Forum Thermomix

Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Halex on December 15, 2012, 01:34:00 am

Title: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Halex on December 15, 2012, 01:34:00 am
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 :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Aussie Brenda on December 15, 2012, 02:07:33 am
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?.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Halex on December 15, 2012, 02:15:51 am
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.

Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Aussie Brenda on December 15, 2012, 02:19:46 am
Hum I don't know I can't say I've noticed the shinny side gaping to have a look now.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Aussie Brenda on December 15, 2012, 02:23:20 am
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.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Emme on December 15, 2012, 02:36:12 am
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 
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Aussie Brenda on December 15, 2012, 03:48:29 am
That is beautifully said Emme. Covered it all .
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Halex on December 15, 2012, 04:49:46 am
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 :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: judydawn on December 15, 2012, 04:51:08 am
Every machine should indicate when to remove the package Hally - so if yours is when the red light goes out, I'd say yes.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Halex on December 15, 2012, 05:13:33 am
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 ;)

Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Halex on December 15, 2012, 05:21:32 am
Brenda wen you sealed to take away, was it fresh, then did  you leave it in the fridge or did you freeze it?

H :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Alexis on December 15, 2012, 05:24:44 am
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?
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Emme on December 15, 2012, 05:25:44 am
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
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: cookie1 on December 15, 2012, 05:30:04 am
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.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Emme on December 15, 2012, 05:32:44 am
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.  ;D
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
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Aussie Brenda on December 15, 2012, 07:12:30 am
Hally I put them in the freezer it is great the freezer in my van is really small and with the condensed bags you can squeeze on quite a lot.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Alexis on December 15, 2012, 10:17:06 am
Thanks, Emme. I'll have to have a closer look at them.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Cornish Cream on December 15, 2012, 10:21:52 am
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?
Have a look at this post (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=6972.0) AM :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: obbie on December 15, 2012, 10:22:56 am
I am going to borrow my Mums vacuum sealer. Its a sunbeam... :) :) :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: fundj&e on December 15, 2012, 10:30:11 am
I think it says before?


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

H ;)


yes H redo them
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: cookie1 on December 15, 2012, 11:17:32 am
We have a Sunbeam and have had it for years. Like Marie, the only problems have been operator error.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Halex on December 16, 2012, 05:19:17 am
A HUGE THANK YOU

Vacum sealed the meat for our 2 week trip. It filled 1 1/2 cooler bags. It now fills just less than one.

Also done a fair meat of the meat, have space in my freezer again, now what can I put in it?
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/16/a8udana4.jpg)
H
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: achookwoman on December 16, 2012, 07:35:53 am
I love my vacuum sealer.  Have had it for about 20 years.  Last week I bought Eye fillet.  Cost $50.  I trimmed it and cut it into serves.  Got 7 meals for2 people. That is $ 3.50 a serve. The vacuum sealing keeps the meat in good condition without freezer burn.
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Alexis on December 16, 2012, 09:36:51 am
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?
Have a look at this post (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=6972.0) AM :)

Thanks Cornish Cream, I'll probably go out and get a Sunbeam tomorrow, I love spending money  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Halex on December 16, 2012, 10:14:42 pm
Marie,

I tried to seal some roll, it wouldnt seal. It tried to vacuum & of course couldnt as it was cut boh ends.

How do you do it?

H :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Emme on December 16, 2012, 10:28:07 pm
Hally, you are puting the end too far into the channel.  It does not go into the channel for just sealing.  The end must sit on the sealing strip to seal.  Leave your finger on the button until the light stops.

Marie  :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Halex on December 16, 2012, 10:44:01 pm
Thanks will try that. Want to vacuum seal my marinades :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Emme on December 16, 2012, 10:54:28 pm
Hally, I think Cookie mentioned about freezing liquid items first, otherwise it will suck up the liquid into the machine.  I sometimes wrap items in gladwrap before placing in bag to seal as well.  Hope this helps

Marie  :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: Halex on December 16, 2012, 10:55:54 pm
Ok will try first without freezing if not working will freeze then vacuum seal.

H :)
Title: Re: Vacuum Sealer Problem
Post by: cookie1 on December 17, 2012, 04:43:04 am
If it doesn't work Hally do as Marie suggested. Put it into plastic bag first, that should stop it sucking up the marinade and not sealing.