Vaccum Sealer - Post your Experience
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Glad you've asked, and hoping to see some responses.
I had a "Seal-a-Meal" in the late '70's ("one Seal-a-Meal, two Seal-a-Meal"). Maybe I'm regressing, but I've been thinking of ways to use a sealer again.
I had a "Seal-a-Meal" in the late '70's ("one Seal-a-Meal, two Seal-a-Meal"). Maybe I'm regressing, but I've been thinking of ways to use a sealer again.
I’ve had the Food Saver vacuum sealer for about 7 years, and love it.
I use the pint bags most often, for freezing meats and meals I have cooked (homemade MRE’s) so that I don’t need to eat something 4 or 5 times to use it up.
I love mine and use it at least once most weeks. I freeze casseroles, soups, chili’s, etc., also cooked steel cut oats.
I start every trip with a half dozen or so MRE’s and a few frozen meats in my frig freezer.
One of the best purchases I’ve ever made.
I use the pint bags most often, for freezing meats and meals I have cooked (homemade MRE’s) so that I don’t need to eat something 4 or 5 times to use it up.
I love mine and use it at least once most weeks. I freeze casseroles, soups, chili’s, etc., also cooked steel cut oats.
I start every trip with a half dozen or so MRE’s and a few frozen meats in my frig freezer.
One of the best purchases I’ve ever made.
highdesertranger
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I love my vacuum sealer. my first one was a "Seal a Meal" brand and lasted for many years but finally gave up the ghost. I found a brand new "Seal a Meal" at a thrift store I got it for 5 bucks. however when I tried to use the mason jar sealer it would not work. the bag sealer works fine. so I left it when I get back I will try to troubleshoot it. I use the Mason jar sealer a lot.
BTW I use mine for much more than food. anything that might get exposed to moisture I seal in a bag. emergency and first aid items are at the top of the list. but I also seal up certain mechanic parts and such.
highdesertranger
BTW I use mine for much more than food. anything that might get exposed to moisture I seal in a bag. emergency and first aid items are at the top of the list. but I also seal up certain mechanic parts and such.
highdesertranger
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I had a Seal-a-Meal back 3 years ago when I started.....but back then I had everything in the van.....
I have a big freezer for storage...It was a no-brainer...Buy in Bulk.......freeze my steak !
I pre-packaged servings of my GRITS........and pancake flour....and more.....I ran thru a couple rolls of bags that first year
But I discovered I used the freezer packages so quickly AND 'clean' re-packaging was a pain to do On-The-Road....
...........AND I had to make room for Paulette..........
Now we find Zip-Lock bags are more practical.....(We also like a particular juice bottle...Clamato....to pantry/store Rice, shell pasta and flour)
I have a big freezer for storage...It was a no-brainer...Buy in Bulk.......freeze my steak !
I pre-packaged servings of my GRITS........and pancake flour....and more.....I ran thru a couple rolls of bags that first year
But I discovered I used the freezer packages so quickly AND 'clean' re-packaging was a pain to do On-The-Road....
...........AND I had to make room for Paulette..........
Now we find Zip-Lock bags are more practical.....(We also like a particular juice bottle...Clamato....to pantry/store Rice, shell pasta and flour)
DLTooley
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I’m a zip-loc guy.
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Yes, Mason jars come to mind. Just saw a YouTube with someone using a (new) brake bleeder vacuum pump for that, along with the FoodSaver jar cover attachment. A rechargeable FoodSaver vacuum only (no sealer) pump would be smaller and easier to use for about the same cost. Hmm...highdesertranger said:
I am interested in sealing charcoal in small flat packages of 8-10 pieces, too.
I agree that preparing food and repackaging it cleanly on the road is really hard to do in a van. We are not full timers, and are doing a lot more "interval" traveling than before, so have more opportunity to prepare foods in advance. I may even revisit dehydrating, since we are avoiding eating out and frequent grocery stops these days. Yep. Regressing.
eDJ_
Well-known member
I have a Food Saver 2200 and the mason jar kits for small and large jars. It is basic compared to the more expensive ones with the self storage, zip cutter, and bells and whistles.
I also started with a seal a meal.
I moved up to zip lock bags and a plastic straw where I would zip the bag nearly closed with the straw at the edge. Then suck the air out of the bag as best as I could before pulling the straw out with my teeth and finishing zipping the bag with my fingers. Better than nothing.
When I got into smoking meat and cold smoking cheese I realized I'd have to go with something better.
One of the things I learned to do with the seal a meal from an older lady neighbor of ours was to cut the bag close to the sealed edge when opening it to get the food out. Then wash the bag completely and sterilize it with bleach water. Allow it to dry before reusing.
I just make sure to cut the roll a little longer than I need so I can reuse it a few times.
I also started with a seal a meal.
I moved up to zip lock bags and a plastic straw where I would zip the bag nearly closed with the straw at the edge. Then suck the air out of the bag as best as I could before pulling the straw out with my teeth and finishing zipping the bag with my fingers. Better than nothing.
When I got into smoking meat and cold smoking cheese I realized I'd have to go with something better.
One of the things I learned to do with the seal a meal from an older lady neighbor of ours was to cut the bag close to the sealed edge when opening it to get the food out. Then wash the bag completely and sterilize it with bleach water. Allow it to dry before reusing.
I just make sure to cut the roll a little longer than I need so I can reuse it a few times.
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