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

17 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
17 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
17 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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When I place my 25 pound bag of sugarless angelfood cake mix in FS containers, I used 2 gallon zipper bags to hold about 10 pounds in each canister, and I leave the bags partially open. I used the big 1.5 gallon huge size canisters. I do make sure that the rubber seals are very clean and have no bits of stuff or foreign materials in the seal areas. The domed canisters are easy to pull a decent vacuum on. I use a seperate vacuum pump however as it gives me a much stronger vacuum that can hold a cover on for many months. Thats how my cake mix is stored, and is still under vacuum, as is the grated cheese in the fridge. If there is even a single nick on the plastic edge where the seal is made to the rubber ring, it will usually leak. I have moistened the lip with a little water and placed the lid on and its pumped down quite well. Another way to get that seal to hold better is to use a very light coating of non stick spray, applied on a paper towel. Its applied VERY THIN and would be lighly applied to the plastic rim of the canister. This will help to ensure a good seal, but the best I get is when I use my external vacuum pump. For the big bucket shaped containers with flat and concave lids with the knob, I have has to fix a few small cracks that show up around the knob. I use crazy glue to pull the glue into the cracks under vacuum and its hardened off with an activator that turns it solid in one second. The cracks that form are because I use a very powerful vacuum pump. Right now, I have a batch of vinegar salt brine waiting for the next wave of pepperoncini peppers to get canned, and its under vacuum. Basically, a stronger vacuum pump may be needed. It also may be that the pump you have inside the FS is either dirty or worn out so its not pulling a vacuum very well. The pumps in the FS are quite small, and most have a built in sensor that shuts them off once they reach a specific pressure which is obviously lower than 30 inches of mercury (read on a vacuum gauge). The square or rectangular containers will crack down the sides every time. I went through 3 of them and found that even though they are thick plastic, its not designe dwell enough to hold a good vacuum. All my square ones cracked in the corners.
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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.
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Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
17 years ago
Hmmmm...For $10 it is worth the chance.

Gayle
kathyg_in_mi
17 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.
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JoanMN
17 years ago
Mine worked twice, I took it back and bought a seal-a-meal.
JoanMN
angelaid
17 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
17 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
17 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
17 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
17 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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