Vacuum Sealer Recommendation Needed

[Wayfarer]

My wife and I are looking for a vacuum sealer recommendation.

We want to re-package bulk-purchased food items into smaller, drop-shippable portions.

And we've heard that the sealer itself may be less of a decision-maker versus the cost of the bags, the re-usabillity of bags, etc.

Any lessons learned and specific brand/model advice would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks!

[G-FOURce]

I have a FoodSaver V3840 and love it. I bought it used on eBay and its been fantastic. Simple, works, easy to clean. Brilliant.

[One Half]

My questions would be: how many bags over the next year are you anticipating doing? Are you going to continue to use it at/near this capacity?

If you are just doing just a couple "bags" per week on average I would probably go with a food saver brand for around $100. You will be able to use it for a long time but yes, the "bags" are more expensive but you can save money by buying the really large rolls (50') on amazon. You can either go from standard 3mil to 4mil which I prefer.

If you are going to be doing higher volume of bags (5-10 per week nearly every week on average) you would burn out the food saver pretty quick and I have been told this one is what you want. https://tinyurl.com/CabelaSealer It's a good deal when you are doing higher volume. But this is where the cost of the bags really starts playing into the calculation.

For me, I went with this chamber sealer. http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-vp215-chamber-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-10-1-4-seal-bar/120VMASVP215.html
The bags run less than 4 cents each. http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-30610-6-x-10-chamber-vacuum-packaging-pouches-bags-4-mil-1000-case/120VPM30610.html

For us the vacmaster made sense. We use the bags for buying meats on sale and dividing into smaller portions and freezing. We also use them for freezing left overs that my husband can eat when I am away. He brings all his lunches to work from meals I cook and he works long hours so it's good to be able to do this for him. It also helps on days I don't feel like cooking to know we have something to eat.

We freeze dry all our own meals for backpacking but also for just any trips we take as we have a very difficult time eating out. We also "store" food for long term preparedness. So the math works for us to invest in the vacmaster. These are intended for restaurant use so we know that it is likely to last us YEARS.

[hyperslug]

Food Saver is the big name but from what I saw most people were happy with what they bought. Cabela's runs theirs on sale often. Several sources for bags other than buying Food Saver brand:

https://www.thevakshack.com/
http://shop.vacuumsealersunlimited.com/Bags-Rolls-Canisters-for-FoodSaver-Weston-VacMaster_c231.htm

Also check Amazon!

[G-FOURce]

I buy an off-name brand from Amazon and they work perfectly. I buy them bulk and they're about half the cost of the FoodSaver brand bags.

[Secondmouse]

food saver on sale at Sams club for $120. this is the one with removable drip tray, vac hose and other attachments...

[Hosh]

Same here and I use the vacuum canister feature to store dehydrated foods in glass mason jars that are then placed in freezer. We also store rice, flour, pancake mix and other dry goods in the mason jars in the kitchen pantry. It extends shelf life and maintains freshness.

If you cycle this unit frequently, say +15 repetitions, I have found the heater gets too hot and needs to cool down. It's maximum bag width is 11" so you're restricted on large meat items. I find most of my food items fit in the 8" rolls and the pre-formed bags are very useful. Costco sells the bags and film in variety packs and you can also find discounts on FS's web site.

As PennyPincher notes, heavy use would benefit from the commercial units. My friend is a hunter and likes his Cabela's model

[Hosh]

My "same here" was an endorsement of the FoodSaver V3840