[LeonardoDaBenz]

used to prepare stuff for the freezer. Primarily meat but also vegs, fruits (if the machine has manual abilities) and the like.

Every machine I've looked at has some flaw...even if it's 3x what I want to pay for one. I looked at $80 units and $200 units (CDN $) and it's a crapshoot.

I HAD narrowed it down to 2--> Nesco VS-12 ($165) and Geryon 1-2901-M ($70) but perusing further, neither really impressed me. I am willing to spend more (but not a lot more). Chamber sealers are more than I need/want so forget those.

I tend to rely on reviewer ratings in the ad BUT also "independent" reviewers. Like Bob Vila (they have reviewers of different articles, not just wood working stuff) or WireCutter.

One says A is great, another says A is crap and another doesn't even list A.

Got a machine (Make/Model) you've used for a while (like say 1yr+) you'd recommend?

BTW, I found way more negatives for FoodSaver versions which surprised me but it is what it is.

 

[Colbyt]

Here's about all I know, learned the hard way. My first one was a POS. My second contiues to please me.

There are two types of gaskets used in the machines. The ones with foam gaskets are crap. Look for a machine that has a rubber gasket. The self clamping lid is a nice feature that leaves 2 hands free to smooth the bag when it has wrinkles or is slightly overfilled.

Look at the recycle time. This can be important when doing batches and also goes toward the quality of the unit.

edit: correct typo in large type.

 

[Wooleybooger]

I use this and it satisfies my need for cuts of meat. I don't have a countertop sealer. The links are to Amazon Canada so I assume the prices are CDN $.

FOODSAVER 2082202 Food Saver Vacuum Sealer, Compact and Convenient Handheld Freshsaver with Dock (FS1195), Black, one size : Amazon.ca: Home

FOODSAVER 2082202 Food Saver Vacuum Sealer, Compact and Convenient Handheld Freshsaver with Dock (FS1195), Black, one size : Amazon.ca: Home

www.amazon.ca

The bags that you use with it come in quart and gallon sizes and are reusable. Just wash them out and let dry.

FoodSaver FSFRBZ0216-000 Quart-Sized Vacuum Zipper Bags with Unique Multi Layer Construction, BPA Free, Pack of 18 : Amazon.ca: Home

FoodSaver FSFRBZ0216-000 Quart-Sized Vacuum Zipper Bags with Unique Multi Layer Construction, BPA Free, Pack of 18 : Amazon.ca: Home

www.amazon.ca

 

[Old Gnome]

We love our FoodSaver. My father gave it to us almost 20 years ago and it is still going strong.

 

[PickyPrincess]

I have a food saver I purchased almost 10 years ago, and it's still going strong. I keep thinking about getting a new one, but there's no reason, as it still works well.

If I were to look at a different brand, I'd check out Avid Armor on Amazon. I'm a fan of their bags (much less expensive than name brands), and they've recently branched out into making vacuum sealers and sous vide products.

 

[Roll_Bones]

Foodsaver. Basic model at Costco. $49
Heres a newer model with more features and more money. Mine is about 7 years old.

https://www.costco.com/foodsaver-vacuum-sealing-system-with-handheld-sealer-attachment.product.100982388.html

 

[Wooleybooger]

Looks like everyone has more counter space than I do or just less lazy. I don't want to be lugging that thing out of and back to storage. The little hand held unit I have sits out on top of our microwave.

 

[PickyPrincess]

Looks like everyone has more counter space than I do or just less lazy. I don't want to be lugging that thing out of and back to storage. The little hand held unit I have sits out on top of our microwave.

Less lazy, but honestly that's debatable.😉

Mine resides in a storage cabinet, but when I package and freeze stuff I usually do it in bulk. Like 20 pounds of ground beef or chicken or a big pot of something so it's more of a process. It's not a tool I use on a daily basis.

 

[Wooleybooger]

Less lazy, but honestly that's debatable.😉

Mine resides in a storage cabinet, but when I package and freeze stuff I usually do it in bulk. Like 20 pounds of ground beef or chicken or a big pot of something so it's more of a process. It's not a tool I use on a daily basis.

I wish I had a big freezer. My little top mount is full for all intents and purposes and I've got, oh I've lost count, 15/20 chicken breasts, 8/12 thighs, 20/25 pork chops in the frig holding at 38 deg and all needing vac sealed.

 

[PickyPrincess]

I wish I had a big freezer. My little top mount is full for all intents and purposes and I've got, oh I've lost count, 15/20 chicken breasts, 8/12 thighs, 20/25 pork chops in the frig holding at 38 deg and all needing vac sealed.

The pandemic changed everything for us, and since one boy wasn't able to get the (highly processed yet shelf-stable) mushy foods that I usually fed him, I had to start making everything from scratch. Hence, a standalone freezer became a necessity.

