Vacuum Sealer Problem

[Halex]

Hope someone can help.

DH said all the air is not out, & when we looked at the bag I noticed it wasnt totally sealed.

I have the sunbeam food saver.

Some bags are totally sealed & some have a small gap.

Any ideas?

Thanks

H

[Aussie Brenda]

Hally I have a Sunbeam Sealer and yes sometimes I have problems you have to make sure the ends are flat and properly across the sealing section, I sometimes have trouble because I buy the bag on the roll and cut it myself to size and I'm a bit stingy with the size . Also I think it is from Aldi 's maybe it is a touch inferior?.

[Halex]

I use the bags so I am not cutting the roll.

Which way do you have the plastic, shiny side up.

I am out at the moment but will try again this afternoon.

[Aussie Brenda]

Hum I don't know I can't say I've noticed the shinny side gaping to have a look now.

[Aussie Brenda]

Ok back now I have to store it in the bedroom no room in the kitchen, bags are smooth on tip and textured underneath so yes shinny side up. I used it about two months ago to seal up steaks and Atlantic salmon to take in the caravan they were great.

[Emme]

Hally, I too have the Sunbeam foodsaver and these are the things I have noticed when I haven't had a good seal.
Put too much food  in the bag and not enough room left to properly place the ends in the unit.
The end of the bag should be in the trough, sometimes I find this comes out as you close the unit especially if there is a lot of weight in the bag. I support the bottom of the bag as it is sealing  and taking the air out so it does not pull out.
Have not taken too much notice whether smooth side or rough is up, has sealed either way.
I use both the rolls and bags.
If using the rolls I cut much more than I need so I can reuse them quite a few times.
As Aussie Brenda says the ends must be on the sealing section to seal if using the roll.
If I am re-using the bags, sometimes a crease can form in the bag when it is washed and dried and this sometimes causes a problem in the sealing.
I did a stack of beans the other day and only 1 out of about 10 did not seal properly and when I looked at it there was a little crease in the bag where the seal was.
Also I make sure I wait until the light has gone out before releasing 

[Aussie Brenda]

That is beautifully said Emme. Covered it all .

[Halex]

I am just about to try & seal some tika paste in a bag.

Do you keep pressed down until the red light oes off?

Thanks for all the tips.

H

[judydawn]

Every machine should indicate when to remove the package Hally - so if yours is when the red light goes out, I'd say yes.

[Halex]

I think it says before?

Just done a perfect one, yay.

I did find it hard pushing nth sides own & holding the bottom f the bag.

Do yiu guys have 3 hands, lol

Now all the others are going to have to be re-done.

H

[Halex]

Brenda wen you sealed to take away, was it fresh, then did  you leave it in the fridge or did you freeze it?

H

[Alexis]

I've been thinking about buying a food sealer for ages. Do you think they are worth it? Are there others other than the Sunbeam that people have used and could comment on?

[Emme]

Hally, I just got my instructions out .
Place the open end of the bag down into the vacuum channel
Close lid
Lock the lid by pressing in the locks on both sides
Press and hold the on button until the machine turns itself off. The light will turn on as the foodsaver seals the bag.
Wait until the sounds stops and the light goes off before letting go of the of the On button.
The locks will release automatically, Lift the lid and remove the bag.
Wait 20 seconds before vacuuming and/or sealing again.
I sit the unit on the back of the bench and the table in front supports the pack as I use it, if it hangs down it won't get a good seal.  Hope this helps
Marie

[cookie1]

Hally if you had any moisture at all in the tops of the bags they will not seal. Sometimes it is easy to get meat juice or something similar near the top and it won't seal. Also make sure you have the 20 seconds between each lot of sealing. When you have a lot to do it is easy to just do them one after the other. Sometimes as it seals it draws moisture up from the meat to the seal too.
I actually rest my bag on the bench and use 2 hands to press the lid down.

[Emme]

I've been thinking about buying a food sealer for ages. Do you think they are worth it? Are there others other than the Sunbeam that people have used and could comment on?

Sorry cannot comment on any other brand as have only used the Sunbeam.  Have had mine for about 8 years now with no problems.  Occasionally you will get one that does not seal properly but in my case it is operator problem.  
We have found it very handy and it certainly helps with retaining food freshness, however, the bags or rolls to make your own are not cheap. I tend to reuse mine.  
Marie