Post by: luvmystang67 on August 04, 2016, 10:11:55 AM
I'm thinking of getting a chamber vacuum sealer instead of my crappy foodsaver one. I'm on my second foodsaver and my relationship with it is love-hate at best. I love what it does, but I hate using it most of the time. Its a hassle, bags are expensive, juice is a problem, the vacuum is only so-so... I basically only like what it does and how it keeps my food when its actually working.
Now... Vacuum chamber sealers are becoming less expensive. I'm thinking at a bag cost of $0.05 each and a much better vacuum job and reliable sealing this will pay for itself (and I won't have to buy replacement food savers every couple of years).
Here's the one I'm thinking because I like the oil rotary pump:
https://www.vacmasterfresh.com/vacmaster-vp215-best-selling-commercial-chamber-vacuum-sealer/
Here's the more homey version, but it has a dry pump that sucks less hard, has a longer cycle time, and has a reduced longevity:
https://www.vacmasterfresh.com/vacmaster-vp112s-home-chamber-vacuum-sealer/
Has anyone used these or have a similar model. Anyone wanna go in halvsies? Kidding... kind of....
Post by: jackelope on August 04, 2016, 10:13:43 AM
Chris has a chamber sealer, not sure if it's this one or not.
Post by: WSU on August 04, 2016, 10:22:58 AM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 04, 2016, 10:44:01 AM
I have the VP215C with Oil pump. I have had it for 3.5 years now and couldn't be happier. Pay a bit extra for the 215 over the 112. You will not regret it. Look around at the chamber sealer bag sites and see how much you can save just on bags. I am not joking, I have now probably recouped the cost of it just in bag savings. I now vacuum seal almost everything that goes in the freezer or long term fridge storage. All meat now, deer, beef, pork, chicken, etc. I probably do 500-1000 bags a year, depending on the volume of hunting, fishing, garden material, etc. I buy bags in quantity, usually 500-1000. There are lots of advantages to the 215 over food savers. Double sealing, tighter vacuum, cheaper bags, etc. You can seal liquid too. Vacuum marinating is the bomb. You can marinate meat in a half hour instead of overnight, literally. I have demonstrated to non-believers when I seal water. Also, look up "retort bags". With the double sealing you can use these to make your own MREs. Haven't tried that yet.
The one drawback is it is a BEAST. I think it weighs around 85 lbs if I remember. We took it out to Neah Bay a couple times and ran an extension cord and just left it in the truck.
One suggestion, for stuff that will be in the freezer for a while, go with 4 and even 5 mil bags. All my fish and game meat goes in 5 mil bags. Some of the 3 mil bags will puncture when clacking them around in the freezer for long periods of time.
PM me if you want more details.
Post by: Whitpirate on August 04, 2016, 10:49:31 AM
Pic is 3 pieces of a Canadian bacon I made. The 215 is the only way to go.. don't fall for the less pump.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 04, 2016, 01:27:16 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on August 04, 2016, 01:38:52 PM
Anyone tried retort pouches in the 215c? It sounds like VacMaster suggests it shouldn't be used for that, but many people seem to have good success with it....
They're relatively inexpensive right now compared to historical prices. I wonder what the quality implications are?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 04, 2016, 02:23:10 PM
Post by: sirmissalot on August 04, 2016, 02:38:06 PM
I also have the 215c they are well worth their weight
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 04, 2016, 02:40:25 PM
The link to the 215 says out of stock ?
Post by: luvmystang67 on August 04, 2016, 03:38:41 PM
The link to the 215 says out of stock ?
I think that one is, just wanted to make it easy for people to see what I was talking about.
