I have avoided the FoodSaver and instead found the following two products to work well:
http://www.pump-n-seal.com/ http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/handi_vac/en/home.asp The first is a manual pump that does a good job. One of the options is a set of flat disks that can be used to marinate with. They work well. The only drawback to this system is that I found it difficult to evacuate plastic bags completely. I use this product to store dry goods in jars and re vacuum seal pickles and the like. You take any old jar with a metal (or maybe durable plastic lid) and poke a hold in it with a special tool (a push pin). Then attach a special seal over the hold. It's a one way vent and costs pennies. That allows you to evacuate the jar simply. The second product is fairly new, at least in our back yard. It requires the use of special bags, like the Food Saver, but I don't think they are as expensive. I use these for saving things for the freezer and some dry goods, especially spices. This pump is a hand held battery operated device. I have also used it successfully to evacuate the jars that have the special seals that are included with the pump-n-seal kit. Between the two I'm quite happy with my ability to seal all my food items. For long term storage of larger items we use the storage bags that you evacuate with a vacuum cleaner. Space bags is a brand that we use mostly. I have found about 1 of about every 8 are faulty and don't hold a vacuum. Jim. Philip wrote: > Hi, > I got a FoodSaver Compact II at a yard sale. So far, we have used it > to vacuum pack coffee beans and nuts in FoodSaver VacLoc bags. > > We will have a small freezer aboard and expect the Food Saver would be > useful for bagging and freezing meal portions of fresh fish or > fresh/cooked meats once we begin cruising. > > We would appreciate hearing any of your suggestions for making good > use of this technology. Here are some of the questions we have > -Has anyone used the marinator "square cannister" accessory? > -How about the "freshpak" filters to help keep produce fresh > longer? > -What size bags (pint or quart) are most useful for your needs? > -If you prefer using Mason jars, why do you find them preferable? > -Any problems with the process that you have had? > -Best source for mail ordering the bags? > > Thanks for your suggestions and reports of your experiences. > > Marilyn Lange > > > *Philip & Marilyn Lange > AE4OV & KD4JRC, > * ORYOKI > *Witness 35 Catamaran > > * > _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
