Vacuum Sealer

[jdot6]

Don't know if this is the right spot but I just received my vacuum sealer for my hops in the mail. $40 off ebay. Looking to see if this is worth keeping or if I should just send it back and save the aggravation. It leaves a small amount of air in the bags. Not enough that the hops slide around but enough that i can rub the plastic with 2 fingers. Also it makes you wait 2 min after each bag. Suggestions??

 

[MrSaLTy]

What bags are you using? Are they actual vacuum sealer bags or the ones the hops came in? If its the original hop bags they tend to have such a smooth surface that it can't suck out all the air. I have had this happen all the time. The only way I've been able to get all the air out is to gather a small bit of the open edge over on itself to create a small channel that can let it suck all the air out. Sorta like moving the open edge out of alignment with your thumb and forefinger. It may take a few tries. IF it doesn't clear all the air you don't have to seal it. Then you have to seal it good, maybe a couple times to make sure its sealed. You can do it you just have to get used to it. The regular vacuum bags have a texture that lets it suck out all the air but then of course you don't get the light protection etc.

 

[Rhumbline]

If you're talking about a foodsaver type machine then you should be getting a better vacuum.

It takes a bit of experimenting to get the thing working right. You do need the waffle textured bags in my experience.

Also, note that some foods outgas and you'll end up with a balloon even though you got a good seal and vacuum. I just did some garlic and that happened.

 

[jdot6]

It's like a food saver but a different brand with the bags it came with. The air comes out and then I seal it but it's just not tight. I woke up this morning and now the hops are in just a bag. Seal is pretty much gone. I'm just gonna return and get a food saver. Thanks for the input!

 

[atom]

i just bought this one for for $35 (white one). sealed 5-6 lbs of hops (1-2 oz) bags and it worked great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HMWC4A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[jdot6]

i just bought this one for for $35 (white one). sealed 5-6 lbs of hops (1-2 oz) bags and it worked great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HMWC4A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Thanks! I'll be looking into that 1 then today. This 1 is not what I was hoping. Sucks

 

[brewcephus]

i just bought this one for for $35 (white one). sealed 5-6 lbs of hops (1-2 oz) bags and it worked great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HMWC4A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

This is what I have along with a wide mouth mason jar attachment and I seal my hops in a mason jar. This works great for me because I have an entire fridge/freezer combo in my shop that is dedicated to me and my brewing obsessio... err hobby.

 

[Hello]

Thanks! I'll be looking into that 1 then today. This 1 is not what I was hoping. Sucks

You may want to wait. Amazon is reviewing the item due to some issues reported. I was about to jump on it myself but I saw this message:

 

[SmokeyMcBong]

I just did some garlic and that happened.

Raw garlic?? If it was, be very careful

You shouldn't vac pac raw garlic, I'm a chef and they (health department) say that garlic is an extreme risk for botulism! We are told that one of the biggest dangers for botch in industrial kitchens is raw garlic stored under oil in an anaerobic environment. It is common practice in industrial kitchens to puree garlic and store it with a layer of oil over the top to avoid oxidation and spoilage but if held too long bad things can happen.

If it was me, and the bags of ballooned garlic (or any food for that matter) were mine, they'd be going straight into the garbage. Vac pac bags should never EVER inflate after being vacuumed. The only way I would consider food in a ballooned bag safe is if the food was too hot when vacc'ed AND if I noticed this mistake (usually by an apprentice) right away.

Botch isn't something you wanna mess around with, look it up. Be safe brother.

 

[jjw5015]

I got this one from ebay for $41 new. It was a great deal. There are alot of them on there. It works fantastic for storing hops.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sop=3&_nkw=foodsaver+v2460&_frs=1

 

[jdot6]

You may want to wait. Amazon is reviewing the item due to some issues reported. I was about to jump on it myself but I saw this message:

Haha! Thanks! Glad I saw this. It seems food saver is the way to go. I think I'm going with the one below.

I got this one from ebay for $41 new. It was a great deal. There are alot of them on there. It works fantastic for storing hops.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sop=3&_nkw=foodsaver+v2460&_frs=1

Looks like I'll be returning the 1 I have and getting this 1. Such a pain! Thanks 4 sure!

 

[jdot6]

Raw garlic?? If it was, be very careful

You shouldn't vac pac raw garlic, I'm a chef and they (health department) say that garlic is an extreme risk for botulism! We are told that one of the biggest dangers for botch in industrial kitchens is raw garlic stored under oil in an anaerobic environment. It is common practice in industrial kitchens to puree garlic and store it with a layer of oil over the top to avoid oxidation and spoilage but if held too long bad things can happen.

If it was me, and the bags of ballooned garlic (or any food for that matter) were mine, they'd be going straight into the garbage. Vac pac bags should never EVER inflate after being vacuumed. The only way I would consider food in a ballooned bag safe is if the food was too hot when vacc'ed AND if I noticed this mistake (usually by an apprentice) right away.

Botch isn't something you wanna mess around with, look it up. Be safe brother.

Ya I'm a chef too and agree with all this. Onions too. Better just to use them fresh!

 

[Rhumbline]

Raw garlic?? If it was, be very careful

You shouldn't vac pac raw garlic,...Be safe brother.

You are absolutely correct. I just had a stupid attack.

Funny, I've never hesitated to throw out meat on the few occasions when it balloons, I just didn't view veggies the same way. I know differently now and I appreciate how lucky I've been.

It's things like this that remind me that I'm not as smart as I think I am.

Thanks.