FoodSaver?

[Doug444]

OK, I think this belongs here. Does anyone own and use one of the vacuum sealer deals for packaging your successful hunting adventures? Seriously, I've been thinking about getting one. I've got to replace my freezer (died last weekend - lost almost ALL of my game meat ) and Best Buy has a deal going that includes an entry level foodsaver and I was hoping for some feedback on it.

Thanks.
Doug444

 

[repsychler]

I have one, it's not the Food Saver, but it had features comparable to the higher end Food Saver for the price of a midline one. I really like mine, and preserving game meat is exactly why I got it. It's also nice to buy meat in larger packs and split them into individual servings.

 

[Art Eatman]

Neatest thing since sliced bread. I have one, although I haven't used it all that much. I deliberately left a vacuum-packed backstrap in the freezer for a couple of years, and it tasted just fine after I cooked it.

A friend of mine does a lot of pre-cooked meals; freezes the items, and then uses his FoodSaver and pops it all into the freezer for storage. When he thaws it out and heats it, it tastes fresh-cooked.

When you're first starting to use it, don't be in a hurry. Make sure there are no wrinkles, and pay attention to the length of heat-application time. Too little time, you don't get a good seal. Too long, and it will melt through.

Art

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I got one a couple years ago and absolutely love it. I have also done some experimenting with it where I vaccuumed some ground venison and then wrapped some conventionally, with plastic wrap and freezer paper. The vacuumed package was of much higher quality after a year in the deep freeze. I just vacuum packed 5 salmon too. I have found NO better way to preserve smoked fish and my homemade smoked suasages. You don't get any smokey smell leaking out into the freezer. Mine is a Sears (Kenmore brand?) and cost about $100.

 

[Quartus]

Got one. Love it.


If you move to a different altitude, remember to adjust the vacuum setting.

 

[Kingcreek]

ditto
I've had one for a couple years. vac-packed 5 deer last year. The meat keeps really well. Best thing for filet fish also.
I've been known to vac-pack dry wool socks, fire-starters and matches, etc when heading into the bush.

 

[Dan Morris]

Had one for several years. Love it!
Dan

 

[Al Thompson]

I'm very happy with mine. I also vac seal clothes for trips - cuts down on space and keeps socks, etc., dry.

 

[Doug444]

Wow! A product that really does what it claims! Thanks for the replies! Looks like the combo purchase might just be the way to go.

 

[Al Thompson]

FYI, I get my vac supplies at Sams. Seems to have the best prices around here.

 

[rock jock]

I make triple or quadruple sized meals of chili, spagetti, lasagna, and a few others and vacuum pack the extra. Six months later it tastes like I just made it. Also, I have used it to vacuum pack ammo. I have though about vacuum packing a handgun just to see if it would work for long-term storage.

 

[Quartus]

If you do that, put a dessicant in there with it. There's likely to be enough moisture in the air that's left to give you a rust problem.

 

[rock jock]

Yeah, good point. I actually thought about that but forgot to mention it. I found some desicant in a cardboard container at the local hardware store that seems to work.

 

[Fuzzy]

amazon.com has some pretty good prices on vacuum sealers. They have the Foodsaver 300 for $59.99 and a Black and Decker for $49.99. Free shipping too.

I personally don't have one yet, so I can't speak to their quality. But I'll get one if I get lucky on my deer hunt this year.

 

[thumbtack]

I got a FoodSaver after a very successful deep sea fishing trip this year and so far it is great and worth the price.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Got a high end one from Costco many years ago. Very happy.

 

[splck]

I got mine from Costco also. I highly recommend using one.

 

[Chuck from arkansaw]

I have one and it works great. The bags are pricy, but my wife threw out twenty bucks worth of freezer burned steaks this week and went back to walmart for another roll of bags for the food saver.