BajaNomad - Vacuum sealers

Vacuum sealers

oladulce - 1-2-2009 at 01:19 PM

What brands and models do you have? Pros & Cons?

It'll be used for stuff purchased on occasional (monthly) shopping trips to Constitucion or La Paz (chicken, cheese, does it work for a loaf of bread?) Don't need a commercial quality but would like one that won't burn up after a few uses.

Won't need it for fish very often- usually eat what we catch the same day (if that makes a difference in the size to look for).

Right now I could use one for tamales.

Online reviews are not very helpful and any input is appreciated.

losfrailes - 1-2-2009 at 01:25 PM

Foodsaver is an excellent unit.

Bags available in various sizes.

And they do seal very well.

shari - 1-2-2009 at 01:26 PM

I'm lovin my Foodsaver I think is from costco so its easy to find replacement bags and parts...it also has some cool containers too that vacuum pack. One tip though...never store it locked shut as it destroys the gasket seal thingy...smart to have a couple spares on hand. Somebody told me to freeze soft stuff first so it doesnt squish when vacuumed.

losfrailes - 1-2-2009 at 01:28 PM

Here is one on Ebay. Brand new and pretty reasonable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tilia-Foodsaver-V2060-Vacuum-Sealer-New_...

ELINVESTIG8R - 1-2-2009 at 01:42 PM

I have the Foodsaver and I love it. Get the one that sits upright on the counter. I use it everyday. It has so many uses.

mulegemichael - 1-2-2009 at 01:46 PM

weve had several foodsavers over the years and thought they couldnt be beat...uh oh....beachgirl found a portable one at walmart made by reynolds that is handheld about the size of an electric shaver..has a little suction dohicky on the end of it....the bags are ziplock with a oneway valve on them...just place the suction dohicky over the one way valve and push the button...eureka!!!...it is a TON better than foodsaver!!!...takes up almost NO room, is cheap, available and uses very few batteries....the proper name for this new toy is Handi-Vac and like i said is made by reynolds...wow!....this is a toy everyone should have...and no cutting and sealing bags; they come in quart and gallons sizes..

lingililingili - 1-2-2009 at 01:49 PM

Ditto on the Foodsaver. Love ours which we have had for over 25 years!

BMG - 1-2-2009 at 01:57 PM

Don't buy a 'vacuum' unit that uses a fan to pull the vacuum (i.e. Seal-A-Meal). We bought our first vacuum sealer in 1988 when a company started importing the Tilia Food Saver from Italy. We still use it today although not frequently.

We've also used some of the hand pump units (i.e. Pump-n-Seal) and found that they will pull a good vacuum on zipper type bags and jars that have a pop-top lid or canning lid.

Bags are always a problem. Easy to puncture, ziplocks especially. The special Food Saver bags that you must use because of the heat seal are stronger, but vacuuming anything with a sharp edge (a bone, pointed almonds, rice, etc.) on it will often put a hole in the bag. Food Saver bags are sometimes reusable depending on what was stored inside them but you lose some each time you cut them open. They are somewhat expensive.

We found it's much easier to put foods like fresh fish into all the bags and put them on a cookie sheet in the freezer before sealing. When the fish is partially frozen and no longer 'juicy', vacuum and seal the bags and finish freezing.

Another problem is making sure your heat seal does not have a wrinkle in it. You'll lose your vacuum if the seal is not perfect. Vacuuming products like flour to prevent bugs from hatching can also cause problems if you suck the dust up and it gets between the layers of bag that need to be heat sealed.

BMG - 1-2-2009 at 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
weve had several foodsavers over the years and thought they couldnt be beat...uh oh....beachgirl found a portable one at walmart made by reynolds that is handheld about the size of an electric shaver..has a little suction dohicky on the end of it....the bags are ziplock with a oneway valve on them...just place the suction dohicky over the one way valve and push the button...eureka!!!...it is a TON better than foodsaver!!!...takes up almost NO room, is cheap, available and uses very few batteries....the proper name for this new toy is Handi-Vac and like i said is made by reynolds...wow!....this is a toy everyone should have...and no cutting and sealing bags; they come in quart and gallons sizes..

