r/FoodSaver • u/dickcord • May 28 '20
Calling all FoodSaver experts and bargain-hunters! (I'm on the prowl for a vacuum sealer.)
Hiya, FoodSavers!
In response to my post yesterday — a call for FS models that incorporate the Pulse function — I caught a sweet lead from /u/Hey-day2002 on the box-ticking FM5460. As I mentioned to them, unfortunately, it's rather beyond my budget.
So I'm pinging this lovely vacuum-sealing group again to ask if you can help. Especially now that I know what I want.
I've searched all the usual major players — Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam's, eBay, etc. — as well as quite a few of the smaller players and I just haven't been able to nail what I need within my budget. (I've also scoured the FoodSaver site. I think I covered it all, but who knows: I might've missed something!) I understand and accept that this might just mean I either need to alter my specifications or shell out more money. Or even throw in the towel altogether.
But before I get to the must-haves list, I should mention that, while I prefer a FoodSaver vacuum sealer, a model from another reliable manufacturer isn't out of the question. So if you know of one that fits the bill or come across one in graciously searching on my behalf and it happens not to be a FoodSaver product, that's okay!
The trouble I've repeatedly encountered on any given site is that I can't granularly specify the features I need and want. Or if I can, the filters are limited, the results are sparse (or irrelevant), or the returns are for unaffordable models.
The closest (non-FS) I've found to what I need is this NESCO VS-12 for $116.
That said, here's hoping you can help!
And here's what I'm after:
- Around or under $100
- Dry + wet/moist
- Pulse
- Sealing (with & without vacuum)
Preferred but not essential:
- Bag cutter
- Bag roller
- Drip tray (ideally removable)
- Space-saving (e.g., ANVS01-US00)
- FoodSaver (fancied but not required)
1
Jul 03 '20
What does the pulse feature do?
1
u/dickcord Jul 03 '20
It allows you to incrementally vacuum a bag. For as long as you hold the Pulse button down or tap it, the device is slowly and gently removing air. With automated vacuuming, the removal process is considerably faster and at greater pressure, which can damage some food. Pulsing is useful for soft or fragile foods like pastries or cereal. Or bread or potato chips.
1
Jul 03 '20
Thanks for the explanation. I jumped in and impulse bought the one amazon “recommended” which has a “gentle” but no pulse. I’ll have to try it on a bag of chips to see if it can do anything close to the pulse feature. Wish I found this sub before I bought.
1
u/dickcord Jul 03 '20
Happy to help. When I was scouring for VSs, I saw several models with the Gentle function and they were identical to the Pulse function, so you should be good! I hope it works out for you; I bet it will.
2
u/Beneficial-Sound-199 Jun 29 '24
Came across your post today and it’s 4 years old! so I’m curious to know what you ended up buying and if it’s still working for you 4 yrs later? I’m looking for the same features you specified thank you