Teach me about Vacuum Packers

[Longstrider]

Despite my best efforts at removing all the air from zip-lok bags when freezing venison I'm still getting one or two bits with freezer burn and I HATE wasting good meat. So .... Looking at buying a vacuum packer thingyMc-wossname but know precisely zero about them. I've seen them for sale from about £16 up to "Do you want this, or a new truck" sort of money.

Help?

 

[C&K Suffolk]

Pretty easy mate and worth it. Got a cheapo one myself and does a great job. They are very easy to use.

 

[VSS]

How much are you prepared to spend, and how much space have you got to accommodate a machine?

 

[FISH BOY]

Key is that you want one with a wide mouth so you can use 30cm wide bags.

30m wide bags will easily take anything up to a roe haunch.

Got a VacPac - was about £30 on Amazon.

Very simple to use and worth it. Couple I did earlier.

 

[Quarrybank]

Been using a Lidl cheapo for last 4 years or so just for home use, giving to friends etc and it still works well. Depends how much venison etc you are needing to freeze whether you need a more robust one.

 

[GWP]

Aldi/Lidl will do you fine bags from the same place or butchers sundries make sure they are the ribbed type

 

[@theroedeerguy]

If you are just looking for one for occasional use you’ll be fine with one that requires embossed bags.


If it’s something that you are looking to use on a weekly basis I’d pay the extra and opt for a chamber vacuum packer which is far more economical to buy bags for.

 

[Rory]

As others have said, for personal/occasional use, the Lidl £20 vacuum packer is great.

 

[Wmjas]

They are the tits! Just be aware that the bags can be slightly more fragile than some older methods so wrap in butchers paper if your putting it in the bottom for a while and don’t through bags on top of one another willy nilly (I found having cardboard boxes in the freezer to organise helped).

One trick I’ve only just learned is that if your bags are larger than your sealer mouth you can cut the bag on an angle on each side, seal one then vac and seal the other.

 

[tozzybum]

Another vote for lidl,s it just works for occasional use .
The dimpled rolls are hard wearing and long lasting atb

 

[David Barker]

I use a chamber vac its been with me for about 7 years and i use it weekly. It give your meat a great presentation and i use it to marinate steaks etc. You can bag liquid and use any bags for papkers.

 

[johndeere]

For home use, I have 2 lidl,s, that work fine for us and don't take up much room in the kitchen when stored away.
they can be a little time-consuming to use compared to commercial variants but do an acceptable job.

 

[JMH123]

Look at Buffalo (brand)

 

[VSS]

Look at Buffalo (brand)

I have just bought a Buffalo chamber vac packer, at vast expense. Initial impressions are decidedly underwhelming

For the past several years I have been happily using a La.Va tabletop vac packer. Probably the best of the "domestic" type packers, but it was obvious that the sheer volume of work would kill it in the end, hence my recent "upgrade".

Pros and cons:
The tabletop packers are much cheaper and can handle odd sizes and shapes of package. Choice of bags is limited though, and must be embossed. And they're slow.
Don't take up much storage space.
Chamber packers are big and heavy. Limited size of packages due to chamber size (unless you spend many thousands of £s and get a really big one). Wide range of bags and different styles of packaging. Much quicker "hands free" operation.

 

[Rasputin]

Watching this with interest mines just died after six years. Owes me nothing but now I’m meal prepping for work and the week so it’s getting hammered.

 

[lochty]

For occasional use, go Lidl and butcher's sundries for pre formed bags. Slightly more expensive but worth it IMHO

 

[Wmjas]

Another pro is that you can effectively freeze uncooked recipes…

Cut your steaks up, vac seal with garlic, butter and herbs, then just pop them in the sois vide at lunch time before searing them when you get home. Or vac seal your ribs in a marinade etc.

 

[Phil fox man]

I used a Lidl one,it has an internal tray to catch excess juice.
I do batches of soup and freeze as well as pre seasoned burger mince and marinated meat.
phil.

 

[NullMac]

Lidl. Bargain of the century

Buy the roll rather than bags. More flexible.

 

[Cyres]

Lidl one is excellent and come in store every 6 months. Buy rolls. Also Nesbitts sell embossed bags in packs of 100s.
When freezing fillets. Cut to required size. Wrap in cling film and freeze flat on tray in deep freeze. Once frozen vacuum pack.
D