Foodsaver - Question For Butchers

[TVCJohn]

This has to do with Foodsaver type vacuum bags (or rolls). I did a search on here and looked at a few threads already. Lots of opinions out there.

I know we have quite a few butchers and processors on here. I figure I'd ask the folks who vacuum bag meats on a regular basis. Is there much of a difference between the Foodsaver brand rolls and the 3.5 mil rolls on EBay? The Foodsaver website says their bags are 5 plys. They don't give a mil thickness.

Thanks....John

[Islander26]

I've noticed a difference in how well the seal holds using another off brand bag. I swithced back to The Food Saver bags, might cost more but they can be washed and reused. I always pre-freeze meat for a couple hours before sealing (saves alot of cleanup time) and put a double seal on it.

[TVCJohn]

I've noticed a difference in how well the seal holds using another off brand bag. I swithced back to The Food Saver bags, might cost more but they can be washed and reused. I always pre-freeze meat for a couple hours before sealing (saves alot of cleanup time) and put a double seal on it.

Thanks for the reply. Good thought on the double seal. I've had Foodsaver bags leak. It can usually be traced to a wrinkle in the plastic at the time of sealing or somehow it got too hot when sealing. Some of the EBay bags state they are washable/reusable too. That makes me wonder if they are the same bags that Foodsaver markets but without the fancy box/logo/writing??

The bags with the weave laminated between the panels are supposed to help reduce bones from puncturing the bag. I've never had a deer or moose bone punch thru. By the time I get the meat ready for bagging it's boneless anyway. The only other way is for it to take an accidently puncture once frozen inside the freezer.

The flash freeze is a good one also. My buddy in Kodiak showed me that trick when vacuuming silvers (coho for the MI types) in mass quantity. Lay them out in the freezer for about 30 minutes then bag'em.

John

[Rudi's Dad]

I borrow a Food Saver from my son when we wrap beef. My wife buys rolls or boxes of bags at Wallmart. We dont reuse them, and have had no issues with leakers/freezer burn.
I still like to freeze hamburger in ziploc bags in 1+- lb sizes. Just squeze the air out and seal.
Dont forget to label with a magic pen the date and meat as sometimes after you dig around the freezer you arent sure whats in there.