Just burned up our second one. Mid-range $100-ish machine.

We like the process as we buy meat in bulk and repackage in single meal quantities.

I guess we need to stick a crowbar in the wallet and spend a little more for a better quality machine.

Suggestions?

Check out Vacmaster, very happy with my chamber sealer. Don't remember the model number right now but I chose to go with the one that does not need oil changes as it is inan area with carpeting.

I have an older Ary Vacmaster, similar to link. It has done well. I can say excellent service from them as the unit I now use was replaced free of charge on a out of warranty issue several years ago. We don't do a lot of processing any more; a half cow every year, don't hunt much anymore.

food savers need oil changes?

I've seen the Weston brand touted as being very very good on this forum the last time the topic came up.

PHP we have the same and lately it doesn't seem to get a good seal as it once did, cleaned up the internals good, but I've had a few bags have areas pop open in the Sous Vide.

Curious about an upgrade as well...

I have the FoodSaver equivalent of the 3180 model at Costco, which is the 3182 now for non Costco users.

I did locate a Review on top 10

Link

Buy it at Costco. If it dies they'll replace it for no charge. I burned one up packaging a lot of salmon and I took it back two years after I bought it, and they replaced it.

Buy the most expensive Cabelas Commercial model you can afford.
Nothing but good things around here with them.

I use one a good bit and find that a new gasket set will make one work again. If the motor is running it is a cheap and easy fix to try.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
food savers need oil changes?

Food Savers do not but some of the vacuum pumps in the commercial chamber sealers do need to have the oil changed yearly.

VacMaster VP215:

VacMaster VP215

Bought it years ago and is so damn versatile that we use it for much more than food.

IFAKS (you can get zip lock style mylar bags)
Vehicle emergency kit, including warm clothes and toilet paper
Small lots of food/parts in pint sized canning jars
Sous vide
Sealing wet stuff in bags (like soups and stews)
Making ice packs versus buying expensive gel packs that always end up leaking

Yes... you have to do an oil change every now and again, but it is really easy. Also, it can be repaired if you have any mechanical aptitude. They sell all of the spare parts you may need at the website.

Don't be shocked at the price. It fluctuates wildly and can be found much cheaper (sub $1,000). Look for Black Friday sales...

If you use it a lot, and if you can live with the price, a VacMaster VP215 is a great investment. I ponied up the cash about a year ago and my wife wasn't exactly thrilled with me over it. If you asked her today she'd tell you we should have bought it years ago. She even freezes sauce in meal sized portions and they store in the freezer a thousand times better than freezer containers.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark60,

WOW, how often do you use it? Are you getting the top of the line (assuming they still have multiple models).

I purchased a FoodSaver Pro (like 10 years ago). It's still working fine. I only use mine if I think the meat will be in the freezer more than a few months. Also use to freeze strawberries and blueberries. (If the meat will be used in a few months I find it easier to use a freezer bag.) But we're on a hamburger budget - not buying really good meat in bulk.

First choice would be Vacmaster, 2nd would be Weston. Vacmasters tend to have more features. I use my Weston all the time to take advantage of meat sales.

If I needed another, I'd get:

https://www.vacmasterfresh.com...er-with-16-seal-bar/

In 20 years I burned up three foodsavers, granted I lived in Alaska, and did enough salmon, halibut moose and black tail deer to feed a family.
Last year I bought a Weston 2300. It doesn't have ability fill canisters or mason jars, and you do have to cut your own bags.
With that said it produces a stronger vacuum than any of the foodsavers I've had.

The Vacmasters in the links and the Weston 2300 are out of stock. Is this a sign of the times in prepping?

I got the Vacmaster Pro360, and it has been great, I was tired of buying the Foodsaver brands, they just didn't last very long and I only used mine occasionally.