Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Which Food Sealer to Buy?

Options
JRWhitee
JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
in EggHead Forum
Friends, I am in the market for a food sealer. Any Suggestions? Thanks.
Jim
                                                            
_________________________________________________
Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
Green Man Group 
Johns Creek, Georgia
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • BigWader
    BigWader Posts: 673
    Options

    Depends on your budget.  I have the foodsaver from Costco.  It works good for everything except wet stuff.  I have the mason jar attachment for it and use that to seal stuff too. 

    If you want to do wet stuff then look into a chamber sealer. 

    Toronto, Canada

    Large BGE, Small BGE

     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bettysnephew
    bettysnephew Posts: 1,188
    Options
    I have Foodsaver's Gamesaver Silver and am happy with it.  When we do liquids, we freeze first and then vac/seal.  This model is very simple to use and has several features that are nice for sportsmen.
    A poor widows son.
    See der Rabbits, Iowa
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Haws72688
    Haws72688 Posts: 41
    Options
    I have a VacMaster and love it.  It's a big investment though if you are going to use it sparingly.  It also eats up 1/2 the counter space in my apartment.
    Grand Rapids, MI
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrCookingNurse
    MrCookingNurse Posts: 4,665
    Options
    I've been very happy with my food saver until recently. Ive always just used it for meats and stuff and it works well. But have stated sealing more moist items and it gets full of moisture and stops. Have to strategically stop and seal it and clean out tray between seals. I was sealling blanched veggies this weekend and it was awful until I got the tricks down.

    Chamber sealers look like amazing toys. Way out of what id want to spend thoigh.


    _______________________________________________

    XLBGE 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cssmd27
    cssmd27 Posts: 345
    edited June 2014
    Options
    Henkelman Boxer 35

    Awesome machine.  Love mine!  Went from using my Foodsaver maybe every week or two, to using this daily.  We were hesitant about such a big investment, but now it's right at the top of my list of best kitchen investments.
    Dallas (University Park), Texas
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrCookingNurse
    MrCookingNurse Posts: 4,665
    Options
    I read back over that and I didn't mean to bash the food saver. Great machine, just isn't made for wet or high moisture items.


    _______________________________________________

    XLBGE 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zosobao5150
    zosobao5150 Posts: 133
    Options
    FoodSaver GameSaver Deluxe is excellent.
    XL BGE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SJ21XDC
    SJ21XDC Posts: 235
    Options
    Another vote for FoodSaver!

    XL & Mini-Max

    Chattanooga, TN

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    Options
    Thanks all, I was looking at the FoodSaver 4400 at Target for $170.00 I think I want with with a manual seal from what I was reading. I read a bunch of bad reviews on the FoodSaver 3400.
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    Options
    You made a good decision.  The auto seal is nothing but trouble and it wastes bags.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    Options
    nolaegghead said:
    You made a good decision.  The auto seal is nothing but trouble and it wastes bags.
    Definitely a good decision.  It can be infuriating when the bag isn't quite long enough for the auto-seal to kick on.  

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    Options
    Thanks @nolaegghead and @smokeypitt. I think I will get the 4400 as it is in my budget.
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Grillmagic
    Grillmagic Posts: 1,600
    Options

    I just bought the foodsaver 2450 from kolhs on sale for 99.00 and had a 30% coupon

    I have went through 3 rolls of bags and it seams to work great.

    I bought it for my SV Demi and it seams to be a good fit for hot tubbing

    Chuck

    Dimondale Michigan

    www.chuckkingcomedy.com

    Charlotte, Michigan XL BGE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HDumptyEsq
    HDumptyEsq Posts: 1,095
    Options
    VacMaster "Vacstrip" bags in a Foodsaver machine solves the 'wet'  problem. Cheap fix with a great machine I've had for years.

    Tony in Brentwood, TN.

    Medium BGE, New Braunfels off-set smoker, 3-burner Charbroiler gasser, mainly used for Eggcessory  storage, old electric upright now used for Amaz-N-Smoker.

    "I like cooking with wine - sometimes I put it in the food." - W. C. Fields

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrCookingNurse
    MrCookingNurse Posts: 4,665
    Options
    So the 4400 lets you control the suck and seal?? Didn't know that, the auto is what's frustrating about mine.


    _______________________________________________

    XLBGE 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • onedbguru
    onedbguru Posts: 1,647
    Options
    If you can find a Wolfegang Puck food saver, it cleans up much easier than the foodsaver brands.  Not sure if they are even available any more.... but, you can try :)  (there's craigslist and ebay??)


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    Options
    Grillmagic said:

    I just bought the foodsaver 2450 from kolhs on sale for 99.00 and had a 30% coupon

    I have went through 3 rolls of bags and it seams to work great.

    I bought it for my SV Demi and it seams to be a good fit for hot tubbing

    Chuck

    Dimondale Michigan

    www.chuckkingcomedy.com


    Thanks Chuck, I didn't think about trying Kohls. My wife probably has some coupons, I will check that one out.
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    Options
    MrCookingNurse said:
    So the 4400 lets you control the suck and seal?? Didn't know that, the auto is what's frustrating about mine.

    @mrcookingnurse Yes, there is a separate switch to control the amount of suction.
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    Options
    On my gamesaver, you can control the vacuum by stopping it and sealing via the seal switch.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrCookingNurse
    MrCookingNurse Posts: 4,665
    Options
    @nolaegghead‌ Ok. Mine will do that. But not what @JRWhitee‌ is talking about


    _______________________________________________

    XLBGE 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    Options
    Video of the 4400


    http://webapps.easy2.com/cm_mvc/GenericIndex/AltIndex?page_id=36517621
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    Options
    @MrCookingNurse - yeah you right.  There's a adjustable vacuum cut-off switch.  Some of the auto-sealers don't give you any control because the seal switch needs vacuum and the manual ones don't - so you can stop the vacuum at any time with the manual sealers.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Scotbradly725
    Scotbradly725 Posts: 59
    Options
    I'm in the VacMaster boat, but let me first say, I vacuum pack ALOT OF STUFF.

    Food saver bags/rolls are very expensive, upwards of $.50/bag if you buy pre-made bags. I burned up 3 foodsavers in 2 years and spent what I would have if I had just bought the VacMaster to begin with.  Chamber sealer bags are as inexpensive as $.04/bag depending on size and quantity that you buy.

    If you are going to be doing lots of wet applications, ie raw meat, marinades, semi-cooked freezer meals etc, save time and money and go buy the chamber sealer.

    If you want to primarily seal up leftovers, and dry goods, and don't mind spending a little more for bags, then buy the GameSavr. IMO it's the best one that FoodSaver has to offer, and it is portable (can use 12v or 110.)

    Either way, www.agribags.com has some of the best prices around on sealers and on bags and rolls depending on which way you choose to go. I have researched this lots and lots and they have the best deals by far.

    Also, look into the weston brand sealers, these are a food saver type machine, and built 100X sturdier, while still being a little less expensive than a chamber sealer.

    Just my little bit of info. Message me for more if you want.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    Options
    Good info.  I'm planning on a chamber in the near future.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    Options
    Thank you @scotbradley725, great information I will check that out as well. 
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories