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There are loads of vacuum sealers on the market. With so many individuals rising gardens, looking, fishing, or elevating their very own proteins at house, vacuum sealers have loved a resurgence in recognition.
My husband and I purchased a Foodsaver Gamesaver a few years in the past once we have been nonetheless residing in a camper and getting the farm going. They’ve come down in value since then. Ours lasted for fairly a while and the one purpose it didn’t last more was the truth that we didn’t deal with it nicely sufficient.
It was superb that it lasted so long as it did contemplating the abuse that we put it by utilizing it for 500 lb hogs and vacuum sealing loads of very salty and juicy cuts. We actually didn’t handle it in addition to we should always of and actually, it most likely might have been mounted however we have been younger and didn’t know that a lot about that sort of factor.
For years we simply didn’t have a vacuum sealer however then I made a decision to simply get a $35 one and that was an enormous mistake that value each of us loads of time and vitality over a number of years. After the pandemic was in movement we realized that we actually wanted to get one thing that didn’t require a ton of drive and standing there for each little little bit of the vacuum course of. We additionally didn’t desire a vacuum sealer that took a couple of minutes to do a single bag. Quite a lot of luggage simply didn’t seal correctly.
I did extra analysis than I ought to should be trustworthy. There have been fairly a number of manufacturers that tended to get good evaluations however I used to be simply skeptical. I additionally didn’t have the funds to spend $300 or extra on the vacuum sealer of my desires.
My search led me again to the Gamesaver. This model is known as the Foodsaver Gamesaver Wingman and it does a beautiful job.
Why did I decide on this mannequin?
Takes each 11” broad and eight” broad rolls
The Gamesaver makes use of any model of vacuum sealer luggage as much as 11-inch width. Quite a lot of compact vacuum sealers or cheap sealers solely take 8 inch broad rolls and luggage. I don’t need to be restricted in what dimension of bag I can use. Most gallon dimension luggage are greater than 8 inches broad.
Detachable Drip Tray
It was sort of inconvenient to not be capable of clear the drip tray on my final vacuum sealer with out unplugging it and dumping it out over the sink or utilizing a number of paper towels. The Gamesaver has a tray that comes out simply so you possibly can rinse it and go on or wash nicely for the subsequent time you get out your Foodsaver. Anybody that has ever tried to hoover seal loads of moist meals is aware of how messy it will possibly get and the way vital a simple to scrub drip tray actually is.
Can carry out loads of seals and not using a break.
The truth is, this mannequin can seal 60 occasions consecutive occasions with out stopping for a cool-down interval. After that, it solely wants 20 minutes and you should use it once more. This implies you possibly can seal loads of meals quick, particularly you probably have assist. One individual can fill luggage and the opposite can seal them. I used to be amazed at how briskly we have been capable of seal up the flour, dried fruit, and nuts we purchased.
Takes up a average quantity of house.
I’ve a small home and kitchen so house is at all times a difficulty when making the choice to purchase a kitchen equipment, particularly one that’s solely going to get used sporadically. The Gamesaver was the most effective deal for a vacuum sealer that was not likely massive and nonetheless took 11” broad luggage and rolls. I virtually purchased a special mannequin that was a lot taller and took up much more shelf house.
I like that the Gamesaver has a low profile so you possibly can slot in on mainly any shelf or on high of a cupboard. You would possibly be capable of slot in someplace that not a lot else will match and since most individuals solely use a Foodsaver sometimes, you possibly can at all times retailer it in a more durable to get to position than gadgets that you simply use every day.
It has a roll holder and a cutter not like my earlier vacuum sealer.
Should you purchase premade luggage then it isn’t that huge of a deal in case your vacuum sealer doesn’t have a built-in cutter. On the similar time, I discovered myself chopping luggage in half generally for smaller vacuum seal jobs. It was annoying to do this with scissors. I’m glad that the Gamesaver has a quite simple and sharp cutter that makes it simple to make custom-sized luggage from rolls and even reduce a premade bag in half if wanted.
The roll holder is useful too since you possibly can simply hold a roll in there and able to go for these occasions if you simply have to seal a number of issues or odd-shaped gadgets. I personally choose shopping for the premade quart and gallon-sized luggage somewhat than having to make a bag however there are occasions when with the ability to create a {custom} dimension is strictly what is required significantly on butcher days across the farm.
