Best vacuum packer

lj · #1 12/25/10, 11:08 PM

I would like to store this years venison better in the freezer and also send some jerky to friends out of state. I'm looking at those vacuum packers like seen in Cabelas catelog. Pretty pricey. Do you get what you pay for? Are the cheaper ones junk? Suggestions?

Dandelion Acres · #2 12/25/10, 11:24 PM

I just got a Food Saver for Christmas

So we shall see. After doing some research I figured that would be the one to ask for and if I got a cheaper one I still would have been ecstatic. Hopefully it lives up to it's reputation!!!!

Truckinguy · #3 12/26/10, 12:51 AM

I have a Food Saver, not sure of the model number off hand but it lies flat on the counter and I push a button on the side and it stands up vertically when I'm done. It works very well for me and I would definately recommend it. I buy the bulk packages of the bags at Costco with four 11 inch and two eight inch rolls in it and that lasts me a long time. I'm very happy with it.

VT Chicklit · #4 12/26/10, 01:45 AM

I have 2 FoodSavers and I love them. I get my rolls of bags from ebay and I find that even with shipping, I can't find them cheaper locally.

nehimama · #5 12/26/10, 07:38 AM

Please get the best one you can afford. I like the Foodsaver brand, and have not had any difficulties with them. Good luck in your search, and I hope you find exactly the one that pleases you.

Windswept Hill · #6 12/26/10, 07:58 AM

I have one of the older Food Savers. We have been using it for at least 10years with no problems. The better (more expensive) models have more suction and have separate buttons for vacuum and sealing. The canning jar attachment also gets a lot of use.

Our Little Farm · #7 12/26/10, 08:06 AM

I got my second food saver for Christmas. Love them!

Spotted Owl · #8 12/26/10, 03:51 PM

We got rid of ours and haven't looked back.

Have tried several over the years. In the end none of them worked as well as the system we use now. We get rolls of plastic produce bags from the store(free if you are a friendly customer). What ever you are freezing, pork, red meat, fish, jerky, veggies or fruit. Put meal amounts into the bag. Push the air out either with your hand or a bucket of water(bucket works a ziplock like a vac packer also) then spin the bag and wrap in heavy waxed freezer paper. The air is pushed out, and kept out by spinning. Fold the spun tab under the bag when you start wrapping and it will be held down by the weight of the bag and not be able to open allowing air back in. We have found meat and things in the back of the freezers that were 6+ years old(not intentional) and just fine with no freezer burn or dryness to them. If your on a coast and like crab this will work good too. Cook with shell on. Don't clean, place on heavy news print and wrap, then put into produce bag, work out the air, and wrap in freezer paper. Place in freezer on it's back. Keep the crab on it's back the entire process, will keep for up to a year this way. We've never had it last longer than a month though the neighbors have kept it up to a year and it was just fine.

Two rolls of heavy paper abt $50 for abt 2200'. Plastic produce bags if you know your local store people and are a decent/friendly customer they are free. Two rolls of bags and two rolls of paper have lasted us for, 6 800#+ hogs countless game animals(elk, deer, bear, birds). 6 1100#+ steers, countless chickens, rabbits and other small farm meat animals, and what ever Mrs has done with her garden things that were not canned(mor canning will take place now that she has her on riggin). Not including what we have done with and for neighbors. We still have some left but it will need replenishing before the next harvest/hunt/slaughter.

A much cheaper just as of good results option.

Owl

Just Cliff · #9 12/26/10, 06:27 PM

I have a Weston 2300. It is a really nice unit. A bit pricey but, worth it.

copperhead46 · #10 12/26/10, 08:02 PM

Check on Food Savers website for the best deals. Right now they are running some of them for
50% off and I got mine for a lot less a couple of weeks ago. I love mine, it's already paid for itself, I found a bunch of recently processed meat was already getting freezer burned, brought it up and vacume sealed it and saved a couple hundred dollars worth of meat.
P.J.

paintlady · #11 12/27/10, 10:05 AM

I have the Foodsaver Sportsmans and love it. I use the jar sealers all of the time to seal my dried foods also.

fantasymaker · #12 12/27/10, 03:50 PM

I like the ziplock bags with the little 3 buck pump.

Harry Chickpea · #13 12/27/10, 04:12 PM

I've done similar stuff to spotted owl, using a sink of water to force the last air out. It works. My brother wet-freezes fish, with a layer of water/ice on them, then drawing any air out. No freezer burn.

Fae · #14 12/27/10, 07:16 PM

I have a food saver. Have had it for about a year and really like it. I can't speak to how much they cost because my DD works for the company and gets things for me at her cost.

houndlover · #15 12/27/10, 07:53 PM

I got a brand new food saver at goodwill for $7. I buy the bulk roll bags (any brand) whenever I find them on sale. You can't compare the difference in keeping food fresh to wrapping in plastic or paper. I use mine all the time for chopped veggies in the fridge or for grated cheese.