Vacuum sealers for food - money-saving or not?

suzybloo

Yes use it frequently, especially when bulk cooking for the freezer, you get so much more in when its flat packed, rather than in freezer containers. Also prepare double lot of soup veg when making soup and vacuum then throw in the freezer. Now when baking 'solid' items like shortbread, flapjacks etc since there are just the two of us,I vacuum half for later in the week. Also use it for 'boil' in the bag fish if boiling new potatoes, seal your salmon etc with knob of butter, black pepper and bit salt put in on top of potatoes for the last ten mins :-)

Of all the gadgets I have this one I wouldn't be without.

Jazzy_B

I've ordered one, so will probably be back here soon. Thanks suzybloo

andy17898_2

whats the best but cheapest food sealer? saw the JML one for 40 quid but some reviews comment on poor quality

Jazzy_B

As has been said previously on here, you are recommended to get one with a vacuum of -0.8bar. These machines seem to cost between £80 and £120, which I just couldn't afford. I checked out Amazon and Lakeland ,amongst others. Foodsaver are one of the most popular in America. I contacted them and they said all their machines worked to a vacuum of .5 bar. I also contacted Andrew James, who said both of their machines had a vacuum of .5. Both Foodsaver and Andrew James seem to get really good reviews.I looked on Ebay, and won an ex display Foodsaver for £34 delivered,which is due to be delivered tomorrow. It's the one Lakeland sell for £60. I'm not expecting it to be brilliant, but the reviews seem very good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

andy17898_2

ah ok cheers. I will keep a look out.
The JML one isnt great then?

Which brands are the .8 bar reccomended for?

I suppose the .5 would be ok for us as its only for household stuff

culpepper

We have the Andrew James sealer which is excellent.
You can easily cut the bags down for smaller amounts.
I make tiny little bags for mayo,salt and pepper etc when we go on picnics.
There is the option to seal without vacuum which is handy for things that you are just trying to keep dry or contained and can be used for making icepops.
Someone posted that they use ordinary bags inside the expensive bags when vacuum sealing meats etc (to keep the expensive bags clean)which I tried recently and it works very well.
They do canisters too (separately)which work with a tube thing and you can put ordinary jam jars inside the largest canister to get a seal which is a handy way to keep dried goods air tight and means you aren't buying lots of canisters when each one is filled.

Jazzy_B

andy17898 wrote: »

ah ok cheers. I will keep a look out.
The JML one isnt great then?

Which brands are the .8 bar reccomended for?

I suppose the .5 would be ok for us as its only for household stuff

I found a couple that got up to -.8 bar, the Eiffel Freshpack Pro £99.47 from here
http://www.fresherpack.co.uk/products/1/1/vacuum_sealer_-_eiffel_freshpack_pro/ This one has been recommended on here on earlier posts.
The other one is Foodseala AVS550,£86 , available from www.bagsoffreshness.co.uk, or from their Ebay shop, slightly cheaper. This one has also been mentioned on here.
I also checked out a few from catering companies, and their low budget machines,for between £70 to £100, were around the 0.6 mark, the same as the SousvideSupreme.
Although it doesn't say so on Amazon, you can use canisters with the Andrew James one they do for £40.
Sorry I don't know what the JMLs like at all.

andy17898_2

think i will go for the andrew james one then, looks good, best price i can see if £65. other than ebay anyone know anywhere cheaper?

cheers

ps what food bags do you use that are cheaper?
How long do they prolong things like ham for sandwiches or salad / fresh veg?

cheers

Jazzy_B

If you have time, read this thread from the start, as there are lots of tips on using different bags and keeping times.

andy17898_2

ok cool ill have a read through it.

any tips on the cheapest andrew james pro one?