Who makes a good vacuum sealer for UNDR $150?

[artjr338wm]

Need the help of someones personal experience, preferably long term with using vacuum sealers. I have seen them priced from $50 to over $300, so I need some help choosing one. My single biggest concern is fluid leaking into the motor while I seal bags or jars of cured or un-cured salmon eggs. I have read several reviews of vacuum sealers where this happened and quickly caused the vacuum motor to fail, or typically not lasting more than a year of use.

I am looking to spend hopefully no more than $150 for the machine itself.

So does anyone know of a few vacuum sealers in my price range that have served them well and can be recommended?

Thanks,
Arthur.

[petev]

I have a Deni, purchased from Sportsmans Guide for I think around $60 or $70, and it has worked well for about 3 years so far. I would never pay hundreds of dollars like I see advertised for such a simple gadget.

[tar12]

The old adage you get what you pay for holds very true here.The lower end models have one vacum pump and no provision to channel off excess fluids to avoid piston damage.It is a toss up to wether the pump or sealing bar will go out first. I have not been happy with the low end models.There are 3 of them awaiting trash day now.2 foodsavers and a Deni. None of them were under $150. I am looking at 2 commercial models that Cabelas sells...I am undecided as to which to go with.

[rossman40]

I have to agree with Tar 100%. I have used a Foodsaver now for 3 years and hopefully it will hold up one more season. The pump and the sealing bar are the weak points and getting replacemnet parts from Jardan is next to impossible.

The heavy duty models that Cabelas sells IIRC is from Weston which is actually made by ProVacuum located in Strongsville, OH (somehow tied to BCU Plastics). You will pay around $400 but they are the next step down from a commercial unit and you can get every individual part from customer service.

www.provacuumsealers.com/index.htm

[ourway77]

I agree Penny wise penny foolish. I have bought several items from Target stores. Meat grinder, meat slicer and a vacum sealer, I compared the target store models with several other suppliers and have found Cabela's is higher in price comparing apples to apples. The ones I bought from Target have stayed up and running for years now. The big expense is the storage bags for all of them. But in the long run what you save by not getting freezer burn and the meat stays fresher longer. I am lucky my wife before retiring was purchasing agent for the Mass Transit and I tell her what I am looking for and checks from here to(Tim buck too) Another thing I look for is made in usa Good Luck Lou

[tasaman]

I think this one will fit your "under 150" requirement. I got it off one other board I'm on....

"Came across this deal on another site and figured I would share with you. Couldn't pass it up. Comes with bags as well. It's on Foodsavers website.
Foodsaver V2222: reg. $102 for $26 TYD(It didn't come right up for me I had to do search)
Use code L0FV70A at checkout on their website."

[toosensitive]

Just saw this on TV today...Cookscountry.com rates several models. The $400 model is the best, but they recommemded a $100 model. You have to sign in for a "free" trial to see the results..and I can't remember the $100 manufacture.

www.cookscountry.com/testing/overview.asp?did=742