Post by: WSU on August 04, 2016, 04:56:45 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on August 04, 2016, 06:17:59 PM
Post by: quadrafire on August 04, 2016, 06:32:51 PM
Stang,
I have the VP215C with Oil pump. I have had it for 3.5 years now and couldn't be happier. Pay a bit extra for the 215 over the 112. You will not regret it. Look around at the chamber sealer bag sites and see how much you can save just on bags. I am not joking, I have now probably recouped the cost of it just in bag savings. I now vacuum seal almost everything that goes in the freezer or long term fridge storage. All meat now, deer, beef, pork, chicken, etc. I probably do 500-1000 bags a year, depending on the volume of hunting, fishing, garden material, etc. I buy bags in quantity, usually 500-1000. There are lots of advantages to the 215 over food savers. Double sealing, tighter vacuum, cheaper bags, etc. You can seal liquid too. Vacuum marinating is the bomb. You can marinate meat in a half hour instead of overnight, literally. I have demonstrated to non-believers when I seal water. Also, look up "retort bags". With the double sealing you can use these to make your own MREs. Haven't tried that yet.
The one drawback is it is a BEAST. I think it weighs around 85 lbs if I remember. We took it out to Neah Bay a couple times and ran an extension cord and just left it in the truck.
One suggestion, for stuff that will be in the freezer for a while, go with 4 and even 5 mil bags. All my fish and game meat goes in 5 mil bags. Some of the 3 mil bags will puncture when clacking them around in the freezer for long periods of time.
PM me if you want more details.
Well I can attest to NRA's use of this unit. He came over last week and brought me a bad of goodies vacuum sealed. I have the cabelas commercial unit as a regular vaccum sealer and it looks like his are way better quality as mine.
Post by: Antlershed on August 04, 2016, 06:46:03 PM
VP215 for $699 with free shipping
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-vp215-chamber-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-10-1-4-seal-bar/120VMASVP215.html
Post by: kenzmad on August 19, 2016, 10:26:45 PM
Post by: quadrafire on August 27, 2016, 04:19:17 PM
I'll say this is one of the best purchases I've made in a while. Ordered less than a week ago and showed up today. It's a beast at almost 100 lbs. I charged it with oil and started sealing some bags. It came with 75 of 3 different sizes. I'm sure there is a learning curve to sealing different things and sizes. But so far so good.
Any current users post up any tips.
I have some chicken in now for a quick marinade for kebabs.
:tup:
Post by: Antlershed on August 27, 2016, 07:44:10 PM
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/search/ary-vacmaster-vp215.htmlI bought a cheap Harbor Freight cart to set mine on so I can wheel it around the garage if needed. :tup:
I'll say this is one of the best purchases I've made in a while. Ordered less than a week ago and showed up today. It's a beast at almost 100 lbs. I charged it with oil and started sealing some bags. It came with 75 of 3 different sizes. I'm sure there is a learning curve to sealing different things and sizes. But so far so good.
Any current users post up any tips.
I have some chicken in now for a quick marinade for kebabs.
:tup:
Post by: quadrafire on August 27, 2016, 09:27:57 PM
Great ideahttp://www.webstaurantstore.com/search/ary-vacmaster-vp215.htmlI bought a cheap Harbor Freight cart to set mine on so I can wheel it around the garage if needed. :tup:
I'll say this is one of the best purchases I've made in a while. Ordered less than a week ago and showed up today. It's a beast at almost 100 lbs. I charged it with oil and started sealing some bags. It came with 75 of 3 different sizes. I'm sure there is a learning curve to sealing different things and sizes. But so far so good.
Any current users post up any tips.
I have some chicken in now for a quick marinade for kebabs.
:tup:
Post by: quadrafire on August 27, 2016, 09:29:50 PM
I Bought the VP215 a couple years ago and haven't looked back. :tup:$669 now with no tax/no shipping.
VP215 for $699 with free shipping
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ary-vacmaster-vp215-chamber-vacuum-packaging-machine-with-10-1-4-seal-bar/120VMASVP215.html
Post by: NRA4LIFE on September 02, 2016, 11:24:02 AM
When sealing liquids or wet marinades, remove one or both of the spacer plates. That way the liquid is well below the sealing bar. Some liquids can start boiling when the pressure starts getting real low and can start creeping up towards the bar. In that case, keep your finger on the stop button and hit it when the liquid gets close to the bar. The bag will seal then and you'll have plenty of vacuum.
