OT: What Food Saver Do You Use??

Killit_and_Grillit

So my food saver just stopped sealing earlier after only 2 years and one hunting season. I didn't really care for this one but my wife liked it and she does most of the sealing with it. 

But, with hunting and harvest season quickly approaching, I need to go ahead and pull the trigger on my next one. 

We we had the food saver brand, this model. 

https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Automatic-Vacuum-Sealing-Starter/dp/B003U738ZE/ref=lp_694692_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1470661890&sr=1-2


Anyone using anything different? I would rather pay a little more for a product that will hold up, but maybe I just got a lemon. 

dopey

AAAAAHAHAHA I am in the same predicament.  I am just going to buy a VP215 sealer so I don't have to deal with the BS of the 2 foodsaver brand vacuums I bought that have gone bad in the past 10 years. 

ThrillSeeker

https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-GameSaver-Outdoorsman-Consecutive-GM2050-000/dp/B016C4KK20/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1470667408&sr=1-1&keywords=game+saver

@killit_and_grillit I use the Food Saver Game saver.  I put this thing through the paces and it keeps on ticking.  I'm in the Nashville area as well, btw.

Skiddymarker

Depends on how much you seal. My V3840 seems to go on forever, have had it at least 4 or 5 years; I do keep it clean and do not try and seal more than two or three bags without letting it cool - they do not have an unlimited duty cycle. Each year I buy about six 11" rolls and three 8" rolls and maybe 70 or so of the 8" bags. 
Doing the math, I almost proved in a VacMaster chamber sealer. The unit is between $500 - $1000, but the bags are less than 1/2 price. Also the chamber sealer does liquid s and juicy stuff much better than a standard sealer. 

fishlessman

i tend to buy the cheapest food savers i can find now, have not had the best luck with them. actually have been given three new in the box over the years and they all died. brother buys a cow every year, uses a chamber sealer

bgebrent

I'm with brother fishless.  I bought my base model on clearance for $30 and it's been fine (3 years old).  I don't use it weekly but it gets used.

GregW

I use a Weston. It is well built and has lasted for 5 yrs now without any problems.

HeavyG

I have a Weston Pro 3000. It's a beast and built like a tank.

Elijah

https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Premium-Automatic-Bag-Making-FSFSSL5860-DTC/dp/B00O0UMUEA/ref=sr_1_29?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1470676714&sr=1-29&keywords=foodsaver

I will probably go with a chamber sealer next. The slightest amount of liquid messes with the seal.

DoubleEgger

Don't get one of those vertical automatic seal units. I hate mine. The old school ones have more control. 

milesvdustin

I have a gamesaver titanium. Pricey, but worth it. 80 seals without stopping for cool down. 

I will get a chamber sealer when this dies. 

Shiff

@Killit_and_Grillit,

Last October I bought a Food Saver model V4980 from Costco (this model is a Costco specific model).  It worked fine until about a month ago.  It came with a 5 year warranty and I called.  I sent it back to them and they immediately shipped me a model 4865 replacement.  This model has the exact same features as the one I returned.  I wasn't happy about mine only lasting 9 months, but they did replace it quickly but I did have to pay the return shipping cost. The new one came with a few sample rolls and bags and a jar sealer, so that partially compensated me for the shipping cost.

SmokinTiger81

Shiff--Costco has a very liberal return policy.  Just return in store for a refund and then repurchase one off the shelf.  Skip the shipping cost, and you don't even need receipt, Costco has the purchase in your card history.

TN_Sister_State

I just use this old school manual method and it works for my needs. No machine required. 

http://holykaw.alltop.com/vacuum-seal-food-without-vacuum-sealer-video

HeavyG

TN_Sister_State said:

I just use this old school manual method and it works for my needs. No machine required. 

http://holykaw.alltop.com/vacuum-seal-food-without-vacuum-sealer-video

That method is fine if you are just going to then put the items in the hot tub. That is what I did until I got a vac sealer.

However, that method is not so great if you are vac-ing and then putting into the freezer and wanting to avoid freezer burn.

Shiff

SmokinTiger81 said:

Shiff--Costco has a very liberal return policy.  Just return in store for a refund and then repurchase one off the shelf.  Skip the shipping cost, and you don't even need receipt, Costco has the purchase in your card history.

That's a good point but I didn't try because I had the sealer for 9 months. I've never tried returning anything that I have had that long. 

HeavyG

Shiff said:

SmokinTiger81 said:

Shiff--Costco has a very liberal return policy.  Just return in store for a refund and then repurchase one off the shelf.  Skip the shipping cost, and you don't even need receipt, Costco has the purchase in your card history.

That's a good point but I didn't try because I had the sealer for 9 months. I've never tried returning anything that I have had that long. 

I believe the only time limitation for returns at Costco is for just a few items like tv's and computers.

StillH2OEgger

I also have the Foodsaver 4980 and have been very pleased. I don't use it all that often, but it was worked flawlessly for me. Can often be had for $120 at Costco with an instant rebate.

Killit_and_Grillit

Thanks for the input guys. 

CountryBoy

Used to have a couple good savers with the latest being a game saver bronze I believe. At most could only do 4 or 5 bags at a time. Constantly replacing the the gasket around the vacuum tray and never was quite satisfied. Me being a hunter and needing to vacuum large quantities at a time; this unit was junk! Finally quit sealing bags with out basically having to stand on it so I upgraded to the vac master pro 350. Only used it for a couple bags as I just got it recently but it's built like a tank and will repetitive seal. Def worth the money.

bgeaddikt

Any food savers that can be found at Wally World or the likes? I bought a monster brisket on impulse and can't cook the whole thing. I don't need anything fancy but if there is warranty, reputation, etc towards a specific model i would purchase soon.