This website incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a fee from qualifying purchases at no further value to you. Full Disclosure Right here.
There are plenty of vacuum sealers on the market. With so many individuals rising gardens, looking, fishing, or elevating their very own proteins at residence, vacuum sealers have loved a resurgence in reputation.
My husband and I purchased a Foodsaver Gamesaver a few years in the past after we have been nonetheless residing in a camper and getting the farm going. They’ve come down in worth since then. Ours lasted for fairly a while and the one cause it didn’t last more was the truth that we didn’t deal with it effectively sufficient.
It was wonderful that it lasted so long as it did contemplating the abuse that we put it by way of utilizing it for 500 lb hogs and vacuum sealing plenty of very salty and juicy cuts. We actually didn’t care for it in addition to we must always of and truthfully, it in all probability might have been fastened however we have been younger and didn’t know that a lot about that sort of factor.
For years we simply didn’t have a vacuum sealer however then I made a decision to simply get a $35 one and that was an enormous mistake that value each of us plenty of time and vitality over just a few years. After the pandemic was in movement we realized that we actually wanted to get one thing that didn’t require a ton of pressure and standing there for each little little bit of the vacuum course of. We additionally didn’t desire a vacuum sealer that took a couple of minutes to do a single bag. A number of luggage simply didn’t seal correctly.
I did extra analysis than I ought to need to be trustworthy. There have been fairly just a few manufacturers that tended to get good critiques however I used to be simply skeptical. I additionally didn’t have the finances to spend $300 or extra on the vacuum sealer of my goals.
My search led me again to the Gamesaver. This model is named the Foodsaver Gamesaver Wingman and it does a beautiful job.
Why did I choose this mannequin?
Takes each 11” huge and eight” huge rolls
The Gamesaver makes use of any model of vacuum sealer luggage as much as 11-inch width. A number of compact vacuum sealers or cheap sealers solely take 8 inch huge rolls and luggage. I don’t need to be restricted in what measurement of bag I can use. Most gallon measurement luggage are greater than 8 inches huge.
Detachable Drip Tray
It was type of inconvenient to not be capable to clear the drip tray on my final vacuum sealer with out unplugging it and dumping it out over the sink or utilizing a number of paper towels. The Gamesaver has a tray that comes out simply so you possibly can rinse it and go on or wash effectively for the subsequent time you get out your Foodsaver. Anybody that has ever tried to hoover seal plenty of moist meals is aware of how messy it may possibly get and the way vital a simple to wash drip tray actually is.
Can carry out plenty of seals with out a break.
In actual fact, this mannequin can seal 60 occasions consecutive occasions with out stopping for a cool-down interval. After that, it solely wants 20 minutes and you need to use it once more. This implies you possibly can seal plenty of meals quick, particularly you probably have assist. One particular person can fill luggage and the opposite can seal them. I used to be amazed at how briskly we have been capable of seal up the flour, dried fruit, and nuts we purchased.
Takes up a reasonable quantity of house.
I’ve a small home and kitchen so house is all the time a difficulty when making the choice to purchase a kitchen equipment, particularly one that’s solely going to get used sporadically. The Gamesaver was one of the best deal for a vacuum sealer that was not likely giant and nonetheless took 11” huge luggage and rolls. I nearly purchased a distinct mannequin that was a lot taller and took up much more shelf house.
I like that the Gamesaver has a low profile so you possibly can slot in on principally any shelf or on high of a cupboard. You may be capable to slot in someplace that not a lot else will match and since most individuals solely use a Foodsaver often, you possibly can all the time retailer it in a tougher to get to position than gadgets that you just use each day.
It has a roll holder and a cutter not like my earlier vacuum sealer.
Should you purchase premade luggage then it’s not that large of a deal in case your vacuum sealer doesn’t have a built-in cutter. On the similar time, I discovered myself chopping luggage in half typically for smaller vacuum seal jobs. It was annoying to try this with scissors. I’m glad that the Gamesaver has a quite simple and sharp cutter that makes it simple to make custom-sized luggage from rolls and even lower a premade bag in half if wanted.
The roll holder is helpful too since you possibly can simply maintain a roll in there and able to go for these occasions if you simply have to seal just a few issues or odd-shaped gadgets. I personally favor shopping for the premade quart and gallon-sized luggage moderately than having to make a bag however there are occasions when having the ability to create a {custom} measurement is strictly what is required significantly on butcher days across the farm.