I haven't tried this one yet but we did see another version of it at a trade show several years ago. If it is a pump like the one I saw, it probably pulls a pretty good vacuum. Problem is still that bags are relatively fragile so care must be taken. Also, the bags are relatively expensive.

Doesn't look like they have an attachment that allows you to re-vacuum jars. In many cases, jars are much better than bags.

Reynolds Handi-Vac

AcuDoc - 1-2-2009 at 02:29 PM

I've also been using the Foodsaver for years to seal my fish etc. I bought it in a kit from Costco at the time for $100 and it has saved me a lot of money. The kit also contains hard plastic containers that work great.

I recently bought a new unit for $150 at Costco. I use this one at home and use my "old" unit just for fish now. I would not be without it.

I have not used the hand pump styles that came out this year.

You can also use the "Mexican" food sealer. Put your fish in a zip lock, hold it underwater keeping the top above the water and then seal the bag. This works well in a pinch.

PS it keeps your Baja Catch frozen without freezer burn for a VERY long time!

[Edited on 1-2-2009 by AcuDoc]

Foodsavers...are air sucking gadgets.

Pompano - 1-2-2009 at 02:47 PM

I can pinpoint the moment Old Baja started it's slow decline on the Road to Ruin. It was when my wife, another addicted gadget lover, said we needed a...Foodsaver.

I gave her one for Christmas. A gallon-size Ziplock and an empty coffee can of water.

I saved about 25 Mirrolures.

Great minds...

Dave - 1-2-2009 at 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
I gave her one for Christmas. A gallon-size Ziplock and an empty coffee can of water.

As I told the ex, when she complained about washing my clothes that it was the washing machine that did all the work. It wasn't like she was beating them on a rock. She never learned to appreciate the logical mind.

vandenberg - 1-2-2009 at 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
As I told the ex, when she complained about washing my clothes that it was the washing machine that did all the work. It wasn't like she was beating them on a rock. She never learned to appreciate the logical mind.

Dave,
Them's fight'n words. :no:

No wonder she's your ex. :biggrin:

And my better half is a gadget lover.
I believe we have around 3 of the vacuum gadgets and according to her they all work about the same.

mulegemichael - 1-2-2009 at 04:02 PM

you guys just dont get it....the portable one is the size of a flashlight and the bags are cheap...you can put them in your suitcase with no problem....do you want to continue to cut and seal bags?....geez...this is a no brainer...wish i knew how to post photos and i would show you just how small this gizmo is...alright...fine...we brought a few down and gave them to amigos down here just because we're,(beachgirl), is/are so sold on them...you will be shocked!...at how simple this makes the whole process...

longlegsinlapaz - 1-2-2009 at 04:56 PM

Quote:

Sort (so dumb-head doesn't end up with pink skivies)
Go through pockets & remove money/pens/screws/bolts dumb-head left in his pockets
Pre-treat stains
Load washer
Remove from washer
Put in dryer....OR....hang outside
Remove from dryer....OR....take off clothesline
Fold or hang or iron
Accept sincere appreciation for a job well done from what's-his-name

Vandenberg nailed it....no wonder she's your ex- is right!!! :bounce:

Why do I doubt she's ever regretted becoming your ex- for a split second? :?:

Edit: Oladulce, sorry!! I figured you wouldn't mind this mini-hijack from the original topic.

[Edited on 1-2-2009 by longlegsinlapaz]

lingililingili - 1-2-2009 at 05:01 PM

Don't get her steamed up boys!

Pompano - 1-2-2009 at 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
you guys just dont get it....the portable one is the size of a flashlight
.
beachgirl found a portable one at walmart made by reynolds that is handheld
..has a little suction dohicky on the end of it
just place the suction dohicky over the.....
and push the button...eureka!!!...
...wow!....this is a toy everyone should have..
we're,(beachgirl), is/are so sold on them...you will be shocked!...at how simple this makes the whole process...

ahem...well, we might just try one at that.

mulegemichael - 1-2-2009 at 05:53 PM

thank you, roger....aren't we supposed to keep this forum SIMPLE????....or???...what am i thinking???

