FoodSaver? Any opinions?

[lindrusso]

Okay, I'm full of questions this week. AND you all are starting to cost me some money http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif (stick blenders and now a freezer!).

From all the talk about freezing basil, muffins, leftovers, etc. I've been freezing like crazy and even though we have two refrigerators with top freezers, I have quickly run out of room. SO, we are going to get a smallish upright freezer for more storage.

THEREFORE, I'm also thinking about the FoodSaver for keeping my frozen items fresh. Has anyone ever used one? Do they keep things fresher than regular freezer bags - as in are they worth the money? Do they keep things fresh longer than regular
methods?

TIA for any advice!

[Norma]

Are you talking about the FoodSaver vacuum packing system? They have FoodSaver bags that you use with it. Or is this something else.

[lindrusso]

Yes that's the one I'm referring to - sorry, should have been more clear!

[Wendy w]

I bought one of those type of items about 10 years ago. It was great fun for awhile, but now it resides way up in a cabinet. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif In fact, I forgot about it until I saw your posting.
It was also a hassle finding refill bags. I like to freeze things too, but I suggest just using freezer bags or those throw away plastic bowls-I love those! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

My advice: save your money!

Wendy

[Karen from VA]

I've had a FoodSaver for about a year and like it a lot. I keep it on my counter and use it almost daily. I buy meat in bulk packages, divide it and vacuum pack it (chicken breasts, side of salmon, Italian sausages, pork chops). Absolutely no freezer taste. It keeps cheese forever (refrigerated). I haven't found a way to use it for baked goods, however, because it sucks the air out of (and therefore crushes) breads, muffins, cookies, etc. The price has really come down. I've seen them at Costco, Kohl's, BJs, etc., and the bags are now readily available. The bags can be washed and reused. It's not something that I absolutely could not do without, but I do use it several times a week. It just depends on where you want to put your money.

[Norma]

I've had mine for about 10 years. I use it every day. I could not live without it because it keeps things forever like Karen said. Just for an experiment once, I grated some cheese (about 1/4 cup) and vacuum packed it in a jar and kept it in the fridge for over a year just to see what happened. There was no mold, it tasted great...if fact it was better because it had aged. You can vacuum pack in canning jars also...coffee, grains, nuts, specialty flours, tons of stuff if you want and they store on shelves in the cupboard. If you freeze the baked goods first they can be vacuum packed then put them back in the freezer.

I absolutely love mine. Every few years I send it back to manufacturer for some maintenance work and cleaning. It's gone for about a week and I'm lost without it.

[Grace]

I'm with Norma and Karen. I have one of these too and it sits on the counter. I use it very often. I buy meat in bulk (chicken breasts, buy one get one free roasts), package them up in smaller packages and put them in the deep freeze in the basement. It also helps in taking full advantage of that Costco membership - I can buy stuff in bulk and repackage it so it stays fresh. Karen, I didn't know you could send it back to the company for a "check up" - how do you do that? I'm thinking mine might need some adjusting...

Also, the bags are reusable. I wash them and use them until they become too small to fit anything! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 09-30-2000).]

[RobinC]

My mom got a Food Saver a few months ago and has been very kind with letting me borrow it A LOT. We both love it. Like many others, we buy bulk items at Costco, like meat, come home and seal it up. During fruit picking season we picked many pounds of peaches and berries which are now sealed in our freezers. The berries coming out of the freezer are excellent. No freezer burn at all.

We both agree it was well worth the investment. Mom is starting to hint that I need to get my own. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif)

[Mamasue]

Oh, Too Funny!! Hubby and I went to BJ's (discount warehouse like Costco and Sam's) to buy a new TV/VCR combo for the kitchen. I made a comment on the Food Saver to him on how nice it would be to have and he said then get it. So I did and packaged up some meat that I bought. Works great and glad I bought it. Will have to go to their website though when I need bags. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[SueK]

I got curious after reading these posts, as I really had never heard of this appliance. I checked out several cooking and non-cooking web sites. I was surprised at the price, so here's a question for those of you who have these ---what type do you have?

