Vacuum Sealers? Can I get some recommendations-Need to seal hops

[phunhog]

Whatever vacuum sealer you go with I highly recommend getting the Foodsaver Mason Jar attachment.  A quart size jar fits a pound of hops(pellets) perfectly.  Resealing is a breeze and much cheaper than buying the food saver bags. If you want to get really fancy you can even blow CO2 over the hops before sealing them up.

[jcwhoffman]

@phunhog

Whatever vacuum sealer you go with I highly recommend getting the Foodsaver Mason Jar attachment.  A quart size jar fits a pound of hops(pellets) perfectly.  Resealing is a breeze and much cheaper than buying the food saver bags. If you want to get really fancy you can even blow CO2 over the hops before sealing them up.

Thanks, I will look into this…

@euge

I’d buy the 3250 in a heartbeat because of the variable modes and the dry-moist options.

I will plan on keeping the 3250 ( I was leaning in that direction…)

[AmandaK]

@jcwhoffman

and another 3250 and paid $89.99 Manual
http://www.foodsaver.com/product.aspx?pid=8323

Where did you find that price? The lowest I can find is $117.

[jcwhoffman]

@AmandaK

@jcwhoffman

and another 3250 and paid $89.99 Manual
http://www.foodsaver.com/product.aspx?pid=8323

Where did you find that price? The lowest I can find is $117.

I found it at Kohls, in the store, for  $99 and I had a $10 coupon  to bring it down to $89

[harveytitanium (Titanium Brewing)]

One thing no one has mentioned. These things are great for Sous Vide cooking, if you are into that kind of stuff. Most homebrewers already have all the equipment to do it.

[bluesman]

@jcwhoffman

I picked up 2 Foodsavers today, but will return one of them… Got one at BJ’s a 3485 (link below) this one is Auto…  Paid $134.99

http://www.bjs.com/foodsaver-g3-countertop-vacuum-sealer-plus-bonus.product.27368?dimId=

and another 3250 and paid $89.99 Manual
http://www.foodsaver.com/product.aspx?pid=8323

Does anyone know the advantage/disadvantage to buying one over the other(except price) I’m leaning toward the 3250 for that reason but don’t know right off what will the automatic feature will make better…

Don’t know for sure.

I have the Foodsaver Gamesaver deluxe and it has been a pleasure to use. I think they really help preserve hop freshness in a big way.

[AmandaK]

One thing no one has mentioned. These things are great for Sous Vide cooking, if you are into that kind of stuff. Most homebrewers already have all the equipment to do it.

I’ll have you know that this sent me on an hour long tangent. I think I must build one of these from my spare parts…

At any rate, back to the discussion. FoodSaver’s website has a comparison tool if you want to see the exact differences of those above mentioned models.

[jcwhoffman]

@AmandaK

One thing no one has mentioned. These things are great for Sous Vide cooking, if you are into that kind of stuff. Most homebrewers already have all the equipment to do it.

I’ll have you know that this sent me on an hour long tangent. I think I must build one of these from my spare parts…

At any rate, back to the discussion. FoodSaver’s website has a comparison tool if you want to see the exact differences of those above mentioned models.

I compared them on the website, I was looking for real world experience regarding the automatic vs manual features…  I’ve decided to keep the 3250 model as from what I read most people liked the manual operation and even users of the automatic functioning models, reverted to manual function.

[euge]

One thing no one has mentioned. These things are great for Sous Vide cooking, if you are into that kind of stuff. Most homebrewers already have all the equipment to do it.

+1! I actually do have all the equipment but why reconfigure when the SideKIC is so awesomely badass and affordable to boot? Yes- Sous Vide is one of the other things that the sealer will enable one to do.

My latest pastrami was smoked for a couple hours then immersed SV at 137F for 36 hours. Turned out fricken amazing.

