Vacuum Sealer.

[NatersXJ6]

So here is the grand question...

I've been kicking around the idea of a vacuum sealer for quite some time. Obviously the choice of make and model matters, as quality an cost will depend on that, but the more important issue is whether it will be used or join the other random kitchen gadgetry that clutters my pantry.

My main drive to purchase comes from the random balls of soggy meats that I had to try to cook on a recent canoe trip. It seems like separating food, ice, and water for certain when I can't use my fridge and have to use coolers is a good idea.

Do you have a vacuum sealer?

Do you actually use it?

Do you regret the purchase?

Thanks,

Nate

 

[mep1811]

I have a Foodsaver system and am sold on it for my trips. I find the vacuum sealed bag to be more water resistant if soaked in cooler water.

I've been now freezing my food and using dry ice in my Yeti as a freezer. As I want a meal I take the frozen food out the night before and put it in my fridge to defrost.

This frees up lots of space in my fridge. I can keep stuff frozen in the Yeti for a good five days.

Next trip, I plan on experimenting with sealing some soup and stew and cooking them by boiling the bag to heat up without a mess.

 

[motoz]

We have one and use it all the time.
Although more often than not we vehicle base camp though find it so helpful in preparing stores for the trip.

You can bag meats etc into portions and they take a lot less space in the fridge / cooler. With removing the air they're less susceptible to spoilage.
Prepared meals like pasta sauces, curry etc can be heated in the bag then served. This saves time, space and washing up pots.

We even vac pac spare parts for the vehicle like foam airfilter elements, loose nuts and bolts etc. Things that you may not use but handy to carry just in case.

 

[OCD Overland]

We have a chamber vac at home we use all the time. Too bulky to take on trips of course, but it helps to pack and helps keep food fresh, especially if you pasteurize it after.

 

[Hilldweller]

We have a FoodSaver from Costco and use it quite a bit. Not as much as when we had a cooler, but it still is handy.
Down-sizing portions, pre-cutting onions/peppers, dogfood portions, etc. It really works to extend the life of some foods and is a great convenience.
You can also heat bagged things up in boiling water ---- saves you from needing to clean a pan.

 

[tarditi]

I have a foodsaver and use it for some foods.

It has also been used to seal emergency gear or backpacking meals (like an MRE).

 

[dbreid]

I use my food saver a lot. Works great for packing up parts spares. Spare bearings or lug nuts or whatever. I even seal spare belts in those along with a 3x5 card with my handwritten notes on exactly which part it is.

 

[762X39]

I am on my 2nd FoodSaver (first one was bought at Costco at least 15 years ago). I not only use it to make smaller portions of bulk meat (including when I package my usually annual deer) but anything else I buy large portions of.I especially like it for packing individual or dual portions in my cooler or fridge for camping trips, fishing trips, cottage trips or whatever. I also seal survival kits with it for trips as required. Items vary from matches and tinder to spare rifle /shotgun ammo to first aid materials. For me, a vacumn sealer is an item I use every week or two.

 

[762X39]

8

Next trip, I plan on experimenting with sealing some soup and stew and cooking them by boiling the bag to heat up without a mess.

If your going to try this, partially prefreeze (think slushy or slightly more frozen) your soups and stews before vacumn sealing them.

 

[GregSplett]

Foodsaver

love it

Buy bags at costco.

 

[Honu]

ditto others on uses
last trip we did chili at home then packed it boiled in bag no mess was nice quick clean up
one thing we do with all our stuff is lay it flat on a half sheet pan in a freezer so it lays quite flat and thin and then put in upright so its easy to get to what we want and slip in along other things

yes love it and use it at home and a lot for camp prep

 

[motoz]

...one thing we do with all our stuff is lay it flat on a half sheet pan in a freezer so it lays quite flat and thin and then put in upright so its easy to get to what we want and slip in along other things...

That's a great tip. I had always just pre froze in blocks though I will definitely try this next time.




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[pugslyyy]

We use the heck out of ours.

This is a picture of the camper freezer before our trip out West in April.

 

[Honu]

we do kinda make the bags a bit over size so it does lay flat
not HUGE bags but our chili as example was basically a square bag about 1/2 inch thick in the end
the pan for sure makes it freeze very flat and the one side tends to be flatter so two flat sides together
when you write on the end flap its easy to see

That's a great tip. I had always just pre froze in blocks though I will definitely try this next time.




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[motoz]

Awesome mate. I like it.
Just out of interest what size freezer is that?


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