Keeping Fish Fresh ~ Vacuum Sealers

[KissMyBass]

Hey Guys,

Just curious about everyone's favorite Vacuum Sealer brand. In the market for one and just read and heard too many negatives on the Food Saver. Which one do you like the best? Thanks in advance!

Steve

[Pokerman1]

I have a food saver that I paid around $100 or so online. Had it for about 1 year. I like it, but there is an issue occasionally when the "tray full" light comes on and won't let you continue... usually it requires some 'drying out'. Kind of hard to explain. One day it conked out was when I was vacuum sealing about 50 pollock filets in separate bags. Talk about one lonngggg night. lol

I like the machine, so instead of getting one more expensive I simply bought a back-up model at Walmart for about $140.00. So, on my fishing trips I carry two vacuum sealers, and I always stay at hotels with full kitchenettes and freezers.

Now that I see this in writing, maybe I need to get another pastime.

Joe

[joerosa1]

I use to have a early model of the Foodsaver and it was great. Nice tight seals and no waste in bag material. Time took its toll and the heat sealer broker. I recently picked up a new vertical standing Foodsaver model. The new model is intentionally made to waste six (6) inches of expensive bag materials and the vacuum seal is poor/weak. I recently picked up a VacMaster Pro130 Vacuum Sealer from Costco that is designed more like the earlier Foodsaver but is more commercial quality in design and materials. So far so good, too bad the new Foodsaver is poorly design. Go to Amazon and see the reviews for the new Foodsaver it is the same story.

[Salt]

The food saver that we have is about 7 or 8 yrs. old and still works like a charm. It does get a lot of use. But based on the last reviews I would do some research before buying a new one. I have a back up that is about 7 yrs. old but never used, and hopefully they will last a while.
Maybe you can find a older model on Craigslist or e-bay.

[Jay]

Foodsaver v3825, is the way to go. Had mine for two years and works great. Also bought it on ebay it was the display model for $110. If you want it to last you a lifetime a friendly advice, dry your fish with paper towels before packing. Prevents all the salt water for going into the tray. Make sure you wipe it down and dry the tray afterwards.

[Pokerman1]

Foodsaver v3825, is the way to go. Had mine for two years and works great. Also bought it on ebay it was the display model for $110. If you want it to last you a lifetime a friendly advice, dry your fish with paper towels before packing. Prevents all the salt water for going into the tray. Make sure you wipe it down and dry the tray afterwards.


That's very good advice, for sure!

Joe

[joerosa1]

With the older Foodsaver (model: v1090) the vacuum was strong and there was no need to dry or pre-freeze your fish to get a strong and tight seal. They were an open design and simple to clean and you could manually control the sealing process. There was no waste of bag material when creating a seal.

The new vertical model I couldn't get a strong seal, the directions now notes to pre-freeze your fish or put a paper towel in the bag to suck up excessive moisture. The automatic on switch and new design causes you to waste six inches of material (sounds like a manufactures design scam).

Sorry done with Foodsaver unless I could get my hands on an older model.

[slim]

minipack! hands down. they are commercial vacuum sealers. expensive? yes. but it will last you a life time. I own a butcher shop and pack 200 to 300 packages a day plus all the fish I catch. They make smaller models too. Just google minipack america. they are located in Claifornia. you wont be dissapointed.

[Captain Rich]

Slim- which model would you reccomend for home use ?

[slim]

Slim- which model would you reccomend for home use ?
I own the MVS 35X. Thats a big machine and it is expensive, but I use it for commercial use. I called them and told them how often I would need to run it and that is what they recomended. Just call and tell them about how much you would use it. I would say watever they recomend, get the next size up just because if your going to spend the money, do it once and do it rite. MINIPACK AMERICA 714 283 4200. I ran mine 7 days a week for hours every day and its still like the first time I used it.

[LeftyReeler]

I have a food saver P2440 - you cant cut the bags to your desired length and seal them on your own too...


Have had it for a few years now, once you ge the hang of how to use it, it's pretty simple think it was about $125
I rarely freeze fish, but sometimes you gotta do it and below is post sea bass a few years ago..

[jmurr711]

i use the ziploc vaccuum pump being i eat fish 3-4 times a week it is rarely in my freezer longer then 3-4 months and it works great. I did just eat cod from our mass trip last july and it was fine!

[LeftyReeler]

Joey - I made fish cakes a few weeks back from that COD blood bath, let it defrost and was skeptical about the smell once I cut the seal but it really wasnt anything like I feared... very surprised as I know COD and Ling get a distinct/certain eu' de toilette after laying around a few days..."if not take care of that is"

[mark b]

The FoodSaver GameSaver DeluxePlus worked great for me so far. Bagged up over 200 meat and fish and no real problems. You can't go to fast or it overheats & you have to wait a bit for it to start working again.

[jerseyhunter]

I've got a Sears Seal N Save. At the time I bought it, it was the same as the foodsaver and even can use their bags, but at a 30 dollar savings. I've had it for many years now.

[codbuster]

I have a vacuum sealer that I don't use anymore! Don't think they work as well as double wrapping with Seran and putting them in a ziplock bag! JMVVHO

[mark b]

Use to do the two layers of Saran wrap then aluminum foil, that worked pretty good for me!