I saw prices ranging from $280 to $150, and all got good reviews, but they sure seemed to contain a lot of parts and attachments, etc. I guess reading from your posts that it is worth the $$, but I'm still surprised they were this pricey! How many of you have the "Professional" version that it is the most expensive?

[lindrusso]

Mamasue,

I was just at Walmart and noticed they carried the FoodSaver bags - I don't know if different models need different bags, but it's worth a check. I'll have to check Sam's Club to see if they have the FoodSaver. I'm waiting to see the responses to SueK's questions about the different models before buying one. What model did you get?

[Mamasue]

Thank you lindrusso! You are a sweetie! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I will check out the Walmart near me. The one we bought is Food Saver BagVac and was only $99.00. I guess this one is the cheapest model. Take a peek at the website.

http://www.tilia.com/images/GIF/bagvac.gif

www.tilia.com (http://www.tilia.com)



[This message has been edited by Mamasue (edited 09-30-2000).]

[Karen from VA]

I bought mine on line -- the Deluxe II from www.TheGourmetDepot.com (http://www.TheGourmetDepot.com) for $179 (S&H included). This was over a year ago. It seals automatically (hands free) when the air is fully vacuumed out. I believe BJs and WalMart carry a less expensive model, around $129 or so. I think the price also depends upon what is included with it (canisters, etc.) I believe I would be satisfied with the less expensive version. BTW, all models use the same bags.

I lay out my chicken breasts, sausages, pork chops, etc. in single layers on a cookie sheet and freeze overnight and then vac-pac them 3-4 to a pkg. so I can take out one piece at a time if I want to. I've tried pre-freezing baked goods and then vac-packing them, but I've still gotten some "squished" muffins and cookies. Perhaps I need to manually seal them (rather than letting it go automatically) before too much air is vacuumed out. I think they are just lots of fun to use.

[Norma]

Grace, well I thought I was sending it back to the manufacturer, but I dug out my stuff and see that it must be who I bought it from. I bought it at our state fair from Professional Marketing Group. But this is where I always send it. It comes back looking and working like new. I always call before just to be sure it's okay to send. If you're interested, they are: Professional Marketing Group, 912 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144. 1-800-227-3769. The last time I sent is was January, 1998, and it cost $32.50.

Someone commented on the squished baked goods even if prefrozen. I don't let it evacuate all the air on these. I stop it just short of it starting to suck every bit of air out of the bag. The bag still forms around the stuff, but it doesn't squish it. I have an older, more manual model it sounds like from the descriptions of the newer ones that some of you have. Mine was pretty expensive back then. I think it was around $300, but I've seen similar models for $149 lately.

I like sealing in mason jars about as much or more than the bags. They each have their place. I like the way the jars look in the cupboard with all this stuff in them.

I see the bags at lots of stores. They have precut ones which I don't like particularly, and they have them on a continuous roll so you can cut it to the size you need. I vacuum pack a 10 lb sacks of flour and they are rock hard until you open them. When I first got this thing, there were terrific sales on flour here..like 49 cents for 10 lbs. I kept buying them and vacuum packing them. The cupboard was getting pretty full. I counted the bags, and I had 40 of them...400 pounds of flour. Well that was a long time ago, and I've used every bit of it, and there wasn't ONE BUG anywhere.

[lindrusso]

Norma or anyone else who can enlighten me once again,

Another question. I have never canned before. Am I right to assume that the FoodSaver, using the mason jars, just keeps things fresh but does not take the place of canning - say for tomatoes? Is part of the process of canning using heat to guard against bacteria? Thanks!

[Norma]

Lindrusso, you are correct about the canning process.

I use mason jars this way...after the item is vacuum packed, I store it the way it would normally be stored...grains in the cupboard, meat in the freezer, fresh items in the refrigerator (they will usually keep twice as long), cheese in the refrigerator, etc.

I am in the middle of another experiment that I started last year. I made some currant jelly, vacuum packed the jars, and put them in the refrigerator (they wouldn't keep in the cupboard unless they had been processed in a water bath). So far they have been great. It's been over a year.

