Vacuum Sealers: A Comparsion

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Today as I was vacuum canning my vegetable seeds for the next season, I decided it would be a good time to test a recent purchase. I wanted a non-electric back up vacuum canner in case my Food Saver was inoperable due to the grid being down. The manual unit is called "Vac-U-Pump" and cost $79, plus shipping. The unit consists of a two section white plastic cannister, with vacuum gauge and air valve on top. There is a hand operated pump attached via a clear plastic tube to the cannister. You put a mason jar with lid and band inside, close the air vent, and pump away, like with a bicycle pump. The gauge tells you when 26" Hg is reached. Open up the air vent to free the cannister and you are done. I was surprised how easy it was and quick. I had thought I would be pumping away in order to achieve a good vacuum, but no, it took only about 8-10 stokes. In some ways this manual unit works better than the $200+ Food Saver. The Food Saver jar attachment depends on a good, if not exact, seal with the mason jar. I have found that Kerr brand jars work better than Ball jars in getting a tight seal. Because the jar is inside a cannister, this is not a consideration with the manual sealer. A jar that I could not seal with the Food Saver was quickly sealed in the manual unit. One tip, good for either vacuum canner, is to put the lids in boiling water for a minute or so to soften up the rubber seal. The Vac-U-Pump URL is: http://www.vac-u-pump.com/ Usual disclaimers in that I have no financial interests in this company. It's a good product. But judging from the hit counter on the web site, only 390 people know about it. Gary North is right in saying that many y2k survival items are from cottage industries!

-- Sure M. Worried (SureMWorried@about.Y2K.coming), August 24, 1999

Answers

Sue,

Have you been to your Auto parts store lately? They sell a hand vacuum pump for about $30-$40. This is for testing the vacuum on your car's auto hoses. Brand new, never used, it is clean. The hand pump to buy is the type with clear hoses. These hoses are the same type used in the food industry. I have hooked it up to my food saver hose and hood for both regular and wide mouth jars. The gauge in PSI shows that the regular lids seal around 15 to 18 PSI. The wide mouth a little higher, but not much.

The vacuum pump has all kinds of attachments to connect to various things. The vaccum tee's will mate it up to the dome's and if you have a food saver vacuum bowl set, that works well too.

I have posted in previous threads on this before. It is lenghtly to read, but will keep things fresh and long lasting.

I only live 25 miles from the company called Multi-Sorb. The oxygen absorbion maker here in the USA. They are located in West Seneca, NY. I'm in Buffalo. Dehydrated foods vacuumed packed can out last 5 to 10 years in cool dry storage easily.

Joe Martin -- Buffalo, NY

And I am in the fail zone on the Navy report. Bummer. Can't move.

-- Joe Martin (nospam@nospam.com), August 24, 1999.


Tilia FOODSAVER INFO ...

A many people have asked questions about the Food Saver by Tilia. It is the only food vacuum packer with 3mm thick bags. The bags can be resealed as well. This device can also vacuum pack canning jars, both wide and regular mouthed. With the FreshPax(tm) packets, dry food and grains can last for over seven years with vacuum canning. This is one sure way of packing food without having to open a large tub that in time could spoil due to infrequent use. FreshPax(tm) is made right here in West Seneca, NY. They supply both the medical and food industries with oxygen absorbsion products.

So many of us do not know how to properly can food nor have the equipment or time. This is one way to achieve canning and know little about it.

The following is the FoodSaver info and then the FreshPax(tm) info as found on the Web.

Return to FreshSaver Home Page ----------------------------------------------------------- What is the difference between the two machines?

You may have seen both infomercials on television. The main difference between the two machines is that the FoodSaver should be used if you are more interested in using bags than cannisters. The FreshSaver is more convenient when cannister storage is your preference. Both the FreshSaver (with the bag sealer) and the FoodSaver can be used with bags and cannisters. If you plan to do a lot of canning, either machine will work equally for you.

The other difference is the price. The FoodSaver price is $199.95 plus $19.95 S&H and includes, a wide mouth jar sealer, one roll of vac-loc bags 11"X20', 10 PreCut bags 8" x 11 1/2", 1 1/2 quart canister, 'how to' video, recipes for freshness and marinating, $90 in bonus buck coupons and instructional manuals.

The FreshSaver price is $119.96 plus $19.95 S&H and includes, 1 1/2 quart SaverMate Canister, 4" & 5" top universal lid (for sealing things in their own container) 2 vacu top bottle stoppers, VacLoc bag sealer, 10 - 8" x 11- 1/2" PreCut bags, wide mouth jar sealer, recipes for freshness and marinating and $90 worth of bonus buck coupons and instructional manuals.

I need parts for my older FoodSaver machine, who can I call?

Please call Tilia directly at 1-800-777-5452, press option 3 and ask for tech services. However, if you need accessories such as bags and canisters, please order through our website or call 1-800-525-7670.

I own a FreshSaver and am having a hard time removing the vacuum tip and the jar sealer, what should I do?

Take it in your hand like you're going to break a stick and use a pushing down motion or use a butter knife around the seal to gently allow air in. It will get easier as you use it, however, it can be very hard the first couple of times.

I have an older FoodSaver, can I use the accessories listed on your website?

Yes, you can use the accessories listed on the website, the parts are interchangeable.

Do FoodSaver and FreshSaver come in colors other than white?

No, they do not.

I found your web site after watching an infomercial this morning. I saw how regular canning jars could be sealed with the FreshSaver. My question is, do you have to buy the additional small mouth jar sealer at $10.95 in order to seal canning jars?