If you want a SideKIC you’ll have to be vigilant. They sell out almost immediately and you’ll have to wait until they produce another batch for sale on Amazon- which seems to be every week or so…

[AmandaK]

@jcwhoffman

@AmandaK

@jcwhoffman

and another 3250 and paid $89.99 Manual
http://www.foodsaver.com/product.aspx?pid=8323

Where did you find that price? The lowest I can find is $117.

I found it at Kohls, in the store, for  $99 and I had a $10 coupon  to bring it down to $89

For anyone who is shopping right now, Kohl’s has the V3250 model on sale for $99 - there is also a 15% off Father’s Day coupon now until next Wednesday. Paid $85 for mine!

euge, how much is that sous vide thing when it’s in stock? I’m curious.

[jcwhoffman]

@AmandaK

@jcwhoffman

@AmandaK

@jcwhoffman

and another 3250 and paid $89.99 Manual
http://www.foodsaver.com/product.aspx?pid=8323

Where did you find that price? The lowest I can find is $117.

I found it at Kohls, in the store, for  $99 and I had a $10 coupon  to bring it down to $89

For anyone who is shopping right now, Kohl’s has the V3250 model on sale for $99 - there is also a 15% off Father’s Day coupon now until next Wednesday. Paid $85 for mine!

euge, how much is that sous vide thing when it’s in stock? I’m curious.

Amanda,  Where did you get the 15% Fathers Day coupon…  Also was that in store or online…

[AmandaK]

@jcwhoffman

@AmandaK

@jcwhoffman

@AmandaK

@jcwhoffman

and another 3250 and paid $89.99 Manual
http://www.foodsaver.com/product.aspx?pid=8323

Where did you find that price? The lowest I can find is $117.

I found it at Kohls, in the store, for  $99 and I had a $10 coupon  to bring it down to $89

For anyone who is shopping right now, Kohl’s has the V3250 model on sale for $99 - there is also a 15% off Father’s Day coupon now until next Wednesday. Paid $85 for mine!

euge, how much is that sous vide thing when it’s in stock? I’m curious.

Amanda,  Where did you get the 15% Fathers Day coupon…  Also was that in store or online…

kohls.com, upper right hand corner, print it out, bring it in store.

[jcwhoffman]

excellent!

[euge]

Amanda, I paid around $150 for the sideKIC last thanksgiving.

[harveytitanium (Titanium Brewing)]

Euge, thanks for the tip. I’ll keep my eye out for the SideKIC.

[Kyle_Jackson]

Hello, what kind of food sealers can you recommend? At my work we have a vacuum chamber (Minerva I think) but I really can’t afford a vacuum-chamber at home, so I have to settle with a sealer. Hope you can help me, so that I can start brewing at home!

Thanks,
Kyle

[cdawson]

I have an old FoodSaver Vac sealer I use for sealing up partial packages of hops when a recipe only calls for part of an ounce. I also use it occasionally for food or when I butcher a deer. It does not see a whole lot of use, but I’m guessing its 10+ years old and works fine every time I need it. Only minor issue is that it sometimes doesn’t fully seal the first time, but this is only when working with something that’s wet.

[jonhughey_att.net (HoosierBrew)]

I use this one. Works great:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LUGK5QW/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1493051509&sr=1-10&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywor

[wbaar2 (Wilbur)]

I have a Waring pistol vac, I’d recommend not going with resealable bags. I frequently find a bag or two that doesn’t maintain a seal anymore. Bags are also about $1-$1.50 each, so I don’t think I’m saving any money in the short run either. I’m planning on replacing it when I find a great deal.

[69franx]

I think this is the one I have:
https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-FM2000-FFP-Vacuum-Sealing-Starter/dp/B01D5TMBE0/ref=sr_1_4?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1493127693&sr=1-4&refinements=p_89%3AFoodSaver

Works great for hops, have not had much luck with any wet food product though I have not tried that too often. It’s not the most expensive, but keeps my hops fresh without any problems. I really think I paid even less than currently being offered, like around $45, but still a good price now compared to earlier in this thread.