"FoodSaver"
 

we recently bought a Foodsaver (vacuum packer)
Is this an effective way to store food?

Or should I buy oxygen absorbers and buckets?

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

I'm curious about this also. I've never used one,but would like to learn all about it.

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

I've been considering picking one of these up. I wonder about the cost of the sealing bags, and how readily available they might be down the road.

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

I did a test on bargain bags and they did well.Also tested the Reynolds handy-vac and it did surprisingly well.

Here is a three page test we did,so check all 3 pages if interested.If the forum is too wide hit your browser reset button and pictures will resize to fit your screen.Also placing your mouse cursor on a picture and clicking on will enlarge the pictures.

http://eastcherokee.proboards58.com/...4049255&page=1

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

Like anything else, you've got to prepare for WTSHTF and have everything you need in your possession.

There's a chain sf stores where i bought our Foodsaver a couple of years ago called Tuesday Morning. They had the bags too so I bought a bunch at that time.

If nothing else, right now Foodsaver bags are all over eBay. :wink:

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

there are some pretty long threads on this. It seems people are split on how good these are. Some people have reported problems and others have had none.

I use one and I think it works great. Occassionally if the bag is not exactly flat under the sealer/vaccum chamber or if the opening is not 100% lined up in the vacuum chamber/resevoir it will not vac and seal. It just keeps sucking air. A quick reposition sorts this out. You can tell quickly if it needs adjusting by the noise of the machine.

The manufacturers bags are expensive, I found a supplier of bags at about 50% cheaper. I'll admit they are a little but thinner bags but they work good. No good for you US people though.

I understand Wallyworld sells a bag that works well. I have done frozen meats, dried meats, sugar, rice, dried fruit, coffee, powdered milk.

like I said, works well IMHO

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

have had one over ,,year ,1/2..
great..
bags..
yes e-bay..
they work..
jar seals ..work..
down side..
compared to canning..
old way..boiling and sealing..\
what you vac seal..
you need to freeze..
old canning ,you can store on a shelf.
vac you need freeze..
\just a thought//
they do work..
dusty.:D:D

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

FoodSaver technology seems like a good way to prepare food for freezer storage. But, polyethelene bags are gas-permeable (don't have any knowledge of the bags designed for foodsaver use) and thus will not protect stored food from oxygen. I use oxygen absorbers with glass Ball canning jars and that system works fine for me. I screw the lid on tight. Then, as the absorber removes the oxygen, it creates a partial vacuum within the jar and pulls the metal lid into a tight seal. And there's no issue with oxygen spoiling the food. By the way, 20 pounds of rice is a nearly perfect amount for a case of 12 quart jars. A quart jar of rice, for me, is a very handy and convenient size to open and use.

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

I've had one for about 7 or 8 years. Any meat I buy at the store gets sealed, and frozen. Works great for meat, just make sure there isn't too much liquid (blood), or it can screw up the sealing process. One thing I do is put newly bought meat in the freezer for about 15 minutes to take care of the moisture, then seal it with the foodsaver, and return to freezer. That takes care of any runny moisture you may have with fresh meat. I have boxes of bullets sealed up, loose coins that I don't want tarnished. Anything that you don't want getting wet can also be sealed as well. Lots of uses for it!

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

We bought the Model 2202? at wally world, and really like it. Biggest problem is storing the vaccuumed bags, since they're not symetrical in shape, so in 5 gal buckets not as good as mylar/oxygen absorbers. But the larger rubbermaid tubs work great. We use the gallon bags and 11" rolls mostly.

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Foodsavers are REALLY for food? huh. I dunno. Seems to be the trick for all that idle hardware...

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

The Armchair Survivalist mentioned vaccing a .22 rifle for five years . I never heard if he placed it in the freezer first to kill the bugs....

It was actually his show that alerted me to the Food Saver as a prep tool.

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

we bought ours at Costco
and it came with 4 rolls of bags
and a couple of Containers
Plus we bought a box that had 6 six 11in rolls (i think)
Those will go quite a long way

We bagged up 25lbs of rice and 25lbs of beans, 2 cups in each bag,
Plus 20 pounds of pasta in "pot full" portions
(We are keeping those cool in the pantry)
and we still haven't opened the extra box of bags

We are pleased with it.

And like some here said.
It will make food last much longer in the freezer (no freezer burn)

From what have read I'm not sure we need to use it for wheat and oats
(We are gonna buy that at the feed store)
But I guess it couldn't hurt
and I think it will keep the bugs out
We have had bugs ruin food in the past
In SHTF I would probably eat the bugs and all....Protein...lol
But I don't think My wife would:no_ma:

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

Bought a Pro II refurb on ebay 7 years ago with the primary purpose to seal 100 bags of homemade sausage our 4 family clan makes every year. Quality is much improved.

Fresh catches of fish are frozen and tasty even a year later.
Buying meat and seafood on sale and in quantity and sealing.
Making chili and french onion soup in quantities and sealing.
Making "breakfast sandwiches" 2 dozen at a time and sealing. Deli breakfast at work is now over $5 a day.
I don't seal staples like rice, but one day I might.

I'm sure I've saved money and time and frozen food quality has been much improved.

So even if buckets are good for staples, if you have a family, foodsaver saves you money.

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

Rifles??
put them in a pvc sealed pipe..with a lot of oil or something
to keep out the air...

Food saver..
work very well,,
will not trade the one I have for anything..(?)
Thanks to all that have posted ,I do agree ..they work.
So far as the bags are made out of plastic..
Some have said ,,oxygen will get in ..
If the bag is still holding a vacuum ,,don,t sweat it..
Live Long And Prosper..
Dusty :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

[QUOTE=Dusty;1035864]Rifles??
put them in a pvc sealed pipe..with a lot of oil or something
to keep out the air...

Ah, THAT'S what those Shrader valves are for! I knew I bought 'em for a reason......

Re: "FoodSaver"
 

Just picked up a new advanced design model 2830. The model isn't on the food saver website but it's the sam's equivalent to the 2840 and it came with some bags, a wide mouth jar sealer, and some containers for $138. Will be giving it a try very soon. Ordering some 1 quart mason jars tonight to store rice in.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...122&pCatg=7252