Recommended vacuum sealer?

[moxie]

Are there any brands/models that have served well enough to earn a recommendation? Also, anything crappy enough to be avoided outright?

[mr x]

I'm a bit cranky at my foodsaver, because you can't buy new parts from the fucking factory. The silicone strip needs replacing and I already had to repair the heat strip. Although I have a line on some new parts, it's no guarantee that they will work. If I was to do it again, i might consider the snorkel type....

[Tim Gregory]

All I can say is don't go cheap. I bought one at Home Hardware for 40ish and its less than useless.

Actually I shouldn't say that. It's usable but can't hold a candle to the ones we used at the last pickup.

[moxie]

T.G, are you referring to the "bicycle pump" one from HH?

I was wondering about that style compared to the electric ones. Maybe simpler is better? A $120 foodsaver will take a hell of a long time to pay for itself, but we would definitely use it for more than hops.

I have also been looking at the model from Rival. Apparently they were on for 60% off at CT in March. Looking through reviews at CT, it appears that Foodsaver and Rival are the same company.

[Tim Gregory]

No it is an electric one. Same style as the good ones. Just cheap flimsy plastic and it never gets all the air out. You can't turn a bag of hops into those big solid rocks like the good one does.

[TimG]

Bump!

Curious to see what is out there for vac sealers. Any that utilize 'cheap' bags.. (either on a long roll or just standard zip locks?)?

Thanks

[LiverDance]

Is this stricly for hops? I use water bottles and purge the air out with a carbonator cap, works like a charm.

[Tony L]

I'm a bit cranky at my foodsaver, because you can't buy new parts from the fucking factory. The silicone strip needs replacing and I already had to repair the heat strip. Although I have a line on some new parts, it's no guarantee that they will work. If I was to do it again, i might consider the snorkel type....

Let me know how you make out with the silicone strip. I have one that refuses to build up a vacuum enough to stop the vacuum
and start to sealer and I figure it is the strip that the bag sits on that is drawing in enough air to stop it from switching over.
I went and bought a seal a meal after my foodsaver gave up the ghost. Decent rig I must say.

[mr x]

I've found small rolls that look like they will work, but I've been suffering through with a piece of tinfoil glued to the bad part of the strip at the moment. Very ghetto....

[TimG]

Which one do you guys have (Tony and ?

Tim

[Keggermeister]

Cabella's has some nice sealers in their catalouge.http://www.cabelas.ca/store/?section=11 ... ductanchor

[maltster]

I found an older model food saver at Value Village for $5.99 plus tax. I bought it thinking it might be good for parts but it works great and came with a roll of bags.

[mr x]

oh, Cabelas has a maintenance kit with teflon tape....

[Tony L]

I have the foodsaver V345

[Jayme]

I ended up receiving a Snorkelvac as a birthday gift several months back and I love it. I haven't had it long enough to experience ordering parts, but they seem to be readily available on the website. PLUS it will seal mylar bags - perfect for hops. Plus it doesn't use those stupid roll-o-bags which I cannot tolerate.

http://www.sorbentsystems.com/sinbosealer.html

I know I had mentioned a group buy on them at one point (prior to getting mine as a gift). If you can get enough people in on it, price goes down!