I bought one and the two different boxes of bags but haven't used it yet. then the next day a coupon was in the paper so I bought another one for a Christmas gift for one DS Now if I get another coupon I'll get other DS one too. My problem is I don't cook that much anymore but do have cheese and cut up chicken etc so I will get some use out of it. I'm so glad you posted about it.

I have two vacuum sealers. A Tilia version of a "food saver" and after that I got a "Pump N Seal", which is a non-electric one, you push the plunger 10-20 times. I don't VS many things because I haven't done a lot of bulk cooking for years but am getting back toward doing more. The electric one is a hassle to get out and use. The P&S is convenient. I use the P&S for peppercorns. I can use that on canning jars. You poke a pinhole in it, put a little mini "band aid" type thing over the hole and it actually works well! Seal holds. I should use it for produce. That would save me some money. Good reminder. Better make a note!

I just thought of another food use for it. I'm going to grate and freeze some zuchinni. That way it will stay good, and not get those ice crystals in it.

Add items as you think of them, if you will.

Thanks

Sue

I've been looking at the Reynold's Handi Vac. A friend of mine has the Food Saver, but she says the bags are way too expensive, and sometimes hard to find. I'd really like to be able to vacuum seal food, and make it flat, because my freezer is small, so I try to flatten out and stack freezer bags.

The bags are quite reasonable, especially considering they are often reusable. I got 9 of the gallon size for $2.??

I stuck the whole marshmallow bag (with an air hole cut in it) inside the Handi Vac bag, and smushed it down. I'm thinking it really will keep them fresh, but I imagine they will probably all be stuck together.

It would probably be ideal for packing things flat for storing...and less freezer burn in the long haul.

Sue

The Handi-Vac looks very useful.

Found an interesting article about using the Pump-n-Seal or one of those wine bottle vacuum pumps;plus,she shows you how to make your own inexpensive vacuum seals for jars.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cold vacuum-sealing containers, easily and cheaply

I am a single man and have wanted a vacuum pump but because my kitchen is small I haven't found anything that was useful for me until the Handi-Vac. I have used it a few time already and I am please with how easy it is to use and that it works very well. I am thinking about them as gifts for my kids. I reccomend this handy kitchen tool, especially for the singles out there
Russell

Ok...more uses/things I've vacuumed.

Boneless skinless chicken breast
Pork tenderloin-Found it on sale for $1.69 for a 'whole' one and then I sliced and packed it.
Bagged slaw
Head lettuce-amazed at how it extended its 'life'
graham crackers

I'm thinking this little jewel of a tool might deserve its own (home made) under the cabinet shelf.

Minnie, and rusarkie,
What uses have you found for yours? I'm thinking too that they would make great gifts...maybe including a list of items it is useful for.

Sue...off to vacuum pack the tortilla chips using the bag in a bag method

I haven't used mine yet. I gave both as Christmas presents and have to buy one for me but I have a $off coupon for the kit (if I can find the coupons) (I also wrapped up the boxes of bags to go with them)

Another use.

I packaged sliced ham leftovers into serving sized packages and froze them. It will stay like 'new' and be so handy on down the line to have it available for either breakfast with eggs, or for sandwiches, or the meat for a main meal.

I'm lovin it!

Sue

I will check these out. I have been sucking the air out of my bags myself. I'd like to know if anyone has any recipe ideas for freezer meals that you can put in a plastic bag. I made my first attempt at freezer meals yesterday using those little foil pans. I made chicken shepard's pie and chicken cheesy rice bake. I will pull out one today to try for dinner. But any ideas that would use bags would be great. I always have different sized bags on hand.

I just found this thread and had to post! My mother gave me the Handi-Vac for Christmas. We have used it for meats and cheese, but the best thing I have tried so far is salad. I tend to make a salad larger than we can eat at one meal, then put it in a bowl or regular zip-loc bag to eat later. The problem is, it will be soggy, wilted and taste weird. We used the handi-vac and not only does the bag look neat, I opened it 2 days later and the salad was totally fresh! I even had grape tomatoes in the salad that were still perfect.

Unfortunately here in Puerto Rico Handi-Vac is not yet at Kmart, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, stores. I purchased one with 3 bags in Ebay for $15.00. I read many of you got them for $10.00. I have friends in the States who can buy for me the kit and the bags. Can anyone tell me how much really cost the gallon size box of (9) and which retail store have them? Please advice.

Just to try the quality of the bags, I opened and re-sealed the same bag several times just to see if they are really re-usable. Guess what! They re-seal just like the new ones. To save bags, I recommend placing the content first inside an ordinary ziplock bag, leave it just partially open and then vacuum it inside a Handi-Vac bag. The bag will remain clean.

I recommend placing the content first inside an ordinary ziplock bag, leave it just partially open and then vacuum it inside a Handi-Vac bag. The bag will remain clean.
I so agree. I also use breadbags and cut off the extra length b4 slipping it in the vacuum bag.

I just checked.
14 Quart bags $2.97
9 Gallon Bags $2.97 Walmart...have not looked anywhere else...or that was the price a month or so ago. They may be slightly more now, as most everything else is.

I hope the vac and bags make it to Puerto Rico soon, for your sake.

Sue