topic Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt.... in Kitchen

FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

forrestwolf — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 19:45:52 GMT

I see the thread for new FoodSaver.......BUT.......I am having a problem........HELP, if you can...

I ran out of the pre-cut bags, and such, and ordered some off brand from AMAZON, and was well pleased with the price.......HOWEVER.......I bought the gallon, quart, and even smaller bags, and they are curling up on the end to be placed in the FoodSaver, and they take me forever to get them to feed in to take the vacuum mode..........I am also having a problem with the fact that after I vacuum items, then I will look in the freezer, and the bag is no longer vacuumed sealed........same for items in the fridge, and I paid good money to not have this happen, as with Zip Loc bags.....Am I doing something wrong.......... I have been double sealing, and still have this problem........ This is what I have.........

Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

chickenbutt — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 19:57:17 GMT

I didn't do it!

Oh, hi! I'm not sure what you mean by the 'curling up' part. One thing is that if the nature of a bag is that it has a bit of a curl to it, place it in the machine the opposite way so that it curls slightly down, into the tray. Then close the machine and grasp the bag, just outside the machine and gently pull out so that it is surely laying FLAT into the tray.

Does that make sense?

If you are having bag failure is this with new bags? You mentioned buying a cheap brand. I'm not a fan of cheaper brands EXCEPT the Weston brand which is not only cheaper, but very well made and as good, or better, than the Foodsaver brand.

Are you sealing up anything that is particularly pointy, in that it could pierce the bag? Are you freezing, or par-freezing, meats so that the liquid doesn't leak out of the bag during sealing? There are two very good reasons to freeze meat first - 1) to keep fluids from being pulled out, and into the machine (not good), causing a lesser seal; and 2) The fiber in meats will expand just a little bit upon freezing, so if it's already frozen when sealed it will give you a better seal/vacuum.

I hope some of that is helpful. If not, ask away. You know me - I'm a vacuum sealing fool and have figured out pretty much every way to make it the best possible.

Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

forrestwolf — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:11:40 GMT

This is the company, thru Amazon, that I have.......Where do I find the Weston brand???

150 Bags! 50 Pint, 50 Quart and 50 Gallon Bags for Vacuum Sealer Machines

by FoodVacBags

34 customer reviews

| 15 answered questions

$38.99 & FREE Shipping. Details

In Stock.

Sold by FoodVacBags Bags & Rolls and Fulfilled by Amazon. Gift-wrap available.

Want it Monday, June 9? Order within 23 hrs 51 mins and choose One-Day Shippingat checkout. Details

Designed for use with all clamp-style vacuum packaging machines
150 bags! Economically priced - Save over other name brand bags!
Bags can be frozen, refrigerated, microwaved, or boiled
FDA Approved and BPA Free
Eliminates freezer burn and dehydration

Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

chickenbutt — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:13:37 GMT

Amazon sells the Weston brand bags and rolls. That's where I've purchased all of mine.

I use 6", 8", and 11" plus I like having the rolls on hand. Foodsaver stopped making the 6" rolls. I was totally bummed. Then I found that Weston makes the 6" rolls so I have a few of those on hand.

Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

chickadee — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 21:59:59 GMT

I also buy the Weston bags. I often cut a bag in half to make smaller bags as needed. I sometimes do a double seal if I think I'm going to store the stuff for a while. I've also had the seal fail sometimes, but this is actually more of a problem with the foodsaver brand bags for me! I'm not sure if it's my machine or what, but I think sometimes it just doesn't stay in the "seal" mode long enough. I can kind of tell if it didn't take well.

I agree about freezing/mostly freezing juicy stuff before sealing it. The "wet" foods button really does nothing to help it seal better...I find that if those juices get up to the seal area, all bets are off. At least that's my experience with the thing.

I just discovered some sealed pesto cubes in the back of my freezer that have to be two years old. I wasn't sure if it would still be good, but it was!

Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

debic — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 00:57:39 GMT

Well I have that same machine, and have to fight that curl once in awhile also on any kind of bags. For those who don't have an auto start, there's flaps that the bag has to hit almost straight on to engage the vacuum. Sometimes it works better to flip the bag over and have it up higher. I use a thick cutting board.

No idea about the bags, but the feedback looked good. I think everyone has had a failure or two for no real reason.

I don't pre freeze most things, I just fold up a paper towel and make my own barrier. I will pre freeze things that shouldn't be smooched.

Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

forrestwolf — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 17:07:03 GMT

Thanks........... I have the Weston saved in my wish list, and will try the freezing a bit on "juicy" items..........I knew you guys would help.........

Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

AZ Diamondback Mom — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 21:43:05 GMT

Hope no one is offended for me asking another question as I have not had very good luck when asking things -

What is anyones feelings about reusing the bags for other foods after taking

out the food? How is it for resealing after a use?

Thank you for anyone who has input

Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

depglass — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 22:26:35 GMT

I don't have a Food Saver, but just a thought. I have bought Double Guard Ziploc bags on Amazon and the boxes are glued slightly crooked. That makes me think some sellers have seconds, maybe that's what you got a hold of. I have also bought Guittard chocolate chips on Amazon that were coated slightly white. They tasted fine, but I know the white means they were old.

Re: FOODSAVER........Especially you, chickenbutt....

chickadee — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 22:30:30 GMT

I reuse them only if I've sealed dry goods in them. I personally wouldn't wash and reuse a bag that held meat or something like that in it, but only because I don't think I could get it clean enough for my peace of mind. The bags have teensy little nooks and crannies in them that allow the air to get .. removed from the bags before sealing. My paranoid nature doesn't think I could get into all those eensy little passages to get all the 'oozes' out of there.

I reuse them all the time for dry stuff. Even for bird seed and dog food, lol. I buy the big bags of dog food that my dog can't eat before its use date (they should eat it within 4-6 weeks of opening - esp if it is a premium food without additives). Anyway, I seal up weeks worth portions of the food and put it in the freezer. I reuse the bags all the time. Doggie usually gets the "leftover" bags, though. lol.

The bags reseal just fine. You just cut off the portion you already sealed, so the remaining bag is just smaller than what you started with.