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Vac Sealers

Any good recommendations? I want to start smoking a lot of pork, ribs, hams, briskets ect when they are on sale and slicing and sealing to go in the freezer. I am hoping it tastes good still after doing that and letting the meat sit for a month or so and reheating it with boiling water. 

Thats is my plan anyways and looking for a good sealer people here recommend. I saw a pistol vac at restaurant depot today but the internet had very little reviews so I didn't purchase it. 

Most of you here probably do the same thing I'm planning on doing, so I would like some recommendations here rather than from Amazon. 

Thanks!

Kansas City, Missouri
Large Egg
Mini Egg

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" - Gandalf


Comments

  • Jeepster47
    Jeepster47 Posts: 3,827
    What's your price range?

    Washington, IL  >  Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max

  • bhedges1987
    bhedges1987 Posts: 3,201
    Probably under $300.00  

    Kansas City, Missouri
    Large Egg
    Mini Egg

    "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" - Gandalf


  • Eggzellent
    Eggzellent Posts: 238
    edited March 2016
    I've owned quite a few at that price range and wish that I had instead saved for something which:
    1) used commercial style bags (by the thousand)
    2) wouldn't heat up quickly/not work

    You'll receive better answers than mine (sorry) and maybe things have changed (no longer proprietary/expensive bags?) but my older ('09) Ary VP215 is used (by far) more than anything else in the kitchen. Not sure that anything else would hold up save the less expensive dry piston version (for me).
  • Jeepster47
    Jeepster47 Posts: 3,827
    This one was on Woot awhile ago ( http://www.amazon.com/Gamesaver-FSGSSL0800-000-Titanium-Game-Saver/dp/B00ARW34TA ).  Look around and you might find it cheap enough to get below your limit.

    I've got the V4880 unit purchased from Costco for less than $150.  Specs say to wait 20 minutes between seals ... that hasn't been a problem for me.  The 800 unit above doesn't have a cool down period, but it's twice as big.  I think the V4865 unit is close to the same unit.

    Check out Foodsaver's website ... http://www.foodsaver.com/vacuum-sealers/counter-top-vacuum-sealers/  They have a 20% off coupon for some of their sealers.  And, shipping is free.

    Washington, IL  >  Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max

  • ScottNC
    ScottNC Posts: 240
    I just bought this one a few weeks ago, really happy with it. $239.00, Heavy Duty. Buy extra bags or rolls at same time, don't go E-Bay, I tried, don't work. http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-pro-350-external-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-12-seal-bar/120VMA350.html

    Western, North Carolina

    Large, MiniMax, Blackstone 17" Smashburger Griddle & Stuff


  • bhedges1987
    bhedges1987 Posts: 3,201
    Thanks. 

    So do any of you smoke and pull or slice meats and then seal and freeze it? If so, how is the quality after you reheat it? 

    Really would like to go to restaurant depot once a year. Stack up on steaks ect. Cut them up seal and freeze for whenever I'm ready to cook them. Just don't want to sacrifice much quality. 

    Kansas City, Missouri
    Large Egg
    Mini Egg

    "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" - Gandalf


  • sctdg
    sctdg Posts: 301
    edited March 2016
    ScottNC said:
    I just bought this one a few weeks ago, really happy with it. $239.00, Heavy Duty. Buy extra bags or rolls at same time, don't go E-Bay, I tried, don't work. http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-pro-350-external-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-12-seal-bar/120VMA350.html
    +++1on Vacmaster .I have owned 5 Food Savers since the mid 80's and last one was auto V4880 .I was always happy with food saver but because I use mine an average of about 5 or 6 times a day I wanted something more durable .Vacmaster Pro 350 was it for me .Good strong machine and you can adjust the vacuum from 27.5 hg down to 20 hg ,it also has pulse button .It accepts Foodsaver canisters (you do want to bring vacuum down to 23hg to keep them from breaking ) and the zip lock foodsaver bags using Pro 350's accessory port . Essentially most foodsaver accessories will work on this machine because port is same . This is a strong suction machine and being able to pull 27.5 hg tells it all . Good for sous vide even if food is wet.Using a rolled up paper towel in a little lager bag just below seal line gives you some of the flexibilty of a chamber sealer when it comes to liquid .Seal time is very adjustable and it will do repeated seals with no problem . Best of all they have a good customer service  dept,nice people who know their product .  They just sent me a whole new sealer bar kit when I asked them for only the tape because mine had a small wrinkle on it .Had mine since 12/15 and I put away my V4880 which is only a couple years old . Like going from a light duty dump truck to a Mack .Got mine on a super deal from Amazon for $198.00 Prime freight free. .Long story .
    Ps Bag waste at sealing area is very minimal as opposed to most of what Foodsavers do . And a stronger and wider seal bar .
    Freezing your pulled pork in vacuum bags and putting them in sous vide bath for reheating makes it taste like the day you cooked it .Pull it out of freezer and into water bath ,done.