Ebay Vacuum Sealers Any Good?

[sinkas]

Hi all,
With the high price of hops, and my increasing inability to brew much, I was thinking of getting a food vac sealer to try and keep things fresh.
I notice in a couple of threads, Batz and a few other talked about buying the cheaper sealers as seen on ebay for about $90

so are these any good, or is it worth the doubled price for the sunbeam?

 

[fraser_john]

I have the FoodSaver one, works well with storing hops, sausage, steak bought in bulk etc, but the bags/rolls are expensive

If you really want to save stuff, you need to get one that works with foil (mylar?) bags!

 

[muckey]

I also use mine to reseal hops and specialty grains in their original bags and they work really well

 

[Batz]

My sealer is still going strong,I buy the bags on ebay as well and save heaps
The bloke I bought it from did a discount for AHB members.
Batz

 

[chappo1970]

Sorry haven't gone the evilbay for them as yet. However I am on to my second Foodsaver. They are absolutely brilliant for all thing perishiable. I mainly use mine for steak, I seal 'em tight and leave the steaks to age in the bottom of the fridge for about 6 to 8 weeks. If you love an aged steak these babies pay for themselves in no time. The bags aren't cheap but for what you want to do I wouldn't think it would hurt. But there again I always buy the best quality I can afford at the time to save the disappointment.

 

[Back Yard Brewer]

Hi all,
With the high price of hops, and my increasing inability to brew much, I was thinking of getting a food vac sealer to try and keep things fresh.
I notice in a couple of threads, Batz and a few other talked about buying the cheaper sealers as seen on ebay for about $90

so are these any good, or is it worth the doubled price for the sunbeam?

I stuck with the Sunbeam. My local Mitre 10 has them for around $190. I know someone who bought one of those cheapies off evil-bay and they swore they would not buy one a gain. So thats why I went the Sunbeam. But yes the bloody bags are dear.

BYB

 

[Bizier]

This is something I am super-keen on knowing as well if someone has a reasonably bulletproof cheap one.

I want to give my homegrown the best possible chances for aroma stability that I can on a budget.

 

[bouncingcastle]

I picked up one of these on special for $60...They are going at $70 at the moment.

Vacuum Sealer, Cutter, and date stamp

Works great, no hassles - use it for hops, fish, steak, etc. etc. etc

http://www.shoppingsquare.com.au/p_4409_Fo...ut_Vacuum__Seal

Comes with bags as well

 

[Wolfy]

I don't know if you have Sams/Warehouse shops over in Perth, however here in Melbourne (Fountain Gate to be more specific) they're currently having a 'green ticket sale' and have vacuum sealer's with some bags marked down to $59, extra boxes of (40) bags are $19.

 

[recharge]

I also have an ebay one. Works great had it about 2 yrs. Bags don't work out too expensive if you just want them for hops just keep reusing until they are too small for anything.
I can bring it to the next wcb meeting if you want to try it out.

Rich

 

[Thirsty Boy]

I am looking to buy a vacuum sealer as well - I am leaning towards one like this one

Vacuum Sealer

because it doesn't rely on the bags having channels down one side - it has a probe to pull the vacuum rather than a chamber. That means that the bags are cheaper, and in fact you can use any old plastic bag, even old ziplock bags will do, just not as tough.

I plan to bring home lots of mylar ex hop bags - sausages, grain, hops, recalcitrant neighbors... all nicely sealed up and frozen.

TB

 

[Wolfy]

That means that the bags are cheaper, and in fact you can use any old plastic bag, even old ziplock bags will do, just not as tough.

I was of the impression that to maintain a decent vacuum you needed bags designed to prevent the flow of oxygen though the bag (they're 2-layer something or other), and did not think that normal plastic bags would do that job as well as the specialty ones?

 

[Gulf Brewery]

I have been thinking about one of these for a while.

Does anyone know what the main difference between all of the Sunbeam models is? Their "product comparison" page is horrible.


Cheers
Pedro

 

[sinkas]

IS anyone interested in a bulk buy on perhaps the sunbeam model?

 

[brettprevans]

+1 for bulk buy on sealer and bags

 

[Bizier]

+1 if the price is right

 

[Sammus]

+1 if the price is right

ditto

 

[brendo]

+1 - does that mean you are putting your hand up sinkas?




*edit cause I dobbed the wrong member in*

 

[Peteoz77]

I don't know if you have Sams/Warehouse shops over in Perth, however here in Melbourne (Fountain Gate to be more specific) they're currently having a 'green ticket sale' and have vacuum sealer's with some bags marked down to $59, extra boxes of (40) bags are $19.

Drove all the way into Woden today and all they had were the bags

 

[sinkas]

Well if i can get interest in 10 Units, Ill make enquiries
currently at 5