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GENERAL CHEESE MAKING BOARDS (Specific Cheese Making in Boards above) => EQUIPMENT - Aging Cheese, Everything Except Caves => Topic started by: mjr522 on September 24, 2012, 12:46:19 AM

Title: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: mjr522 on September 24, 2012, 12:46:19 AM
I'm going to get a vacuum sealer.  I've read through a number of threads on the forum, but I'd like to know what people think of automatic vs manual control over the machine.

I'm looking at the  FoodSaver 3880  (http://www.foodsaver.com/product.aspx?pid=8793), but the manual models are a lot cheaper.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: smolt1 on September 24, 2012, 01:17:30 AM
Sometimes you might want to control the magnitude of the vacuum. Can you do that on auto? I don't have much experience vacuum packing cheese but the KISS (" Keep It Simple Stupid ") method has worked for me more times than not.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: mjr522 on September 25, 2012, 02:50:26 AM
I'm not sure about the degree of control on the automatics I'm looking at.  I certainly do agree with keeping things simple and I'm concerned that "automatic" might just mean "more things to break".  I'm hoping that other people on the forum have some experience with automatics and manuals and can say, "The auto is way better--less to worry about, always works," or "the auto kept not working, so I went back to a manual."  If not, I'll get one that has automatic control and report on it later.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: MrsKK on September 25, 2012, 12:08:38 PM
I don't know about automatic vs manual, but I wish I could choose how much vacuum mine applies.  That way I could vacuum my Neufchatel and other soft cheeses and I could pre-grate my mozz before freezing it and not have to grate it again when I thaw it out.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: Sailor Con Queso on September 25, 2012, 01:09:29 PM
MrsKK,

On most home vac sealers, you simply start the vac process and hit the manual seal button early to reduce the vacuum.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: Boofer on September 25, 2012, 01:59:51 PM
Mike, I've been totally thrilled and satisfied with my "manual" Foodsaver. When I was looking for it, early reports of the newer "automatic" models gave them low marks for being able to properly sense when the bag was inserted.

With the "manual" model I have:
Very clean and efficient. Good control over the process and no need for "automatic" function.

What did I ever do before the internet my smartphone my FoodSaver?  8)

-Boofer-
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: mjr522 on September 25, 2012, 11:37:50 PM
Boofer--which model do you have?
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: mjr522 on September 25, 2012, 11:46:21 PM
Oh--I found it: V2830.

Thanks for the feedback!  I'll be getting something soon.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: Susie on September 26, 2012, 05:27:58 AM
I can't compare the two because I have only ever owned one, a manual. It came from Sears and I've had it for over 10 years now. I've "bagged" over a dozen deer with that thing, and now I'm using it for cheese too.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: Boofer on September 26, 2012, 01:35:17 PM
If the automatic ones have no buttons (I read that in the description), then how would you override the vacuum process and terminate it prematurely? That really is important to me for what I do with the FoodSaver. Maybe they're too smart for your own good.  ;)

-Boofer-
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: Tiarella on September 26, 2012, 03:03:10 PM
Mike,  I have the 3880 and since it just arrived I've barely used it but I can tell you that there is an override stop button.  it's also the one that allows you to create a seal without a vacuum so it's used for creating the first end of a bag from a roll.  Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: mjr522 on September 27, 2012, 01:41:10 PM
Tiarella, thanks for the info.  If you have any other observations as you use it, I'd like to hear them.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: Tiarella on September 27, 2012, 04:22:41 PM
Hi Mike,  I was initially confused about why it sometimes didn't start to seal automatically when I put a bag edge in the slot.  Turned it off and on, tried different things to no avail.  It seems like you really have to leave the 4" of head room for it to turn on.  Don't know what else it can be......let me know if you figure out an alternative answer.  Checked trouble-shooting, etc.  Also, definitely to seal the first edge of a roll bag you have to use the other button as directed in the manuel, otherwise you just have ongoing suction and no sealing since it's just sucking air through the other end of the open bag.  Ahhhh, sometimes it pays to read the  manual first.  The good news  is that their manual is pretty brief and easily read.  Written by someone with English as a first language too! 

I read somewhere on some review site that folks were having trouble with them not working after a while.  Someone found that it was because the two seal gaskets  (my name for them) rest on each other when it's not operating and they compress over time.  They said to remove them, boil them and then reinstall after drying and thereafter keep something just behind the seal to keep the bars apart except when in use.  Now....on my model I don't see removable seal gaskets but I'm being proactive on keeping them apart when no in use.  I've used a bit of cardboard on each side where it hinges  (there's a tiny area each side where there's no gasket) to keep the jaws apart. 

Hope this helps and yes, if you figure anything out, please post it here!!! 
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: mjr522 on September 27, 2012, 08:58:50 PM
Thanks, again, Tiarella.  I have read a number of reviews and one of the complaints is the bag detector--that, just like you said, the machine won't start to vacuum even when there's a bag in there.  It's for that reason that I am considering a manual model (where you have to hit "go" instead of hoping the machine recognizes there's a bag there.  I haven't ordered one yet--I'm still undecided.  I'd hate to pay for a machine that only sometimes does what I need it to do...
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: Tiarella on September 27, 2012, 10:46:23 PM
Re: bag detector
Well,  I'm not sure it's that it only sometimes does it......I think there's a reason it doesn't pick up on it......but maybe I'm wrong.  I've always gotten it to work and it's always meant really going for the 4" headroom.  But maybe I'll try it some more and let you know.  I do like it so far.......I sure wish they didn't have so many models and so few ways to differentiate.  A chart with features across the top and models down the left side would sure be helpful.  Or maybe  they should just streamline their line.  And what's with the game/hunter line.  I couldn't find anywhere a description about what made that line different than the others except for the obvious visual difference of camo styling.  Too bad that wouldn't help hide it in my kitchen!   ;)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: MrsKK on September 29, 2012, 12:47:25 PM
Sailor and Boofer - thanks for clearing that up for me.