Post by: Whitpirate on September 02, 2016, 02:34:23 PM
Post by: quadrafire on September 02, 2016, 07:38:30 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on September 05, 2016, 09:10:00 PM
Let me know if you guys see anything below $689 in the next couple of weeks...
Post by: Rainstorm Hunter on September 05, 2016, 09:30:26 PM
Post by: KopperBuck on September 29, 2016, 11:09:51 AM
I was really hoping that they'd go on sale for Labor Day from webstaurant store... but that didn't happen. Now i'm wishing I'd picked one up at the $669... Still, $689 doesn't seem like a bad buy at all compared to what they used to go for.
Let me know if you guys see anything below $689 in the next couple of weeks...
$679 right now... I'm really thinking about picking one up. I'm without a unit right now, but I'm not sure I can drop that kind of coin right now.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on September 29, 2016, 11:19:52 AM
Post by: KopperBuck on September 29, 2016, 11:38:39 AM
What's the difference between the 215c and 215? I can't seem to find the "c" version. Did they just drop the letter?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on September 29, 2016, 11:49:33 AM
Post by: Whitpirate on September 29, 2016, 12:22:10 PM
Post by: FWilliams on September 29, 2016, 01:03:02 PM
Totally with you. Just that 2016 hasn't exactly been real kind in the Ag business.
What's the difference between the 215c and 215? I can't seem to find the "c" version. Did they just drop the letter?
yes they did..the "c" stood for commercial which meant it had the oil pump.
now the 215 model is the beginning of the commercial line and comes with the oil pump, everything from that model on up has the oil pump. the 210 model is rated non commercial and doesn't have the oil pump
Post by: quadrafire on September 29, 2016, 07:34:31 PM
With NRA you'll find you are sealing everything thing as the bags
Are so cheap compared to the non chamber bags. I used the cabelas
Commercial vacuum sealer for many years and was happy with it. But for a couple hundred more this is light years better.
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 06, 2016, 01:26:41 PM
What size do you find most useful? What thickness.
They've got some 8x10 bags, some 10x12 or so bags and then 3mil up to 6 mil.
It would seem like most things could probably be done in an 8x10" bag and maybe up to 4 mil to help guarantee no holes get poked in it. Is 5 mil really necessary? Am I right on the size or should I be going for the 10" ones?
Thanks!
Post by: Whitpirate on October 06, 2016, 02:02:34 PM
Post by: quadrafire on October 06, 2016, 04:27:31 PM
6x10
&x12
10x13
1000 each. All in 4 mil.
Price is variable on where you order. I got mine from vacmaster. Cost was higher per unit but free shipping. These bags are heavy in that volume so some of the sites will ding you on shipping.
One thing I've found after using it compared to the non chamber. Is that you need
A larger bag than you were used to as you can't control the seal area once the lid is closed.
Still the bags are so cheap it really doesn't matter.
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 10, 2016, 09:22:58 AM
So, you're suggesting longer bags maybe are a better choice, or just all round bigger would be better?
Like maybe better to pay a little more for more bag than you might need instead of having 1000 bags that are too small?
Post by: quadrafire on October 10, 2016, 10:00:00 AM
Mine arrives today!Longer for sure is better as the opening end of the bag just lays across the seal bar and you can't hold it while closing the lid. So sometimes you might get a crease that prevents complete seal. But you are talking 4-7 cents a bag depending on the size. so really not a big deal.
So, you're suggesting longer bags maybe are a better choice, or just all round bigger would be better?
Like maybe better to pay a little more for more bag than you might need instead of having 1000 bags that are too small?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on October 18, 2016, 11:36:27 AM
Post by: KopperBuck on October 20, 2016, 09:33:13 AM
Are you guys mostly going with the suggested vacuum/sea/cool down times? Do you see much variance based off of different types of meats?
Post by: quadrafire on October 20, 2016, 10:38:34 AM
I bit the bullet myself. Just arrived this week. Have some salmon and geese to knock out, so it was good timing.I have the seal and cool down times set as suggested. I shortened my vacuum time to 20 seconds and that seems like a long time. If you seal with the spacer plates removed it likely takes a little more time. But I haven't noticed a problem with 20 seconds, spacers in or not.
