Vacuum sealers for food - money-saving or not?

sb44

charybdis1 wrote: »

I have been following this thread with fascination and am totally hooked, especially using the canisters to seal jars. I have some jars that held pickles and want to make some pickled eggs and seal the jars. Would they be suitable for this and does anyone have one of these Andrew James Pro Vacuum Food Sealer
http://www.andrewjamesworldwide.com/Product.asp?Product=vac1j

If you do or have an opinion I would very much appreciate it as I am now on the starters block to order. Also, are the jars once sealed alright to stay in the cupboard until opened, the same as when you buy them from the supermarket, please. Thank you.

Well I have had some chocolate in a jar for the past 18 months or so and it has stayed sealed.

No, I am not mad, I bought a box of chocolate squares from Approved Food and there was something like 500 pieces in there!

I have never put pickles or anything wet in mine as we don't use them but I have had dry stuff in jars for a couple of years without any problem.

Sometimes the jars are sealed so tightly it is a bit of a struggle to get the lid off.

I use an anti slip mat to grip the lid with.

However, I think I may give this idea a try.

Pierce a small hole in the lid of the jar with one of those push pins and put a piece of duck tape over the top of the hole (make a loop in the tape to form a tab to pull).

This way when you want to open it you pull the tape off to release the vacuum and it will be easy to unscrew the lid.

I have to buy some duck tape so I haven't tried it yet.

taxsaver

sb44 wrote: »

Well I have had some chocolate in a jar for the past 18 months or so and it has stayed sealed.

I'd have eaten it LOOOONNNGG ago! :eek:

sb44 wrote: »

Sometimes the jars are sealed so tightly it is a bit of a struggle to get the lid off.

That explains it then!

sb44 wrote: »

Pierce a small hole in the lid of the jar with one of those push pins and put a piece of duck tape over the top of the hole (make a loop in the tape to form a tab to pull).

This way when you want to open it you pull the tape off to release the vacuum and it will be easy to unscrew the lid.

That sounds a brilliant idea and I can't see why it wouldn't work... in fact sellotape might do just as well as long as it isn't exposed to sunlight.

Sunnyday

SB i`ve just tried to seal a bag using the sealing strip to draw the air out and went dancing around the kitchen cos i thought i`d cracked it:D

But after a while as you said the air seeped back in so i sealed it again and melted it all :rotfl: I shall pay close attention to all the different types of bags when i go to the shops tomorrow lol.

I`ve run out of things to seal so i`ve been experimenting sealing the top of a plastic container and although i`ve been getting some strange looks from DH he hasn`t actually said anything yet :rotfl:

I did also try the bag with handles too after cutting them off and it was useless, think it was either an Asda or Sainsbugs one as they`re identical and i`ve bought them from both shops.

The jars are still sealed though :D I keep opening the cupboard to check

SD

Sunnyday

Taxsaver that looks like a smashing bargain!!:j:j

SD

sb44

Sunnyday wrote: »

SB i`ve just tried to seal a bag using the sealing strip to draw the air out and went dancing around the kitchen cos i thought i`d cracked it:D

But after a while as you said the air seeped back in so i sealed it again and melted it all :rotfl:

It melted my Tesco bag too.

The Lidl ones are really thick, I was very surprised, haven't seen any that thick on the high street before.

From the back of the box it says:

Using OCTEN and with a strength of 45u, Aromata freezer bags will protect from freezer burn. Seem free so strong and tear resistant. Can be used to cook frozen food. Bags are unaffected in temperatures between -40C and 115C.
Bags are recyclable, groundwater neutral, environmentally friendly and non toxic when burned.

sb44

Sunnyday wrote: »

The jars are still sealed though :D I keep opening the cupboard to check :pSD

I can believe it, been there done that. :rotfl:

sb44

Not sure if I mentioned it in this forum or not but don't forget, if you manage to get the knack of sealing jars, you can use that way to marinade food.

I put 3 mini chicken fillets which I had added spices, bit of oil and lemon juice to, into a medium sized jar, took the air out and left it in the fridge for an hour.

When I took the lid off the smell of garlic etc nearly knocked me out! It was well and truly marinated in no time at all.

This way it saves you using up your bags and the jar can easily be washed and used again.

sb44

taxsaver wrote: »

That sounds a brilliant idea and I can't see why it wouldn't work... in fact sellotape might do just as well as long as it isn't exposed to sunlight.

Perhaps not the sellotape? I buy from the cheapo shops!

taxsaver

Hmmm.... you were right about being awake at silly o'clock looking at things to do with vacuum packing!! :rotfl:

OK, my 'research' has led me to these two sources of goodies to go with my new 'toy' (when it arrives), which seem to be the best value that I can find atm.

Canisters: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Set-3-Vacuum-Sealer-Canisters-works-foodsaver-/310167317819?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Kitchen_FoodStorage_GL&hash=item483769ad3b#ht_3220wt_1111

Bag Roll: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vacuum-Sealer-Rolls-28cm-x-6m-Work-ALL-Machines-/260816350426?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Kitchen_FoodStorage_GL&hash=item3cb9ddacda#ht_1230wt_902

Will these both be compatible with my Eiffel Freshpak Pro L/N? I'd be grateful for the advice/confirmation of you current owners before I buy. Once I have some stock then I too will start to explore the use of cheaper freezer bags etc., but want to have some 'proper' stuff to hand to guard against times of failure and frustration!

**Taxsaver mutters something about going to bed but then starts to browse the web again!**

LoveLifeAgain

sb44 wrote: »

Well I have had some chocolate in a jar for the past 18 months or so and it has stayed sealed.

No, I am not mad, I bought a box of chocolate squares from Approved Food and there was something like 500 pieces in there!

I have never put pickles or anything wet in mine as we don't use them but I have had dry stuff in jars for a couple of years without any problem.

Sometimes the jars are sealed so tightly it is a bit of a struggle to get the lid off.

I use an anti slip mat to grip the lid with.

However, I think I may give this idea a try.

Pierce a small hole in the lid of the jar with one of those push pins and put a piece of duck tape over the top of the hole (make a loop in the tape to form a tab to pull).

This way when you want to open it you pull the tape off to release the vacuum and it will be easy to unscrew the lid.

I have to buy some duck tape so I haven't tried it yet.

Thank you. I use a 'Jar Key Vacuum Releaser' I got from Amazon for opening store bought jars, cheap, incredibly effective and hopefully the lid can be used again. I have an interest not just picked eggs, but chutney and bolognese sauce and such like or am I being unrealistic?