[JeanneW]

lindrusso, I can't believe you posted about this because I've been thinking about it! It seems like every time I turn on the TV I see the informercial for this product. I feel like it's trying to tell me something. I didn't know it was available at places like BJ's and Walmart so I'm off to hunt one down.

Thanks for everybody's input. I'm looking forward to fresh cheese forever! Not to mention brown sugar and no more freezer-burned meat.

[BarbaraL]

A recent post mentioned the Food Saver, reminding me about this thread -- thank you, search function! I noticed a gadget like this at Target for around $60 -- didn't note if it was Food Saver or another brand. Costco has the Tilia Ultra Food Saver for $159.99; refill bags (box with 2 11" rolls and 2 8" rolls) for $26.99. Is that a good price? What models do you have or would recommend?

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by BarbaraL:
I noticed a gadget like this at Target for around $60 -- didn't note if it was Food Saver or another brand. Costco has the Tilia Ultra Food Saver for $159.99; refill bags (box with 2 11" rolls and 2 8" rolls) for $26.99. Is that a good price? What models do you have or would recommend?

I posted part of this answer under the warehouse thread.

I don't know anything about the Target model - I saw it too, but I stuck with the FoodSaver since it is the more widely distributed brand.

I think that most of the models do just about the same thing. The price mostly reflects what gadgets you get with your FoodSaver (cansiters, mason jar attachment, etc.).

I would recommend springing for at least the 550 model that I got. This model allows you to use the vac system with mason jars as well which I plan to use to keep raisins fresh and things like leftover baking supplies (extra coconut, things like that that tend to dry out). I don't believe that the base model sold for $99 allows you to do this?? Or am I wrong?

Hope this helps a little.

[lanie]

Very challenged here - do you mean you can vac-pack mason jars? and where does one keep them in the cupboard/fridge/freezer AND if one wanted to make tomatoe sauce - how do you vac-pack that? Can you just put it in a mason jar and put in the cupboard - what about botulism (sp?) - I too am very interested in buying one - in Canada here and think they are a little more costly - on TV we have to pay US $ - anybody bought one in Canada yet?

[lindrusso]

No you're not challenged!!! Vac packing with mason jars only prolongs freshness by sucking out all the air with a special attachment, but DOES NOT take the place of canning since there is no use of heat. Therefore, when you use the FoodSaver with mason jars, you would store the food as you normally would - shelf, fridge or freezer.

I plan to use the mason jars for things like cornstarch, corn meal, raisins, shredded coconut - anything that doesn't get used quickly that I'd like to keep fresh. I try to use things up once opened, but sometimes I just don't get around to it and they dry up or go bad.

As for tomato sauce, again you wouldn't be canning, but I do plan to put my leftover sauce in mason jars and keep it in the fridge - it seems to go moldy before I use it, but I don't necessarily always want to freeze it - especially Alfredo sauce since this didn't freeze so well for me last time.

Hope this helps. It actually helps to watch the infomercial for this one - it's very informative and has lots of good tips! The only time I actually WANTED to watch one of those things!

[Jeanne G]

Lindrusso(Sales Girl!),

After reading your thread and checking out the box it comes in, at Wallmart tonight(BTW $99.00) I bought the darn thing! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif Your post has made me think you should call up these folks and start a SALES CAMPAIGN!!

I dug up all my carrots last week and planned to blanch them and freeze them in ziplocks tonight, but I'm suckered into trying out another kitchen gadget that I will have to find room to store! I'm a bit scared and hope it do it right! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif It looks - and sounds - like it's a worthy machine and I wish I would have had it around while processing many other veggies from my garden this year.

Although I too am confused on using it w/ mason jars???!! Do you put the lid on, etc then stick it into the bag? Why bother with the jar? Why not just vacuum pack it w/o? Just curious! Be kind, I'm new to this!

Thanks!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Jeanne

[This message has been edited by Jeanne G (edited 10-17-2000).]

