Help me choose a food (vacuum) sealer

[workinwifdakids]

I'd like to buy a food sealer, with which to vacuum seal food (and other products). I'd like your help in choosing something.

Also, I'd like a book to go along with this purchase, so I can maximize my knowledge about this. Any recommendations on that front? Thanks!

[MelodyByrne]

i have the basic Foodsaver and I'm not terribly impressed. The price is good for what you get, but it's bulky and wastes a lot of the plastic required. Also, if you want to vacuum seal anything soft, forget about it unless you freeze it first.

[Rich Jordan]

I have a Foodsaver 1050; it worked great for the first couple of years of moderate use (2-3 bags a week, a few times many bags in one day). Lately its been troublesome with inconsistent results, sealing problems, etc.

I have seen the metal commercial 'gamesavers' sold by Cabelas and others, and they look pretty solid, but I have no experience with them.

Whats your expected usage, volume wise?

[Ben Rumson]

Wife has a Foodsaver b300. Seems to work OK.

[HTRN]

I would make sure you have an external vacuum port, so you can use vac seal mason jars.

Guys, keep in mind, you're paying less than a hundred bucks, for a device with a heat sealer, and vac pump. Go see what a Gast pump costs. Go on, I'll wait.

You want to know what a good vac sealer costs? Uline has a nice one.. for 2 grand. if you want a good one, expect to pay 400 bucks and up.


HTRN

[Dedicated_Dad]

For food, you'd be much better served with some free foodgrade buckets from bakery/donut shops (make sure the lids have gaskets) some mylar bags and some oxygen absorbers.

You can seal the bags with a cheap iron.

For... "other things"... you can use the bags but still seal with an iron. Suck out the air with a regular vacuum adapted down to a small hose - seal all but a little bit, suck out the air, fold to keep from losing the vacuum inside then iron the last little spot.

You can buy enough mylar/o2 absorbers to outfit an army for the $400 you'd spend on a "good" sealer...

DD

[HTRN]

You can seal the bags with a cheap iron.

Better yet, buy a cheap heat sealer.


HTRN

[Dedicated_Dad]

I was trying to say you can still use the roll of foodbag material - for making lo0000-ooong bags - and seal with an iron (or HTRN's sealer)...

DD