O.T. Vacuum Sealer machines

jdMyers

What type of vacuum sealer machines are folks using.  I had a 10 year old one that finally broke as my wife flung it across the kitchen by accident.  After a lot of research I settled on the food saver big game vac machine for $80.00 new.  Its probably not the v2 model but I love this thing.  80 seals back to back no hiccup.  Re organized the freezer multiple bag sizes, and 3 button operation.  close, seal or vac n seal, and a manual cutter.  Came with 12v cord for car operations.  Camper yes.   Big 4 bone rib roast it lifted it off the counter pulling out the air.  Wet/dry removable drip tray

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The Cen-Tex Smoker

You did 80 seals back to back with no overheat issues? 

nolaegghead

Vacmaster VP215  Love it!

CornfedMA

@nolaegghead those things are awesome! I wanted one in the worst way when I replaced my last sealer a few months ago, but I didn’t wanna sacrifice the counter space or the $900. 

Used the last of my CC points and got a Cabela’s Commercial Grade Sealer. Seems pretty good so far. I’ve put a lot of regular meats, groceries, sous vide bags, etc. Also did about 50 lbs of sausage in 1lb packages, almost back to back. Worked like a charm. 

dmourati

I've just got my first standalone freezer and now I'm looking at vacuum sealers too.

Can someone with a sealer explain their workflow?

I'm curious if you freeze mostly raw or mostly cooked products?

Do you vacuum seal stuff not destined for the freezer? What?

Thanks.

nolaegghead

@CornfedMA

I've wanted one forever and I saw it new on woot! For $490 free shipping and pulled the trigger.  Bought 1000 bags, too

jdMyers

Workflow in my case.  Lift lid unroll length of bag.  Press seal.  Slide cutter and remove bag.  Other end is open insert product.  Lay bag on sealer.  Close lid and lock.  Pres vac n seal.  Wait 20 seconds.  All done.

jtcBoynton

dmourati said:

...
Do you vacuum seal stuff not destined for the freezer? What?

Thanks.

I have several glass one quart jars in the pantry with various items in them under vacuum. Spices, beans, bread crumbs.   I have some copies of important paper documents in vac bags included in my hurricane recovery supplies. I have some spare parts under vac on my garage shelves for rust protection. I also have an old silverware set in vac bags in storage.  

jetman96

dmourati said:

I'm curious if you freeze mostly raw or mostly cooked products?

Generally speaking, big stuff is vac-sealed after cooking, smaller stuff before. There's only two of us, so I'll do a butt, ham, or brisket, then vac-seal in 1 lb increments and put in deep freeze. For smaller items, like chicken breast, thighs, legs, ground meats, etc., I'll vac-seal and freeze in meal size increments. Works great, especially being stuck at home all of the time now.

Tip for sealing: make sure you roll the opening over an inch or two before putting food in bag. Wash/rinse off your hands, then roll up the rest of the way and seal. Keeps the sealing surface clean.

JNDATHP

For us, we use our vacuum sealer to seal raw protein headed for the freezer and also for cash headed to our safe. 

thetrim

I have a foodsaver that's been unremarkable recently. Might be time for a new one.

Just ask @nolaegghead what he really uses that vacmaster for.....

The Cen-Tex Smoker

nolaegghead said:

@CornfedMA

I've wanted one forever and I saw it new on woot! For $490 free shipping and pulled the trigger.  Bought 1000 bags, too

You know you are in deep when you lust after another man’s chamber sealer. 

Canugghead

dmourati said:

I've just got my first standalone freezer and now I'm looking at vacuum sealers too.

Can someone with a sealer explain their workflow?

I'm curious if you freeze mostly raw or mostly cooked products?

Do you vacuum seal stuff not destined for the freezer? What?

Thanks.

afraid to use my vp215 (too sucky?)