A large mouth jar sealer is included in your FreshSaver package, however, if you want to seal small jars, you will need to purchase the small mouth jar sealer.

I'd like to purchase a FoodSaver or FreshSaver with a check, how do I do this?

To order a FoodSaver, please send a check or money order, payable to FoodSaver, for the full amount of $199.95 plus $19.95 S&H, for a total of $219.90. CA residents please add 7.25% sales tax or $14.50 (7.25% of 199.95). Alaska and Hawaii residents must add an additional $10.00 for shipping charges. We cannot ship outside the U.S.

Send to: FoodSaver P.O. Box 1481 La Quinta, CA 92253

To order a FreshSaver, please send a check or money order, payable to FreshSaver, for the full amount of $119.96 plus $19.95 S&H, for a total of $139.91. CA residents please add 7.25% sales tax or $10.14 (7.25% of 119.95). Alaska and Hawaii residents must add an additional $10.00 for shipping charges. We cannot ship outside the U.S.

Send to: FreshSaver P.O. Box 1481 La Quinta, CA 92253

What is the thickness of the bags? And are they reusable?

The bags are patented double walled and channeled for the most efficient vacuum seal. They are 3 millimeters in thickness. Yes, the bags are reusable. They are boilable, microwaveable, washable and re-sealable.

What are the amps, volts and & watts of the FoodSaver Deluxe & FreshSaver Plus?

FoodSaver Deluxe = 120 volts, 3 amps, 360 watts.

FreshSaver Plus = 24 volts, .75 amps, 18 watts.

Please call our trained customer service representatives at 1-800-982-4405, Monday through Friday, 7am to 4pm, Pacific time. They'll be happy to answer your questions and if they are unable to, they'll find the answer and call you back. You may also send your questions to ThaneInc@aol.com.

Qty Description Price Total 1 Small Mouth Jar Sealer 10.95 10.95 Total Product: 10.95 Total Shipping: 4.95 *Total Tax: 0.00 ===================================== Order Total: 15.90

___________________________________________________________

MULTI-SORB info ...

http://www.multisorb.com/products

NOTICE: Multisorb Technologies is a manufacture. They distribute their products in the Buffalo area via:

Poly Lam Products Group 90 Earhart Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 U.S.A. 716.633.1977

FreshPax(tm) 6 cents each 100cc One gallon or number 10 size can 50cc One and two quart canning jars

FreshPax(tm) is a patented oxygen absorber pioneered by Multisorb Technologies to protect packaged foods and other products against spoilage, mold growth, color change, rancidity, loss of nutritive values, insect damage and losses of quality. Produced in packet form using food grade ingredients, FreshPax irreversibly absorbs oxygen inside sealed packaging to less than 0.01% and maintains this level.

FreshPax packets have several distinct advantages for your product packaging: -Extends shelf life -Prevents growth of aerobic pathogens and spoilage organisms, including molds -Eliminates the need for additives such as BHA, BHT, sulfur dioxide, sorbates, benzoates, etc. -Use with gas flushing/vacuum packaging to absorb virtually all oxygen and absorb any oxygen that may permeate the package.

Examples of FreshPax Benefits -Significantly improves keeping qualities of polyunsaturated fats and oils -Helps retain fresh-roasted flavor of coffee and nuts -Prevents oxidation of spice oleoresins present in spices themselves and in seasoned foods -Prevents oxidation of vitamins A, C and E and extends life of pharmaceuticals -Inhibits mold in natural cheeses and other fermented dairy products -Delays non-enzymatic browning of fruits and some vegetables -Inhibits oxidation and condensation of red pigment of most berries and sauces

Typical applications include: -Breads, cookies, cakes, pastries -Nuts and snacks -Candies and confectioneries -Coffee and tea -Whole fat dry foods -Processed, smoked and cured meats -Cheeses and dairy products -Dried fruits and vegetables -Spices and seasonings -Flour and grain items -Fresh and pre-cooked pasta and noodles -Pharmaceuticals and vitamins -Medical diagnostic kits and devices -Birdseed and pet food -Artwork preservation

FreshPax Oxygen Absorbers vs. Ordinary Technologies

Packaging Results Benefits Method FRESHPAX Reduces and maintains Eliminates spoilage, oxygen content in organisms and packaging to below oxidative chemical 0.01% and maintains recations in this level despite packaging oxygen ingress

Vacuum & Achieves .5 - 2% Controls aerobic Back Flush Residual oxygen microbial growth temporarily*

Gas Flushing Approximately 0.5% Provides some control to 5% oxygen of aerobic microbial growth*

*Mold has been shown to grow in 20 days at 25C at 0.2% residual oxygen (From "Techniques for the Preservation of Food by Employment of an Oxygen Absorber," Nakamura and Hoshino, 1983)

Package requirements for successful use of FreshPax FreshPax has been found to be effective when used with many kinds of packaging materials including EVOH and PVDC. Some important considerations to keep in mind regarding certain types of packaging include: -Adequate barrier should be used - Plastic film must be checked for its oxygen permeability. -Hermetic seals are essential - Non-hermetic seals reduce shelf-life by using up oxygen absorber capacity prematurely. -Package geometry - The package must be designed so as to allow free circulation of air around the product.

It is recommended that application tests with actual materials and equipment be conducted before using and specifying FreshPax. This includes determining the water activity of the product as nearly as possible, at what temperature the product will be packaged, and specifications of the packaging film.

Joe Martin -- Buffalo, NY

-- Joe Martin (nospam@nospam.com), August 24, 1999.


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