Food saver vaccume sealers? Anything better?

Captainjimpark · February 2018

Hello everyone
I'm a BGE guy and bran new to sous vide.i had bought a food saver at Sam's club about five years ago, seemed to work fine at first but would get hot easy and I'd have to let it cool down before using again,i could make it through 1 family pack of chicken breasts but that was about it.is this normal? Maybe I had a bad machine.i need to get another one but is there any other brand you people are using? Many thanks in advance for help!!!!

CarolinaCrazy · February 2018

I've had a FoodSaver for 2 years & can do 20+ sealings at a time with no problems.

alaskanassasin · February 2018

Mine does the same thing, if I am in a hurry I will put a bag of peas or something frozen on the sealer to cool it down faster. Cabelas makes a nice one that’s supposed to have a better duty cycle.

Eggcelsior · February 2018

It might depend on the model as well. I have a Foodsaver Gamesaver and it seals repeatedly with impunity.

Captainjimpark · February 2018

alaskanassasin said:

Mine does the same thing, if I am in a hurry I will put a bag of peas or something frozen on the sealer to cool it down faster. Cabelas makes a nice one that’s supposed to have a better duty cycle.

Thanks for the info,i will look into cabellas

lkapigian · February 2018

I have 0 issues with my Food Saver and it is a workhorse. That being said when I get another, it will be a Chamber Sealer

Captainjimpark · February 2018

lkapigian said:

I have 0 issues with my Food Saver and it is a workhorse. That being said when I get another, it will be a Chamber Sealer

@lkapigian is chamber sealer a brand or a different type of sealer?

lkapigian · February 2018

Captainjimpark said:

lkapigian said:

I have 0 issues with my Food Saver and it is a workhorse. That being said when I get another, it will be a Chamber Sealer

@lkapigian is chamber sealer a brand or a different type of sealer?

A different type of sealer, the bag is in a Vacuumed environment VS drawing air out of the bag, ideal for liquids--they do take up space

https://youtu.be/g5ztvIZhQFA

Captainjimpark · February 2018

That's the ticket there!

dsrguns · February 2018

lkapigian said:

I have 0 issues with my Food Saver and it is a workhorse. That being said when I get another, it will be a Chamber Sealer

When my food saver took a crap I upgraded to a chamber vac. It is a beast and the bags are 1/10th of the cost

of food saver bags. The unit is quite large and heavy though. If it weren’t for cashing in credit card points the price would have made it a tough sell to SWMBO.

cssmd27 · February 2018

Henkelman Boxer 35.

Best money I ever spent for the kitchen. We use it many times per week. Bought it 5 years ago. Still love it today.

baychilla · February 2018

dsrguns said:

lkapigian said:

I have 0 issues with my Food Saver and it is a workhorse. That being said when I get another, it will be a Chamber Sealer

When my food saver took a crap I upgraded to a chamber vac. It is a beast and the bags are 1/10th of the cost of food saver bags. The unit is quite large and heavy though. If it weren’t for cashing in credit card points the price would have made it a tough sell to SWMBO.

The ~ $450+ price + 55lbs + size are my issues. But being able to vacuseal things with liquids or liquid marinades would be nice. A much cheaper price per bag than the Food Saver would also be a plus.

leemschu · February 2018

I just got a LEM mastervac 500 and it’s amazing compared to the food saver. Pricey but awesome.

kdink · February 2018

Anyone know anything about this one on Cabela's,
http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-COMMERCIAL-VACUUM-SEALER/1661927.uts?slotId=1

westernbbq · February 2018

LeM maxvac spendy but well worth it

Captainjimpark · February 2018

baychilla said:

dsrguns said:

lkapigian said:

I have 0 issues with my Food Saver and it is a workhorse. That being said when I get another, it will be a Chamber Sealer

When my food saver took a crap I upgraded to a chamber vac. It is a beast and the bags are 1/10th of the cost of food saver bags. The unit is quite large and heavy though. If it weren’t for cashing in credit card points the price would have made it a tough sell to SWMBO.

The ~ $450+ price + 55lbs + size are my issues. But being able to vacuseal things with liquids or liquid marinades would be nice. A much cheaper price per bag than the Food Saver would also be a plus.

I want one pretty bad
May have to think about a second job to afford all these things I think I need.

Rascal · February 2018

FWIW, I bookmarked this site a number of years ago. I have no experience with this unit.. https://www.provacuumsealers.com/

Carolina Q · February 2018

Rascal said:

FWIW, I bookmarked this site a number of years ago. I have no experience with this unit.. https://www.provacuumsealers.com/

That's the one I have. Weston Pro2300. Bought at least 8 years ago, still going strong. 15" seal width which comes in handy. Seal is nearly 1/4" wide too. They used to come with this awful blue top. Very large and heavy, but I like mine. Unfortunately, it does not have any way to vac seal Mason jars or the like. Just bags.

Back when I was in the market, there seemed to be quite a few complaints about Food Savers. Didn't last very long before going belly up. So I bought this one. Sounds like FS has improved as I don't see many complaints these days.