Are you guys mostly going with the suggested vacuum/sea/cool down times? Do you see much variance based off of different types of meats?
For something kind of cool if you have kids. Take an empty pop/beer can and place it in a bag and have them watch what happens under vacuum. :)
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 24, 2016, 10:39:16 AM
It seems to be pretty thick really...
Am i missing something that makes the 4 mil necessary? I maybe could understand salmon bones, but not like burger. Whats the rationale for thicker here?
Also... for more sciencey stuff... put some water in there and talk to your kids about boiling point. As atmospheric pressure decreases, so does boiling point, to the extent that water will boil at room temperature in this vacuum sealer. Pretty cool. Also, I vacuum sealed a bagel for kicks... MAN did it suck that puppy down.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on October 24, 2016, 12:10:24 PM
There's nothing wrong with the 3 mil bags. My problem with them is that I store a lot of meat for long periods of time and I re-arrange the freezers quite often. I have had the 3 mil bags breach with all the clacking around of the frozen packages when I'm defrosting or moving stuff around. For non freezer stuff, I use the 3 mil bags all the time. I did about 50 of them yesterday after a mass bulk spice buy.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on November 07, 2016, 04:11:56 PM
Post by: quadrafire on January 23, 2017, 09:09:47 PM
I purchased a bunch of Kirkland garlic cloves as a trial. 2 weeks the bag was about to pop.
Post by: Limhangerslayer on January 23, 2017, 09:41:14 PM
Anyone experienced the gas production from certain veg items?
I purchased a bunch of Kirkland garlic cloves as a trial. 2 weeks the bag was about to pop.
In guessing you didn't blanch then first. They are still ripening even though the ate vacuum sealed, therefore releasing gases.
Post by: quadrafire on January 23, 2017, 09:52:13 PM
No. Was doing an experiment. Sealed some fresh(these) sealed and froze someAnyone experienced the gas production from certain veg items?
I purchased a bunch of Kirkland garlic cloves as a trial. 2 weeks the bag was about to pop.
In guessing you didn't blanch then first. They are still ripening even though the ate vacuum sealed, therefore releasing gases.
Just to see how they would store best. I was impressed by the gas production.
Post by: Angry Perch on January 24, 2017, 08:05:44 AM
Anyone experienced the gas production from certain veg items?
I purchased a bunch of Kirkland garlic cloves as a trial. 2 weeks the bag was about to pop.
Exact same results from the same product. Blanching sounds like an interesting idea.
Also, if you find yourself with half a bag of Costco garlic that you can't get through. put it in a sauce pan with just enough olive oil to cover, and simmer on very low heat for a couple hours. Use the infused oil for whatever you like, and smash the cloves into a paste. Spread it in on toasted baguette, an a sandwich, or ???
Post by: jbauch357 on February 04, 2017, 10:50:38 AM
What I'm not using at home is a Vacmaster Pro 380, it's a tank and hasn't had a single issue after a year of use. Our fish camp rig (that seals well over 500 packs of fish a season) is a Weston Pro 2300, it'll get a bit warm after 40-50 bags in a row and will need to cool off but other than that it's been running solid for 4 years without any issue.
For bags I've landed on these - http://a.co/aU9jqHo
There are cheaper options out there and thicker options for rough use, but these seem like a reasonable middle ground and they're super convenient with the rip top and built in ziploc strip. After multiple transfers between freezers and coolers at camp, then airport handling, then another couple freezer transfers at home, I'll get a couple failed bags out of 80-100 packages but not enough to really worry about. I haven't had any issues with bags packaged at home that go straight to the freezer losing their seal.
Foodsaver brand anything is way overpriced and underbuilt, we played that game for a few years before moving to Vacamster and Weston products exclusively.
Post by: luvmystang67 on February 08, 2017, 06:04:41 AM
But yeah, I need to sell the Foodsaver on CL now.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on February 09, 2017, 09:53:54 AM
Post by: Crunchy on June 02, 2017, 10:27:55 PM
Post by: Jim/WA on June 03, 2017, 06:33:20 AM