Gregg Reavis
TVWBB Member
Do many people use the vacuum sealer? Does it work significantly better than a ziploc bag or wrapping in foil and a ziploc bag? Given the expense, I just wanted to determine if it's worth the investment.
Vacuum Sealer
- Thread starter Gregg Reavis
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Kevin Taylor
TVWBB All-Star
Hi, Gregg, and welcome!
It's one of those things....once you have it, you will wonder how you ever got along without it!
After sealing everything in site for the first month..I now only seal solids that I will be freezing. Subsequently, my bag expense has gone way down!
If you are BBQing, you NEED a sealer..simple as that. Many of the meats we cook are large roasts..butts, picnics, briskets, chuck roasts, etc...and you will end up with many leftovers. Sealing, freezing and then re-heating by boiling in the bag is the best way to do it.
Now, if you are simply holding the food for a couple of days in the fridge, then I personally feel there is no need for a vacuum sealer. Again, experience taught me this. To be constantly opening and re-sealing for 2 or 3 days, to me, is a waste of bags.
Anyway, whatever you do, welcome and have fun!
It's one of those things....once you have it, you will wonder how you ever got along without it!
After sealing everything in site for the first month..I now only seal solids that I will be freezing. Subsequently, my bag expense has gone way down!
If you are BBQing, you NEED a sealer..simple as that. Many of the meats we cook are large roasts..butts, picnics, briskets, chuck roasts, etc...and you will end up with many leftovers. Sealing, freezing and then re-heating by boiling in the bag is the best way to do it.
Now, if you are simply holding the food for a couple of days in the fridge, then I personally feel there is no need for a vacuum sealer. Again, experience taught me this. To be constantly opening and re-sealing for 2 or 3 days, to me, is a waste of bags.
Anyway, whatever you do, welcome and have fun!
Bruce Bissonnette
TVWBB Guru
Greg,
I agree with Kevin, I got my Foodsaver 550 in January and whenever I do pork butt or brisket there are plenty of leftovers which I vac-pack for another day and time, when I don't have time to fire up the WSM but really want some BBQ.
IMHO well worth the investment. Bags are pricey, however, Foodsaver also makes the Kenmore brand and the Sears bags work with the foodsaver and they are cheaper.
I agree with Kevin, I got my Foodsaver 550 in January and whenever I do pork butt or brisket there are plenty of leftovers which I vac-pack for another day and time, when I don't have time to fire up the WSM but really want some BBQ.
IMHO well worth the investment. Bags are pricey, however, Foodsaver also makes the Kenmore brand and the Sears bags work with the foodsaver and they are cheaper.
G
Guest
Guest
I just got my sealer two or so weeks ago and it's already been invaluable. Of course, having it leads me to make MORE meat than I need just so I can use it, but, dammit, that's ok too and I'm not ashmed /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif .
I highly recommend getting a nice model. It's just my wife and I so even when we cook normal stuff we often cook too much and she hates leftovers right away, so I now can freeze them and pull them out for quick dinners when I need.
High recommendation on the sealer.
I highly recommend getting a nice model. It's just my wife and I so even when we cook normal stuff we often cook too much and she hates leftovers right away, so I now can freeze them and pull them out for quick dinners when I need.
High recommendation on the sealer.
Richard Sterling
New member
It's very nice for those of us who like to cook more than needed to give away to friends. You know when they reheat it they won't be drying out the meat. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Rich
Rich
Gregg Reavis
TVWBB Member
Thanks for the replies. It sounds like a necessary item. I noted some comments at Amazon. Do you find that you have to freeze your barbecue first, or do you just slip a paper towel in with it?
Kevin Taylor
TVWBB All-Star
Gregg...
No need to slip paper towel in or freeze first. The meat is moist but not enough to get sucked into the motor.
