I'm thinking I might need a vac pac I have a few day's off work which hasn't happened since last Dec. Anyhoo I'm going to put the MES thru it's paces and smoke what ever I can find. So there should be some stuff going into the freezer for later, what do you have and what should I beware of ? I'm thinking around the 200.00 range. :noidea: Thanks...... you guy's and gal's are awesome

Can't go wrong with a FoodSaver.
They work great and are in that price range.
Bags are a little expensive especially if you use as many as I do but I have found ordering the "off brand" bags from the internet works just as good and are almost half the price depending on what deal you can find.

The ONLY problem I have had with the foodsaver is if you have a whole lot of liquid in a bag it tends to not want to seal properly but there are simple ways to fix that problem.

Foodsaver .......

Check out this link if you don't wanna pay Foodsaver bag prices. They are very good bags. I have gone through about probably 90 of these bags since I posted it & only had 1 seal lost in the freezer, which I would say is on par with my history with Foodsaver brand bags.

http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5718&highlight=bags+cheap

go through the old vacpack threads - can't remember who but one of the members reconditions them and sells for very little money :-)

go through the old vacpack threads - can't remember who but one of the members reconditions them and sells for very little money :-)

Great idea CA....... Rowdy Ray is the Foodsaver magician..... He will probably pop in this thread sometime. :thumb:

go through the old vacpack threads - can't remember who but one of the members reconditions them and sells for very little money :-)

Heh, for a second I thought you meant they resell the used bags for cheap :lol:

Foodsaver. :thumb: :thumb:

there ya go, drop ray a pm and see if he's got any in stock.

He recons them and flogs on ebay. quite a few members have bought them from him, nobody's complained so far :-)

Definitely a must have item.

I have been using a foodsaver for over 15 years and have saved a ton of $$ by making my bags about 15-20 inches long. I just cut off the top where it seals, turn them inside out wash with soap and water and dry and reuse them. Once they are dry we store them in the pantry with the sealer and we are ready to go again. I recently needed some for Bellies and cut them about 2' long so I can reuse for the next ones. I also signed up at foodsaver and they email you when they are having a sale. I will post here the next time they send the notice

do some research before you buy... check these out
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/eb8792/004-30.jpg

have to say i'm very pleased with my italian job.
but don't think you can get the same make in the states.

it's an Orved, just in case anyone's interested :-).

have to say i'm very pleased with my italian job.
but don't think you can get the same make in the states.

it's an Orved, just in case anyone's interested :-).

Overstock.com carries them

http://www.overstock.com/Wholesale/Orved-Vacuum-Sealing-Machine/4325849/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=12300806

First, ask yourself how often you're really gonna use it. If it's for the occasional leftovers than a cheap Rival or Foodsaver is the way to go. They have their faults, though. Ask, and I'll explain.

If you use it as much as I do, then you'll want to go with something better. Foodsaver's Professional series or sportsman's series are actually very good. But expensive. A savvy shopper can nab them for less on Ebay.

The VacUpack is the Cadillac of sealers and does it all. It's the only sealer that will suck water right through it (without harm) and when you're satisfied the air is out, seal it.

I have both, and won't change that. A very nice Foodsaver stays on the counter for everyday leftovers, and a VacUpack for things like the sausage fest, or deer processing. It works for me.

I do have a few, just been too busy to post any. PM me if you're interested.

I bought a 15.oo one from ray and use twice as much as my 100.00 one:lol:

First, ask yourself how often you're really gonna use it. If it's for the occasional leftovers than a cheap Rival or Foodsaver is the way to go. They have their faults, though. Ask, and I'll explain.

If you use it as much as I do, then you'll want to go with something better. Foodsaver's Professional series or sportsman's series are actually very good. But expensive. A savvy shopper can nab them for less on Ebay.

The VacUpack is the Cadillac of sealers and does it all. It's the only sealer that will suck water right through it (without harm) and when you're satisfied the air is out, seal it.

I have both, and won't change that. A very nice Foodsaver stays on the counter for everyday leftovers, and a VacUpack for things like the sausage fest, or deer processing. It works for me.

