Home of the BrewNosers

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

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....

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.

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.

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.

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

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

mr x wrote: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.

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....

Which one do you guys have (Tony and ?

Tim

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

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.

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

I have the foodsaver V345

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!