Is anyone using vacuum sealers for long term food storage?  Looking for input on machines, bags and techniques.  I'm thinking about getting one before I rotate my JIC food stock.  I like the idea of vacuum packing for a couple reasons.  First, you can really shrink down the space foods take up when repackaged, and second, if the vacuum seal is broken, there is no doubt that the packaged food was compromised.

 

I've been using various FoodSaver brand machines for almost 20 years now with great success.  I primarily use them to deep freeze meat.  I do this so that when a wave hits, like last year's chicken limitations around here, I've got enough to hopefully last through the panic.  I don't use them for much else food wise, but do use them for sealing things up that either go into a BOB for one of the vehicles or backpacks from my house.  Some examples of things are maps, extra batteries, toilet paper, important documents, ammo, etc.

 

I use a food saver, but have found that the seal it makes sometimes fails while it is in the freezer. For that reason, I run it twice to make 2 sealed lines about 1/2 inch apart.

Otherwise it's great. Food is much less susceptible to freezer burn when it is vacuum sealed. 

17 minutes ago, CMJeepster said:

I primarily use them to deep freeze meat.

 

7 minutes ago, Mr.Stu said:

Food is much less susceptible to freezer burn when it is vacuum sealed.

several years ago, I had some very expensive veal shanks in the freezer for like, maybe almost two years.  They were vacuum packed at the butcher where I bought them.  Normally I'd have tossed them but they were exceptionally well sealed, and, did I mention expensive.  I thawed them out and cooked em up as osso buco (just to see what's what) and to my surprise, they were still in great shape.

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, Scorpio64 said:

 

several years ago, I had some very expensive veal shanks in the freezer for like, maybe almost two years.  They were vacuum packed at the butcher where I bought them.  Normally I'd have tossed them but they were exceptionally well sealed, and, did I mention expensive.  I thawed them out and cooked em up as osso buco (just to see what's what) and to my surprise, they were still in great shape.

 

 

 

I've done long-term ground venison and experienced no degradation in quality.

Stay away from Cabela's/Bass Pro sealers.  They all have bad reviews. I bought one from Cabela's, never worked right from day one. Made do with it until it stopped sealing properly. Just bought a Hamilton Beach sealer last week, and so far, it is head & shoulders above the Cabela's  (VacMaster) for less money.

There is another thread about vacuum sealers that I participated in and the Food Saver was highly recommended and I purchased it. I couldn't be happier.

Get a model that will use the roll bags so you can cut them to a custom size.

I purchased this one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DI342B4?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details&th=1

I use my FoodSaver every day. I buy bulk rolls on Amazon to save money. Ammo to food, it works great! I have the model below and having owned others through the years, this one has been the best by far!

 

I've used a Food Saver brand machine for a couple of years and I'm happy with it.  I use it for meats and also dry goods.  I strongly urge everyone to stay away from the Food Saver brand vacuum bags sold on Amazon.  There are knock off bags that are sold on there by multiple vendors. They come in the exact same boxes as the originals, but the bags are fake.  Not sure if the vendors are sourcing them from somewhere an don't know they aren't real or what.  The way you can tell is the real bags are smooth on one side and textured on the other.  It helps air escape when the machine pulls out the air.  The fake ones are textured on both sides.  This can prevent proper sealing but also since its fake, who knows where its made and what its actually made from.

Had Food Savers for years. In some circumstances I call them 'gun storage savers'.

Cut (narrow, or wide) bags to required length. Coat firearm/components with the preservative of your choice. (Cosmoline, Break Free Protector) Wrap/cushion sharp edges with thin synthetic packing material so metal edges/corners don't nick the bag. Tuck a pack or two of desiccant in any available void. Slide into the bag and seal it. Let sit for a couple days to ensure the vacuum has taken before delivering to the final destination. Definitely works 5+ years. Surprising what will fit in one. Especially long guns that break apart.

And now, back to that chicken.