[lindrusso]

Hi Jeanne,

I'm new to this too. It looks like I know what I'm talking about because I happened to watch the infomercial for this product when I was at the gym one day!

I'm a visual person, so I'm including a photo here of the contraption I'm talking about. Now the lowest priced model does not seem to have the little port for the vacuum hose used for the jars, but I could be wrong about that.

I plan to use the jars for things that would not do as well in a bag - flour, raisins, sauce, cornstarch, etc. I plan to use the bags for most things, but there are baking/cooking supplies that I either don't use very often (like cornmeal or dry milk) or that I don't use up right away (like shredded coconut) that I can keep fresh by vac-packing.

Does it make sense now? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

http://members.aol.com:/lindrusso/saver.jpg

[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 10-18-2000).]

[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 10-18-2000).]

[Jeanne G]

WOW!
Thanks for the picture (how do you DO that?!) It makes way more sense now. I thought you stuck the jar into the bag! Thanks alot!!

[karole]

i just got my food saver yesterday. i am excited--it came with a video. i wonder can i pack cream cheese--cottage ect? of course there is an 800 number. what about red & green peppers? they say you can do salad for a whole week. i packaged my coffee today.

[SueK]

Originally posted by karole:
i just got my food saver yesterday. i am excited--it came with a video. i wonder can i pack cream cheese--cottage ect? of course there is an 800 number. what about red & green peppers? they say you can do salad for a whole week. i packaged my coffee today.

Karole-I think you'll really like yours. After this thread was posted last fall, I put one on my Christmas list, and I use mine all the time. I don't see a problem at all with using it for peppers. I use it for just about everything. Last week I traveled, and I even used it to seal up some liquid stuff (for contacts) because one time they leaked all over my clothes in the suitcase. It's versatile!

[BarbaraL]

I also asked for and received a FoodSaver for Christmas. I love it! I can't say I've put it to any really difficult tests yet (none of my food's been stored or frozen for a really long time yet), but it seems to work really well. AND the food takes up less space in the freezer or fridge. As I joined Price Club/Costco this fall, it's really coming in handy. Two days ago, I bought huge packages of pork chops, sirloin steak and chicken breasts. Divided them up (3 pieces per package/ there's 3 people in my family), used the food saver, then some in the fridge, rest in the freezer. Great!

[Curleytop]

Originally posted by Jeanne G:
Lindrusso(Sales Girl!),

After reading your thread and checking out the box it comes in, at Wallmart tonight(BTW $99.00) I bought the darn thing! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif Your post has made me think you should call up these folks and start a SALES CAMPAIGN!!

I dug up all my carrots last week and planned to blanch them and freeze them in ziplocks tonight, but I'm suckered into trying out another kitchen gadget that I will have to find room to store! I'm a bit scared and hope it do it right! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif It looks - and sounds - like it's a worthy machine and I wish I would have had it around while processing many other veggies from my garden this year.

Although I too am confused on using it w/ mason jars???!! Do you put the lid on, etc then stick it into the bag? Why bother with the jar? Why not just vacuum pack it w/o? Just curious! Be kind, I'm new to this!

Thanks!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Jeanne

[This message has been edited by Jeanne G (edited 10-17-2000).]
Ok, this is how you use the jars:
Put your raisins or whatever in the jar,
put on the little lid that comes with the mason jar. (not the ring). Place the round top with the hose attached to the top of the foodsaver, press down the sides and watch the little green marker until it fills the
window. Remove the top of the vacuum, and the lid should be tight. Then you can put the ring on it. The ring does really nothing, but should (over time) that the vacuum doesn't hold on to the lid (it happens) then, the top won't come off and spill the stuff. Any questions? Let me know. Didn't you get a video with it?
Good luck!

[Curleytop]

Originally posted by Jeanne G:
Lindrusso(Sales Girl!),

After reading your thread and checking out the box it comes in, at Wallmart tonight(BTW $99.00) I bought the darn thing! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif Your post has made me think you should call up these folks and start a SALES CAMPAIGN!!