I only use paper towel when sealing steaks with olive oil on them. A GREAT way to prepare the steaks.......rub down with olive oil, apply garlic and your favorite rub, then more olive oil. Seal and refrigerate for 4 days. Then cook. Will tenderize those sometimnes tough NY strips.
No need to slip paper towel in or freeze first. The meat is moist but not enough to get sucked into the motor.
I only use paper towel when sealing steaks with olive oil on them. A GREAT way to prepare the steaks.......rub down with olive oil, apply garlic and your favorite rub, then more olive oil. Seal and refrigerate for 4 days. Then cook. Will tenderize those sometimnes tough NY strips.
David Munson
TVWBB Super Fan
Usually just a slip a paper towel in with it. Actually only about a third sheet or so. Just enough to stop any juices from entering the vacuum chamber. As you start the vacuum and the air is sucked out you can see any juices working their way up.
When freezing berries or liquid or semi-liquid stuff (soup, spaghetti sauce) you need to freeze it first.
When freezing berries or liquid or semi-liquid stuff (soup, spaghetti sauce) you need to freeze it first.
Konrad Haskins
R.I.P. 3/23/2014
It is the greatest invention ever for Pork and Beef. I prefer to steam it hot even from frozen works better than nuking which is Ok and boiling which is a snake pit.
I bought the 750 from Costco. When I run out of bags and when the machine pukes and dies then I'm going to give these folks a call http://www.dougcare.com/packsupplies/embossed.htm
I bought the 750 from Costco. When I run out of bags and when the machine pukes and dies then I'm going to give these folks a call http://www.dougcare.com/packsupplies/embossed.htm
Gregg Reavis
TVWBB Member
Okay, this is my last question on this topic. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
It appears that most have the Tilia FoodSaver and their prices don't seem too bad. Is there a particular model or features that are better than others? Is the 550, 750, 1050, ProII a better deal than the others? Is there something about the one you're using now that you wish was different or think another model would work better?
It appears that most have the Tilia FoodSaver and their prices don't seem too bad. Is there a particular model or features that are better than others? Is the 550, 750, 1050, ProII a better deal than the others? Is there something about the one you're using now that you wish was different or think another model would work better?
Kevin Taylor
TVWBB All-Star
Gregg,
They all use the same motor, so it comes down to the extra's. How many canisters, wine corks, etc. Some of the lower models don't have the manual sealer, but they still work very good.
Many like the Pro models because of the built in bag cutter and other features not included with the others. The Pro models are "generally" an extra hundred dollars or so.
Check out eBay before you buy..they sell re-conditioned ones that are like new.
Go here and click on Appliance Feature Comparison......
Foodsaver Features
They all use the same motor, so it comes down to the extra's. How many canisters, wine corks, etc. Some of the lower models don't have the manual sealer, but they still work very good.
Many like the Pro models because of the built in bag cutter and other features not included with the others. The Pro models are "generally" an extra hundred dollars or so.
Check out eBay before you buy..they sell re-conditioned ones that are like new.
Go here and click on Appliance Feature Comparison......
Foodsaver Features
Doug D
TVWBB Hall of Fame
Some suggestions: Amazon is giving a $20 gift certificate, good towards future purchases, with a $99+ purchase in the kitchen store, thru 4/23. Free shipping, too.
Also check QVC-- you may have to dig around a bit-- but they usually have Tilia sealers with more accessories included than other sources. Important to remember that not all 550 models, for example, are created equal when it comes to what you get with them.
Sam's Club has a 750 with a lot of accessories, and they sell bags in a pack containing 3 rolls and 1 or 2 dozen pre-cut bags for $29.95.
Also check QVC-- you may have to dig around a bit-- but they usually have Tilia sealers with more accessories included than other sources. Important to remember that not all 550 models, for example, are created equal when it comes to what you get with them.
Sam's Club has a 750 with a lot of accessories, and they sell bags in a pack containing 3 rolls and 1 or 2 dozen pre-cut bags for $29.95.
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