foodsaver questions

cbs

I'm looking into getting one of these and had a couple of questions.[p]We don't eat large quantities of food. My primary purpose in one of these gadgets would be to go to Costco and grab a pack of steaks, use 1-2 and then freeze the rest. I assume it works okay for these purposes. If it doesn't, will one of you guys let me know.[p]Also, anyone use it to freeze already cooked items? If so, how does it do and what works for freezing and what doesn't?

Bobby-Q

cbs,
I use it for butts. I sometimes will just do a butt, pull it, and then break it up into different size servings (1/2 pound for my sister and myself, 1 pound if it's just gonna be for me, and larger sizes for if we have company last minute).[p]There is also a marinade feature (don't have that yet) that everyone swears by, they fire up their egg, put the meat in the marinader and it's ready to go when the lump is.[p]If another hurricane comes through Florida I imagine the poor folks down there might be vac sealing lump in order to keep it from floating away.[p]Almost anything you egg, can be sealed and frozen, and then you can heat it up in the microwave or in boiling water, either without having to open the bag until it is hot.

Mark Backer

cbs,[p]My main reason for buying my foodsaver was freezing whole ribeyes once cut and brought home. They work out great. I've frozen pulled pork and have heard people talk about freezing soups and stews. [p]

ajay

cbs,
They work well. We use it for meats, both cooked and uncooked, cheese, etc. The marinade feature works exceptionally fast. I use one of the hard plastic containers and put whatever meat in it along with the marinade. You then attach the vacuum tube and you can almose see the marinade getting sucked into the meat when you turn the machine on. It lets you marinade in minutes.

David from RI

cbs,[p]
I live alone and bought a foodsaver. I just vacuum packed 16 fillets of smoke bluefish, Do a butt and vacuum pack, make a sauce ( we say gravy) and vacuum pack. Bought a whole tenderloin, processed and vacuum packed.[p]I can do what I need to do with the egg ,and regardless of who comes over I can save the rest.[p]3rd best money I ever spent.[p]DR

Mark from Utah

cbs,
I not only use mine for marinading in the plastic containers, but I also apply the rub to whatever meat I am using prior to vacuum sealing it in the bags and then freezing. That way I only have to get the rub ingredients out one time. Sometimes I will add another layer of rub immediately before putting it on the egg (after it is completely unthawed).[p]I also try to write with permanent marker the date on the bag before I seal it so that I can use the oldest first. I can usually tell what cut of meat and kind of rub I used, but you might want to add that info on the bag also. [p]As you can tell, I really use mine a lot and have more than gotten my money's worth from it. Mark from Utah

Gretl

cbs,
Make sure you get the model with the accessory port; that's what you need for the marinade container and canisters. I use mine all the time. I just bought the thingie that allows you to use Bell jars; it fits over the lid and sucks out the air. I have used my foodsaver bags for freezing cooked and uncooked food, and canisters for storing crackers and nuts that may not be used up before getting funky. It's a good product. Worth the cost.
Cheers,
G.

Unknown

cbs,
I've frozen pulled pork and then it's there for instant company (one time we debated about lighting the Egg just for the atmosphere) fresh meats, fish frozen in a block of ice that kept for over a year and tasted fresh caught, roma tomatoes look like red jewels a year later, berries galore--great for cereal and health. I have been thinking about vacuum packing raw meat with marinade to see what happens. Anyone try this yet and let it go for months?

Mark Backer

kk,[p]I put on a rub and waited six weeks with it in the freezer before cooking it. It was great!![p]I haven't done it with a marinade though...

Unknown

Mark Backer,
Have to try it this week. Am working 4 out of 5 weekends so when I finally get out for a day it will be ready!