Accent Port and Hose
I’ve by no means really used the accent port and hose on a vacuum sealer however I do know that it’s a function that some individuals prefer to have. You should purchase jars, jar lids, and containers which you can vacuum seal shut. Foodsaver additionally makes a fast marinating container that you need to use to shortly tenderize and marinate meats. The Gamesaver simply comes with the hose that you just want. All containers need to be bought individually however they’re inexpensive.
Settings for dry and moist meals.
A number of vacuum sealers have just one setting and that makes it onerous to correctly seal moist meals like fish and varied cuts of meat. The default setting is dry however you possibly can change to moist with the contact of a button.
Sealer locks down on the bag so there isn’t a slipping.
I like that the Gamesaver has a lever on the appropriate measurement that engages a lock so the bag is firmly in place with out the operator having to be actually cautious and exert plenty of further stress. You possibly can lock lock it down after which press the button to vaccum and seal and stroll away in order for you. Often you probably have overfilled a bag or the highest is just not within the vacuum zone accurately then it is not going to vacuum and seal proper.
The easiest way to keep away from that’s to not overfill luggage. If you wish to cease the vacuum motion and reposition a bag you simply have to make use of the lever on the appropriate and open it and the suction will cease. It’s also possible to select to seal the bag at any level within the course of with out letting a bunch of air again into the bag. It is a very helpful operate for vacuum sealing gadgets which can be simply crushed.
Moderately priced and it comes with a 5 12 months guarantee.
I contemplate the Gamesaver an actual discount for a vacuum sealer that comes with a 5-year guarantee. Even when it broke proper at 5 years after heavy use I’d nonetheless say it was a discount and well worth the cash. I wasted method an excessive amount of time with that low-cost $35 sealer after I might have had a Gamesaver. Until I simply have some huge cash to spend a while or get one given to me for evaluate, I don’t see myself switching manufacturers even when I solely get the 5 years out of it that the guarantee covers.
So what are the disadvantages?
Should you don’t like camo then you’re out of luck. It is a vacuum sealer designed with hunters in thoughts. I’m tremendous with camo aside from the truth that my complete home is earth-toned for probably the most half so including one thing that’s largely camo could make it onerous to see if my home is a multitude! I’m really grateful for the orange accents on this mannequin.
All joking apart the most important drawback is simply how loud this machine is. This isn’t a sealer which you can function with individuals attempting to sleep in the home or while you’re watching tv. I attempted to look at a present whereas I sealed meals and it was unimaginable.
The worth you pay for a extremely sturdy vacuum pump is the noise. I’m not positive how loud different comparable sealers are or how loud the actually costly ones are. Maybe all the nice ones are louder as a result of pumping energy they provide.
The Gamesaver is at the moment not accessible on the Foodsaver web site and even when it was, it’s a lot inexpensive when you get in on Amazon. I’m not positive why the Foodsaver website costs greater than second get together on-line retailers however they do. Vacuum sealers are getting tougher to search out so when you want one to protect meals, now could be the time to get one earlier than the worth goes up or all the nice ones which can be inexpensive are gone.
Different Foodsavers
From what I can collect individuals just like the Foodsaver namebrand vacuum sealers whatever the mannequin. They’ve been round a very long time and have plenty of repeat clients.
Should you don’t thoughts being restricted to rolls and luggage which can be 8″ huge, here’s a hyperlink to the house saving Foodsaver.
Substitute Luggage
One factor I don’t really feel that I can advocate is the Foodsaver luggage and it’s not as a result of they’re missing in high quality. The rationale why I recommend buying different luggage is the associated fee. I discovered PackFreshUSA luggage for an excellent deal in comparison with Foodsaver luggage. PackFreshUSA affords luggage which can be made in the USA and so they value much less so I’m going to be shopping for from them any more. PackFreshUSA largely sells on Amazon and eBay however they do have their very own web site. Unusually sufficient, it appears they’re solely taking orders by way of Amazon and eBay for the time being.
For probably the most present worth on the Foodsaver Gamesaver Wingman, comply with this hyperlink. The present worth is barely greater than what I paid however that’s as a result of the bundle that’s being bought now contains extra luggage to get you began so the worth of the particular unit has not likely modified. These appear to be promoting quick.
Please be sure that regardless of the place you buy the Gamesaver from that you’re getting the right model. There may be one other mannequin that’s solely rated for 40 consecutive seals moderately than the 60 you get with the model I reviewed.
Do you might have a favourite vacuum sealer? What sort of expertise have you ever had with the Foodsaver model? If you wish to touch upon any explicit mannequin, please be certain that to incorporate the precise mannequin quantity or fashion so we will all be taught concerning the varied Foodsavers on the market. I observed they differ loads in value and measurement.