Vacmaster PRO350

sctdg

Does anyone out there have any hands on experience with the Vacmaster PRO350. I am thinking about switching from a Foodsaver to pro350 .This model is relatively new(replaced pro305) and actual knowledge is hard to come by .
Thanks in advance
Bob

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I did a forum search and yours is the only mention of that model. I know there are some vacmaster users on here but does not look like that model has been discussed on here before

The Cen-Tex Smoker

lots of vacmaster threads though. You may be able to glean some info here and talk to some of the guys using similar models

http://eggheadforum.com/search?Search=vacmaster

sctdg

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

lots of vacmaster threads though. You may be able to glean some info here and talk to some of the guys using similar models

http://eggheadforum.com/search?Search=vacmaster

Thanks ,I checked them out and most are about chamber machines which I looked at also but they are just too big and have no way to use canisters which I use all the time . 

Jaime

I got the daughter and sasil @GuitarEC  a 380 vacmaster for a part housewarming, part xmas gift. It's the same as the 350 except a 16" seal bar.. I have the vp215 chamber style.  Mine is great but it can't do a 4g negative dive...oops top gun quote... It can't do a full rack of ribs.   Thx to the 50 ft roll of any length bags,  this "sucker" CAN.   GREAT build quality, worth the dough imho.
Perhaps the smart azz son in law will add his opinion.  I know they plan to do jars as soon as they grab the mason jar lid access.  For liquids and like. He'll pop over and use my chamber but for 90% of their needs, this rugged unit looked worth it.  Overkill, yeah, but I like overkill on stuff like this..

doug/ aka @swordsmn stealing wifes ipad

DMW

I've been looking at the VacMaster 112S, but then stumbled on the VacMaster Duo550 that is both a chamber sealer and external sucker.
https://www.vacmasterfresh.com/vacmaster-duo550-suction-and-chamber-vacuum-sealer-in-one/

This would replace my FoodSaver and is actually a bit less expensive than the 112S.

4Runner

I have the pro305 and love it.  However, now that I have vp-215, that is my workhorse.  What questions do you have?

sctdg

4Runner said:

I have the pro305 and love it.  However, now that I have vp-215, that is my workhorse.  What questions do you have?
I heard all kinds of good things about the 305 .Problem is it has been replaced by the 350 and some of the reviews on Amazon about the 350 say's that the 350 is no where near what the 305 is .I don't trust a lot of Amazon reviews but It was more than one negative opinion .305 is no longer available .Wish I had the room for a chamber sealer ,would keep Foodsaver for canisters and such.
Jaime was talking about the 380 ,would have gone that route but the width is just a little too big .
 

swordsmn

@sctdg I was using my wife's @Jaime acct when I wrote that. I'm surprised your research/Amazon reviews showed that.   I was looking for a ruggedized foodsaver type external for my kids for reasons mentioned. All my research pointed to weston vrs vacmaster brands with the 380 at least edging out the weston a tad.   I think their engineering is identical excepting width.  I will try to find the link/ review that put me over the top.  You could spend 1/3 or less on a cheaper one and run it till it dies. Sorta self insuring and considering it like a cheap printer.   

You do know the bags are more $$ on the externals than the chamber style... If you like I can send you a link to a good qual bag source at good prices.   Go external if like me you hv need for custom bag lengths thx to the rolls.   Else for a little more dough you could leap to a chamber style like that 112s.  IF that chamber is big enough for ur plans.

swordsmn

This particular link is For the external.  Look over their different brandings/roll widths. This is the Ultra. There are others cheaper and more $$ on this site

This is what we are getting the kids as a refill for the 380
not bad $$$.  ((But you buy the chamber style bags by the 1000 :-). ))

100 gal, quart, pint pack

2 roll pack. 50ft     8" and 11"

http://shop.vacuumsealersunlimited.com/ULTRA-Combo-Packs_c291.htm

swordsmn

http://shop.vacuumsealersunlimited.com/VacMaster-Pro-350-876350.htm
Not a bad price.   Reviews are here too but not the one that sold me on the 380.  Still looking


https://www.vacuumsealersguide.com    Decent article

http://www.bestvacuumsealerguide.com/vacmaster-pro350-suction-vacuum-sealer/   Review 

somewhere I saw a weston vrs vacmaster review.  She liked the vacmaster.   Weston has no cutter for roll.  350/380 does

GuitarEC

Yes, the Vacmaster Pro350/380 is worth it.  The footprint is less than a chamber-type vacuum sealer, it's built like a brick $h!t-house, and it gets the job done.