Pescador - 1-2-2009 at 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
you guys just dont get it....the portable one is the size of a flashlight and the bags are cheap...you can put them in your suitcase with no problem....do you want to continue to cut and seal bags?....geez...this is a no brainer...wish i knew how to post photos and i would show you just how small this gizmo is...alright...fine...we brought a few down and gave them to amigos down here just because we're,(beachgirl), is/are so sold on them...you will be shocked!...at how simple this makes the whole process...

I find that the vacuum is not as strong as a Tillia Food Saver and we started developing areas of freezer burn after a short time in the freezer. We thought this would be the answer when we were in areas with no electricity but were sorely dissapointed in the preservation qualities. I decided to buy a good inverter and now use the FoodSaver with an inverter. But then, I always buy all the "good stuff" that they advertise on TV, and one of these days I am going to sell my collection of Salsa Makers.

Pompano - 1-2-2009 at 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
thank you, roger....aren't we supposed to keep this forum SIMPLE????....or???...what am i thinking???

You nailed it, Mike. Give my best to beachgirl. Liked you two the first time I met you. We use our 3 Foodsavers at various places..wouldn't be without them. Those handhelds of yours sound perfect for a Baja camping trip this winter.

Next thing you know, you will want me to try another wierd device..like a KINDLE.

[Edited on 1-3-2009 by Pompano]

oladulce - 1-2-2009 at 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
Edit: Oladulce, sorry!! I figured you wouldn't mind this mini-hijack from the original topic.

Nope, not at all LLinLP.

I ordered a Foodsaver after the first few convincing responses anyway.

Gracias for the opinions everyone.

SDRonni - 1-2-2009 at 07:46 PM

Zip-Loc makes one, too, that doesn't run on a battery. Works pretty good for meats, tamales, etc.

boe4fun - 1-3-2009 at 10:46 AM

When using the foodsaver, I will usually place a single paper towel just above the fish, between fish and seal. This will absorb any juice/oil from the fish when evacuating the air, creating a much better seal and preventing freezer burn. Bon apetite!

bajabound2005 - 1-3-2009 at 11:12 AM

A Foodsaver is a MUST in Baja! If you want to use it on bread, freeze the bread first, otherwise it will just get squished. The cannisters are great for cereal, crackers, etc.

Iflyfish - 1-3-2009 at 11:30 AM

I actually have one of the original Foodsavers, one that was used in one of the original tv informmercial. It still works great. I have more recently gone to the Reynolds one as it is simpler and easier to use. Glad is said to be coming out with it's own version of the hand held one.

If vacuum packing things with sharp points you need to cut a piece of plastic wrap material and put it on the point before vacuuming.

I have used it on fish for years and there is nothing better. Vacuum as soon as you can and always thaw in ice water....slowly and it will come out like fresh.

Iflyfishandvacuumpackthecatch

docsmom - 1-3-2009 at 12:25 PM

This forum, and you Baja Nomads are unbelievable! For the last 2 days I've been thinking, and even dreaming (how sad) about a foodsaver unit and wondering which to buy. Now, here, where I would least expect it, comes my answer.
How fun to find the answer here! Ya'll rock!
Thanks so much!
Happy New Year!

Beachgirl - 1-3-2009 at 01:11 PM

Hey, why aren't all youse guys out fishing, or reading under a tree? My very own counterpart...mulegemichael...has been on here touting the HandiVac...ok, ok...it's true. I found it at Walmart and have bought six of them. I give them to everyone. I have my own infomercial (sp?) every time anyone unwittingly shows up. They are amazing, simple, cheap, portable. Just dry off whatever it is before you use the vac. Jeez, we even brought a couple down for some pals in Mulege and gave a demo on Junga's! This little item is the bomb. No freezer burn if you dry off stuff first, and I tried this comparison with other styles. OK. Now I am going to have some fish tacos at Mely's, a couple of cervezas and read my new Kindle. There is another cool topic. Who has one besides mulegemichael (actually he is hogging it) and lil ol me? Load thousands of books on it, it is the size of a paperback, lighter in weight, amazing. No more lustful thoughts about other peeps books, staring at all the icky romance novels donated at the community center, making "nice" with people just because they might have a couple of books to loan you,. Get a KINDLE!