Food Saver - As Seen On TV!

[vraiblonde]

It works!!! If you've seen the informercials, it's a vaccuum sealer for foods. I've wanted one for a long time because I always repackage my meats, frozen goods, etc. I got mine at Costco for $99.00 and it does work as advertised. I just repackaged 10 lbs of hamburger, 3 lbs of hotdogs and 8 ribeyes. Plus I did a bunch of individual hamburger patties.

I'm kind of excited!

 

[willie]

Mine is about 3 years old now and no problems. I had bad luck with non- Food Saver bags not sealing as reliably as OEM.

 

[czygvtwkr]

I got the black and decker version a few years ago and it works awesome as well. The canisters work excellent for things like prepackaged salad and strawberries.

 

[willie]

Mix up a big bunch of salad (nothing soft like tomato) and then vacuum it. A gallon bag full of salad will compress down hard as a rock and look ruined. A week later, when it's opened up it's crispy fresh. Make sure steaks are dry before vacuuming as the juice will get sucked up and prevent sealing.

 

[vraiblonde]

Mix up a big bunch of salad (nothing soft like tomato) and then vacuum it.

That's a great tip! I'm forever throwing away lettuce that's gone brown.

 

[Kain99]

This is so weird! I almost bought one today. Dayum... Now I have to go back and get one.

 

[czygvtwkr]

I actually freeze the meat and then vaccum bag it.

I love putting marshmellows in the canisters and watching them grow as you evacuate the air.

 

[Kizzy]

It works!!! If you've seen the informercials, it's a vaccuum sealer for foods. I've wanted one for a long time because I always repackage my meats, frozen goods, etc. I got mine at Costco for $99.00 and it does work as advertised. I just repackaged 10 lbs of hamburger, 3 lbs of hotdogs and 8 ribeyes. Plus I did a bunch of individual hamburger patties.

I'm kind of excited!

They have really come down in price.

We might have to check that out. We have always wanted one, but at one time, they were nearly 300.00.

 

[vraiblonde]

They have really come down in price.

I got a v1085 package that included the sealer, a roll holder and cutter, 3 canisters, and a little tube thing you use when doing the canisters for $99. I just looked them up online and the same package was going for $169

 

[Kizzy]

Vrai,

I remember about 2 years ago, those prices were up near $300 so you got a hell of a deal. When I saw the price you paid posted, I was shocked.

We have been wanting one for awhile. They sell those meat packages with a roast, steaks, cubes, etc. and you save so much in the long run being able to seal them up this way. Plus, my DH and I use to fish a lot in my early 20's, something we plan on getting back into now, and I remember tossing freezer burnt fish out all the time. It was upsetting to the both of us, because whenever you have to toss freezer burnt food, you feel so wasteful.

 

[alex]

I have the same model. But do not buy the RIVAL brand of this item. I had it first and it lasted less than 30 days. Took it back to the store and bought the Food Saver.

It also works well when shipping things or packing away clothes, etc.

I usually use it when I make large meat purchases at the Store and break them down into smaller packages. I also like to make hugh pots of spaghetti sauce and freeze them in qt bags for use later.

 

[willie]

I have the same model. But do not buy the RIVAL brand of this item. I had it first and it lasted less than 30 days. Took it back to the store and bought the Food Saver.

It also works well when shipping things or packing away clothes, etc.

I usually use it when I make large meat purchases at the Store and break them down into smaller packages. I also like to make hugh pots of spaghetti sauce and freeze them in qt bags for use later.

I tried that without success, how did you do it without sucking up the sauce?

 

[BadGirl]

I tried that without success, how did you do it without sucking up the sauce?

Place the sauce in a plastic container and freeze. Once frozen, remove sauce from the plastic container and then place solid chunk in a vacuum bag and process accordingly. This also works well if you are marinating meats and don't want the sauce to get sucked up - but put the meat and marinade in a plastic bag and wait for it to freeze up before vacuuming the air out of it.

 

[Larry Gude]

For anyone who thinks...

...only boys like toys, she was frollicking around the kitchen like a little kid with this thing.

She'd set it up for the next item, turn it on, the compressor kicked in and this little dance would start "tee hee tee hee!"

 

[marianne]

I have the same model. But do not buy the RIVAL brand of this item. I had it first and it lasted less than 30 days. Took it back to the store and bought the Food Saver.

I did the same exact thing! I got the stainless steel tilia about a year and a half ago. Saves me about $200/month because I can buy food in bulk and am no longer throwing out uneaten leftovers.

 

[Kizzy]

...only boys like toys, she was frollicking around the kitchen like a little kid with this thing.

She'd set it up for the next item, turn it on, the compressor kicked in and this little dance would start "tee hee tee hee!"

Larry,

Some of us women are just as bad with toys as you men.

I CANNOT go into places like Circuit City, Best Buy, Radio Shack without checking out all of the electronics. I'm seriously bad about it. My DH has had to grab my arm and escort me out of the store.

 

[willie]

Place the sauce in a plastic container and freeze. Once frozen, remove sauce from the plastic container and then place solid chunk in a vacuum bag and process accordingly. This also works well if you are marinating meats and don't want the sauce to get sucked up - but put the meat and marinade in a plastic bag and wait for it to freeze up before vacuuming the air out of it.

Good tip!

 

[Vince]

Mix up a big bunch of salad (nothing soft like tomato) and then vacuum it. A gallon bag full of salad will compress down hard as a rock and look ruined. A week later, when it's opened up it's crispy fresh. Make sure steaks are dry before vacuuming as the juice will get sucked up and prevent sealing.

I've had one for about 2 years now and I've never thought of using it on lettuce. Like Vrai, I'm always throwing away brown lettuce. Got to try this. Thanks, Willie.

 

[Vince]

Place the sauce in a plastic container and freeze. Once frozen, remove sauce from the plastic container and then place solid chunk in a vacuum bag and process accordingly. This also works well if you are marinating meats and don't want the sauce to get sucked up - but put the meat and marinade in a plastic bag and wait for it to freeze up before vacuuming the air out of it.

I do basically the same thing with ground beef. Make hamburger patties out of it and put them on a cookie sheet in the freezer for awhile, then vacuum seal them in two or three burger packs. Works great and you don't suck the meat juice into your vacuum sealer.

 

[virgovictoria]

I WANT ONE!!!