers? 
I have 6 of these now and love them for sealing up leftovers and cheese. Now when I am smoking cheese I put a couple blocks of the smoked cheese in one of the containers and vac seal.  It is very easy to open and taste then reseal.  I have one with cheese that has been in it for 5 weeks and I have opened it a few times and resealed and the cheese is fine.  I have never lost a seal yet except if you just touch the rubber stopper on top it looses its seal and if you slide another container on it that will happen as the rubber sticks up above the top. I smoke faster than I can eat so there are all ways leftovers and even though I buy the bags from Lisa it was still getting expensive  to seal in bags and freeze to use in a few days anyway.  They say "Keeps food fresh up to 5 times longer than average containers"  So I can put a half rack of ribs or some PP in one in the fridge and be safe for two weeks instead of three days.  Maybe but I can't see ribs or PP lasting that long.  I really got the first two just for cheese but there are 4 in the fridge now.

Stan

 

[smoking b]

Has anyone tried the foodsaver freshsaver containers? 
Stan

I haven't tried any of those but I use lots of different size canning jars that I seal things in - regular & wide mouth. I can get in them as often as I want & reseal in seconds. Works great for me for now...

 

[1beezer]

I need to get the Mason jar attachment since I got a new V3880 last week like on TV with the extra bags and marinator for $123 delivered. Unbelievable price and it's a cinch to use since it's automatic. Couldn't be easier.

 

[fpnmf]

I have the el cheapo at amazon warehouse..60 bucks..seal a meal ... it works great..takes some time to figure the best way to make it work..

With Lisas bags this machine will seal very wet stuff..I have sealed bags of stew with no problems..

It started to get a little noisy after 2+ years and tons of bacon and sausage...

I bought a Vacmaster pro110...Not happy with it..

I called Vacmaster and they said it doesnt have a problem..

Any moisture at all and it wont seal and several times the initial seal has opened.

Lisa said she will do what ever to make me happy...I will prolly unload it on CL and get another seal a meal from amazon..

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• fpnmf
• Jan 24, 2013

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• fpnmf
• Jan 24, 2013

 

[daveomak]

If you wanted to get a Food Saver (or type of one)....which would you buy/buy again?  I am looking at several and wondered which one yall had the best of luck with.  Going to use it for meats, cheeses and veggies this summer.

Lady Kat, morning.....  I have an original Tilia food saver.... almost 30 yrs old...  Others have also bought them on e-bay...   Still working..  with no problems....  

I'm not going to ask your age, but, buy one that you can hand down in your estate, or what ever, along with all the other stuff you have acquired, and are still planning on acquiring, since joining the forum.....  

A complete smoking, grinding, stuffing, slicing and vac-sealing "box" along with recipes would be something to fight over..  

That's one way to look at it.....  

 ....   

 

[kathrynn]

Lady Kat, morning.....  I have an original Tilia food saver.... almost 30 yrs old...  Others have also bought them on e-bay...   Still working..  with no problems....  

I'm not going to ask your age, but, buy one that you can hand down in your estate, or what ever, along with all the other stuff you have acquired, and are still planning on acquiring, since joining the forum.....  

A complete smoking, grinding, stuffing, slicing and vac-sealing "box" along with recipes would be something to fight over..  

That's one way to look at it.....  

 ....   

Morning Sweetie!  I don't mind telling my age!  I am 54 years young and a Perfected Teenager!  I just "was gifted" with a Food Saver this weekend.  It's not the top of the line...but it's a place to start!  I have the FS #2460 model at home.  It's out of the box and I am going to use it this weekend. Gotta get more bags from Lisa! 

I agree...with the pass down.  I have 2 girls and 1 boy that love to help in the kitchen.  One of my daughters has copied all of my recipes this past summer.

 

[sound1]

I haven't tried any of those but I use lots of different size canning jars that I seal things in - regular & wide mouth. I can get in them as often as I want & reseal in seconds. Works great for me for now...

X2 on the jar attachment. I keep my bulk spices in them and it seems to stay fresh much longer. My wife found out about "salad in a jar" and damn if the lettuce doesn't keep much longer.

 

[themule69]

i have 2 food saver brand. the first my wife bought me years ago. not sure what model # . it does have the hose to vac. other containers. i have some large containers that i bought on ebay.( i think gal and a half) works great to brine in. brines faster. then the other food saver i bought at a yard sale several years ago. it isn't as good. at times i use both at the same time. 1 to make bags while the other is sealing and closing. also got the vac bag cutter. put a roll of material in. make any size bag you need. cuts them straight.

  1 thing that i have found is don't be cheap and try to cut the bags as short as you can. you end up cutting 1 to short. then you waste everything you saved by being cheap.

happy smoken.

david

 

[themule69]

cheese vac 7.JPG

• themule69
• Dec 28, 2012

i used mine to vac seal Christmas presents. smoked cheese with AMNPS

it was a big hit.

 

[kathrynn]

That is a great idea...wanting to do cheese.  I know I can seal my fudge at the Holidays too!

 

[themule69]

That is a great idea...wanting to do cheese.  I know I can seal my fudge at the Holidays too!

you will find all kinds of uses for it. out of the kitchen, in the shop, on the water.in the woods. and lot's of great Q

 

[kathrynn]

I know I will with kits in the shop!  Ziplocks just dont do them justice!  I like the idea of the containers to keep my rubs and other spices that come in bags a little more organized.

Just ordered a bunch of bags from Lisa.

 

[venture]

Like Toby, I found the lower line of Foodsavers had better ratings than their higher priced models.  For whatever you think online ratings might be worth.

I went with a cheapie, and it is working fine after a couple of years.

I don't use mine heavily.  I do find that after learning about the reasonable priced bags Lisa offers, I am using it much more than I had originally planned.  But I was always a cheap old fa..

Good luck and good smoking.