I dug up all my carrots last week and planned to blanch them and freeze them in ziplocks tonight, but I'm suckered into trying out another kitchen gadget that I will have to find room to store! I'm a bit scared and hope it do it right! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif It looks - and sounds - like it's a worthy machine and I wish I would have had it around while processing many other veggies from my garden this year.

Although I too am confused on using it w/ mason jars???!! Do you put the lid on, etc then stick it into the bag? Why bother with the jar? Why not just vacuum pack it w/o? Just curious! Be kind, I'm new to this!

Thanks!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Jeanne

[This message has been edited by Jeanne G (edited 10-17-2000).]
Ok, this is how you use the jars:
Put your raisins or whatever in the jar,
put on the little lid that comes with the mason jar. (not the ring). Place the round top with the hose attached to the top of the foodsaver, press down the sides and watch the little green marker until it fills the
window. Remove the top of the vacuum, and the lid should be tight. Then you can put the ring on it. The ring does really nothing, but should (over time) that the vacuum doesn't hold on to the lid (it happens) then, the top won't come off and spill the stuff. Any questions? Let me know. Didn't you get a video with it?
Good luck!
BECAME IMPATIENT AND ADDED IT TWICE:O sorry!



[This message has been edited by Curleytop (edited 02-22-2001).]

[Andrew]

We are on our SECOND Food Saver, one of our kids 'Borrowed" the old one and won't return it.
I LOVE IT!! Expecially the canisters which I use for marinating. If the recipe says marinate over night I plop the item in the canister with the marinade, vacuum seal it and in about 20 minutes it's done. The vacuum opens the pores of the meat so all the goodies get inside quicker. In fact we've purchased more of the canisters to keep four and dry foods in. The little can sealers are delightful for when a recipe calls for a tablespoon or so of tomatoe sauce. Same with the bottle sealers for balsamic vinegar. The food saver is one appliance I don't want to be without as it really does save lots of money on cheeses and most everything. The only thing it doesn't seem to work well with is sealing muchrooms.

Andrrew

[Leonard]

My DH bought me a foodsaver a couple of years ago. It did a good job, but each machine uses only their brand of bags. Just my luck, the company went out of business and so that was the end of the foodsaver!!!!

[Curleytop]

What do you mean the company went out of business???
You can order the bag material with their
800 #. You can buy it at Costco for sure.
Look in your instructions that came with the Food saver where to order. I know they are up in the bay area.

[Mitchdoggy]

Ok -- I'm hooked. I went to the Tilia home page and they have 5 different models listed.
1. FoodSaver Compact II
2. FoodSaver Professional II
3. FoodSaver Ultra
4. FoodSaver Deluxe
5. FoodSaver BagVac
The Professional is by far the most expensive. Can everyone tell me which model they have?Is it better go cheap-or all out.

[Mitchdoggy]

Where does everyone buy the bags? Costco? Does everyone reuse them?

[Curleytop]

Yes, I reuse them. In the instructions, they mention that the bags can be washed. You can even put them in the dishwasher! They suggest, that you make the bag larger than needed, so when you have to cut off the end to get the item out of the bag, it is still usable for a second time or more.
Speaking of bags, I really miss the VEGETABLE BAGS that were available years ago.
The ones with the holes in them! They were made by ziploc or glad. I still have a few
I find them great for lettuce (after you spin out the water). I also use them for strawberries (in the baskets). I must confess that I wash them and reuse them http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif
How do you keep your veggies in the fridge???
HEY, I JUST MADE MEMBER!

[Curleytop]

Originally posted by Mitchdoggy:
Ok -- I'm hooked. I went to the Tilia home page and they have 5 different models listed.
1. FoodSaver Compact II
2. FoodSaver Professional II
3. FoodSaver Ultra
4. FoodSaver Deluxe
5. FoodSaver BagVac
The Professional is by far the most expensive. Can everyone tell me which model they have?Is it better go cheap-or all out.

