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Farm Kitchen:  Vacuum Storage Sealers  |
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DianaMT
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Diana
Billings
Montana
USA
46 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 12 2008 : 10:43:55 PM
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Hi All,
I am thinking about buying one of the devices used to seal foods for freezing, like the Food Saver. I would love to hear feedback from others.
Thanks!
Diana MT |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 03:02:11 AM
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I have one, but hardly use it any more. I loaned it to a friend whose husband and kids hunt. She's putting it to good use. I did like the way you can seal things for the freezer, but since I have no counter space, I never just left it out for daily use. I felt the rolls of bags lasted a long time (for us anyways), so that was good too.
Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #74
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 07:00:16 AM
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I have one and LOVE it! It is in our cupboard except for when we are using it. We shop at Costco a lot. We use it to divide and freeze the meat. It's so nice to not lose any meat to freezer burn!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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aimeeravae
True Blue Farmgirl
341 Posts
Aimee
Deer River
MN
USA
341 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 09:11:38 AM
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I love mine. I use mine exactly the way Alee uses hers. I also use it for veggies to the freezer. I found THREE complete sets of the canisters at rummages so far this summer. Two of them were still in the box!!
Aimee
http://laplantewardklopf.blogspot.com/ Motto To Live By
"Life should NOT be a jouney to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!" |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 09:20:36 AM
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I love our food saver! Like some of the other gals I don't leave it out on the counter either. None the less I do use it seasonally. Besides being great for freezing veggies in we also use ours to seal up wild game. When I freeze fruits and veggies I always par freeze them in the freezer on a cookie sheet first. That seems to help prevent any bruising, especially on fruits.
However, my favorite use is for getting our camping foods ready. I usually always prepare and cut up various meals and store them in the bag. It saves a ton of space in the cooler. I have also frozen leftover soup and spaghetti in a container and then once it is frozen popped it out of the original container and put it in a storage bag. That way the kids can just reheat it in a pot of boiling water.
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
Although no one can go back and make a brand new start; anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 3:36:10 PM
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Diana:
I have one and love it. I freeze alot of things. I never get freezer burn.
Marly |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 5:38:08 PM
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Diana, here's another vote for the sealer. The amount of meat saved from freezer burn is well worth it.
God bless -
Karen
Farmgirl Sister #??? (to be filled in after I get my badge) |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4228 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4228 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 6:51:00 PM
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Well I have to admit, the food saver is just okay. Sometimes I get it to work right, sometimes I don't. Don't know what my problem is with the darn thing. I keep trying though. Yes I even have the food saver bags that I use. Help
I was given one of those ziplock sealer things. Not sure what it is called, but it seems to work well. Just have to buy those special bags.
Michele |
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Rivergirl_2007
True Blue Farmgirl
332 Posts
Shirley
Karnak
IL
USA
332 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 7:33:12 PM
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| I have two of them. I have one of the originals, which is smaller, and one my kids gave me for Christmas last year. I do not leave it out, but it is where I can get to it quickly and I keep the bags with it so I am not wasting time getting it set up. They are great, just like the others have mentioned, especially when you can buy in bulk and repackage. |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 8:52:47 PM
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I love my Food Saver. We've had it probably for 10 years and it's still going strong. I'm lucky enough that my laundry room is right next to the kitchen and I leave my Food Saver set up on the dryer so I only have a short walk to go use it. I must admit, I don't use the canisters very much, just the bags. It took us a while to get it where it works all the time, turned out to be user error of course! We shop at Sam's and I use it to repackage meats for the freezer. Hubby is going elk hunting this fall and I'll hopefully use it lots when he brings the game home. If mine were to poop-out I'd replace it in a heartbeat!
"Let us greet with a song of hope each day" |
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DianaMT
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Diana
Billings
Montana
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2008 : 10:55:19 PM
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Thanks Ladies,
One more question? Do you all have The Food Saver or another name brand? I am not sure which type/name brand to buy.
Diana MT |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2008 : 06:49:27 AM
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I have "The Food Saver" brand I think. You can come look at mine before making a decision, Diana!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2008 : 07:33:35 AM
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| I have had my Food Saver since '99. Love it, love it, love it. I have used the heck out of it. But now I think the rubber seal around the edge is wearing out cause I'm having trouble getting things to seal. I do like Christian does and freeze soup and stuff in containers then put them in a bag and seal. Love the fact that you can heat stuff up right in the bag. I especially like it for asparagus. |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2008 : 07:37:05 AM
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Mine is an actual Food Saver brand sealer!
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
Although no one can go back and make a brand new start; anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2008 : 08:11:24 AM
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Mine is a Food Saver also. My Dad got an different brand (Rival maybe?) and I don't think he likes it near as much. He got that one since it was much cheaper than the Food Saver.
