Vacuum Sealer Advice

[pikergolf]

I love making sausage but with only two of us it's easy to make too much and it doesn't keep well with wrapping paper as I cannot get rid of all the air. How long can I expect it to keep if I buy and use a vacuum sealer? I would like to make a year or year and a half's worth at a time. Thanks

[rottie]

Vacuum packed properly it will last several years. I still have a few packs of smokies from 2012 and they are so far free of any freezer burn. Taste is still fine

[Vigilante]

I think a vacuum sealer would be ideal for you. I bought one a year or so ago, so I could buy meat when it goes on sale in bulk packs and freeze it. I think they claim to be able to keep meat for up to 3 years or so, but I have never had anything get freezer burnt.

[Saltmania]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I love making sausage but with only two of us it's easy to make too much and it doesn't keep well with wrapping paper as I cannot get rid of all the air. How long can I expect it to keep if I buy and use a vacuum sealer? I would like to make a year or year and a half's worth at a time. Thanks

It should last a few years fine as long as it's sealed well. I try to use fish within 6 months, but meat and sausage last a lot longer.

I bought a refurbished Foodsaver on Amazon for $20 and it's lasted me over 5 years and countless fish and meat sealings.

[bat119]

Where do you guys get the bags?
I looked at some they were almost $1 each is there a more economical source?

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by bat119

Where do you guys get the bags?
I looked at some they were almost $1 each is there a more economical source?

Halfords is about the best price I have found and where I buy all mine

[pikergolf]

Alright so where do I buy the vacuum sealer, I have a Costco membership.

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Alright so where do I buy the vacuum sealer, I have a Costco membership.

Costco is a good a place as any for a foodsaver. Also if you go on the foodsaver.ca website they have some good deals on there once in a while

[Redfrog]

I bought at Costco. You can't go wrong with their return policy. I also buy the bag package from them Bags are not cheap but I haven't found good ones that were.

Don't get going too fast with the VP . You may have to let it cool down or simply work slower. I like to use mine for meat with marinade.

[Newview01]

Costco had the best deal when I bought mine. Keep an eye out for sales on bags though, I've seen them pretty cheap at London Drugs and Canadian Tire.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by Redfrog

I bought at Costco. You can't go wrong with their return policy. I also buy the bag package from them Bags are not cheap but I haven't found good ones that were.

Don't get going too fast with the VP . You may have to let it cool down or simply work slower. I like to use mine for meat with marinade.

There are different quality bags? How do I know a good bag?

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

There are different quality bags? How do I know a good bag?

https://www.halfordsmailorder.com/em...d-7bf9d99d1d1a


These are what you want right here

[elkhunter1234]

I've got the Foodsaver one from Costco but I'm not a big fan of the foodsaver bags so I order mine of eBay, they are embossed on both sides and fine they seal lots better. I found with the foodsaver bags about 1 out of 10 would get a poor seal but with the eBay ones it more like 1 out of 100 fail..

[Who Da Fisherman]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Alright so where do I buy the vacuum sealer, I have a Costco membership.

Bought my food saver on line from them, no delivery cost, works awesome. It was around the $184 mark. Checked the one in store and it was a slightly different model and the one online had the best reviews.
WDF

[Digger1]

Vacuum bagging is definitely the way to go. Check out the Vacmaster units. We bought one a few years ago, bit of an investment, but never regretted it. We butcher and pack up to 100 chickens a year, and it's also used for vegetables, meal sized pucks of frozen soup, ammunition, etc, etc. Wifey buys bags off amazon.ca

[PartTimeHunter]

I bought mine at Halford's and love it. As mentioned they have bags at a reasonable price and they said they can do repairs on it there if needed - no sending away.

[FCLightning]

Originally Posted by Digger1

Vacuum bagging is definitely the way to go. Check out the Vacmaster units. We bought one a few years ago, bit of an investment, but never regretted it. We butcher and pack up to 100 chickens a year, and it's also used for vegetables, meal sized pucks of frozen soup, ammunition, etc, etc. Wifey buys bags off amazon.ca

This is what we went with as well - a great investment. If you buy bags in bulk they are from 4 to 20 cents each depending on size and thickness. I tried a 5 year old Blade Steak the other day that was found hidden in the bottom of the chest freezer and it didn't look freezer burnt at all but did taste a little off flavor. So I would say 5 years is too much to expect.
As has been mentioned, marinating meats is an excellent use for these machines.
Also for leftovers. The chamber vac bags are safe to cook in, so package up some leftover meat, potatoes and veggies in a bag to throw in the freezer. When you need a quick meal just drop it in some boiling water and wait a while. Cut the bag open over your plate and enjoy.