If you get one, there are only 2 points I would recommend when using it:

First, make sure your seal is perfectly flat - any crimp or crease and the seal will not work.  I only mention this because I'm sure there are vac sealers out there that can brute-force a good seal even if there is a minor crimp or imperfection.  This is not one of those sealers.

Second, I would recommend you get something to place in front of the sealer to lift your bag to the same level as the sealer.  Doing that will allow your seals to be closer to the meat, and if you're using the roll, you can cut them slightly shorter to get the most out of them.

Just my $0.02 (adjusted for inflation and import tariffs),

Eric "GuitarEC"  A.K.A.  the @swordsmn's S.A.S.I.L.
Metro Atl., Ga.

Angus1978

DMW said:

I've been looking at the VacMaster 112S, but then stumbled on the VacMaster Duo550 that is both a chamber sealer and external sucker.
https://www.vacmasterfresh.com/vacmaster-duo550-suction-and-chamber-vacuum-sealer-in-one/

This would replace my FoodSaver and is actually a bit less expensive than the 112S.

Sweet baby Jesus...where was that 2 years ago?  I love my VP210 but that there's something I'd really like to have had...

DMW

Angus1978 said:

DMW said:

I've been looking at the VacMaster 112S, but then stumbled on the VacMaster Duo550 that is both a chamber sealer and external sucker.
https://www.vacmasterfresh.com/vacmaster-duo550-suction-and-chamber-vacuum-sealer-in-one/

This would replace my FoodSaver and is actually a bit less expensive than the 112S.

Sweet baby Jesus...where was that 2 years ago?  I love my VP210 but that there's something I'd really like to have had...

I'm on time-out for awhile, so I'll have to wait, but it will happen eventually.

4Runner

I think VacMaster makes solid products.  I wouldn't worry about reviews.  I bet some received defective units, which were replaced under warranty, and the others are doing wrong.  

Little Steven

When I bought my 115 at the Canadian distributor, they warned me about the polycarbonate lids on the less expensive chamber sealers. They do repairs in house and there had been several failures. I actually suggested to the product manager that they make a dual unit. Not knocking anything at all, just a heads up.

swordsmn

Little Steven said:

When I bought my 115 at the Canadian distributor, they warned me about the polycarbonate lids on the less expensive chamber sealers. They do repairs in house and there had been several failures. I actually suggested to the product manager that they make a dual unit. Not knocking anything at all, just a heads up.

I read a lot of 112 reviews ( or maybe it was its predecessor) that discussed cracked lids.  FWIW the vacmaster site says about the 112S:  "The VacMaster VP112s has been re-engineered with a heavy-duty lid and chamber ". So maybe they tired of replacing cracked lids.   Those reviews did drive me to goto the VP215.

sctdg

Little Steven said:

When I bought my 115 at the Canadian distributor, they warned me about the polycarbonate lids on the less expensive chamber sealers. They do repairs in house and there had been several failures. I actually suggested to the product manager that they make a dual unit. Not knocking anything at all, just a heads up.

