FoodSaver FreshSaver Handheld Vacuum Sealing System $15 free shipping

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

I am guessing that you use this with your crock pot? I am not sure how to do this. I was thinking about building this

http://seattlefoodgeek.com/2010/0...-about-75/

If you suggest otherwise, (and if your way is cheaper), then I might try that first. Unfortunately my crockpot doesn't have a temp control other than 4 hour, 6 hour, 8 hour and 10 hour (as well as warm) so I assume I would have to buy another crock pot.

Ok, I just looked up your dorkfood temp controller. It is 99 bucks on amazon. How does it work? Does it just cut the electricity when the water is getting too hot?

edit. it helps if I read. that is apparently exactly how it works.

These don't keep seal very well in the freezer (bad for meat and other oddly shaped objects, OK for crepe and pancake that will take up the whole bag while being flat); fine in the fridge for deli meat and cheese, even block cheese. For freezing meat, I wrap the meat in cheap sandwich bag first (very thin kind that's like a dollar for 100), then stored in regular freezer ziplock. If I really care, I might also wrap in freezer paper.

bought one for my ghetto sous vide setup. Thanks, op!

Quote from hashish : 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.

Well, if you want TRUE, PERFECT sous vide, then sure.
But I've been using this method:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/0...-hack.html
and it works fine. You don't have to have perfection to enjoy a nice sous vide or faux sous vide or whatever.

ok, got one

Just get the Ziploc freezer pump/bags at walmart, the device is $4, and the bags are $3 a dozen for quart size. Only bad thing is it closely resembles that of a penis pump..or so I've heard.

I have one of these, and it works pretty good, my question is, how does this one compare to the larger one that uses rolls instead of bags ? Is the other one more effective?

Quote from drachen808 : I am guessing that you use this with your crock pot? I am not sure how to do this. I was thinking about building this http://seattlefoodgeek.com/2010/0...-about-75/ If you suggest otherwise, (and if your way is cheaper), then I might try that first. Unfortunately my crockpot doesn't have a temp control other than 4 hour, 6 hour, 8 hour and 10 hour (as well as warm) so I assume I would have to buy another crock pot.

I would think you could just dial in an aquarium heater and a pot, or low on cook top with a thermometer

Quote from drachen808 : Ok, I just looked up your dorkfood temp controller. It is 99 bucks on amazon. How does it work? Does it just cut the electricity when the water is getting too hot? edit. it helps if I read. that is apparently exactly how it works.

Yep, just cycles the power on/off. Works flawlessly, like within a 1/3 of 1 degree.

That DIY immersion one you linked to is honestly a better solution. The problem with the crockpot is that the sides of the crockpot are hotter than you want the water to be while it's heating up, so you have to keep food from touching it. So, if you feel confident in your DIY abilities, you'll get a better sous-vide machine out of the one you linked to. I think that dorkfood unit is the best production piece out, though, without spending a ton of money on a full sous-vide machine.

Thanks! In for a red one!

In for 2 thanks

I bought the small plug-in countertop one a few years ago for a $10 SD and I like it. I use the ziploc & food saver brand bags and have only had the issue of losing the seal in the freezer once or twice. I use it mostly in the freezer for chicken, steaks, even diced fresh veggies to use every now and then.

I did have one issue with the a cable fitting attached to the retractable cord on the inside breaking (small plastic piece), but we were able to fix it with some epoxy.

I'll pick up a couple of these as gifts and maybe one to replace my counter top from a space saving persective. Maybe I won't break this one.

For those saying this doesn't hold a vacuum, I'd point out that that's the function of the bag you are using, not the vacuum unit itself.

That being said, I have had this unit for a while. It works GREAT on things line sandwich meats and cheese, lettuce, dog food...things that you would open, close, and revacuum often. I have had a lot of problems with the Ziplock bags holding the seal for more than a few days. In the freezer, my experience has been about a week or so.

That's not to say this isn't a good deal. I mean, think about it this way: You want the smaller, easier to use model with the cheap, re-usable bags for things you'll access often. For things you want to STORE, I'd spring for the better model and use the rolled bags. That's what I've done with much better success.

My only caution on this unit is that after about a year or so, the battery doesn't hold the charge as well as it used to. So I do sometimes have some issues with storing something big like lettuce, where there is a large volume of air to pull out. But for what I paid ($3) I'm not complaining. It might be a thought at 15.

Lastly, if you are near an Ollies, they've had the countertop version of this for like $20 for months. So you may be better off getting it there so you can return it if you're not happy with it.