New Food Saver

[Joyce]

After reading about the Food Saver on the board, I finally bought one this weekend and wanted to share with you all how happy I am with it. I think the best thing is that I can buy a bunch of regular masonry jars to store things in the fridge instead of a lot of expensive canisters. I certainly can't understand how you could wash a bag in the dishwasher though. It seems like it would just float into the heating element. Does anyone have any great "secrets" to share with me about different uses? Also, is it possible to seal a regular bag with this??

[sal]

Joyce, I've had great success putting bags in the dishwasher - I turn them inside out and put them in the top rack over the prongs (the things that stick up that separate the rack into sections). Haven't had any problems yet. sal

[karole]

i found 1/2 gallon ball mason jars at my hardware--put in carrots --iceberg==brocoli==brocoli would not seal--called tilia ==they say don't vac pac broc--cauli or cabbage==gas could make them emplode. also got pint jars--good for smalls. previously i had only used quart jars--so this is good. celery cut in half--freen onions cut in half--to heck with the crisper drawer!!!! also bacon rolled individually rolled up & in jar--yeah!!!!i feel good

[Joyce]

Karole,
So many new ideas, I don't even know where to start. I just had to throw out most of what was in my freezer, since it was all in pretty bad shape. I am making a new start and, hopefully, saving money. I hadn't even thought about how much better my celery, scallions, etc. will now keep. I am going to try it for my herbs too.

[mamacox]

What is a food saver? I just found this bulletin board this week and am amazed at the number of ideas I have already gotten! Thanks a bunch.

[funnybone]

mamacox - A food saver is a machine that vacuum packs food - especially for food storage. I am considering getting one. You can do a search for food saver and you will see past discussions on it. You have probably seen them on TV informercials, but they are available in stores.

[mamacox]

Originally posted by mamacox:
What is a food saver? I just found this bulletin board this week and am amazed at the number of ideas I have already gotten! Thanks a bunch.

Never mind, I just discovered the search function on this BB, and now I have another thing to put on my wish list.

[funnybone]

Oh mamacox, you might want to check out the following post entitled: How much has this BB cost you?
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/006212.html

[jmarie]

I have seen the food Saver mentioned several times includig the topic"How much has this BB cost you?" But what I am wondering is the concept...you say you can put carrots and celery in it...what does it do and/or actually, how much longer of a shelf life does it give these foods....and what if you store carrots and you only need a few out...do you reseal? Please give all the details for those of us who have never even heard of it...I have never even seen the infomercial! OH ! And where did y'all buy y'alls?
Thanks, in advance!
Joyce!

[This message has been edited by jmarie (edited 04-25-2001).]

[Joyce]

Being as cheap as I am (!!!)The foodsaver comes with special plastic bags (by the bag or by the roll so you can cut to fit). The bags are somewhat expensive, but are microwavable, boilable and washable. BUT there are also "universal lids" that fit on just about any jar or can that allow you to vacuum pack items right in the original container OR it will also vacuum pack regular mason jars. I figure the jars are the cheapest way to store things in the refrigerator, since they are totally reusable. To use just a little of an item, you just loosen the vacuum seal with the edge of a spoon and then reseal. It's easier to understand if you see it on TV, or visit the site. Things kept in the freezer in bags will keep 2-3 yrs. with no freezer burn or ice crystals, and things like cheese can be kept in the fridge for 6-8 months. A shelf life of days for produce can be extended to a few weeks.

[funnybone]

Originally posted by jmarie:
OH ! And where did y'all buy y'alls?
Thanks, in advance!
Joyce!

[This message has been edited by jmarie (edited 04-25-2001).]

I have seen them at Costco, Linens 'n Things, department stores, etc. If you start looking, you will see them. Costco sells a huge roll of replacement bags as well. I will end up buying one there, when I get around to it. Oh, there are different food saver models as well.
www.foodsaver.com (http://www.foodsaver.com)

Here is Costco's deal
www.costco.com/frameset.asp?trg=product%2Easp&catid=89&subid=90&hierid=749&prdid=29933&log= (http://www.costco.com/frameset.asp?trg=product%2Easp&catid=89&subid=90&hierid=749&prdid=29933&log=)

[This message has been edited by funnybone (edited 04-25-2001).]

[Curleytop]

As a longtime Foodsaver user, here are the things that I vacuum pack. All nuts, grains
especially brown rice, whole wheat flour,(these may get rancid after being opened. All those are packed in 1/2 gal Ball wide mouth jars; also coffee. None of these need to be refrigerated, just place in your pantry.
In the freezer, I vacuum pack both kinds of yeast, fast and regular, in the quart or the freezer jars which come in a box with blue writing on it (ball jars that is). I use the bag material for steaks and fish. You can wash the bags as someone else already
discussed in the dishwasher. I don't use the bag material too much, since it is quite pricey, even in Costco. I found that by using baggies for meats, marking them, and them put all the same things (ie hamburger) in a large ziploc in the freezer works fine for me.
As for sealing other bags, it doesn't always work. I still have an old Sealameal appliance, and I use it for sealing the bags
of pretzels that has been opened http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif
Can't think of any other things at the moment. If I think of something I will post it.

[jmarie]

I found this on the internet....does this sound like it has everything I would need?

FoodSaver Compact II Features include:
- One Button ~ One Touch sealing is automatic ~ press and hold to vacuum and seal
- State-of-the-Art Electronics ~ automatically indicates when a complete vacuum is reached
- No food spoiling while sealing ~ uniformly seals without overheating
- Great kitchen size ~ fits on or under the kitchen counter for easy access and storing
- Easy to use ~ no awkward edges, sizes or angles
- Patented vacuum channel prevents food or liquids from getting into the motor
- Teflon-coated Heat Seal Bar for creating strong, wide seals on VacLoc?Bags
- Powerful Piston Pump to remove the air
- Accessory Port for attaching the FoodSaver?Jar Sealer
- Altitude Adjustment Switch for optimum use at varying altitudes

The Foodsaver Compact II comes complete with:
1 Roll of VacLoc?Bags (11 in. wide x 20 ft. long)
Wide Mouth Jar Sealer
Easy-to-follow "How To" Video
Jan Muller's Vacuum Saving Secrets
Easy-to-understand Instruction Manual
Registration Card and Accessory Order Form

As Seen On TV! The Tilia FoodSaver Compact II Vacuum Sealing system. The FoodSaver Compact II is the best, commercial grade vacuum packing system that you can get for home use. The Compact II removes oxygen, the key element that damages food and valuables. Unlike smaller, less expensive units that use plastic rotary fans for suction, FoodSaver uses a nylon piston pump for a commercial quality vacuum. Perfect for sealing valuables from the elements, preparing food for storage, splitting up bulk food purchases for storage in the freezer, etc.

"Factory Serviced with a 1-Year Tilia Warranty
This factory serviced unit is in mint condition with all the trimmings, and carries a full year manufacturers warranty. The Foodsaver II carries a manufacturers list price of $179.95, so get yourself a great deal on this top-rated vacuum sealer kit while