New Foodsaver

[hubste5]

Recently picked of the v2050 from http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c....aspx?a=538668 . Comes with four sealable containers, a few bags and a small roll of bag material. I have experimented with dry rice/beans, just to get the feel.

This unit is made by Jarden/Sunbeam, seems to work like it should. I need to go ahead and stock up on some bags, and I recall seeing some dialog on certain bags working better than others... Anyone have advice/links on the best deals? The bags that came with my unit were made in Korea, if that matters...
Thanks in advance!

[Skyowl's Wife]

Not familiar with the type you bought, will investigate those freezer containers, though, they look very useful.

[herbalpagan]

I just broke down and ordered the canister set they have on the web site, along with some pint size bags. I watched a video where a gal resealed jars of stuff, like salsa, with the Food Saver. She reported that it really extended the life/use.
I also like the pint bags for sealing serving sized portions, snacks, herbs and things like fruit leather. I haven't been able to find the small bags anywhere.

[Skyowl's Wife]

Ours can vacuum seal jars, so my dehydrated stuff gets put into jars. The pecans and walnuts I bought at Costco got sealed up too. Handy feature!

[herbalpagan]

Well, mine is supposed to seal them too, but I have yet to be able to get it to. I was complaining about it on American Preppers and so some lady posted a home video of her doing it. She put the jar inside a canister (with the jar lid on) and put the canister lid on and vacuum sealed it. When she took off the canister lid, the jar inside was sealed! I always have use for more canisters, so I got it.

[themachenic,]

Ours can vacuum seal jars, so my dehydrated stuff gets put into jars. The pecans and walnuts I bought at Costco got sealed up too. Handy feature!

can you tell me where i can get that kind of sealer?:)

[herbalpagan]

The jar sealer attachment comes with many of the food sealers you can buy in many stores. I got mine at Wal Mart, for under $100. It came with bags a tube to seal canisters and things and a jar sealer for regular mouth jars. I can't get my jars to seal with the jar sealer, but you can do it in a canister.
One thing I recently saw was a video for vaccuum sealing mylar bags. Apparently, when sealing things like pasta, the hard edges break the seal, but with mylar that doesn't happen. The person put the mylar bag in the food saver bag and then put in the pasta and then vacuumed it, then sealed the mylar in the bag. This person removed the food saver bag and sealed the mylar bag the normal way, but I would just put the mylar in it and vacuum it.

[Skyowl]

can you tell me where i can get that kind of sealer?:)

Actually, you can get a food saver just about anywhere. What you will need though, is the jar sealer attachment.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-T03-0006-01-Regular-Mouth-Sealer/dp/B0000CFFS6/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1243427306&sr=8-29"]http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-T03-0006-01-Regular-Mouth-Sealer/dp/B0000CFFS6/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1243427306&sr=8-29[/ame]

If the sealer you buy can seal cannisters, it can seal jars with this attachment. Make sure you get the one for the type of jar you are using. There is one for regular mouth jars and one for wide mouth jars.

We purchased this sealer:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Vacuum-Sealing-System-SmartSeal-Technology/dp/B001CSGR8S/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1243427649&sr=8-38"]http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Vacuum-Sealing-System-SmartSeal-Technology/dp/B001CSGR8S/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1243427649&sr=8-38[/ame]

The port for the air hose is in the lower right corner of the machine and there is a specific button for sealing cannisters. This button also works for sealing jars. The secret is to remove the air hose from the jar attachment when it reaches vacuum before you remove the attachment from the jar. The outside air pressure then seals the lid to the jar.

[herbalpagan]

Also, you can get it straight from the company! That way you can read the manuals, see demonstrations and get everything you need. They sometimes have sales as well.:) http://www.foodsaver.com/Index.aspx

[OneBadPig]

I cant believe i don't have one of these yet:(
I've been wanting one for keeping nuts and bolts and other misc parts from getting lost, keeping stuff dry out in the woods,not to mention food storage.

[herbalpagan]

The bags are much more pricey than regular baggie type, but they are reusable if you wash them. I still am amazed at the portable radio I put in one 6 years ago, with the batteries vacuumed with it (though not IN the radio) and it worked for 14 days when I needed it most!
Some ideas:

matches and fire starter lint
extra socks
a wet wash cloth
TP
a mini first aid kit (for BOB or BOV)
snacks
dog food or treats

[Skyowl]

I have sealed 10 stripper clips of 223 ammo with a small desicant pack. Then placed the sealed packs in a 50cal ammo can. I can get almost 1000 rounds in a can that is definitely waterproof and ready when I need it. I am working on getting the rest of the stuff for our BOBs done this way also.