Vacuum sealer and bags. Whats tried and true?

[SERVED_USMC]

I was at Costco the a few days ago and saw they had a Foodsaver brand sealer on sale with an assortment of the bags. The price was about 140 and didnt seem like a bad deal. I just dont know about the brand name. Is there one brand over another that I should be looking for that a local store may have? Also, are the bags that they come with the bags that you have to use once you buy thier product? Or is there something else out there in the same sizes that is known to store a little better? Any help would be appreciated. Im looking to pick something up this weekend.

[CLHC]

My Mom used to demo the Tilia FoodSaver at Costco some years ago. They worked fine for our household of three (3). If I remember correctly, one would have to purchase the bags separately since there's only like a "sampler" that comes with the equipment.

Here's an interesting < link (http://www.foodsaverblog.com/) > about FoodSaver reviews and the whatnot. Hope you find what you're looking for and Enjoy!

[chadbag]

Google "sorbent solutions" or variations of words with sorbent. You will find a link from a manufacturer of oem Mylar bags etc and they give you the rundown on what to use etc.

I use their industrial unit they sell with various mylar aluminum and plain Mylar bags (cheaper).

[SERVED_USMC]

Thanks for the info guys. I've got a good place to start looking.

[High Desert]

The "foodsaver" ones work fine for everyday light duty around the house. The vacume pump in them needs to cool off though after 4 or 5 uses.

If you ever want to use on to butcher a deer or elk they will expire in short order. (Yes, I found out the hard way. )

For extended use, you can buy heavier duty units that have replaceable pumps even if you were to break one.

We use our food saver almost daily and get about 5 years out of it before having to replace it.

You can also use the "seal only" function to reseal bags of chips or cereal without having to use the expensive food saver bags.

HD

[Irish]

I don't own one personally but friends of mine use a Foodsaver Professional II alot. Everything from smoked pork to ground coffee and they've had great success with theirs.

[John W]

We have two food savers and they have worked very well. You can buy replacement bags in bulk at either costco or ebay and save money.

Stay posted to sites like slickdeals or even costco's mailer as they go on sale regularly and you can snatch them up on great specials.

[chadbag]

This is what I use


http://sorbentsystems.com/sinbosealer.html

I also have one of these

http://sorbentsystems.com/impulsesealers.html

I forget which length but probably the 12" one. I don't use it as much as the smaller unit above.


Here is their FAQ on food storage which talks about mylar versus "food saver" type bags, desiccant, oxygen absorbers, etc

http://www.sorbentsystems.com/longtermfoodstorage.html

http://www.sorbentsystems.com/y2k.html

(except having purchased from them once I have no affiliation with them)

something else I found

http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=94335

[tb-av]

Is this still a good sealer? I don't expect heavy use but want something solid.

https://www.sorbentsystems.com/sinbosealer.html

Also on the JAW heat sealer. Am I correct in understanding they simply seal... no air evacuation. IOW, good for things that air can't harm but perhaps I could seal say tools from weather or whatever.

[Guns-up.50]

If this is for a disaster you may consider one with a manual pump and pre-sealed bags...

I have a food saver, it works good, I use it to butcher deer, usually 1-2 a year haven't had an issue. Yet

[indawire]

I picked up a Foodsaver at a tag sale for $5 and a box of the bags at Costco. Works fine. Keep looking, they show up here and there, tag sales, flea markets, moving sales.

[Carolina8431]

LEM Products are offering 25% off and $5.00 shipping on two of their vacuum sealers, sausage stuffers, and dehydrator. Today is the last day. http://www.lemproducts.com/

I don't have any first hand knowledge of their equipment, I think Cabela's and Bass Pro does or has previously sold their products . From what I have read it looks to be a pretty solid option for somebody who wants more than the standard sealer.