What features should I look for in a vacuum sealer?

4 Comments

1. eskie lover says:

   July 16, 2009 at 7:05 am

   We received a lower end model of the Foodsaver vacuum sealer. We’ve had several problems with it. One is that the heat rod that is used to separate or end one bag from the other often doesn’t work. We press down on the unit as instructed after releasing the air, but it doesn’t always "cut off" the bag and we have to use scissors. The second problem is that the bags are thin and when rooting around in the freezer, some break open, particularly along the seal. Obviously, the mil of the plastic isn’t quite thick enough to hold meats that are frozen and "bumped" against other frozen packages. We tried using thicker rolls of bags and were back at the heater rod problem because it couldn’t separate the bags. However, my neighbor has a mid-range priced foodsaver model that doesn’t suffer from either problem.

   With refridgerated items, you are supposed to be able to re-use the bag. For example, if you seal cheese, use some, you are supposed to be able to re-seal the bag at the "lower" level of product contained in the bag. This, in our experience, rarely works and does not give a good seal.

   My advice, don’t buy the cheezy, lower end, foodsaver. Spend a little more for a mid range model.
2. zippo26050 says:

   July 16, 2009 at 7:05 am

   You want cheap bags, a good warranty , and one that sucks real good.
3. TWISTED JESTER OO7 (2007) 15:00P says:

   July 16, 2009 at 7:05 am

   you should see if one or if not all of them have an on/off switch also find out if they have serge grounding also check out size and determan how much space you have and do they have awarranty/gaurentee and for how long.
4. boatworker says:

   July 16, 2009 at 7:05 am

   Make sure it does the foil pouches too ! you can do soups ,or stews in them ,& they can be heated in the bag