Topic: Food vaccuum packaging machines - anyone got one?

[pg]

Anyone got one of these, or tried one? Such as the FoodSaver?

If you haven't come across these before, basically it's a quite expensive machine that'll vaccuum pack food (or anything else) which the manufacturers then claim will increase the food's storage life (whether in the freezer or larder) because all the air's taken out, plus freezer burn on delicate items is avoided.

Just wondered if they are all they crack up to be. I've come across quite a lot of complimentary reviews but would like to hear from anyone on the front line, so to speak.

[peanuts]

We have a friend who is a retired butcher, who still does butchering for friends around.  He always packs his meat in portions in bags that are then vacuum sealed.  It is easy to do, easy to label, and I'm sure keeps the meat, or whatever is in it, in a better state.  Only drawback is that these packets take up a little more room than simple freezer bags and ties.

[gavinjconway]

We have one similar to this one.

http://www.preserveshop.co.uk/food-vacuum-sealers/seal-a-meal-vacuum-food-sealer-express?zenid=436eb51825a769b617733180916ad80d

We do use it a lot and agree it keeps stuff far better.