Author Topic: Vacuum Sealers (Read 3190 times)

Capt J · « **on:** Dec 27, 2012, 12:27 PM »

Lots to choose from out there. Anybody got any recommendations.

WildOutdoorAddict · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 12:53 PM »

I use food savers, I'm on my second one now and still love em......I'm sure they've all improved over the last 5-10 years ..but mine has several settings and works very well.

novice99 · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 12:59 PM »

I like food savers also. I have had mine about five years, no issues with it at all.

tonebea · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 01:01 PM »

I've had a basic model food saver for 4 years now and love it.

HIMO · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 01:01 PM »

nine years with my foodsaver and not 1 problem.

HIMO
Iceshanty & MFF Global Moderator

mote1977 · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 01:18 PM »

Just upgraded to the Foodsaver V3230 and I love it.

killa1 · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 01:31 PM »

i have used the same foodsaver vac1200 for about 15 years with no problems. just make sure not to get any fluid in it

stevek · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 01:33 PM »

I like the Ziploc vacuum bags. Always had issues with the foodsaver staying sealed in the freezer, not so with the ziplocs. Cost is minimal and there's no electricity required so I can use it on camping trips.

filetandrelease · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 01:34 PM »

i have a food saver and works fine , and a Debbie Meyer , the Debbie is so much easier to use

GoBlue2255 · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 01:42 PM »

When using your food saver with fish, do you just drop in bag and seal?

Had some problems with freezer burn, think it was from fish not being dried enough before sealing therefor sealing in the moisture. Now we place fish on cookie sheet and place in freezer for 10-15 minutes to get a bit of soft freeze then place in vacuum bags. Just found a bag of gils almost 2 years old and didnt taste bad at all.

tonebea · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 01:45 PM »

If you get any moisture where the bags seal, they won't seal correctly, eventually let air in, and give you freezer burn. Either make sure they're completely dry, or you can put some paper towel between the fish and the seal to grab the moisture, leaving the seal area dry. I always make a second seal, just in case.

kasilofchrisn · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 02:09 PM »

It all depends on how much fish/game you want to do.
If you only occasionally do a few fish a foodsaver is a CHEAP option.
Here in Alaska we sometimes do over a hundred pounds at one time. The foodsavers crap out way too easily. I burned out 3 of them in 5 years before I finally wised up.
I bought ny parents a Vaccum chamber style unit. It is awsome. Much thicker bags no worries about moisture ruining the thing.
The one I bought them cost about $1,000 plus the cost of bags.
They let me use it whenever I need to and I just keep them supplied with bags.
When you figure I spent over $220 on each of my foodsavers it easily pays for itself in the long run.
Jut be aware if you have one with an oil pump it will need servicing once a year if it sees heavy use.
The one I bought has an oiless type pump and seems to do just fine.
Granted I have never ran more than a couple of hundred pounds of fish through it in one day without stopping.
I will never ever buy another foodsaver as long as I live.
Save your money and buy a chamber sealer. Bags are cheaper as well especially if you buy the bulk bags.
A lot of guys up here get a few buddies or family members to chip in on one unit and just share it as needed. Cuts down on the cost of the unit.
If you are a hunter a chamber sealer will also do all of your wild game easily.
The thicker bags offer better protection from freezer burn and the seals are much stronger so less worries there to.
I would look for whatever chamber style units are available locally near you for warranty and service work plus buying bags. Also that allows you to compare different models in person to get exactly what you want sizewise etc.

Crash1433 · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 03:20 PM »

I've had a foodsaver fro about 5 yrs and no issues. Between my brother and I we usuallu take 4 or 5 deer a yr plus lots of smelt and perch. If you are just starting out buy the bulk bags and make your own. I think they come 6 rolls at a time. Saves alot of money vs buying premade bags. The one I have also does canning but I have never done any of that

coboy · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 27, 2012, 08:49 PM »

