Foodsaver Vacuum thingys?

[bren]

Does anyone have or have recommendations on a good food vacuum thing. I don't even know what the heck you actually call those things.

We're thinking about getting one ... we tend to make bigger batches of spaghetti, chili, soup, etc. and it would be nice to have an easy way to freeze and reheat those. Plus we could make extras on the weekend to freeze for later in the week.

Any suggestions? I've never had one, so I don't know how well it would work.

[ALDOGMOM]

They are called "Food Savers" and I don't have one...but I'm interested in this as well..

[Itsapyr]

Well I got one 3 years ago for Christmas...it's still in the box LOL

[Delynnr]

I have one and we use it all the time!! I garden, and I buy in bulk, so this thing is a lifesaver. It really does extend the life of food in the freezer, I would say 2-3 times, if not more. I also use it to freeze batches of food that I tend to cook. It is so nice on days where you just don't feel like cooking to actually pull something tasty and good out of the freezer and just re-heat it.

DON'T buy the cheapest one. We did that and it was a big mistake, it did not seal all that great and it broke quickly.

Our second one is much like this:
http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Adva...7333610&sr=8-2

We have had it for 3.5 years and it has worked great. We bought it after we had gone fishing for halibut and ended up with 50lbs of halibut fillets that we needed to get to Colorado and keep frozen until we could make it through all the fish! The fish kept good for over a year, and if you know anything about frozen fish that is a LONG time. It was great through a year, but still edible for months after that.

I have frozen corn, zucchini, winter squash, tomatoes, peppers, beans, carrots, all sorts of meats and all sorts of meals. The bags can be pricey, usually Costco has a good price on them in a combo pack. However, ziplocks aren't that cheap either (and they don't work half as well) you can't cut them down to size and no vacuuming! Once you figure out how well it works it is really worth the cost.

I don't put everything in them, usually things that I know I will have to store for a while. If I think we will use it in a month I don't bother. Either way I love mine and wouldn't go back!

[bren]

Oooh, thanks for the info!! I think we looked at one similar to the one you have in the store last night, but that's cheaper than it was there.

[ALDOGMOM]

As usual - Pam and I are absolutely no help...

[Swissies4Me]

We have one too, and rarely use it. I find containers and zip lock baggies to be much easier.

[borzoimom]

We have one and we love it! Not just meats etc on sale, but also like when we make a big batch of homemade chicken soup or chili etc. YOu freeze it standing up in a pot, then seal. Fabulous later- homemade without the work.

[Lora]

Id love one...

[ToBScholarly]

Homemade chicken soup... yum.

I think i will make that Tuesday.