Original 112's had problems with the lids .Was told by Vacmaster that they cured that,guess that is reason for 112 "s" model along with canister port issues.
What I liked about the pro350 is that it will pull(according to Vacmaster)
27.5 inches of HG ,Foodsavers (according to Foodsaver) will only do between 18 and 22. My issue with that is am I chasing a number difference that could be as meaningless as when you cook on your Egg and you are worried about a 10 to 15 degree fluctuation? I do like the seal you get with Vacmaster and the fact that you don't have to seal twice like I have done with Foodsaver through the years I've been using them .
One more thing. I have the Foodsaver v4865 ,it is an auto machine .I reuse my bags a lot of times .When bag end curls and bag is short I have to use my v2840 ,manual Foodsaver to vacuum,another thing that I can stop doing by getting Vacmaster. Guess I am talking myself into another purchase. As some have said here before this forum gets really costly .LOL

Little Steven

sctdg

Not sure I understood that. I don't think you can compare a chamber seal with a suction one. I spent about a Canuck grand on mine and my wife says it's one of the best purchases we have ever made. Sorry

GATABITES

I have one. I had it for about a week and I absolutely love it. 

GATABITES

This is a piece of SRF black label from a week ago. You can't go wrong with the pro350. 

sctdg

Little Steven said:

sctdg

Not sure I understood that. I don't think you can compare a chamber seal with a suction one. I spent about a Canuck grand on mine and my wife says it's one of the best purchases we have ever made. Sorry

Little Steven I'm not putting down the 112s in fact I like it .I do need the ability to do canisters,which they took away with the updated model and the size won't work for me where I will keep it .If not for those two things a chamber machine is what I would prefer .Been using suction machines since the 80's and would like to step up to chamber but unless I move to a bigger house it ain't going to happen .
Gatabites thanks for the pictures. I'm able to see what the seal looks like for the first time and it really looks like that machine has Beaucoup power .I am thinking it is a done deal .Good seal ,strong vacuum ,that's what I was after . Thanks again .

Raymont

fyi- "Today's deal" at Vacmaster.com is $100 of the Duo550 chamber/suction sealer. reg price $599. Certainly more than the pro350, but $200 less than the VP112s and is both chamber and suction.

Raymont

And for those who want to spend less, Amazon selling foodsaver today for $59. 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LUGK5XA/ref=gbps_tit_s-3_4382_74e6aa2f?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2322594382&pf_rd_s=slot-3&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_main&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1259WRZ1QAYZRDFS29QFFoodSaver FM2000-000

Canugghead

Raymont said:

fyi- "Today's deal" at Vacmaster.com is $100 of the Duo550 chamber/suction sealer. reg price $599. Certainly more than the pro350, but $200 less than the VP112s and is both chamber and suction.

Great deal, btw, it's vacmasterfresh.com, discount code DAY8   
@DMW what are you waiting for? 

DMW

Canugghead said:

Raymont said:

fyi- "Today's deal" at Vacmaster.com is $100 of the Duo550 chamber/suction sealer. reg price $599. Certainly more than the pro350, but $200 less than the VP112s and is both chamber and suction.

Great deal, btw, it's vacmasterfresh.com, discount code DAY8   
@DMW what are you waiting for? 

$509 at Webstraurantstore:

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-duo550-two-in-one-chamber-and-external-strip-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-12-seal-bar/120VMA550.html

Also, same price at their B&M The Restaurant Store, and I have a local one. For $10, I'll wait until less scrutiny is being placed on my purchasing activity.  

4Runner

I think we proved that you can use the VP215 as a suction machine as well. Just need to use the correct bags.  I still use my Pro305 for large seals though.  

sctdg

Pulled the trigger on the PRO350 .I think someone mentioned the word tank,it is . Sure is different from the Foodsavers I've been using the past 20 something years . Best part is I can use all my Foodsaver accessories  with it .I have the Vacmaster Marinator that I bought a few months ago ,it's taller than the Foodsaver one which I have also . Marinate cycle will go up to 99 minutes with Vacmaster ,that's a lot longer than Foodsaver .I think I'm going to like it . Got it for $199.00 from Amazon by signing up for Amazon store card ,they gave me $40.00 off $239.00 price .

nolan8v

Can the vacuum chamber sealers be adjusted to prevent having mushy chicken or fish?