Do you have one? Which model? Is it easy to use? Is it worth the initial investment? I'm thinking about getting one.
I've got one and use it all the time. Don't know which model off the top of my head though. Very easy to use.
Yes and not sure on the model. Don't get a cheapie though as we picked one up and it doesn't get the air out good enough. That's critical to keep your meat and anything else from getting freezer burn. Some stuff we have had sealed for well over a year and wouldn't have thought twice about cooking it up. Just too convenient to do instead of all the wrapping and still getting freezer burn.
I also have one and use it all the time. It's definitely worth the investment. I have one of the lower end models that was around $100 or so. I get rolls of bags from Costco and one box will last me close to a year. I seal and freeze everything from leftover taco meat and sloppy joes to lasagna, fresh veggies from the garden and much of my venison to make sure it doesn't get freezer burn.
If it's a good model that really sucks the air out they'll go right into the freezer. The air is what is critical to get out to avoid freezer burn and the bags are plenty thick to keep freezer burn from happening.
I'll add this tip, cut your bags, when using the roll, slightly larger than you'd think you need. I struggled getting a good seal my first go around because I was being cheap and not leaving ample bag for the machine to perform properly. Once a learned to leave a lil extra room on the end of the bag I got much better vacuum and seal.
I just vacuum sealed 35 pounds of coho salmon fillets cut up into steaks. I'm not sure what model it is, but it works. If you use one a ton the more expensive chamber sealing units are a better investment. They last decades with a much better seal each time than the foodsaver units that typically burn out after a few years.
Awesome, you guys just talked me into buying one. I'm tired of putting food in zip lock bags, or deer meat in trash bags for that matter and it not lasting long enough for me to eat it all. As I'll be moving out within the next couple months, I think that this would be a good investment since I work on a farm and have access to cheap, fresh vegetables.
I think mine is called the gamesaver pro or plus. It has definitely earned its keep. 5 years now and still working. I do wish i would have bucked up for commercial grade model because i use this thing pretty hard. It just keeps working though. I use for deer steaks and really use it alot for ducks and geese and fish and whatever else. I guess my advise would be, after using a friends top of the line cabelas model, if youre going to use it heavily, dont go cheap. The better ones work faster and remove the air better and even have double seals in one shot. Thats another tip. I always double seal everything.
Thank you all for the advice, I think I will start out with a decent consumer grade model first to see how I like it. Shocker99, I have seen a few Youtube videos of people that also recommend double sealing it - though it may take 5 more seconds, it wouldn't require much, if any more energy than what you're already putting in.
Yup you just have to let the sealing strip cool for 10 or 15 sec before resealing. Takes a little more time but nothing worse than pulling out freezer burnt meat that wasnt even that old because the seal didnt hold. Also another tip. Wipe inside of bag with paper towell in the area to be sealed. Blood and fluid can make for a poor seal. Good Luck!
I have a seal a meal brand, something 230. Love it, used it for about 6 years now, bags are expensive but so is processing.
So funny timing on this thread. My mom stopped over last night and game me a food saver that she doesn't use anymore. I'll have to post pictures of it tonight so everyone can tell me if it is a decent one or not.
