FoodSaver FreshSaver Handheld Vacuum Sealing System $15 free shipping

Does this work well enough to sous vide? I can't afford 150 right now, especially since I need to buy the parts to build my sous vide, but 15 is nice.

Quote from drachen808 : Does this work well enough to sous vide? I can't afford 150 right now, especially since I need to buy the parts to build my sous vide, but 15 is nice.

Definitely not, for sous vide you need full immersion and a complete seal. Heat and gas expansion would definitely compromise the seal these.

Unless you took an iron to melt the bags sealed.

Quote from hashish : I have a couple these things, its really not worth it. The vacuum works, but the zip lock bags don't work well at all. They hold vacuum for maybe 2 days. I've used it like twice....

You're doing it wrong.

So this is solely for lunch meat and cheeses? Still not a bad deal, just checking. Has anyone tried to seal spinach? we always buy the big plastic tub of spinach (or lettuce) and generally don't get all the way through it before it goes bad. It goes into our compost tumbler, but I would rather get good use out of it.

Quote from drachen808 : Does this work well enough to sous vide? I can't afford 150 right now, especially since I need to buy the parts to build my sous vide, but 15 is nice.

For sous-vide cooking I just use normal ziploc freezer bags. I fill them with whatever I"m cooking, and then I dip them in water (while the seal is open) to push out the air, and then seal it. Gives you a pretty good air removal starting point, I've had no issues with cooking doing that

I have a similar model I got free at target after stacking 2 SD coupons. The bags sometimes come unsealed in the freezer. I'm not sure if it's defective packaging or rough handling cramming bags in our small freezer, but it seems like I toss at least 1 in 4. I'll have to try the cheaper ziplock bags to see if they are any better.

Got one for keeping my catch of fish fresh. We'll see how it does!

Quote from J.Steinbeck : You're doing it wrong.

That's what your wife said, haha I couldn't resist. No hard feelings.

The thing is idiot proof so there is no doing it wrong, it's just a poor product. I bought 3 of these as gifts and they all have the same result. I even bough the plastic containers. Just my two cents. It makes bulls-eye shaped hickies

Does anyone know if this can be used with the tubing attachment?

Quote from elohel : For sous-vide cooking I just use normal ziploc freezer bags. I fill them with whatever I"m cooking, and then I dip them in water (while the seal is open) to push out the air, and then seal it. Gives you a pretty good air removal starting point, I've had no issues with cooking doing that

awesome. I will try that. Now time to build the water bath.

Quote from drachen808 : awesome. I will try that. Now time to build the water bath.

If you're looking for a temp controller, I give high praises to the Dorkfood temp controller. Works friggen perfectly

Quote from CrazyforYeshua : Don't make the mistake and buy their high dollar bags, get Ziplock Vacuum Bags, they work perfect, and there's always coupons out for those.

Where could one be on the lookout for such a coupon?

The bags you use with this thing lose the seal in the freezer for me nearly every time. I've tried both the ziplock and the foodsaver versions. They rely on the little tab of what seems to be silicone coated plastic in the sealing area to be drawn by the vacuum you create to the vent hole. Unfortunately, the low freezer temps seem to make that seal less pliable (maybe exasperated by some movement in the freezer) and the seal is lost leaving the bag to expand to a natural form. I think I'll try small bits of duct tape over the seal area before putting it in the freezer to see if I can get some better use out of the rest of the bags, but it's really just been a big frustration.

Ha, just noticed on their description on the foodsaver site for these bags, they mention refrigerator use but _not_ freezer. I suspect they know freezer kills the seal, but they should probably warn about that. FWIW, I've had them lose seal in the fridge too, although it has a bit better chance.

Mine caught fire while charging, counter damaged.