After three elk,one mule deer , and numerous fish, my Foodsaver gave up it's ghost. It really didn't seal the last elk. I recently bought an Italian made Vacupack sealer. Italian made and a great two year warranty. I think the Foodsavers are great for light duty,but if you do a lot of vacuum sealing, you need to get more commercially oriented. Excessive moisture is the culprit with any sealer. It
can fry out the motor, or keep the sealer from making a tight seal. Even my unit recommends dry goods only, but has a separate reservoir to catch liquids. I'm not bashing the Foodsaver, but if you
need to do a lot of sealing, I would look into a more industrial type model.

drinkwater · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 28, 2012, 06:13 AM »

Best way to seal fish........... Layer fish (fillet's) in a metal or glass lasagna style dish, Leave a bit of space on top, fill dish with water, BUT ONLY PART WAY. because fish will float! Let freeze, Once froze fill to top of dish, And let freeze.
Then what i like to do, for convenience of storage is i then seal the block of frozen fish with my food saver! lol and so i can use my same dish for another load!
They don't taste like you caught them today! But they sure do taste like you caught them YESTERDAY.

Capt J · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 28, 2012, 07:29 AM »

Quote from: drinkwater on Dec 28, 2012, 06:13 AM

Best way to seal fish........... Layer fish (fillet's) in a metal or glass lasagna style dish, Leave a bit of space on top, fill dish with water, BUT ONLY PART WAY. because fish will float! Let freeze, Once froze fill to top of dish, And let freeze.
Then what i like to do, for convenience of storage is i then seal the block of frozen fish with my food saver! lol and so i can use my same dish for another load!
They don't taste like you caught them today! But they sure do taste like you caught them YESTERDAY.

Lots of good advice here, thanks fellas.

IDbasser · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 28, 2012, 09:55 AM »

I have been using foodsaver for quite a few years, I upgraded during the deer season. I really like it, and it keeps my fish and other game meat good in the freezer.

BBBnTeam · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 28, 2012, 03:15 PM »

we were strong supporters of the zip lock bags used for 2-3 yrs for everything from fish to jerky We were making jerky this yr and had a little over 25# and out of the 2 boxes over 10 were bad!! now we had a few go bad out of a box before but hey that was it for us we went with the food saver did 8 whitetails this yr not one bad seal

fishin_physician · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 29, 2012, 12:27 AM »

Number of years ago I bought a cheaper model of Food saver for over 100 bucks or something. It worked but didn't have enough power to suck most of the air out of the bag which defeats the whole purpose. Last year I upgraded to the Cabelas vacuum sealer. I forgot the model, I think GS-15 or something. It had good reviews from many users and my own experience has been very positive. It is not cheap at around $350 or maybe more, but Cabelas periodically puts them on sale. If it's within your budget it's worth the money in my opinion.

rayfish · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 29, 2012, 09:22 AM »

Food saver

bart · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 29, 2012, 12:38 PM »

FoodSaver Vac520, works great for me...

kasilofchrisn · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 29, 2012, 12:54 PM »

One of the problems with the foodsavers isn't neccessarily a bad seal right after you seal the item.
It is often when you pull your fish/game out months later that you notice the seal failed and your food is freezer burnt.

Capt J · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 01, 2013, 04:25 AM »

Well based on the feed back and my budget I went with a food saver. The big commercial sealers look great but I just couldn't swing the cash for those bad boys.

Thanks everyone for your help. I really appreciate it!

TheDude28 · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 01, 2013, 08:47 AM »

Got the food saver last Christmas...after a year worth of fish and a couple deer I can definitely see it crappin the bed soon. Maybe I got a dud when it goes I will upgrade to a more long term solution

Bubbadoyle · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 09, 2013, 04:39 PM »

I purchased the vacmaster vp112. It is the cheapest chamber vacuum sealer out there. I paid around $550 with free shipping for mine. Blows the doors off of the foodsavers and I have have several foodsavers. I can Vaccum seal liquids with it. It pulls a better vacuum. Best of all the bags can be had for about 1/10th the cost of foodsaver bags. It is much bigger and heavier than a foodsaver but will open up on a countertop under a cupboard. I figure I have saved at least $100 on bags since I purchased it. If it ever dies I will definitely stick with a chamber vacuum sealer.

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Author Topic: Vacuum Sealers (Read 3190 times)