@Photo Egg has a similar unit (I forget which brand) that as I recall, has more features. If I had known about that one, I might have bought it. The knife block is in the pic to show scale.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/i0/rxbtjnl08egw.jpg

As for bags, Food Saver bags are much too expensive. I've purchased from a couple of different online stores. Haven't checked lately, but the last time I bought them, these guys offered the best price I could find, 4 mil thickness and free shipping too.

I've also bought from these folks, as recommended by @RRP. Don't know if Ron still buys from them or not.

RRP · February 2018

Carolina Q said:

I've also bought from these folks, as recommended by @RRP. Don't know if Ron still buys from them or not.

I haven't for a while since I had purchased several years worth. They are fine alternate to FS bags. Then about 2 years ago FS had a super special on the two sizes I use and I pounced on that sale with both feet!

HeavyG · February 2018

I bought my Weston Pro 3000 from these folks and they occasionally have some really good prices on some of the bag sizes - frequently BOGO offerings.

https://www.thehuntersbutchershop.com/Weston-Vacuum-Sealer-Bags-s/66.htm

Some of their sizes/prices aren't as good as the FoodVacBags place @Carolina Q mentioned.

whldch · February 2018

I just started looking into food sealers and appreciate the info on this thread. Just this morning came an email from Thermoworks that addresses sous vide with Food Savers and some suggestions and concerns. The paragraph about the possibility of Botulism and how to avoid it is well worth reading. I never would have given it a thought.

https://blog.thermoworks.com/2018/02/sous-vide-steak-with-a-chill-and-a-sear/?utm_source=Nl-2018Feb24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SousVideSteakPost&utm_content=inbox&utm_campaign=Feb2018-Sous-Vide-Steak-cs

HeavyG · February 2018

whldch said:

I just started looking into food sealers and appreciate the info on this thread. Just this morning came an email from Thermoworks that addresses sous vide with Food Savers and some suggestions and concerns. The paragraph about the possibility of Botulism and how to avoid it is well worth reading. I never would have given it a thought.

https://blog.thermoworks.com/2018/02/sous-vide-steak-with-a-chill-and-a-sear/?utm_source=Nl-2018Feb24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=SousVideSteakPost&utm_content=inbox&utm_campaign=Feb2018-Sous-Vide-Steak-cs

You may also want to read Baldwin's site in general and the food safety page specifically.

http://www.douglasbaldwin.com/sous-vide.html

Skiddymarker · February 2018

No question if you have 10 years of “sealing life” left in you get a chamber sealer. The bags will pay for the unit and you can seal liquids.
They are larger so you need storage space or counter space.

Canugghead · February 2018

What @Skiddymarker said, got my vp215 in 2014, couldn't be happier. Guessing bag savings have paid for about half the initial investment by now.

GlennM · February 2018

I wouldn’t mind a vp215 but it’s twice the cost in Canada’s? I also raise chickens and it would need to bag a 5lb bird, would the chamber be large enough?

lkapigian · February 2018

GlennM said:

I wouldn’t mind a vp215 but it’s twice the cost in Canada’s? I also raise chickens and it would need to bag a 5lb bird, would the chamber be large enough?

Yes, the chamber sealer has spacers you put in for smaller items remove for larger

Skiddymarker · February 2018

GlennM said:

I wouldn’t mind a vp215 but it’s twice the cost in Canada’s? I also raise chickens and it would need to bag a 5lb bird, would the chamber be large enough?

@GlennM - not quite twice the price, but it is more for sure. Quick look at Amazon and .ca is $1255CDN, while .com is $750US,which converts to close to $1000CDN. Under the still in place NAFTA, you can import with just GST+PST or HST depending on your province. The UPC for a VP215 has a made in USA 00 start and does not have the made in China 6XX, meaning duty applies in addition to sales tax.
Still you are into at least around $1100 or so for a sealer.
If you are close to the border, the savings of buying in the US and bringing it back will pay for bags for the next few years.
Typically chickens I’ve done are in the 3# range, with room left over, pretty sure a 5# bird would work just fine.

Captainjimpark · February 2018

Canugghead said:

What @Skiddymarker said, got my vp215 in 2014, couldn't be happier. Guessing bag savings have paid for about half the initial investment by now.

@Canugghead where did you buy your vp 215?
and do you get your bags from the same place?
im about ready to pull the trigger on one.

Canugghead · February 2018

@Captainjimpark apology for the late reply. I'm in Canada, bought the vp215 from Amazon dot ca for $999 CAD, exchange rate was better for us at the time 1USD=1.15CAD. I now buy my bags from a local restaurant supply store.

This looks like a decent deal for US folks @ $689 ...
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-vp215-chamber-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-10-1-4-seal-bar/120VMASVP215.html

Captainjimpark · February 2018

Canugghead said:

@Captainjimpark apology for the late reply. I'm in Canada, bought the vp215 from Amazon dot ca for $999 CAD, exchange rate was better for us at the time 1USD=1.15CAD. I now buy my bags from a local restaurant supply store.

This looks like a decent deal for US folks @ $689 ...
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-vp215-chamber-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-10-1-4-seal-bar/120VMASVP215.html

I’ve been looking at that,many thanks!!!

GlennM · February 2018

We are vacationing in Florida until Apr. I saw that price and that’s what prompted my search for the Canadian price. I could buy it here but it may be too heavy for the plane?

Food saver vaccume sealers? Anything better?

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