Reynolds Handi-Vac. Vacuum Sealer...have you tried it?

15 years ago

I bought one today...

Several months ago I saw them being demo'd at Walmart. I thought they were pretty neat...But figured they were more money than I needed to spend when we have a Food Saver also.

The Food Saver is a big thing and I keep it put away...

This little handy-vac is hand held, battery operated. And uses Reynolds zip loc bags. Gal size and half that size. Great for left overs. You can wash and re-use the bags.

They have a little button on the bag you put the vacuum over and it sucks all the air out.

One thing she said was...you'll never throw lettuce away again.

The Vacuum is under $10.00 at Walmart and the boxes of zip bags are $2.50...so I bought one...

I used it on left over Chicken and alfredo pasta with Asparagus tonight...

I think I'm really going to like it.

I think it would be a great Christmas gift for my kids...

patti

Here is a link that might be useful: Handy-Vac

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Comments (10)

houstonmom_gw
15 years ago
I've had one for about 4 month or so. Had to buy a replacement because the end broke off the battery compartment when I dropped it.

I'm disappointed that the bags do not stay vacuumed sometimes, even after me running my fingers along the zip loc area. Especially annoying when my Filet Mignon had freezer burn due to the bag malfunctioning.

Early on I had trouble with my vacuum sealer, so I called Reynolds to ask a question. While on the phone with them, I asked for coupons, but they said no :( That surprised me.
minnie_tx
15 years ago
I had one and gave each of DS' one for Christmas I don't do much cooking so when FL DS was here I gave him mine too. Today he went fishing and caught some Spanish Mackeral and they were using it.

I got (today) one of the new Ziplock Vacuum starter kits. It is not as expensive as the Reynolds and is a little hand held pump. I think I'll try that tomorrow on some carrots.
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I've had the professional Food Saver II for several years and have processed 200lbs. of bird food every 3 months as well as repackaging some store-bought foods that go into the freezer with it. I freeze quartered or chopped peppers of all sorts on cookie sheets and when they are well frozen, I bag them into a zip-type bag (leaving un-zipped). Then one or several of these bags, depending on type of pepper and size of cut, into a FoodSaver bag. The air is removed to the degree I wish. I have control of when the machine seals. I can let it remove all the air and automatically shut off, or manually override it to seal sooner. Peppers are more compact and are easier to store in the freezer. I love this machine. When we bought our upright freezer, the salesman said that the action of the self-defrosting feature can dry out things out a bit, but the extra layer of packaging and the airless feature of the FoodSaver that I use would allow for a longer freezer-shelf life. It works beautifully. Year old meat has no freezer burn and tastes as good as that which was frozen a week ago. We buy larger amounts of cheese and other things when on sale, cut and pack it in the size of packages convenient for our use, seal them in FS bags, and they always seem to be good as fresh until we get to them. Some other manufacturers bags will work with the Tilia FoodSaver but the ones I've tried (trying to save $$) were of lesser quality and I couldn't re-use as long, didn't stay sealed or were noticeably thinner. Crystal
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My dh was the one who initially wanted a FoodSaver. I really didn't think it was a necessary purchase--but I have since become a true convert! We got ours at least 6 years ago and it's still going strong (got the FoodSaver Gamesaver model from Bass Pro/Cabela's b/c we had a gift card). Not only is it great for buying meat in bulk and then using the bags to divide/store in smaller portions, but the canisters are great for things like refrigerating lettuce and even strawberries--both last waaay longer before wilting/softening. You can freeze liquid leftovers (like soup)--just freeze overnight first w/ a clip on top, then you can seal it and freeze longterm. I also like it for things like cooked ground meat--I usually date it and label it and throw it in the freezer (i.e., "1.5 lbs cooked ground chuck, 12/13/10"). It lasts a long time this way, and when I need a quick supper plan, I can just grab it, defrost and add taco seasoning or spaghetti sauce or...you get the idea. I do occasionally use it for marinating; it does speed up the time needed for this. There is a Quick Seal option (or something like that) that works well to reseal things like bags of fish sticks (blech--but my kids think they're great as an occasional special treat!) or pizza rolls, for example. Also, like joyce 6333, I use it for cereal bags and crackers. Much better than folding up and clipping w/ a clothes pin! So all in all, I definitely would recommend the higher end models. Also, I found that Sam's carries a bulk package of assorted size bags for a better deal. Good luck!
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I also bought one based on all the positive reviews here and absolutely love it! It worked from the very first try. Just make sure to keep the round, plastic suction cup flat against the bag, applying downward pressure, and not at a slight angle, making sure the bag is sitting flat on the counter also. So easy. I put a block of sharp cheddar in a qt. bag, too. Really like this thing and much easier and more convenient to use than my FoodSaver. Can't really use it, however, for liquids, as might get sucked up into the vaccuum tip.
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I completely agree, Rusty. Everybody claimed to be so happy with the way the thing worked that I thought there must be some knack for getting it to hold a seal, and I just didn't have the touch. I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one. I've already got a regular vacuum sealer--just thought one of these would be good for small things like pieces of cheese in the fridge, with the bonus that the bags didn't have to be cut down each time you used them, and eventually thrown away like the FoodSaver bags. And the gadget itself hardly takes up any space. But it just wasn't working for me. Of course, now that the bags are a collector's item, I'll probably start hyperventilating about not having a lifetime supply. ;o)
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Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
15 years ago
Hmmmm...For $10 it is worth the chance.

Gayle
kathyg_in_mi
15 years ago
I have one and have been very happy with it. I do have a Food Saver too, but for things like cheese and the like that I'll keep reopening I like using the Handi Vac. We buy cheese at the cheese factory and like to freeze some (with Food Saver), but for every day I like the handi Vac Bags for being able to reseal. I think it makes my cheese last longer.
Kathy G in MI
JoanMN
15 years ago
Mine worked twice, I took it back and bought a seal-a-meal.
JoanMN
angelaid
15 years ago
Mine is over a year old. Has saved me a ton of money. I use it several times a day. Never had one problem with it and haven't even had to change the batteries so far. I gave my big one to a friend who has a family.
grammahony
15 years ago
I have the Reynolds Handi-Vac. I have problems with mine vacuuming sometimes. I do like it for my cheese (Muenster) as it molds to quick if just wrapped.
Leslie
curlysue
15 years ago
I have had mine for over a year and I love it. You can't beat it for the price. It has paid for itself several times over with the money I have saved by using it.

I have only had one bag malfunction. It was sealed when I put it in the freezer but not when I took it out.

Not just for food either. Camping or boating, use it to seal things that you don't want to get damp, like extra socks. Or use for traveling. The last time my son flew home one of his little bottles of shampoo leaked out into his shaving bag, when he flew home all his little bottles where vac sealed.
Marigene
15 years ago
I have had one for quite some time. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I think some of the bags are the reason it doesn't seal properly when it is acting up. I threw a box of bags because they wouldn't seal properly. What a waste of money. I should have taken them back and asked for a refund.
bigpapa
15 years ago
I have one for a few months. Ran out of bags. Wondering if the Handi-Vac is compatible with the glad bags. Very good for cheese and meats. I used to throw a lot of my Sam's Club meat and cheese out. Now they last and I can freeze without freezer burn. And we kept 1/2 an avacado fresh, without the discoloration of a regular ziploc. I also noticed that sometimes the bags don't seal as well.But no problems with the vacuum unit itself, very good deal compared to more expensive options. Guess I should get some new bags :)

Reynolds Handi-Vac. Vacuum Sealer...have you tried it?

Comments (10)

houstonmom_gw

minnie_tx

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