[jcrayford]

Originally Posted by elkhunter1234

I've got the Foodsaver one from Costco but I'm not a big fan of the foodsaver bags so I order mine of eBay, they are embossed on both sides and fine they seal lots better. I found with the foodsaver bags about 1 out of 10 would get a poor seal but with the eBay ones it more like 1 out of 100 fail..

I've only used FoodSaver brand rolls (sometimes turn a section of roll into a smaller bag by cutting/sealing the sides). The secret to a great seal on ANY bag/roll is to only seal once every minute or so, leaving the unit open so the seal heating element can cool down between uses and ensuring the area of sealing is dry. Keeping moisture out of the sealing area is critical to getting a good seal.

And some of my sealed foods have lasted a couple of years. I've still got burger from 2013 that is good.

J.

[Unregistered user]

Once you buy the unit, try Sous-vide steak.

[Johnny Huntnfish]

I paid a little more than food saver and got a commercial grade Henkovac from CTR in Calgary. They also sell vacuum bags in bulk in various sizes. This thing is bullet proof and haven't had a single issue in 4 years now.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by Johnny Huntnfish

I paid a little more than food saver and got a commercial grade Henkovac from CTR in Calgary. They also sell vacuum bags in bulk in various sizes. This thing is bullet proof and haven't had a single issue in 4 years now.

Have you tried these vacuum bags from CTR, they seem to be by far the cheapest option.

[bat119]

On sale today at CDN tire


http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/fo...0650p.html#srp

+ $20 gift card

[golferac]

The Foodsaver Unit and Bags go on sale at Costco a few times per year. I have had great success with it.

[Ben_eficialFriend]

Originally Posted by Saltmania

It should last a few years fine as long as it's sealed well. I try to use fish within 6 months, but meat and sausage last a lot longer.

I bought a refurbished Foodsaver on Amazon for $20 and it's lasted me over 5 years and countless fish and meat sealings.

Awesome, it's a good investment! I have Foodsaver 4800 Vacuum Sealer, bought it with no regrets!

[calgarygringo]

We bought the 5300 model off Amazon a while back and now vacuum seal everything. Costco has the best deal for factory brand bags and amounts, Cabelas has lots of selection and a few others as well. Watch the mil thickness as there are a few cheap bags out there too and that is why.
As mentioned sous vide works amazing as well. We even put marinade when packaging so just drop it in the water and cook. Ribs this way are amazing.
This morning I have fish to fillet from last night and they will get packaged as well.

[amosfella]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Have you tried these vacuum bags from CTR, they seem to be by far the cheapest option.

The vac bags from CTR are not for a counter top sucker/foodsaver type of machine. They are for a chamber vac. I'd recommend a chamber vac over the countertop foodsaver type of sealer. If you do a lot of sealing, the chamber vac bags are much much cheaper, and as I calculated, 2000 8x12 bags will almost cover the purchase price difference. Vac bags are great for marinading meat as well. So, as you find more uses, you'll use it more. There are many local plastics manufacturers that make chamber vac bags locally.

However, if you must go with a foodsaver type, DnR Sausage in calgary gets the rolls for them made, and are probably the cheapest. The rolls are made in airdrie.

I'd get a better brand than foodsaver if getting a foodsaver type. Do a bit of reading and watching on youtube.

[nast70]

We have a Foodsaver from Costco. Just buy the refill boxes from them as well. I use it to seal the obvious meats, herbs etc, but also First Aid Kits, insurance/reg. papers for the quads (the wife tends to get her machine wet! ), dry tinder among other things.
I currently have a small block of marble cheese in the fridge. Going on 6 months. Still no mold. Going to see how long it actually lasts.

[AndrewM]

Thread is from 2017 so suspect OP got his machine! I get my bags from Roneguy on amazon. Work great and price is great.