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Farm Kitchen:  Vacuum sealers worth it or not?  |
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star-schipp
True Blue Farmgirl
942 Posts
Starletta
Middletown
Indiana
USA
942 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 23 2012 : 2:59:48 PM
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Does anyone use vacuum sealers for food storage? What are the pros the cons and any other info you want to share? They are pricey and I need to do some farmgirl research before I make the decision. What brand did you buy and do you use it? They seem kind of bulky.....would love to know your thoughts. Thanks!
If you can't feed one hundred people, then just feed one. -Mother Teresa
Star - farmgirl sister #1927
Master Food Preserver
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4333 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4333 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2012 : 04:35:54 AM
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I have mixed feeling on them. I can't think of the name, but it is the big brand that I have. When it works it is good, but half the time it don't. Mine is older though, maybe the newer ones are better.
Michele |
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showthemlove
True Blue Farmgirl
50 Posts
Vanessa
Vermillion
SD
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2012 : 08:27:07 AM
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I have a Food Saver and love it. I do need to replace the accessory hose, though. It is not vacuuming properly. I use the sealer on things that are not just in the actual Food Saver bags, too. Like cereal, before we go on holiday, some mylar bags of spices. You can also dry seal canning jars with it, (the accessory hose) by putting your jar and seal into a larger Food Saver canister with the lid. Then vacuum. Now my quart size apple butter can be resealed and (I still put it in the fridge) then it doesn't get mold on the edge. I really really recommend this gadget. You can also get regular and wide mouth lids that reseal your jar without the canister.
I have been able to freeze more veggies without preblanching, because the removal of air decreases bacterial ability. Not all of these statements have been approved by the FDA (who cares?) but these are the things that I really get excited about with my FS.
I love the upper Midwest! |
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meggy2
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
barb
Flemington
Missouri
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2012 : 3:56:29 PM
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| I had one my from Walmart. I got so frustrated with it, it ended up in the back yard (not in one piece!). Mine wasn't worth the hassle. Maybe you'll have better luck. |
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Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2012 : 5:51:02 PM
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Love mine and use it all the time. I also vacuum dry goods in jars with the attachments. There was a previous post about this very subject. Here it is:
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=59617
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
I am trying to be the person my dogs think I am.
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
Edited by - Fiddlehead Farm on Aug 24 2012 5:52:38 PM |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1514 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2012 : 8:32:48 PM
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I'm with Meggy2. We bought a Food Saver several years ago when we still owned our fishing boat. We tried it for sealing fresh and smoked fish steaks and filets to go in the freezer and weren't happy with the results...it changed the texture of the fresh fish and also dried it out. The fish in the vacuum sealed bags seemed like it got freezer burned more easily than the stuff I just put in ziplock plastic bags and wrapped in freezer paper. We had similar results with a quarter of angus beef we froze. I had better luck with fruits and vegetables, but the bags are so expensive I finally gave up and have been using re-useable freezer containers for the past few years. Although I won't throw my Food Saver appliance out, I definitely don't use it very often. Mine did not come with the vacuum hose and bottles but I am looking forward to hearing what others think about them. Maybe that would be a good way for me to reclaim a useful purpose in my kitchen. Good luck!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Farm Kitchen: Vacuum sealers worth it or not? |
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Vacuum sealers worth it or not?