I have a Foodsaver compact, my son has the
Professianal. The professional is more deluxe. With the compact, you must depress
both sides until the green fills the window and the vacuuming has finished.
In the deluxe, (it is a physically larger unit) you can keep the bag material inside
the unit. When you vacuum pack an item, you only need to depress the top until the green starts to show in the window, then you can stop holding the top down. It takes over automatically and when the green fills the window, the unit turns itself off.
Now, must tell you, that both of our Foodsavers are at least 5 or 6 years old!
The reason I got the smaller unit is that my son gave it to me as a gift!

[Curleytop]

Originally posted by Mitchdoggy:
Ok -- I'm hooked. I went to the Tilia home page and they have 5 different models listed.
1. FoodSaver Compact II
2. FoodSaver Professional II
3. FoodSaver Ultra
4. FoodSaver Deluxe
5. FoodSaver BagVac
The Professional is by far the most expensive. Can everyone tell me which model they have?Is it better go cheap-or all out.

I have the Compact, my son has the Professional.
The Professional, is a larger unit, and more expensive. It can store the bag material in the body, the compact cannot.
With the compact you must depress both sides to vacuum until the window is filled with the green. In the professional you only have to depress the top until the green begins to show in the window. Then you can walk away and it will shut itself off.
Otherwise, they do they same thing.

[lindrusso]

Mitchdoggy-

Unless I am mistaken, I have found that the major differences are this. The cheapest model - usually about $99 - cannot be used with mason jars. If you'd like a more flexible model that does use the mason jars (I love to use these for leftover sauces, grated cheese - anything that a bag would squish), then you need to spend at least $129 to get the Compact or 550 model. Some of the models seem to vary only by what items are included - for instance my 550 model was $129, but it came with a couple of lids, one canister, 2 bags, etc.

The Pro model is more automatic, lets you do faster sealing one after the other (my model says you should wait 20 seconds between seals) but also lets you control the vacuum sealing manually. This could be useful if you are doing items that can be squished. The completely automatic model keeps sucking out the air until ALL air is out - it makes for a tight package. If you are doing baked goods, you might want to stop the vacuum procedure so that things don't get squished. I find the 550 model quite adequate. The Pro model seems better suited for those who will be doing ALOT of sealing.

As for the bags, the cheapest place I've found them is at Sam's Club. I forget the price, but it was competitive.

[luv2cook]

I just saw the Food Saver by Tilia at Bed, Bath & Beyond. It was also $129 but came with jar attachment and 1 jar...AND they had 3 sizes of bags.

[JeanneW]

I am madly in love with my Food Saver. I'm using the heck out of the bags and want to start using Mason jars. My question is: Where can I find them? Do I have to wait for canning season? I've looked at grocery stores; where else should I look? Thanks for your help.

[SHERRY]

You can find mason jars at Walmart....they tend to be a little cheaper than the grocery store...You will have to ask what section they are in because if I remember correctly, they are not in any place I would have expected ( I think last time they had them in the paint dept :eek http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif...You can also find them at most large grocers in the isle with charcoal or cleaning supplies...good luck.

[Karen from VA]

or, they are few and far between anymore, but if you can find an old fashioned hardware store, they should have them. Can you believe we still have one in suburban Washington DC?

Karen

[JeanneW]

I'm way behind on the board so I just got this today. Thanks for the recommendation for WalMart and a local hardware store. We have both here in the Columbia, MD area.

Thanks again.

[funnybone]

I was in Costco yesterday and noticed they had the foodsaver that came with some bonus items (I think like containers), but am not sure which model of foodaver. I guess that iw why I have to do my homework.

Well, they had a large box of the bags next to it as well. I'm thinking of buying one in the future, so I decided to read this thread, as I really didn't pay attention to it in the first place. Just thought I'd inform you Costco shoppers that you can buy the bags there (if you already didn't know).

[JulieM]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Karen from VA:
I lay out my chicken breasts, sausages, pork chops, etc. in single layers on a cookie sheet and freeze overnight and then vac-pac them 3-4 to a pkg.