The freezer really changed a lot of my cooking habits for the better, and it's rare that I don't have what I need to create one of our favorite meals. Then again, we are a family of 5, so it's a lot different than if I were just cooking for my husband and me.

 

[Wooleybooger]

I know that stand alone garage ready freezers are available but again I have the problem of where in the garage to put it. There is along one wall a table saw, a drill press, a joiner, and an air compressor, In the middle a 4 foot long planer table with small tools stored under it and a walk behind lawnmower, a walk behind edger and a riding mower beside the planer. A narrow aisle to the laundry room and on the opposite wall an 11 ft. long miter saw table and a toolbox plus room to get into the laundry room. And a dust collector shoved up between the planer and the joiner. Not to mention 2 more tool boxes with woodworking and mechanic tools. And the minor problem of adding a dedicated electric circuit for the freezer.

 

[Colbyt]

Looks like everyone has more counter space than I do or just less lazy. I don't want to be lugging that thing out of and back to storage. The little hand held unit I have sits out on top of our microwave.

Actually I may have less. The unit and the rolls of bags are kept in one storage container and the pre-made bags are kept in another. I only bring it out when using. Who would want to look at it all the time anyway?

 

[Roll_Bones]

Looks like everyone has more counter space than I do or just less lazy. I don't want to be lugging that thing out of and back to storage. The little hand held unit I have sits out on top of our microwave.

I had so much stuff packed into the cabinets some of the doors did not close all the way. A few weeks ago we installed some commercial grade shelving downstairs in the basement.
Then we went through every opening in the kitchen looking for things to move down, to clean and to organize. I now have plenty room up here. But I do have to go downstairs if I need something. Thats the only drawback.
The sealer was never on the counter or in site. It was in one of the cabinets.

 

[LeonardoDaBenz]

The "takes up so much space" is a consideration (primarily from SWMBO) and so the hand-held unit is a consideration but the issue I see with that is containers take up so much more room in the freezer that it really is not an option I see in my future.

Still undecided though

 

[Wooleybooger]

The "takes up so much space" is a consideration (primarily from SWMBO) and so the hand-held unit is a consideration but the issue I see with that is containers take up so much more room in the freezer that it really is not an option I see in my future.

Still undecided though

Yes some glass canning jars can be used in the freezer. I don't think I would ever do that though.

 

[Roll_Bones]

The "takes up so much space" is a consideration (primarily from SWMBO) and so the hand-held unit is a consideration but the issue I see with that is containers take up so much more room in the freezer that it really is not an option I see in my future.

Still undecided though

We shop at Costco and when I see meat on sale (grocery) I buy some. So I have to freeze and store. I think you would be very happy with either suggestion. The machine is required in our house.
Actually choosing bags is a bigger decision the the machine itself. They are not cheap and they come pre-cut or in rolls.
Over the years I have learned that quart bags are the most used of all. They are perfect and easier as you only have one seam to be concerned with.
I do keep a roll as I like to vacuum a whole rack of ribs. I don't cut ribs until they are done and ready for service.

 

[Colbyt]

I am only keeping the rolls until I use them up and mostly for the bacon. There is very little difference in the cost between the rolls and the pre-mades when you factor in the waste.

I buy my meat in chunks, most of it from a local wholesale house, and cut it the way I like. This includes, whole top sirloin, whole or half rib loins, 15 pound boxes of bacon, and chuck eye slabs for pot roast. The 90/10 ground chuck comes from Sams in 10 pound chubs repacked as .5 or 1 lb packages. I don't waste vacuum bags on this as it is never around long enough to burn. Zippys are good enough.

 

[Shane R]

I'd love to get ahold of a whole top sirloin. None of the stores locally take the picanha/culotte off. A local supermarket chain had top sirloin on sale last week. They carry a good brand of beef so I went and looked. Some of the steaks had a culotte as big as the lower portion. Next time they put it in the weekly ad, I might call early in the week so they can have a whole primal for me on the midweek or end of week delivery.

 

[Colbyt]

Shane I know Sams sells them. I bet Costco does also. Sams does not put them in retail case, you have to ask for them. The same might be true of other stores in your area.

 

[LeonardoDaBenz]

We shop at Costco and when I see meat on sale (grocery) I buy some. So I have to freeze and store. I think you would be very happy with either suggestion. The machine is required in our house.
Actually choosing bags is a bigger decision the the machine itself. They are not cheap and they come pre-cut or in rolls.
Over the years I have learned that quart bags are the most used of all. They are perfect and easier as you only have one seam to be concerned with.
I do keep a roll as I like to vacuum a whole rack of ribs. I don't cut ribs until they are done and ready for service.

Our (full) racks ALWAYS come already vac-sealed (2 per pkg and about 7-8 lb packages) so they just get popped in the freezer as is. Most used bags being quart size is useful to know.