Vacuum sealer
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: Katahdin
27-Jun-20
Since I can't find a search option. What is the best sealer for more than causal use? Thanks in advance and maybe we can go 5 or so responses without going off the rails
From: Kevin Speicher
27-Jun-20
I have an Ary VacMaster VP215 and love it! It is a little on the heavy side, but is an awesome machine. It is a chamber style unit, which I think gives you a better, longer lasting seal.
From: Jims
27-Jun-20
I've used a Cabelas vacuum sealer with great results on hundreds of lbs of salmon and halibut plus big game.
From: keepemsharp
27-Jun-20
Used a Cabelas vacuum for a long time, left it out in the garage. The garage got too hot and melted all the seals and rubber parts, just keep it in the house or in the basement.
From: IdyllwildArcher
27-Jun-20
The cheapo ones from Costco work just fine if you're not going to run 1000+ lbs per year through it. I have one in CA and one in AK and have put countless food through them and they haven't broken.
The industrial ones that you just throw in your meat and it suctions it into a nice square are very nice, but IMO, not worth the cost unless you're doing a lot of vacuum sealing. I kill 3-5 big game animals and also about 100 lbs of fish per year, besides the occasional vegetables and breads and I haven't felt the need to kick down the big money for one of the nicer units.
From: MathewsMan
27-Jun-20
I agree with the one we have from Costco is plenty for us re-packaging hamburger and bulk meats as well as for fresh Salmon, halibut and game meets. We use it enough but no need for a commercial one.
From: LKH
27-Jun-20
For more than casual use consider spending about $2000 and get one of the serious ones. They use much heavier bags which are quite cheap and much tougher than the ones Seal a Meal types.
I used to rent one for $65 per day and we would put up 60-80 salmon in a few hours.
From: Surfbow
28-Jun-20
What's your budget? I have a Weston 2300 that's awesome...
From: craigmcalvey
28-Jun-20
I have used a food saver brand sealer for almost 10+ years and it’s still working great. A lot of it depends on the bag quality and not overfilling the bags. I actually bought another one 2 years ago and still haven’t taken it out of the box. I do 7-10 deer per year with mine plus the occasional hog.
Craig
From: Ucsdryder
28-Jun-20
I want a chamber sealer but I’m having trouble justifying the cost.
From: oldgoat
28-Jun-20
I got absolutely sick and tired of the Food Saver I have overheating when I was trying to make up bags in advance and bought a fan cooled LEM for not really that much money. It had a much wider heat tape for a better seal so you don't have to double seal. Really happy with it!
From: oldgoat
28-Jun-20
I got absolutely sick and tired of the Food Saver I have overheating when I was trying to make up bags in advance and bought a fan cooled LEM for not really that much money. It had a much wider heat tape for a better seal so you don't have to double seal. Really happy with it!
From: Mike Ukrainetz
29-Jun-20
A vacuum sealer will give you Covid!
From: IdyllwildArcher
29-Jun-20
Surfbow, if I ever make it to Hawaii, I'm coming to your house after I get off the boat! :)
From: jdbbowhunter
29-Jun-20
Agree with food savers not lasting . What model LEM did you buy?
From: BOWNUT
29-Jun-20
I have been using the Cabelas Pro with no problems.