I do have a few, just been too busy to post any. PM me if you're interested.

actually ray, the old italian made foodsavers will handle the moisture as well. they are identicle to the vacupacks of today. so when comparing the two, if you have one of the old italian jobs, basicly you have a vacupack. i think i paid 80 bux more for my vacupack than my foodsaver prfessional II, only thing is i have 2 of the foodsavers and they both shot. and i be danged if i going to prefreeze every bit of meat before vaccing. aint got the time or the freezer space to do so. wish i woulda spent the extra 80 on the vpack from the start before tossing a cent at a foodsaver.

all moisture victems...i would say aprx 750 bux worth a junk in this box...
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/eb8792/002-18.jpg

all moisture victems...i would say aprx 750 bux worth a junk in this box...


Perhaps ship them to Ray for reconditioning? I'd guess a disassembly and pump cleaning?

Perhaps ship them to Ray for reconditioning? I'd guess a disassembly and pump cleaning?

cant recondition a pump on these rich... and f/s will not sell you one.

that orved is pretty much the same price in the uk.
i bought the cheapest model 'cos i'm capable of pressing the 'seal' button when it's sucked the air out and no automatic pressure sensor is one less thing to go wrong :-)

betcha ray can turn your junk into money erain :-)

actually ray, the old italian made foodsavers will handle the moisture as well. they are identicle to the vacupacks of today. so when comparing the two, if you have one of the old italian jobs, basicly you have a vacupack. i think i paid 80 bux more for my vacupack than my foodsaver prfessional II, only thing is i have 2 of the foodsavers and they both shot. and i be danged if i going to prefreeze every bit of meat before vaccing. aint got the time or the freezer space to do so. wish i woulda spent the extra 80 on the vpack from the start before tossing a cent at a foodsaver.

all moisture victems...i would say aprx 750 bux worth a junk in this box...
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/eb8792/002-18.jpg

Yes, the original Foodsaver is the italian made version. It's identical to the VavUpack. That's what I have. If anyone comes across one, grab it. The parts that fail are replaceable. I have 2 awaiting a rebuild now. The second one down.

http://web.iwebcenters.com/professionalmarketing/index2.ivnu

Still can't say anything bad about Foodsaver. Not because I make money from them, but because they are still a good light use unit. I have never killed one. My first one was the cheapest one they made (Vac300) and used for over 10 years. Gave it to the ex when I got serious about it. She's still using it.

Most people don't use it on the level you or I do, Erain. If they keep the fluids out of it, it'll last a long time. If you're coming to the Gatherin', bring the 2 on top with ya. They might not be down for the count.

http://web.iwebcenters.com/professionalmarketing/index2.ivnu

Still can't say anything bad about Foodsaver. Not because I make money from them, but because they are still a good light use unit. I have never killed one. My first one was the cheapest one they made (Vac300) and used for over 10 years. Gave it to the ex when I got serious about it. She's still using it.

Most people don't use it on the level you or I do, Erain. If they keep the fluids out of it, it'll last a long time. If you're coming to the Gatherin', bring the 2 on top with ya. They might not be down for the count.

your right Ray, and i have said in other posts, if your a casual user and the only thing you gonna vac is leftovers and dry stuff the foodsaver will do you fine. However, if you have a couple elk, a few deer, a big cooler load of salmon, or you raise or buy your meat in quarters or primals, then... f/s is not the machine for you...

i have taken these apart and they have already been reserected several times... and now that i have the v-machine and i have no doubt in it, it really dont matter. they are down for the count for sure. kinda like if you buying a car and looking at 2 models. and one you know for sure will quit running if it gets a little rain on it and the other you can drive in a downpour. no brainer to me. i just wish i would have seen a thread like this before i bought my first vac packer. heck i didnt even know the other existed.

I've looked around for the VacuPac but can't find one where did you purchase your's ??

Ask and you shall receive. Here's a link to their website. He also has an Ebay store.

http://www.vacuumpacker.com/

http://stores.ebay.com/Vacuum-Packers-Sealer__W0QQLHQ5fSellerWithStoreZ1QQLHQ5fTitleDesc Z1QQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_ipgZQQ_sasiZ1QQ_sopZ1

If you'd like to speak to Thom (the gentleman in the videos), 1-800-227-3769. Super nice guy and will help you with any questions, issues or parts you may need if you find a used one.

Here's one on Ebay. A little steep unless it works fine. Ask. Foam gaskets are usually the issue, and are about 20.00.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tilia-Foodsaver-Vacupack-Vacuum-Sealer-Made-in-Italy_W0QQitemZ250611570038QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item3a599d1576

I've looked around for the VacuPac but can't find one where did you purchase your's ??

yup follow them links from ray, i got mine on ebay. and if any questions get ahold of tom or rose and they will answer any questions you may have.