Vaccum Sealers- Anyone have a suggestion on one or has one?

[snowhorse]

So after my first batch of meaties.....I need a sealer.

I did the water in the sink trick, but they don't stay sealed and I want something more reliable than a twist.

I know they are expensive and I have been looking around. Anyone have any dealings with any particular brand?

I would like to do my meaties that are only 5 or 6 lbs, and I'm only going to use it once a year on those. Probably more often with others meats and such because I am sure I'll end up loving it.

So if anyone has any suggestions or has had any dealings I would love to hear it

 

[terri9630]

I just bought the food saver that walmart/kmart sell. They work just fine.

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

I use the Food Saver brand... I love it. I am actually on my second one. Not because they are faulty, I just use the devil out them!!! Mom had a Black and Decker and it did not do as good as mine, or last as long.

 

[snowhorse]

Have you used them on something as large as a whole chicken?

 

[incubatingisfun]

biggest thing ive done in my food saver was a cleaned rabbit im sure a chicken would be fine

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

Quote:
Yep... I have sealed a whole hind quarter of a deer.. worked just fine!!

 

[terri9630]

We processed our chickens from 4-H last year and used the sealer on the 5 that we tossed in the freezer.

 

[snowhorse]

Awesome. They have different models and they range in price from $100 to $300.

Any idea what yours are?

 

[terri9630]

Mine was $129. Before tax. I use it for EVERYTHING. I have the vacuum sealed canisters for sugar, flour, mixes and such.

Oh, if you buy canisters or storage containers make sure they have the sealer adaptor with them. I bought some canisters from Sears and they didn't come with the sealer adapter. They said I couldn't buy just the adaptor but have to buy a Sears brand sealer to get it. So I what any upset customer who lives 100 miles from the store would do. I made my own adapter.

 

[jaku]

Heat shrink bags work pretty well too.