Pellet Fan

Accessories & Essentials => Equipment -- grill grates, grill mats, brushes, covers, tongs, etc. => Topic started by: Jon515 on January 27, 2019, 11:51:46 AM

Title: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Jon515 on January 27, 2019, 11:51:46 AM
Anyone have any recomendations on vacuum sealers? I've had a basic food saver for quite a while and its starting to give out. I looked at FM2435, any feedback?
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on January 27, 2019, 12:32:02 PM
I have the FM5460 or something similar.  Works fine.  Only had it about a year.  I do get times when the bag does not vacuum properly.  I would say 10%-15% of the time.  I am probably going to buy a heavy duty LEM model MaxVac 500 this Spring.  I should not have to buy another one for quite some time then.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: hughver on January 27, 2019, 01:50:43 PM
I bought a VacMaster PRO-350 a little over a year ago and it has worked flawlessly. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy the PRO-380 which has a longer seal bar.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: BigDave83 on January 27, 2019, 02:40:13 PM
I have 1 foodsaver that is about shot, bought a Vacmaster vp215 and highly recommend he chamber type machines if you can swing it, I got mine on a group buy. I also bought a Pro380 it is nice for doing bigger stuff, got it on a good deal also. Do some shopping around if you want the vacmaster stuff as prices are god and bad.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: mo-kid on January 27, 2019, 09:20:57 PM
I have a vacmaster 260 I purchased several years ago and it is still pluggin along.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Darwin on January 27, 2019, 10:21:58 PM
I got the vac master pro 380 and it works great.


Edit.  I got it on a half price like sale.  It was a no brainer at that price.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: pmillen on January 28, 2019, 12:08:33 PM
I bought a Foodsaver at Costco a few years ago.  I'm certain that it's just a mediocre one (or less) but it meets my needs.  I'm probably not a heavy user, tho'.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: urnmor on January 28, 2019, 03:09:54 PM
I recently purchased the Avid armor vacuum sealer and like it a lot.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Yellow-03 on January 29, 2019, 11:09:20 AM
I have a Foodsaver from Sam's Club.  It's worked reliably for several years of occasional use every couple weeks.  When it is used, it is generally to seal 4-8 bags at a time.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: old sarge on February 17, 2019, 10:42:08 AM
I purchased the LEM MaxVac 1088 some time back when my old Food Saver Pro died after many years of reliable service.  Great machine. No regrets.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Bentley on February 18, 2019, 10:47:29 AM
If you dont use bags over 11" wide, that looks like a great machine!
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: hughver on February 18, 2019, 10:59:04 AM
It actually handles 11.5" bags nicely.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Bentley on February 18, 2019, 02:04:25 PM
That's good until I need to use my 15 inch bags!
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on February 18, 2019, 03:29:33 PM
That's good until I need to use my 15 inch bags!

What unit does that?  The LEM want I am looking at only seals 14" bags.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Bentley on February 18, 2019, 04:18:32 PM
My CG-15!  I thought they were 15", said they were when I bought them, will have to go measure now!
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: BigDave83 on February 18, 2019, 04:26:08 PM
they have 5" bags or at least rolls. My Pro380 does 15"
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Bentley on February 18, 2019, 04:31:33 PM
I would like a chamber vac sealer, but the home units I could afford seem to be smaller bags size then I would like.  I have never seen this Vac Master Pro 380, for the price, it is probably the best.  The CG-15 has been going for 11 years, so hard to beat that reliability!

(https://i.imgur.com/MxWaKlSh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DpHoTIQh.jpg)
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on February 18, 2019, 05:45:43 PM
Amazon has the LEM for $290 and sometimes in the low $230s.  I'm holding out for a lower price and then grabbing one.

Are the 15" bags only sold in rolls or are there premade bags?  What are you guys using to vac seal whole briskets for sous vide - machine and bags?
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: hughver on February 18, 2019, 06:39:01 PM
What are you guys using to vac seal whole briskets for sous vide - machine and bags?

I normally separate the flat from the point, put them in 11.5" pre-made bags and seal them with my Pro-350.
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: BigDave83 on February 18, 2019, 06:47:14 PM
Vacmaster has 15x18 bags.

I got a steal on mine,under 200 bucks. I have used it for hams, butts and brisket so far. I use the chamber vac far more, but largest bag it will take is 10x13.

I have been using rolls and not bags for the 15".
Title: Re: Vacuum sealers
Post by: Bentley on February 18, 2019, 09:42:01 PM
Never used anything but rolls, so not sure.  I bought the 15" just for large cuts like Brisket,and rib roasts!


Are the 15" bags only sold in rolls or are there premade bags?  What are you guys using to vac seal whole briskets for sous vide - machine and bags?