I have an automatic model that I have to love, as it was a Mother's Day gift from DD and DH, but when it bites the dust, I will be happy to spring for a manual model.

Funny - it used to be that automatic was better and manual meant more work.  With vacuum sealers, automatic means "their way or the highway"!
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: Boofer on September 30, 2012, 02:44:25 AM
A lot of times the manual version is also less expensive than the big fancy automatic one.

I love mine and cannot imagine what I did before. It really is a useful and effective appliance.

-Boofer-
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: mjr522 on September 30, 2012, 02:48:16 AM
Thanks, again, for all the feedback.  I'm leaning more towards the manual versions now--I agree with Tiarella that it would be nice if the had something that helped distinguish between the model numbers.  The "compare" feature they have is somewhat helpful, but when two items have all of the same features, but different model numbers and prices, it's hard to decide what to get.  Oh well...I'll figure it out sooner or later.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: BobE102330 on September 30, 2012, 04:33:44 PM
I'm not sure but the different model numbers with the same features could be for different retail outlets. It happens a lot in electronics. There is a different model number for a TV at Costco than Best Buy. That or maybe the difference is the color scheme.
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Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: tashad on November 15, 2016, 04:03:30 AM
I have a foodsaver V2860, and I absolutely love it. I usually use 'pulse' to vacuum it to where I want it and then seal, but it also has multiple settings for automatic. If it died, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another just like it.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: awakephd on November 16, 2016, 04:58:23 PM
Looks like it has a nice selection of settings! Mine is a bog-simple manual FoodSaver ... but there is a little bit of automation to it. If I press the vacuum button, it will pull the vacuum up to some maximum, and then automatically seal. But I can also press the seal key while it is pulling the vacuum, before it maxes out, and it will stop at that point and seal. It would be interesting to see how consistent your unit is when you use the different settings for Gentle or Maximum or so on.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: Kyle_Jackson on April 22, 2017, 11:38:54 AM
Hello, what kind of food sealers can you recommend? At my work we have a vacuum chamber (Minerva I think) but I really can't afford a vacuum-chamber at home, so I have to settle with a sealer. Hope you can help me, so that I can start sous vide'ing at home!

Thanks,
Kyle
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: awakephd on April 22, 2017, 06:49:11 PM
I've been extremely happy with a pretty basic (entry-level) FoodSaver.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: 5ittingduck on April 22, 2017, 09:48:31 PM
I wore out my basic unit and went with a V2860.
It is more expensive but a much more useful machine.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: DoctorCheese on April 23, 2017, 12:44:47 AM
I got the Joly Joy vacuum sealer off of Amazon when it was on sale, but it is $50 now. I am extremely happy with it for bagging cheeses. However, if you want to bag large cheeses then it is too small.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: OzzieCheese on April 23, 2017, 01:39:47 AM
I have one from Aldi... been working fine for 3 years. I use the gentle / Moist setting as to no place too much compressive force on the cheese.  However, I still get a little moisture in the bag.  figuring it came from the cheese its Ok to leave it.  I check my cheeses one a month for excessive moisture and re-bag if I think there is too much.

--Mal
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: jaxonjesse on November 20, 2017, 01:41:04 PM
You can go for auto or electric vacuum sealer. You can go to buy  Nesco VS-02 food saver device. I have been using this device for 2 years. It works fine, its durability, performance, ease of use, features are awesome. After searching for long, I finally found a good vacuum sealer for my kitchen purpose. I got a great help from a link for buying this device. If you want you can check this: https://foodgear.org/best-vacuum-sealer-reviews/
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: GortKlaatu on November 20, 2017, 02:29:39 PM
For what it's worth:
I had a FoodSaver FM2100 that just didn't have enough UMPH to vac well.
I upgraded to the FoodSaver V4440 and that puppy works great.  I also control the amount a vacuum easily on it.

Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: curiouser_alice on April 25, 2018, 02:11:13 PM
Hoping people will see this and respond.  I'm considering a vacuum sealer, but not sure it's worth getting.  My best successes so far have been with natural rind, and I believe (??) that I can just continue to let those age unsealed?  I was thinking vacuum sealing would allow me to mail the cheese more easily (and be more comfortable with it).

If you have a vacuum sealer, what is your brand and how happy are you with it?  on a scale from 1-10.

All replies appreciated.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: GortKlaatu on April 26, 2018, 03:03:20 AM
I had a small FoodSaver and it was ok--but I got the bigger unit and it has been a great success.
I normally do natural rinds, but some cheeses (like Butterkaese for example) that ages such a short while, I just vac.
But where it really comes in handy, is after I have aged a cheese, I can cut as much as I want and then vac the rest for continued aging without issue.
I don't like to try to age cheeses that need months to mature in a vac'd bag from the start---there just isn't a way for gas exchange and they never age as well. (They turn out ok, but when I've done head to head comparisons with the same cheese that I've vac'd versus aged with a natural rind or even waxed--everyone always prefers the non-vac'd cheese. However, once a cheese has aged 3-4 months, I have found that I can then vac it for the last few months without any change in taste, but end up with a thinner rind. So that's a plus.
 Just my experience. Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: curiouser_alice on April 29, 2018, 01:15:59 AM
Thanks - that does help.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer--auto or manual?
Post by: GortKlaatu on April 29, 2018, 05:13:12 AM
You're welcome--or as we say here, "Con mucho gusto"