I got this one:
http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Vacuum-S...8113&sr=8-1

Is this one OK? I have a few hours to cancel the order yet... we've never had one before...

Brian, I love my Foodsaver...it's not as fancy as that one, does not have the roll storage but it is an older model. Second one I've had. I have to say that the original owner's, Tilia, had much better customer service than Jarden does.

I have the older model, which sits flat on the counter rather than upright. I think they all work the same, though, and I'm sure you will love it. Just keep it on the counter so that you use it regularly...if you stick it under the counter it will stay there. I use mine all the time.

If you pay postage I'll ship mine for free. It's been in storage for a few years but should be fine. I'd send your check back if it's not working.

I love that Amazon has reviews and the fact that half of all the reviews say it is not a good machine would steer me away from it. Just my 2 cents.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

After reading the reviews, I'd look at another model.

i briefly checked out the link peconic posted. and yes the reviews weren't so great. i was against buying the one we now have, the one that's been used once (to seal some valuables during our gut renovation of all things), but i lost the battle and now it's been sitting around collecting dust for too many years. fortunately, it may get some use now because mary wants it and i'll be gladly shipping it to her.

I just love mine, and use it all the time. We buy in bulk at Costco, and since it's just the two of us, I vacuum seal and freeze lots of stuff. To me the key is to have it sitting out on the counter because you use it much more if it's convenient. I hate counter clutter, but I found a dark corner where it sort of hides, but is handy when I need it.

I'd be lost without mine! I use mine all the time, too. I don't keep it on the counter though, have it in a drawer in the island and that is where I do my vacuum sealing.

I have the older pro model. The two vacuum levels are important for the way I use it.

Mine is buried in a locker on the boat (I liveaboard) and pulled out when I do a lot of cooking or when I do a run to a warehouse store. I also use it when I can't keep up with the veg in my CSA box during the summer and fall. It is one of my few kitchen appliances that have to be plugged in and doing without it would have a major impact on the cost and quality of eating aboard Auspicious.

I didn't have one when I lived ashore but after using it for the past four years I would not willing do without it.

Different people have different styles, so I discount some of the Foodsaver reviews as lifestyle choices as opposed to being applicable to the product itself.

sail fast, dave
S/V Auspicious
lying Annapolis MD

i buy and freeze in bulk for the two of us also, but since we eat most within a few months i find it's fine w/o the extra foodsaver step. i wish that i had the extra counter space, but not a square to spare.

Peconic, IMO it's too large and too expensive. I've had mine for a few yrs now and I'm pretty sure I paid less than $30.00 for it (at Target or Walmart) and it's a 3rd the size. I keep it down below but do pull it out to use on shopping day, I'll look at the brand tonight and let you know tomorrow. I can buy rolled plastic or use any plastic bag (even the store veggie bags as long as they don't have holes).

I think you can do better! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />

We've used it a few times now... and it couldn't work better nor simpler...
as far as the bad reviews... It's obvious from reading them, that those people DID NOT read the directions!

You just turn it on... put food in the bag... insert bag in slot...
It starts automatically, sucks the air out, seals, and let's you know when it's done... takes about 10 seconds...

and Deb can get heavy duty (sterile) bags from work!

That was one thing I was thinking about with regard to these food saver machines-what type of bags or whatever do you use in them??? I assume, without knowing, that they work better than ziplock baggies because a) they take the air out of the bag and 2) possibly, the plastic bag is stronger?? I always use what they say are the 'freezer' ziplock bags, but I wonder about how good they are. We have a huge freezer and I buy large packages of meat/cheese/etc., and always freeze them, so I think maybe I would use it......

The FoodSaver bags are very heavy!
I'd say quite a bit heavier than a ziplock freezer bag...
I did try it once using a ziplock freezer bag for some sausage..... and it worked fine...

You can also get accessories... like wine bottle corks...
It has an external vacuum tube to suck all the air from the bottle...
They have all sorts of cannisters too, but I doubt we'd ever get any of those...
I did order the wine corks for Deb... ($12.99 for three)...

Most of the size on the model we got is due to the internal storage for bags and the rolls...
and we do have a spot on the counter for it, right next to Debs Kitchen-Aid mixer...

how's the foodsaver? being a non-foodsaver user (by the way mary if you're reading this and still interested please pm me your info), i'm curious... so this foodsaver contraption supposedly extends the life of the stored food by five times or something along those lines as long. i often buy in bulk and freeze the goods, for typically no longer than a few months and don't think the quality is compromised. so for the foodsaver people, how long are you storing the food? do you really see a justifiable difference?

CS, I have had my foodsaver for 10 or 12 years and use it all the time. As for how long the food lasts in freezer...I was doing an inventory of the freezer and found one lone chicken breast that I froze, vacuumed pack and put it in the freezer two years prior. Defrosted it and it tasted great. So the vacuumed packed stuff last well over a few months without any compromising of flavor.

I'm not a fan of frozen meat. I can use frozen hamburger and smell the freezer smell. Does the FoodSaver eliminate the smell?

I have frozen meat for 4 years at -20F in foodsaver bags and had it come out just fine. The bags are very thick and impermiable, but you can hole them if you drop them once frozen. For anyone who hunts, fishes, or just likes buying meat 200 lb at a time you can't beat it! I put away probably 500lb of meat a year in these bags, and swear by them.

Judy, the key is to get all the air out of the bag...
no air... no freezer burn, and no intrusion of "freezer smells"...

It's a great kitchen item to have! It is especially great when we travel to SXM! We love to cook even when on vacation so we plan a few meals ahead of time. We season meat and chicken, place it in the freezer one-hour, then seal it shut using the Food Saver. We also pre-pack seasonings in small baggies and place those in a one Food Saver bag together, which locks in freshness. The morning of travel, we pack up our small roller-bag cooler and check it as luggage. Our Food Saver gets lots of use! Enjoy!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

What a great idea. Now you are making me want one! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Just curious, what does putting the meat in the freezer for an hour, before sealing, do for it? Thanks

It freezes the moisture, so you don't get any on the "seal" area...
If the seal area is wet, it will not seal properly...

Ahh...makes sense....thanks