vacuum sealing?

[combatcreep08]

i am working on getting together some food stuffs, and don't have alot of coin...i was thinking about getting one of those vacuum sealing dealio's, but i'm not sure what kind to get. i have seen the commercials for the 'space bags' and what not. i imagine one could store quite a bit of grains/rice/pastas for extended periods of time. if anyone knows much about this, please fill me in as far as what brand/kind, where to find it, and how much it may cost, an what may be the best process for this kind of storage.


thanks again to all!

[pathfinder3081]

Hey Creep,
I have the Food saver 550 mdl. Gotta be at least 9 years old and still running strong. People complain about the cost of the bag but you can pick up "2nd market" types to. I swear by this thing. If nothing else to control my portions and value purchasing the meats. I have done the swrink wrap on volume coffee beans and loose condiments left over from Scout gigs in the past for prep. I think that I paid about $40.00 bucks back then.. Target or was it Koh's, K-mart? You can get them at a number of places. 2nd market bags are Wally world. Big bags ar good for Deer Shoulders and the what not.

[herbalpagan]

I have a Food Saver. Do not use Space Bags, as they are not food grade plastic, and if the seal on them is not perfect, the vacuum seal will not last. The Food Saver however, is great! The bags a a bit pricey, but they can be washed and reused. I have never had a seal go bad on them. They are also very easy to use.

[combatcreep08]

sounds like the food saver is worth the cash. i just put a bid on one on ebay...hope i get it! are the bags universal? i mean, can they be used with different food saver models?

[InjOnly]

I have a Food Saver as well and use all the time.
We use it to prepare meals ahead of time to make it easy to fix during a busy work week as well as long term storage.
One thing I have learned though is to double or tripple seal to avoid slow leaks.

[Domdabears]

I been wanting to get a food saver also.
I know at Cabela's they had a nice combo, food saver with bags for under $50.

[coxmw]

sounds like the food saver is worth the cash. i just put a bid on one on ebay...hope i get it! are the bags universal? i mean, can they be used with different food saver models?

Yes! I got a cheap one from big lots years back and like they say. You get what you pay for. I have got the Food Saver from Walmart now. The price can be can be justified by the savings you'll get by being able to save more of what your buy at the store.

[Snow Walker]

I used ours to seal this (emergency fire kit only) and it worked great! I will recommend if your sealing bic type lighters to place a small piece of toothpick under the gas release button just to be safe.

I also recommend double sealing!

[herbalpagan]

A tip on the bags...Food Saver's web site sometimes has some very good sales. also tried the "Rival brand vacuum bags found at WalMart next to the Food Saver brand bags...they wereat least a dollar cheaper and I've found that they work better.

[Echo2]

I used ours to seal this (emergency fire kit only) and it worked great! I will recommend if your sealing bic type lighters to place a small piece of toothpick under the gas release button just to be safe.

I also recommend double sealing!

+1000 on the "something to keep the button up"......ask me how I know....:(....

I kept wondering why the hell the thing wouldn't seal.....after the third time.....ding ding ding....no more calls please....we have a winner....:)

[Domdabears]

+1000 on the "something to keep the button up"......ask me how I know....:(....

I kept wondering why the hell the thing wouldn't seal.....after the third time.....ding ding ding....no more calls please....we have a winner....:)

LOL I would have done the same thing. Never would have thought of this.

[unswydd]

Good idea on the lighter tip. Thanks!
I love my food saver! I bit the bullet and bought the big one and it's been just wonderful! I use mylar for longer term food but the food saver is great for short term!
It's worth it to get a good product like this, you'll be thankful in the long run!

[ntwbn]

Check

Craigslist too. I have seen them there.

[herbalpagan]

I had good luck vacuum sealing a radio and then the batteries seperately. They worked 6 or 7 years after I had sealed them up.