Vacuum Plastic Sealing - Large Cheeses

[hplace]

I totally agree on the wax. Vacuum bagging is much nicer.

Once I cut open a wheel, it's gone within a couple of weeks as I have a lot of neighbors and family that eat it. If my 8" wheels were just a bit shorter, I think they would fit, but it's really not a big deal to cut them in half. I'm storing my cheese in the basement now that it's winter. I have a couple hundred pounds, so it's not going to fit into a mini fridge no matter how I cut the wheels.

[Boofer]

Dave - I cut my wheels into quarters. A quarter is a very convenient portion to have available while the other quarters continue to age in their little vacuum baggies. At one time I had considered sixths, but that hasn't happened yet. 

I'll probably be vac-bagging from here on in as well. There may be some benefit though to waxing besides the aesthetics aspect. I believe the cheese has more of a chance to breathe and the wax may not be a true airtight seal.

-Boofer-

[Likesspace]

Boofer, I've wondered if vacuum bagging slows down the aging process due to the fact that it is completely air tight. I don't have any scientifc data to back this up, it's just something that I've thought about.
Regardless, it is so much easier to bag than to wax and the cheese does eventually age as it's supposed to. Also, I am yet to have even a speck of mold on any of my cheese since I went the vacuum bag route.
Last year I ended up pitching a few wheels of cheese due to not keeping a close enough eye on my aging cheese and having undetected mold under the surface of the wax.
That pretty much sealed the deal for me and I started shopping for a vacuum machine right away.
It might not be the perfect solution to affinage but I am certainly a lot happier with this method.


Dave

[Boofer]

I'd have to admit that I have seen a bit of mold under the bag in some of my cheeses. I have removed the cheese, cleaned it with vinegar/salt, dried out the bag or replaced it, and returned the cheese to the vacuum.

-Boofer-

[DeejayDebi]

Except for a bit of white powdery mold on some very old asiago, romano and parmesan cheeses 2 to 5 year olds I have never had mold of any of my vacuum sealed cheeses. I did however have some mold on my sealed cheees before I had the vaccuum type sealer.

[hplace]

Just purchased the 11"x50' foodsaver vacuum bag roll on eBay for $25.61 including shipping. It's on sale right now for $1.00 less than normal price.

[DeejayDebi]

I need to order more I have a tiny bit left only about 10 feet which I will ore tha use wrapping Christmas cheeses tonight.

[Likesspace]

Guys...
Here is a link to the bulk vacuum bag rolls I've been buying. They are from Cabelas......11" x 50' and come in a nice tidy box with a built in cutter. They also have a place to write the date and contents and are only $19.99 per box.
So far I've been very happy with the quality. They seem to be a nice heavy grade of bag material.
Hope this helps someone out.
Dave

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602009-cat570001-cat570002_TGP&id=0067491518714a&navCount=3&podId=0067491&parentId=cat570002&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=UK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

[hplace]

Hey! That's good to know. I have a Cabelas 10 minutes away from my house. I'm going there next time.

[DeejayDebi]

I was just there 2 weeks ago and they didn't have these. So I ordered a pair of them and a hank of sausage casings, and new winter boots - it's looking like a COLD winter time to trade in my sneakers I think.

[hplace]

Just picked up a roll of 11" x 50' vacuum bagging at Cabelas for $20.00. The box is a dispenser and has a cutter on it also. Haven't tried it yet.

[DeejayDebi]

I just got two rolls in from Cabellas last week. Good price.

[TroyG]

Going to revive this post. 

I want to be able to seal 10 pound wheels that are 10" diameter. I would like to find a unit that does not require me to turn over my first born in exchange. I found the below unit that does 15" wide bags, but not sure if anyone knows if this is a good unit or knows of a better option??

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-2300-Vacuum-Sealer-Stainless-Steel-FREE-SHIPPING-/230463020256?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a8aa9ce0

[Boofer]

Troy - That's a bad link. Curious about that sealer.

-Boofer-

[TroyG]

Odd I can open it right up.

Try this one

http://www.westonsupply.com/Weston-Vacuum-Sealer-PRO-2300-Stainless-Steel-p/65-0201.htm