need foodsaver help...
 

I have a foodsaver vaccuum sealer model 2060 (low end I know) and have used it maybe 25 times. Went to use it today trying to seal up some long term storage dry cat food. The first bag took 6 attempts to get it right and the second one I have tried sealing 20 times now and it just will not vaccuum. It sits there making the vaccuum noise then seals the bag without a vaccuum as if some sensor is telling it there is one.

Had the same trouble in varying degrees with the other times I used this piece of crap so it is'nt really a new issue. Could anyone here toss in some of their own helpfull hints/tricks to getting these things to work without being such a pain in the ass? Or should I toss this cheap-assed one and get something better?

The bags made from the 11" rolls are a total bitch and are my main problem.
Had few problems using the premade bags but I would prefer my own cut to size.
The device was new as of yesterday but had been in the junkroom for a year still in the unopened box.
I have followed all instructions regarding operation and troubleshooting.

Thanx in advance.

Plastic.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

I make sure the bag is sitting level with the front of the macine (not the stand up version) and that the inside of the sealer is clean and dry. Also make sure the bag is large enough that the end lays perfectly flat in the machine.

Reasons I have found that cause problems are-

Sealing something wet (put in int the freezer first, then seal)

Foam pad got wet on sealer.... let it dry.

Bag too short for contents, bag bunched up in places....use longer bag.

Hope it helps, it's a pain to get used to, but my old cheapo model has paid for itself many times over the last 6 years.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

Thanks Camp.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

Camp Bassfish is correct. Thats pretty much every problem I've
come across.....

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

Make sure also you are using the Foodsaver brand bags or rolls. That 'waffle' design in one side of the bag let's the machine draw a vacuum, and I've found other brand bags that are smooth on both sides just don't work well with it.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

Ok no one has addressed this from the OP.


When you are trying to dry seal (no bag) can you hear the pump start fast then slow down and stop before the sealer turns on??

Do you have a smaller bag to test with ??

If the machine is ACTING normal sounds like it is pulling a vac and then the sealing heater cycles.

If so you have a hose plugged , probably the one going to the heat strip vac chamber where the end of the bag goes.

Look at the hose that is mounted on the lid and make sure it is clear.
You may have to take the machine apart and clean the hose from the pump to the sealing chamber.


Those 3-layer bags on e-bay work ok also.

Just have to be careful with the mesh layer to make sure it lays flat when you seal.

Hope this helps

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

When sealing dry, that is to say not trying to vaccuum the pump does not come on at all (cheapy version).

Smaller bags work fine with a few attempts, larger ones too but sometimes it takes (as of today up to 30 tries to get the bastard to work).

Yes it acts normal then tries to seal without vaccuuming the bag alot but eventually works after several and I mean SEVERAL tries.

I am wondering if maybe the humidity here is affecting the bags making the plastic stick together tricking the machine into thinking it is finished.

Thanks for the input.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

I don't have the exact model but below are some issues I've had.

Cat food. Always poked through the bag. At least the type I buy.

Is the the bag too short and you end up slipping out of the trough?

Try double sealing the bottom. It's what I do anymore.

Is the switch to the accessories on?

Hope this helps.


O

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

sounds like the vacuum hose is clogged.

remove the sealing trays and make sure they are clean.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

Ok I think we may have the same model.

does it have a canister button?

If yes you can run the machine with no bag.

lock the handle down as you have a bag , but no bag in it.

press the canister button.

Will the machine run fast then slow down and then stop?

flip the handle up and watch the lid can you see it move as the vac is bled off?

Next do it again but this time take the hose that came with the machine and plug it in .
Cover the free end with your thumb and run the machine.
If the machine is ok it should pump down and stop.
When you remove your thumb you should hear air rushing in.


If yes the machine (vac) side is ok.

These machines are very picky about where the open end of the bag is when you close the lid.

Make sure the bag you are trying to seal is about half way into
the vac chamber. and also you may be trying to seal a bag that is too short.
Try not to have wrinkles in the bag.

As stated in other posts clean the mating surface's on the lid and bottom.
Try this and see what happens.

You can make a long bag and put anything in it. To test with and when finished testing reuse the bag for the real thing.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

Just tested it on a jar and it vaccuums nicely, it is just being overly picky with the bags I guess. Probably a conspiracy too!! Get you addicted to preserving grub for bad times only to make you want to upgrade because the cheapy model is being bitchy, I am already eyeing the automatic 179.00 model. :bear_w00t:

Thanks for the help everyone!

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

It is going to be the bags you are using or the way you are
putting them into the machine...

Like I said they are picky about how the open end of the bag is placed into the machine...


Good luck...

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

anyone have problems using the canning jar attachment

I find I have to attempt multiple times before the jar lid pops

is there a trick to getting it done the first try?

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

strange, i have had NO issues with that.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

AgAuGal

The only thing is keep the lid and rim of the jar clean..And
make sure the canning attachment is seated on the jar firmly.
when the machine pumps down and stops I pull the hose
loose.

Done.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

I'm not sure why it does this. It sure seems to be placed correctly. You can tell by the sound of the machine when a seal is going to be successful.

anyone try canning flour this way? w/o O2

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

Make sure that the seal on the inside of the attachment is
clean and not cut.
Not sure if this is a good ideal but I would think a small
bit of editable oil on the inside seal may help??
To help the attachment to seal to the jar.
???
Just a thought
Edit:
Thought about it you said you can tell by the sound the machine is making
if good or not..
It does sound like you are not getting a good seal on the attachment to jar.

Thats my dos peso's worth.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

Most jars work fine for me, but it seems that 2 or 3 jars out of 12 cases always want to be difficult. I've found that twisting the attachment helps sometimes, but occasionally I have to resort to pulling out the seal on one side so it makes a tighter fit. That has always worked on even the most stubborn jars.

I love my ancient foodsaver :emotions16:

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

What would be the longest time I could store dry cat food using either bags or jars? I would really like to put away enough to last my cat for 3 years just incase.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

Take out the rubber liners and wash and dry them. A lot of times something wet will get on them and when it dries, it leaves a tiny spot on the foam rubber which keeps it from getting a good vaccum.

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

thanks everyone, I love GIM, the experience we share is worth so much more than the price of admission :wavey:

Re: need foodsaver help...
 

going to try that tonight, KI gather you did not use o2 removers?