Thought mine was going out too since it wasn't sealing very well. But since I'm not the best of housekeepers thought I'd clean it real good and that seemed to do the trick. It's been working fine ever since. It always amazes me when a little cleaning is all it takes for a "repair". You'd think I'd learn and keep things a bit cleaner! But then sewing or knitting or cooking or gardening calls my name and I abandon thoughts of becoming a better housekeeper!
Toto, we're not in Kansas any more! |
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DianaMT
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Diana
Billings
Montana
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2008 : 10:42:42 AM
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Thanks Ladies,
My concern was picking up an unknown brand at Wal Mart/K Mart/Ace, etc - then like many things, it starts to fall apart in a year.
Alee, I will take you up on that offer. :-) Holler when you want to demo - lol
Audrey - I'm with you on the knitting, spinning, part. I let others know that I would like to have cleaned, but then who would get all that knitting done! ;-)
Diana MT
Is your tea pot ready for winter:
http://montanamadetradingpost.com/patterns.html |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2008 : 07:29:15 AM
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| Audry, Brilliant!! Clean the thing. I'll put that on my list of things to clean. It will come after cleaning that bottom thing on the refrigerator. |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2008 : 08:52:53 AM
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Bottom thing on the refridgerator? I thought that was a dog hair collector 'cuz it sure does a fine job of that! Jeeze! Now there's another thing I have to confess to never clean. 
Toto, we're not in Kansas any more! |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2008 : 1:54:40 PM
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We have TWO of those things. I don't know what brands they are, but they really ARE lifesavers. My husband went CRAZY vacuum sealing EVERYTHING when he first got them. (I even found some canning lids/rings all nice and sealed-- silly man!) It's also great to use if you do a lot of food dehydrating. The vacuum sealed fruits and veggies (and jerky and smoked fish etc...) keep a lot longer than just storing them in glass jars too. So, I have to agree that they are sooo worth having.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2008 : 5:40:44 PM
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| Don't economize, get the Foodsaver. If you shop at Costco or Sams, they usually have a nice package deal where you get more stuff with it. And the bags, though never "cheap" are much less pricey in the 6 roll box. Some models do more than others, so you might want to check their website to have the info you need. I got my last one at Tuesday Morning, the professional model, at a very good price, but they don't have them often. I've bought several at thrift shops, but you don't know if they work unless you have bag to try..so need to keep one in the car or know they have a return policy. I did find one for another farmgirl recently for $5, that was a good deal. and one for my stepmom at Penney's Outlet. |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2008 : 2:22:06 PM
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I just found one at the thrift store for 4.50 and it works!!!!
Audrey and Diane, I couldn't agree with you more! My problem is that no matter how much I clean it never stays that way, but when I knit, spin or sew it stays done and there is such a sense of accomplishment! I have rarely found that to be true of housework!
Monica
Farmgirls Rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2008 : 3:24:19 PM
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| Love it, as you all do as well. We also have the foodsaver brand. Another thing we use it for is chicken. . .we grow meat chickens in the spring and fall and seal them up (the whole body or breasts or legs, etc. . .) and they keep just wonderfully in the freezer! Also use it for corn on the cob, other frozen veggies, venison, etc etc. It is definitely a great investment if you have a large freezer. (by the way, I don't keep it out either. Just get it out of the garage whenever we need it.) |
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DianaMT
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Diana
Billings
Montana
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2008 : 10:28:11 PM
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Okay, Food Saver it is! :-) We do have a Tuesday Morning place, so I will keep an eye opened there. I will also check at Big Lots, wonder if some have made it there?
Thanks so much Ladies. I just didn't want to rush out and buy one, then find it is junk.
Diana MT
Is your tea pot ready for winter:
http://montanamadetradingpost.com/patterns.html |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2008 : 03:25:36 AM
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I also have a food saver it's kept on the counter I use that thing at least once a week!
it worked great for storing all the berries that were harvested this year saves on space too
I think the vacuum sealing makes a huge difference as far as freshness goes
did notice that sometimes the seal doesn't work if there's a lot of moisture or wetness inside the bag but generally 9 times out of 10 it works well
its also good for packaging smaller portions of meat bought in bulk |
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paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2008 : 09:08:08 AM
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We have the Food Saver, and I'm ready to get a bigger one. We process a lot of our own meat (sausage, deer, etc.) and use the Food Saver to freeze it. I also use if for fruits and veggies. To be honest, I don't think we could survive without it!
from the hearts of paradise... |
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Rivergirl_2007
True Blue Farmgirl
332 Posts
Shirley
Karnak
IL
USA
332 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2008 : 5:28:30 PM
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| Diane - I have a Black and Decker and it works great. I made stuffed bell peppers for dinner tonight and while they were in the oven baking, I sealed enough stuffed peppers for another 14 meals. It really takes very little time and the results are wonderful. |
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Farm Kitchen: Vacuum Storage Sealers |
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Vacuum Storage Sealers
