Cookaholics Bulletin Board

btw, I had to order a new Foodsaver. I pulled mine out yesterday and was hoping I could coax another few months out of it, but alas, it's dead. It just won't seal.

By doing some research I found a promo code for the v3485 model. It retails for $199, but the promo code allowed me to get it for $80, with free shipping! If any of you happen to be in the market for a Foodsaver, this is a great deal! The promo code is J0FV60A.

Amy

Amy,

I don't know that we even want another one. The one we had we got as a wedding gift, and it barely made it through two rolls of bagstuff before dying. Really crappy manufacturing; seems like there's a market for a high-end, doesn't break vacpacker.

Names, we want names; help prevent unwanted purchasing

KOW, my FS has not had any problems in the many years I have had it ( I think about 6), and I have gone through boxes of 6, 8, and on another box of 8 rolls of the 8" size (the one I use the most), starting a second 8 roll box of the 6", and still on the first box of the 12" (don't use those much, though I do seal up rice with it when I buy 25 lb bags). It is a Professional Turbo II. I'm sure they have some cheaper models, like the ones they sell on BJs, and on QVC, not that they are necessarily going to break down on you in a short time, but many have annoying features, like having to hold the lid shut when it is sealing, and many newer models, even more expensive ones, people have not liked at all. Some have been designed to waste even more bag than before, like 2 1/2" or so! So shop carefully. And, of course, as with all of these things, none of the model numbers will be the same as before!

The one that got the worst reviews was the V3440.

For those of you that don't mind paying extra, here's another professional vacuum packer.

I don't think any of use will be buying that one! lol

Dave

Wino, Dave,

Ours is by Foodsaver, Inc. It's still a hunk'o'junk. I'd get the model, but it's at the bottom of the Goodwill bag. It requires me to press down on the lid to seal, often it won't seal at all, and now (after only 2 rolls of bags) the vacuum pump dies halfway to sealing.

IMNSHO, Foodsaver has made a big mistake by diluting their brand with these cheap knock-offs. They should have stuck to well-made, tested equipment. Now, if I ever buy a vacuum-sealer, i'll make sure it's not a Foodsaver.

There are "Pro" sealers, though of course at a price. I've not tried them, but have read good things. For sous-vide I'd not buy one; if you're going to spend that much, get a chamber vac. Though I'll give you that the footprint is much superior to a chamber and $350 save (over a chamber) is nothing to ignore. The company seems a bit scam-ish with their cheap, geocities wanna-be website, but I think they just have a founder who doesn't know better. YMMV.

I was looking at Bamix's vacuum system. The regular one is over 300 and the the pro model is over 500. I decided I could live with a bit of air.

Mary

Josh,

I think the newer FS's are better than what you got as a wedding present. (The timing of receiving yours would be roughly the same as when I bought mine.)

Believe me, I'd much rather have a vacuum chamber. But, $80 vs. $875 (at minimum). I'll live with the FS for now.

Amy

from Fatwallet: Foodsaver for $26:

Since our Foodsaver doesn't automatically seal any more (have to suck out the air and then hit the seal button) I'm in for one. $25.44 with 6% PA sales tax.

Had to look a bit to find where to enter the promo code. In checkout, next to the section that says you're getting free shipping there's an "edit" link to add additional promo codes.