Accent Port and Hose
I’ve by no means truly used the accent port and hose on a vacuum sealer however I do know that it’s a characteristic that some folks prefer to have. You should purchase jars, jar lids, and containers which you could vacuum seal shut. Foodsaver additionally makes a fast marinating container that you should use to shortly tenderize and marinate meats. The Gamesaver simply comes with the hose that you simply want. All containers should be bought individually however they’re inexpensive.
Settings for dry and moist meals.
Quite a lot of vacuum sealers have just one setting and that makes it exhausting to correctly seal moist meals like fish and numerous cuts of meat. The default setting is dry however you possibly can change to moist with the contact of a button.
Sealer locks down on the bag so there is no such thing as a slipping.
I like that the Gamesaver has a lever on the best dimension that engages a lock so the bag is firmly in place with out the operator having to be actually cautious and exert loads of further stress. You possibly can lock lock it down after which press the button to vaccum and seal and stroll away if you would like. Often you probably have overfilled a bag or the highest is just not within the vacuum zone appropriately then it is not going to vacuum and seal proper.
One of the best ways to keep away from that’s to not overfill luggage. If you wish to cease the vacuum motion and reposition a bag you simply have to make use of the lever on the best and open it and the suction will cease. You too can select to seal the bag at any level within the course of with out letting a bunch of air again into the bag. This can be a very helpful perform for vacuum sealing gadgets which are simply crushed.
Moderately priced and it comes with a 5 12 months guarantee.
I take into account the Gamesaver an actual cut price for a vacuum sealer that comes with a 5-year guarantee. Even when it broke proper at 5 years after heavy use I’d nonetheless say it was a cut price and definitely worth the cash. I wasted manner an excessive amount of time with that low-cost $35 sealer after I might have had a Gamesaver. Until I simply have some huge cash to spend a while or get one given to me for evaluation, I don’t see myself switching manufacturers even when I solely get the 5 years out of it that the guarantee covers.
So what are the disadvantages?
Should you don’t like camo then you might be out of luck. This can be a vacuum sealer designed with hunters in thoughts. I’m effective with camo apart from the truth that my complete home is earth-toned for probably the most half so including one thing that’s largely camo could make it exhausting to see if my home is a large number! I’m truly grateful for the orange accents on this mannequin.
All joking apart the most important drawback is simply how loud this machine is. This isn’t a sealer which you could function with folks attempting to sleep in the home or if you are watching tv. I attempted to look at a present whereas I sealed meals and it was unattainable.
The worth you pay for a extremely robust vacuum pump is the noise. I’m not certain how loud different comparable sealers are or how loud the actually costly ones are. Maybe all the great ones are louder because of the pumping energy they provide.
The Gamesaver is at the moment not out there on the Foodsaver web site and even when it was, it’s a lot cheaper in case you get in on Amazon. I’m not certain why the Foodsaver website fees greater than second social gathering on-line retailers however they do. Vacuum sealers are getting more durable to search out so in case you want one to protect meals, now is perhaps the time to get one earlier than the worth goes up or all the great ones which are inexpensive are gone.
Different Foodsavers
From what I can collect folks just like the Foodsaver namebrand vacuum sealers whatever the mannequin. They’ve been round a very long time and have loads of repeat prospects.
Should you don’t thoughts being restricted to rolls and luggage which are 8″ broad, here’s a hyperlink to the house saving Foodsaver.
Alternative Luggage
One factor I don’t really feel that I can advocate is the Foodsaver luggage and it isn’t as a result of they’re missing in high quality. The explanation why I counsel buying different luggage is the price. I discovered PackFreshUSA luggage for an excellent deal in comparison with Foodsaver luggage. PackFreshUSA provides luggage which are made in the USA and so they value much less so I’m going to be shopping for from them any more. PackFreshUSA largely sells on Amazon and eBay however they do have their very own web site. Unusually sufficient, it appears they’re solely taking orders through Amazon and eBay for the time being.
For probably the most present value on the Foodsaver Gamesaver Wingman, comply with this hyperlink. The present value is barely larger than what I paid however that’s as a result of the package deal that’s being bought now consists of extra luggage to get you began so the worth of the particular unit has not likely modified. These appear to be promoting quick.
Please be sure that irrespective of the place you buy the Gamesaver from that you’re getting the right model. There may be one other mannequin that’s solely rated for 40 consecutive seals somewhat than the 60 you get with the model I reviewed.
Do you may have a favourite vacuum sealer? What sort of expertise have you ever had with the Foodsaver model? If you wish to touch upon any specific mannequin, please be certain that to incorporate the precise mannequin quantity or type so we are able to all study concerning the numerous Foodsavers on the market. I observed they fluctuate quite a bit in value and dimension.
