it's time to replace my old Seal-a-Meal. It's did a pretty good job over the years but doesn't seem to work quite as good these days. I want to be able to find bags very easy so I'm thinking sticking with a name brand is the way to go. so...what would you buy? and why?
thanks in advance
I have a FoodSaver brand and am happy with it. It's lasted a long time. I gave my dad one for Christmas a number of years ago and his is still going strong as well. No problem finding brand name and aftermarket bags for it.
About a year ago i bit the bullet and bought a Vacpak-it VMC10OP. It's a chamber vacuum with an oil pump for cooling. Bags are super cheap compared to foodsaver and you can vacuum wet food/meat. Even vacuum water. I use mine all the time, its especially nice when I make sausage, I can pack 200 lbs without ever having to let it cool. It takes about 25 seconds per pack and is quiet. It's a bit more pricey but it has been a great investment for me since I use it all the time. The bags are around 7-8 cents a piece. https://www.webstaurantstore.com/vacpak-it-vmc10op-chamber-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-10-1-4-seal-bar-and-oil-pump/186VMC10OP.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInZjsupai6QIV0P7jBx1tYwPLEAQYAiABEgJhJ_D_BwE
Quote from: sswv on May 07, 2020, 10:06:15 AM
it's time to replace my old Seal-a-Meal. It's did a pretty good job over the years but doesn't seem to work quite as good these days. I want to be able to find bags very easy so I'm thinking sticking with a name brand is the way to go. so...what would you buy? and why?
thanks in advance
Had a problem with mine took the gaskets off and wet them with water. Rung them out and installed them. Works like new. Try this before you buy another one.
I kill a lot of deer every year, a few turkeys and put up fish, okra, etc every year. I have used a Foodsaver brand sealer for at least 15 years.
I own 3 (one was about 140 and the other 2 were on clearance for about 40). I use the 2 cheaper ones to speed up the sealing process when doing multiple deer at one time. The biggest difference in the cheap vs the more expensive one is the higher priced one has a bag cutter built in and multiple speed setting for vacuuming and settings for wet/dry vacuuming.
Make sure you get one with a bag cutter built in to the unit.
As far as bags go, Foodsaver routinely has sales on boxes of bags and they are cheaper the more you buy. If mine quit today, I would have a new one ordered immediately.
Food saver has worked well for me.
I have a Food Saver sportsman model and love it. I have had it now for 7 years and it works like a charm. I can either use it with pre-made bags or make my own bags as it has that capability. I also like that I can plug mine into my truck so I can use it in the field if I want. I have taken my on hunting trips and processed my game on the spot , vacuum sealed it and into the cooler it went. Get home and into the freezer.
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-pro-350-external-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-12-seal-bar/120VMA350.html
I have this one. Also recommend buying the bags from this company as well as any heavy duty ziplock bags you may need.
Quote from: WALKER80 on May 07, 2020, 03:24:41 PM
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-pro-350-external-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-12-seal-bar/120VMA350.html
I have this one. Also recommend buying the bags from this company as well as any heavy duty ziplock bags you may need.
This is where i order my bags also. 1000 bags will last the average person a very long time.
I have 2 foodSavers and some other brand , i like FoodSaver the best ...
Food Saver is the best.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Food saver and bags are cheap on Amazon
I use a Foodsaver and have no complaints. I don't give it tons of use but a few times a month and it's been fine. This is where I get my bags from:
https://vacuumsealersunlimited.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzpfO7Imj6QIVlITICh2gwgUGEAAYASAAEgJB7vD_BwE
Amen on the food saver. Love it.
Quote from: RutnNStrutn on May 07, 2020, 08:13:15 PM
Food Saver is the best.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
I'll disagree. I've been through 5 of em before i switched to the chamber vac. Once you use a chamber you'll never buy another foodsaver.
thanks everyone for your replies. just for kicks I contacted Seal-a-Meal and ask if they would help me trouble shoot the unit. they had several questions and I told them the biggest complaint was the unit did not create enough heat on the bar to properly seal the bags anymore. after running the unit several times with that nice lady on the line she ask for my e-mail address and told me she was going to send me an e-mail. once I get it send her a picture of my unit with the power cord cut off and a piece of paper with the case# she provided and my shipping information. I explained to her that the call was for some trouble shooting advice to see if my unit could be salvaged. She was very adamant that I e-mail her the pictures and explained my unit was no longer available but the model that replaced it would show up at my door via FedEx. I guess some businesses actually do take pride in customer service and stand behind their product. what got me was the lady did not care one bit that my unit was an older one that I have been using for many years.
I know I'll be ordering all my bags directly from them from now on just to show my appreciation and, I'm gonna buy another unit from them just to speed up the deer processing in the fall.