Getting Ready to buy a Food Sealer need advice please.

[Papa Rick]

I have never ever had a food sealer, but getting ready to buy one.  I read about the Vac Master Pro 140 went to the site but they do not sell them anymore.  Checked out Amazon and found this one:  http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-VS-02-Vacuum-Sealer-Silver/dp/B00IUAK39A/ref=pd_sbs_79_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41GAQVesqCL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0MPD77VRT9V6FSMHE5XX

I know nothing about them, so I am looking for much advice and suggestions on what type to buy and what type and kind of bags as well.

All advice and or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[old sarge]

I bought a Foodsaver from Cabella's many years ago and it has never failed me. A good unit.  This is the model but is no longer available. I have Nesco roasters and they are great but don't know about their vacuum sealing machines. The second link will be of great use in your research. 

http://www.amazon.com/Tilia-FoodSaver-Professional-Vacuum-Sealing/dp/B00004Y2RM

http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?action=search2

 

[Limey]

I have two Vac Master machines(a 140 and a 350) and am very pleased with both of them.

 

[Texan in Tulsa]

I have a Foodsaver V3250. Had rarely used it in the last year, but have put it through its paces in the last month. For the price, I have been very satisfied with it.

 

[DivotMaker]

I bought a Foodsaver from Cabella's many years ago and it has never failed me. A good unit.  This is the model but is no longer available. I have Nesco roasters and they are great but don't know about their vacuum sealing machines. The second link will be of great use in your research. 

http://www.amazon.com/Tilia-FoodSaver-Professional-Vacuum-Sealing/dp/B00004Y2RM

http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?action=search2

Can you check that second link, Dave?  Nothing there...

 

[NDKoze]

If I were to buy another one, I think I would go with a VacMaster 350 Pro.
https://shop.vacuumsealersunlimited.com/VacMaster-Pro-350-876350.htm

This looks like a pretty good deal as compared to $297 on Amazon.

I have bought bags from this site and am very happy with them.

 

[old sarge]

Tony - just tried the link and nothing.  BUT, putting in vacuum sealers in the search box brings up 16 various posts, and it has the same heading as the link I copied.  Not sure why or how.

 

[SconnieQ]

I was one of the lucky ones who got the VacMaster Pro 140 for the super low price of $70, because they were discontinuing the model and selling off inventory. For that price, I am overjoyed with it's performance. It appears the specs for the Model 110 are not as robust as the 140. The 350 might be more than you need, or want to spend. Weston is another brand that comes up a lot, and I also considered.

 

[pax238]

I just ordered a Weston Realtree Sportsman's Advantage (a custom-branded version of the Professional Advantage) for $149.99 from http://www.thehuntersbutchershop.com/Weston-Realtree-Vacuum-Sealer-p/65-0501-rt.htm.

 

[Eds smoking]

Reading this subject I had no need to buy a new vac sealer. Then my Cabellas 15 in sealer took a dump! Only 3 years old and no parts in stock.Last night I ordered a Vac Master Pro 350. I can't wait for it to come.We got a deal on chicken breast skinless/boneless for .99 cents a lb. for a 40 lb box. Had to borrow sons sealer to do chicken. I got 20 lbs of salmon in process for lox now and when the new sealer comes its sealing time.

 

[NDKoze]

Reading this subject I had no need to buy a new vac sealer. Then my Cabellas 15 in sealer took a dump! Only 3 years old and no parts in stock.Last night I ordered a Vac Master Pro 350. I can't wait for it to come.We got a deal on chicken breast skinless/boneless for .99 cents a lb. for a 40 lb box. Had to borrow sons sealer to do chicken. I got 20 lbs of salmon in process for lox now and when the new sealer comes its sealing time.

I am very interested to hear your thoughts after getting your 350. As I said earlier in this thread, this would be my choice if/when my 10 year old Food Saver dies.

 

[oldrndrt]

For what it's worth, today I purchased a Food Saver model V4925 from Sam's Club.  It was marked at $149.99.  When I checked out there was a "instant savings" of $30, or $119.99.
Never had an instant saving before.  I guess it's a coupon on their computer?

This smoking thing adds up.  Next up the James Jerky Dryer and some seafood racks.

 

[SconnieQ]

For what it's worth, today I purchased a Food Saver model V4925 from Sam's Club.  It was marked at $149.99.  When I checked out there was a "instant savings" of $30, or $119.99.
Never had an instant saving before.  I guess it's a coupon on their computer?

This smoking thing adds up.  Next up the James Jerky Dryer and some seafood racks.

Save some money on the seafood racks, and get yourself Q-Matz. Order the number of feet you need and cut to size. Place on your existing racks. Non-stick. Dishwasher safe.

http://www.amazenproducts.com/category_s/46.htm

 

[oldrndrt]

Thanks Kari.  Those look great!

 

[Eds smoking]

I'll keep you informed about the vm pro350 It;s due here thursday 10 March. We use the vac sealer every day to seal all types of bags (chips,cereal, beans any plastic bags) do not use the vac just seal. We gone thru a vac sealer every year for the last 3 years. Out first food saver lasted 9 years. hope this vm pro350 lasts as long. My son has the cabelas 12 in pro and its been 2 years but my 15 cabelas only lasted 3 years and they do not have replacement parts. I called vac sealers unlimited and they said they have parts for there units from 10 years ago. the 350 cost 238.00 and free shipping.I'll do a lot of sealing this friday ,got 20 lbs salmon LOX that will be ready for sealing. I also ordered the gold back foil bags to make the lox look great for gifts.

 

[SconnieQ]

got 20 lbs salmon LOX that will be ready for sealing. I also ordered the gold back foil bags to make the lox look great for gifts.

Ed, please show pictures of your sealed salmon lox. I tend to get lazy and seal in a stack, because it's a lot of work to fan out in standard vacuum bags. Do the gold foil bags come with a cardboard backer? How do you slice your lox? I slice by hand with a granton edge slicing knife. Any tips there? Do you use a slicer?

 

[Eds smoking]

I slice with a 12 inch simeter knife that I also use as my skinning knife, it's real sharp. When I pack the lox this week I'll post pics.  The bags have no cardboard. They have a foil like back with a vac textured front. I have a board I use to slide the lox  into bags. When i process I'll post.











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[SconnieQ]

I slice with a 12 inch simeter knife that I also use as my skinning knife, it's real sharp. When I pack the lox this week I'll post pics.  The bags have no cardboard. They have a foil like back with a vac textured front. I have a board I use to slide the lox  into bags. When i process I'll post.

I have been searching for a source for the gold/silver or gold/black backer boards used for vacuum sealing lox. I can only find sources in the UK. I think I will start a new thread to see if anyone knows where to get them delivered to the US. From what I have found online, the gold backed bags can only be used in chamber sealers, and are not compatible with suction sealers. But I would think the cardboard inserts could be used in any vacuum sealer.

 

[DivotMaker]

Makes a great-looking package, Kari!  Now you just need a custom label for the outside!

 

[SconnieQ]

Makes a great-looking package, Kari!  Now you just need a custom label for the outside!

Haha! Those are not mine. The photos are from the internet (UK sites), to try and show the gold/silver cardboards I am trying to find for packaging my lox.