Foodsaver Vacuum Sealers

I bought myself a Foodsaver for Christmas and was wondering who has one and what tips can you offer me?  I need ideas of things to use it on.  I also found a website and bought off-brand rolls of plastic to make my bags with.  It was much cheaper than the Foodsaver brand.  Do you use rolls or premade bags?  Do you use the canisters?  Do you seal liquids like spaghetti sauce?  How long does stuff last in the refridge after you seal it?  Do you seal up chips/pretzels/cookies?   As you can see I'm a novice so any help you can offer, I'll take.

So far I've sealed:
Meat-both cooked and uncooked in portions for 2-3 people-(freezer)
Shrimp (in the shell, raw)-freezer
Cheese- I've bought big blocks at Costco and cut it into smaller sizes-(both refridge and freezer)
Coleslaw-I bought a huge bag today at Sam's for less than $3 and vacuum sealed 1/2 of it (fridge).

Thanks!!!

 

 

No tips or suggestions.... but dang I really need to get one of these!!!!

I have one, but don't use it nearly as much as I should.  I probably need to start again.  We tend to prepare something and eat it for three or four days.  No need to foodsaver it. 

I have used off brand bags, with no problem.  Just that it seems with the non-Foodsaver bags, sometimes after a couple of weeks there seems to be a leak.  It is not a factor with us, because nothing sits in the freezer or fridge for that long. 

I probably prefer the premade ones, even though there is sometimes too much waste.  I just don't like having to seal both ends.

We do use it for the cheese, because we go through so much. 

I have not done any liquids in the bag though. 

When I made the turkey meatballs, I froze them in groups of seven or eight. 

I have not used the canisters, and really don't know where they are now.

I would only seal chips/pretze/etc if I had the canister.

The only advice I have is to remember that when it vacuums out air, it also takes liquid at the end of the vacuuming.  There is a tray that collects it, be sure to keep it clean.

Enjoy it.  I have used it many times over the years.  I am probably on my third one now.  I started using it while I was in the military, many years ago.  Mary and I used to make our own bread and use it for that.

I want a new one! I complete wore out my first one bought when you could only get them through infomercials! I loved the canisters, things stayed fresh and crisp so much longer. Mine also had a jar sealer, it would seal any wide mouth canning jar. I used those for everything, especially for things that would crush like chips. Back then there weren't any premade bags.

I really enjoyed using it for things not food related. For instance seal several rows across and make your own blister packs for vitamins.

As George mentioned, when you seal liquids or even stuff like raw meats, at the end it will suck out some liquid. Be sure you watch for it and clean the hose and that compartment. At least that's how the old one's worked.

I didn't use it in the 'fridge as much as I did the freezer except for block cheese. It lasts forever when you seal it!

Stephanie,

I have one and we use it all the time.  I mostly use it for meats.   Never thought about splitting the salad and resealing it.  Anyway, the next time your at the grocery store stop by the meat counter and get them to give you some of the sheets that they place on the bottom of most meats that acts as an absorbent pad.  I call them "meat diapers".  Place one of these in the sealing bag next time and you will not have the problem of the juice.  I found that if the portion of the bag to be sealed has any moisture on it, then it does not seal.
  Melissa V

Hi Stephanie,

Here are my notes:

- We use the off-brand rolls. We had the trouble with them not staying sealed but we googled it and learned that you need to let the seals completely cool before putting them in the fridge or freezer. we have not had a problem since then.

- We reuse some of the bags if they weren't used for meat. Turn them inside out and run them through the dishwasher.

- Preseason your meat. Then when you take it out of the freezer to thaw it marinates at the same time. REALLY GOOD!

I will add more if I can think of it!

I have had one for about 4 years and I love it!  I use the rolls and make my own bags.

This summer I used it on my garden tomatoes when we had more ripen at once than we could eat before they went bad.  Just threw them in some boiling water for a couple of minutes to remove the skins and shopped them up and vacuum sealed them and threw them in the freezer.  Whenever my husband needed tomatoes for a sauce or soup he grabbed a bag out of the freezer and used it - you could really tell the difference in flavor over the canned.

I also use it for leftovers to bring to work since they tend to pile up when we are cooking a lot.  Although not as much since my oldest lost his job and needs to eat cheap :(

I use mine religiously! One thing about the off brand bags. Before you stock up on em, make sure you check em out. One tip I will give you. When you shrink wrap something, meat or whatever, make sure you let the bag cool off before freezing. I would seal a bag and throw it straight into the freezer. And the seal will come open. Make sure after sealing you let that seam cool off!

I buy bulk/family size packets of meat/fish/poutry on sale and will divide it up into serving sizes for Michelle and I and use them like that. Also, if you freeze already cooked foods you can reheat in the bag. Make sure you put a vent hole though! 

Never tried liquids. I dont see how liquid would work in a bag though because it "sucks" all the air out and it seems to me that it would just suck the liquid out. I Actually plan on buying some of the cannisters and putting a full meal in there and then bringing it to work. Just havent done it yet.


Happy sealing! 

Just noticed Michelle already posted the same thing I said, lol.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.  In case you're wondering I bought my bags/rolls from www.thesweetattack.com.  I ordered mine on Christmas eve and they were here a few days later.  They also shipped my 6 rolls in one flat rate box to save on shipping.  I've had no problem with them sealing or holding a seal so far.

I did read a few hints online:

Boating-vac seal your phone, keys, etc-anything you don't want to get wet.

Seal real silverware to prevent tarnishing

seal up over ripe bananas to bake banana bread with later.

Seal the end of a regular chip bag to lock in freshness-Don't vacuum, just seal

Make a roadside emergency kit for your car and seal it shut

Partially freeze moist meats first then vac seal to prevent sucking up too much liquid.

Spread fresh berries on a cookie sheet, freeze then vac seal.