Chamber vacuum sealer vs. channel sealer bags?

[jamesfromseattle]

I've got a cheaper channel sealer but am headed to a fishing lodge that has a chamber sealer.  However, I need to bring my own bags.

I understand that chamber sealer bags are cheaper in bulk, but am not really sure what the functional differences are in the bags.  Will the channel sealer bags that I already have work in the chamber sealer?  Even with a limit every day I won't be using enough to justify a 500 pack of chamber bags that I won't have any further use for.

[pianoman9701]

You don't have to buy the bags made by the sealer manufacturer. Chamber sealers aren't that specifically designed, although that's where the manufacturers make their money. Look around on the internet. I'm sure you can find a 100 pack or something. You definitely want to take advantage of the heavier bags for freezing, especially if you want to keep the meat/fish for longer than a few months. Here's a 100-ct.

https://www.amazon.com/100-Chamber-Pouch-Impact-Sealer/dp/B01NBFWE9P/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1498072406&sr=8-3&keywords=chamber+sealer+bags

[jamesfromseattle]

You don't have to buy the bags made by the sealer manufacturer. Chamber sealers aren't that specifically designed, although that's where the manufacturers make their money. Look around on the internet. I'm sure you can find a 100 pack or something. You definitely want to take advantage of the heavier bags for freezing, especially if you want to keep the meat/fish for longer than a few months. Here's a 100-ct.

https://www.amazon.com/100-Chamber-Pouch-Impact-Sealer/dp/B01NBFWE9P/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1498072406&sr=8-3&keywords=chamber+sealer+bags

Great, thanks.  I missed the 100 pack w/ 2 day shipping on my first Amazon search. 

[lastmk8]

Nice to see this topic as I've been doing quite a bit of research on a chamber sealer.  Yes, you can use your channel sealer bags they work with the chamber sealer, ..... but you will go broke.  In bulk the difference on a 10" X 12" bag is about .50 for a channel sealer bag to .02 on a vacuum sealer bag (bulk in a lot of 1000 bags).  I'm thinking of going with a Vacmaster with the oil pump and I've seen plenty of Vacmaster bags in various lots, I believe on Amazon as well, price isn't bad either.  Remember though, you can't use the vacuum bags in the channel sealer, the channel sealer requires those little ridges on the one side to pull the vacuum, the chamber sealer is pulling atmosphere in the entire chamber.  The channel bags will just compress together and not work in the channel sealer.  (you can actually use them that way but it is a pain in the butt, have to cut strips of the ridge material to lay in between the chamber bags.  Just buy enough and if you have extra, I'm sure the processers will be glad to take them off your hands, no big loss considering the quality vacuum and seal you have on your product.

[luvmystang67]

I love my vacmaster.  Bags are cheap.  Buy bigger than you think you need.  Get 4 mil or so.  3 mil you have to be delicate with in the freezer, 5 mil might be a little more than is necessary. 

[quadrafire]

If you were closer I'd hook you up with some bags. Bet someone close to you would take your leftovers. Or who knows you may make The move to the vacmaster. You would not be dissapointed.

[jamesfromseattle]

I don't I've heard anyone say they regretted going with a chamber dealer. The more I think about it the more I think it might be time to upgrade.

[Reidus]

I been eying the vp215. $700 is a pretty good chunk a change ( I can buy 2 deer tags in idaho for less) but i think it might be worth it. cheap bags, food should keep better/longer, no problems with packaging liquids. I hate messin with paper towels to prevent liquid gettin in the seal and the dang $200 things dont last long!

[luvmystang67]

I been eying the vp215. $700 is a pretty good chunk a change ( I can buy 2 deer tags in idaho for less) but i think it might be worth it. cheap bags, food should keep better/longer, no problems with packaging liquids. I hate messin with paper towels to prevent liquid gettin in the seal and the dang $200 things dont last long!

Exactly!  Yes it is 700, but i expect it to last a lot longer and it DRASTICALLY improves my processing time.  Its fairly automated.  On a 30 second run time, it does it fairly automated, so I can pack the next bag while it runs, it pops open completed and I can throw the next one in while I write on the finished package.  It doesn't require the same level of hands-on support that your standard machines require.  That part itself is very nice.

Knowing that this should last 10-20 years is also very nice.

Only real downside is that it is pretty big and heavy.  I have mine on a rolling cart.  We do save a ton of money on bags though.  It'll take a while to pay back on bags alone, but the vacuum is so much better, you can do wet foods, things last way better in the freezer so no wasted food even a year or so later.

I dont regret the purchase at all.  Its great.

[NRA4LIFE]

Those bags will work just fine.  I do all my fish and meat in 5 mil bags.  If you do buy some and have no need for them afterwards, let me know.  If you do a lot of vacuum sealing, a chamber sealer will pay for itself in 3-4 years in bag savings alone.  I've had a 215 now for a bit more than 4 years and it has already paid for itself.