What kind would you recommend?
I have a Food Saver v3460, love it no complaints!
www.westcoastsurvivalsupply.com
Is a Food Saver VAC1060 any good - I might get one?
Reviews please 🙂 I'm also looking at one...but there are so many. I'd like one to package meat, but if there's tested and proven models that can do that and grains, beans, and everything else I'd like to get one of those.
Runs With Scissors
Runs With Scissors
We have the FoodSaver V2840. It is new, but we've used it maybe 30 times so far. It does vacuum, and it was a good price, but we've had some problems that I'll outline here:
1. It has a "lid lock / storage / operate" function governed by a lever on the side of it. The lever doesn't always stop on the function you want it to. You can actually spin the lever all the way around. The unit isn't supposed to power up if the lever isn't in the right spot, so it can be fussy.
2. Sometimes, we have to push down and put constant pressure on the lid of the unit even when the lever (in issue #1) is in the proper position in order to engage the internal switch to get the unit to power on.
3. It seems to have trouble with vacuum sealing very fine particle things like powdered milk. I don't know if that problem exists with all sealers, or just this one.
Positives so far:
1. When it works, it really works! We've put pre-packaged muffin mixes (etc...) in vacuum bags and the unit has no problem sucking the air out of both bags at once, leaving you with a brick hard product!
2. We called customer support when we first opened it, as we were noobs and couldn't understand how to get it to work. They were very helpful and talked me us through using it. It doesn't have an on/off switch, and the lights and power only come on when it's properly set up to work.
Since this is the first sealer we've ever used, I don't know if others are better, but so far I'm ok with it.
Hope this helps!
Thanks Greenguy
Love the details in the review.
I am in the market for one also, and today I saw Wal-Mart had the stand up black food saver for $139 from $159 and they also had the Seal-A-Meal one for $59 from $79, I just about bought the later one. I have spent over a week asking about everyone I know if anyone has a used one for sale but no luck so I guess my cheap but is gonna just buy new... Anyone used the Rival Seal-A-Meal before and have an opinion?
I have a Food Saver and like it a lot. Easy to use and reliable. I have no experience with the Seal-A-Meal...
I use the food saver (got it at Bibles for Missions for $10) and I love it!!! I use the Rivel bags(more affordable price, just as sturdy roll of make your own sized bags) for vacpacking and have not had a problem! I would buy one at full price without hesitation now!
Does anyone seal mylar bags in a vacuum sealer?
Smaller ones yes! No issues so far.
Does anyone seal mylar bags in a vacuum sealer?
We've done it a number of times successfully as well. But, you can't vacuum seal the mylar bag without the straw trick.
what happens without the straw? I havent tried yet so curious.
Mylar bags have very smooth walls. The ends of the bag won't stay open to allow the sealer to suck out the air inside. The straw lets the vacuum suck out the air. Bags made specifically for vacuum sealing have one side that's a little rough. It's not much, but it's enough of a gap to let the sealer suck air.
ah ha! makes sense! I will be stealing all the straws i can now from fast food joints lol