Karen, is it better to freeze the meat before you vac-pac it with the foodsaver? Or can you just vac-pac the raw meat and then freeze? BTW, I'm from Richmond (now living in Fort Lauderdale).
Thanks! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Julie

[wallycat]

I'm dragging this thread up again.

I've tried to read through most of the foodsaver threads but either i'm overlooking the obvious or I can't read :o

When you buy the one that can vacuum the mason jars...ANY mason jar will do, correct?
and do you need special lids? or any canning lid that comes with the mason jars will work??
and....from reading these threads, should I bother asking if I still really need one??

TIA

[sarah louise]

Originally posted by wallycat

When you buy the one that can vacuum the mason jars...ANY mason jar will do, correct?
and do you need special lids? or any canning lid that comes with the mason jars will work??
and....from reading these threads, should I bother asking if I still really need one??

TIA

You can seal any regular or wide-mouth mason jar with any lid for that size jar. There is a sealer for each size and I got just the wide-mouth. I like having this attachment, although on occasion the lids have popped off. I got some half pint wide-mouth jars and sealed some of my bagged Penzey's spices in them. I also have larger jars that are handy. My favorite reason to have a Foodsaver is to seal my romaine lettuce which I buy in bags. It lasts so much longer when I use the canisters rather than storing it in the bag it came in. -sarah

[funnybone]

Wally cat, are you sure you really want one? My foodsaver has been sitting idle since it won't seal bags any longer. This happened a month after the warranty ran out. I need to spend $50 plus s/h for them to attempt to fix it. It only cost $99 so I just can't see spending more than half to repair. Plus, I saw one on QVC that didn't seal bags for about $60 or $70 so I was tempted to buy that one to seal the bags as my jar sealer still works. I decided not to bother though, as the novelty of the machine wore off fast anyway.

[gperls]

Sarah's right about the mason jars, any will do. I use the wide mouth quart ones for soups, stocks, spaghetti sauce.

After reading alot of threads about how the cheaper Food Savers broke down, I ended up purchasing the Professional II model. It costs more, but has been faultless in the 2 years I've had it. I use it daily, but keep it out on a food prep area. If I had to keep it hidden away, I doubt I'd use it very often either.

[BarbaraL]

JulieM, I vac-pac the raw meat. I put the meat in the bag, and then put in a piece of paper towel, to stop any fluid from the meat from going into the machine.

I'm on my second FoodSaver. The first one stopped sealing the bags. It was still under warranty, so I was going to send it to Tilia. But, since I got it at Costco, I returned it for a full refund and bought a new one. The new one is a little more persnickety than the first one; the old one sealed everything, the new one sometimes doesn't like bags that have been reused a few times.

Since I shop at Costco, I really like my FoodSaver. I buy the big tray of boneless chicken breasts that they sell, and whole pork loins that I cut into chops myself (Costco slices them thicker than I like). I divide them into batches of 3 (3 people in my family), vac and freeze them. Works great!

[Lrimerman]

We bought a foodsaver off an infomercial about 2-3 years ago, we used it a lot in the beginning, but now it sits on a shelf in the garage.

My problem with it is that the bags tend to unvaccum after a while. Within a couple of months or so, there is air in the bags.

I don't know if it is problem with our machine or what.

I do use it to do mason jars. I would love the marinator dishes for it, but mine didn't come with any extra gadgets.

Lisa

[Norma]

My bags don't unseal unless there is a tiny slit or hole (invisible) in it. I can usually (not always) find the hole or slit and put a piece of masking tape on it. I have saved many bags that way. I could not live without my FoodSaver. It's been on my counter for 13 years (same one) and I use it every day.

[chefjon]

I love my Foodsaver and use it almost daily. It came with 3 cannisters and I use one to store my pre-packaged salad. DW amd I would try to go through one package at a time, but invariably, the salad would go bad. Now I buy two packages at a time and store the salad in one of the cannisters and suck the air out. It lasts until we eat it all! It also works great with cheese. I usually put my meats in the freezer for an hour or so to let them set up, then package them without putting any paper towels inside.