Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I notice a few people commenting on using vacuum packaging to keep their surplus/gluts under control . I'm contemplating getting a vacuum packager for fish etc . Anyone had particularly good (or bad) experiences with any particular type/model ?

rgds DJ

We use Sunbeam brand here... one of the best purchases we ever made re kitchen appliances/gadgets. Keeps meat/fish for months in freezer... when thawed - just like fresh!!!
Regards - ColinW

Same... Sunbeam...

+1

when we lived on the boat all meat was crivaced (vacume sealed) and kept for months, and when meat goes a little green just trim the outside off

Ebay cheapo no problems

Sunbeam here too

Or just let the meat hang and carve the maggots of as you need to....What....you saying Cpt James Cook had it wrong

Here http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-2011-VACUUM- ... 5643787d4a

I use a sinbo. Its cheaper and cheaper to use over time as the bags are regular ones not the channel type bags that cost a lot. I found I can also reseal lots of store packs with it too. The only downside is it does not like to suck liquid like a foodsaver can handle as they have a little tray in the vacuum chamber that will catch droplets.

I got mine from dougcare with a big box of bags but if I bought it again I would have just went with a couple rolls of bag material not the premade ones as I also have an impulse sealer but the premades are really nice if all you have is the vacuum sealer. they even have ones that have a ziploc on the top that you load the stuff in the bottom then seal it.

The sinbo seems cheaply made at first but after using the crap out of mine it has held up over 2 years without any problems or failures. I have tried to be cautious of overheating it as it does not seem to have an overheat protection function but have yet to have a problem when it was a constant problem with the foodsaver brand unit. It came with extra elements but I have not needed them so far.

I have found that the cheaper ones caused me problems for one particular application that I like to use them for.

I like to freeze leftovers in vacuum bags in individual portions. Then when I get ready to go camping I pick out a selection of frozen meals. In camp I boil water in a large pot, put the meals in the hot water to warm them up, cut open the bag and pour it out on the plate, dinner served with no hassle. After dinner I use the same hot water to wash the dishes. Very efficient both on time and on water use. Water use being a concern when camping in the desert away from any source of water where you have to haul all you will need.

Also this system of camping food is great because everyone in camp can pick out what they want to eat that night, all don't have to eat the same thing.

The problem arose in the cheaper one due to the narrow (about 3mm) width of the sealing bar. One time I was heating Mexican style rice, and the seal opened up, giving me rice soup instead of fluffy rice on my plate. I replaced it with a more expensive one that had a sealing bar of about 7mm width. Never again had my meal bags open up in the hot water pot.

If all you are going to use the sealed bags for is freezing food to keep it fresh, I agree the cheaper ones are just fine.

We got a Maxxon from crazysales for about $55 - we buy the rolls and trim to desired size. They are 28cm wide so not a lot will NOT fit in, even lamb legs and beef roasts. We thought about the premade bags but they are quite expensive compared to 10m of material for (usually) around $20. (when they go on special)

I buy fresh salmon at the market, cut it to size and freeze. Months later it thaws out as good as it went in. Same with rib-eye roast and prawns.

We've had it for a couple of years and it hasn't missed a beat. We also got some vac-canisters that are great for leftovers and/or liquids etc. load em, plug the hose on and suck the air out and all kinds of things keep MUCH longer.

One of the best purchases we've made.

+1 for the maxkon. I just do a double seal for extra secure missions

Get a good one. I have been through many of the less than 200 dollar ones, and my current one is messing up. The strip that seals them goes out or messes up. The one I have now one little section of the strip is messing up and it is just enough to leak. Will be getting a professional model next. I am thinking about one of these soon.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home-Cab ... t104668380

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home-Cab ... t104668380

When you get your vac packers look up Sous vide cooking