Does anyone recommend any vacuum sealers?

[LizzieM]

Hi everyone. Several years ago I bought a Sunbeam vacuum sealer which I initially found to be fabulous for saving & freezing food that I take away on our boat when we travel. However, it didn't last very long & the "vacuum" function failed. I took it back & it was replaced...but unfortunately the same thing happened. Sunbeam replaced that one too but it failed also! Since then I've been using it as a sealer only which it still does effectively but I'd really like a vacuum sealer that works. Has anyone got any recommendations?

[LizzieM]

Just read the entire thread on vacuum sealing & have come to think that I must do something wrong with my Sunbeam. Everyone seems to be very happy with theirs! I have tried all the recommended trouble shooting!
I should take it to a service shop perhaps!!

[judydawn]

You could email them and ask what you are doing wrong LizzieM, I find people only too willing to help if I am having problems with something I've bought.  How often are you using your vacuum sealer?   I have a Bigland sealer and have had no problems with it, was only $99 and a few of us bought that particular brand a while back.  I don't use mine a lot, mainly if I buy a piece of bulk meat.

[obbie]

My Mum has a Sunbeam one, and no problems...

[Emme]

I have a Sunbeam foodsaver and have had no problems, infact I recently purchased the food saver jar sealer kit that goes with it so I will be hoping it lasts a bit longer.  Mine would be about 7 years old and has done quite a bit of work.  Sorry cannot recommend any other as have no experience with them.  As Judy suggests it maybe worth contacting Sunbeam  to see if they can help you.

Marie

[Rogizoja]

I have an Eiffel Freshpack Pro FM-05 and have been very happy with it - saves lots of space in the freezer and no freezer-burn on meats and fish. Have a look here http://www.fresherpack.co.uk/products/1/1/vacuum_sealer_-_eiffel_freshpack_pro/ and here http://www.planetseafishing.com/reviews/read/eiffel-freshpack-pro-vacuum-sealer/.  Not sure if you can get it in Ausland.

I want to get hold of the vacuum containers as well to store soft items, only thing though is that they're bloo very pricey. Though Christmas is just around the corner - will have to add it to my (very) long Santa list

[Aussie Brenda]

I also have the Sunbeam food saver, no problems, I don't use it that much usually when going in the caravan, sometimes it doesn't vacuum first time but it is usually something I am not doing right.

[LizzieM]

Thanks for your info girls. I did use my Sunbeam a lot while it was working..kept it clean. My family were laughing at me as it was I always whirring away in the kitchen. My hubby is very good with mechanics & checked it out for me with no result. The first machine was sent for service by Grace Bros & was definitely dead & they also replaced the second one saying they wouldn't do it again. I will take Judy's advice & email Sunbeam as I was so fed up with them at the time after my 3rd failure! 
If they can't offer any fix, then I think I'll look at another brand as I loved having the facility as I cook & freeze a lot!(though less since the "down-size" to our apartment).
Like Aussie Brenda I found it great for preparing food for boat trips, but also good keeping food fresh in the freezer when it's there for a while....we travel a lot.
The Eiffel Freshpack sounds very interesting Rogizoja..will have a look. I have the vacuum containers for the Sunbeam but didn't use them much.

[50plusandlovinglife]

Hi LizzieM
We also have the sunbeam, quite expensive to buy but works well, we wanted a second machine for the boat, and not happy to pay nearly $200, we bought 2 on ebay, the first was rubbish, but the 2nd was is better than the sunbeam.
We paid $49 including delivery with 5 small and 5 large bags.
One of my friends asked me on Friday to send her the store from ebay that we bought it from, if you want, when I go back to work tomorrow, I will send the info through.

[LizzieM]

Hi 50plus...thanks for writing...have just got off the phone to a service guy in Ashfield who sounds dubious about fixing it. I would love your ebay info please as it looks like I'm in the market for a new one.
I love the sound of the Eiffel but haven't found an Aussie supplier & it is expensive. I was hoping that would mean more reliable!
Am keen to fix my problem.
Cheers

[obbie]

Lizzie, what is the warranty on Sunbeam.. If they sell you a product that is faulty, you have the right to a replacement or refund, no matter what.

The manufacture can't walk away from a faulty product.

[Rogizoja]

Failure to get a good vacuum can often be down to the bags being used. I only use embossed bags as they have micro-channels on one side of the bag that provide a route for the air in the bag to be sucked out; they work perfectly every time. I've found it's really difficult to get a good vacuum with unembossed bags and now avoid them like the plaque (waste of money)!

[LizzieM]

I think I'm just unlucky as Sunbeam replaced my machine twice & the 3rd one lasted only a couple of months too. They said they wouldn't replace it again when I got the 3rd one...which I guess I should have kicked up about! But that was a couple of years ago now. I've since read a forum where many people talk failing VAC440s after owning for a few months. My first one worked for about 8 months before dying. I think it won't cope with heavy use! I was using them a lot! And that seems to be the common thread amongst those who've had dead machines.
Anyway, I also rang a service guy who tells me they're not really repairable & that they don't work with non-Sunbeam bags. I did use Sunbeam bags, but I'm putting it all down to experience. It wasn't that expensive in the scheme of things so I'm going to buy one from ebay!!  Yay!!!
I think I'll try the Bigland one...at the price it seems ok if it fails after 6 months!
We'll see.
Thanks for your help girls...I really like the Eiffel Rogizoja & may end up tracking one down eventually!
Meanwhile...shopping is fun!

[judydawn]

If you use the machine really often Lizzie, maybe it best you get an expensive one.  The cheaper ones are probably only good for occasional work.  It's a pity someone couldn't have given some guidance on using the Sunbeam machine, maybe you were doing something wrong and a trained eye would have picked it up immediately.

[Deeau]

Judydawn you commented last year that you bought a Bigland  vac sealer....is it still going strong, I have to replace my Sunbeam that I have had for quite a few years, I don't use it much anymore but do need one for when we go away etc. I have been looking at them on ebay for arount the $60 to $80 mark depending on what bags etc you get with it but thought I would ask the question if yours has lasted?
Thanks