the containers? the original foodsaver plastic canisters? i have the set of 3, they are recommended for only room temp or refrigerator (not freezer, would crack), the first set cracked on its own by just vacuuming, the second set seems to be working, but they do loose its vacuum in a few weeks!

the half pint ball jars in my freezer or fridge are full of garlic, ginger, jams, glace de volaille, lacquer glaze, rum soaked dazzling lemon roses, that has zero issues of loosing its vacuum. i also use quart mason jars, works just as fine.

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i am drooling for a commercial vacumer, too!

my foodsaver bags keep its vacuum just fine (the bags that loose its vacuum are the ones i have reused or abused too many times). the REAL issue i had is the foodsaver machine itself not been able to vacuum, does that happen to you? i had to press very hard on the machine, the latching, etc, for the vacuum to start.

i found the solution: the soft rubber gasket is to be replaced (the one on the lid of the machine), and the bottom contact part to this gasket is to be replaced too (some models are also soft rubber, some are hard black plastic part of the drain chamber). i replaced both, and now it is a new machine and super fast.

i also love keeping things on ball canning jars, using the foodsaver canning lid attachment. to prevent loosing vaccum over time, i screw on the lids tight, and THIS keeps vacuum for years! (helps to use new canning lids, or run them thru boiling water to reshape the rubber seal)

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I confirmed on their website that this product is officially discontinued:

http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/en/info_page/Product_Locator.asp

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Uh oh.. thanks Matthew!

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I saw a discontinued sign on this at my grocery store, and it also seems to have disappeared from other stores in my area--but it is still on the website. Might a good time to stock up, however.

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Makes even more sense, and THANK YOU pal.

In fact, it is at 20oF when ice melts, thus needed for frost freeing.

Oops, I do keep my freezer mostly empty, with lots of empty spaces between things. will pile from now on! and love your frozen water bottle recommendation! I think I was suppose to keep things loose only when I am freezing something new so it gets cold fast, but for frozen stuff it is best to pile it up!

I will move my thermometer sensor to read food temperature instead of freezer wall temperature, I think it will read better!

I wonder if Subzero works the same way!

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Discovering something normal... you're so funny! :)

I've read in a few places that a full freezer is more energy efficient than an empty one because the frozen contents help to keep the cold temp inside the freezer consitant. I'm sure the on/off cycle of the frost-free freezers warm up just enough to keep the ice crystals from accumulating on the shelves and walls.

It's suggested that you store frozen water-filled water bottles in the freezer (not filled to the top of course) to take up inefficient empty space.

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Hi Patrincia, I hope you are right, and I plan to cancel my service call upcoming in 2 weeks since my 'new' refrigerator is out of warranty and only 15 months old!

My freezer thermometer is a digital portable add-on (Orka brand), the probes are inside the freezer, the readout is outside. The wires are very concealed, also my doors have good seals. The 20oF for 1 hour, daily, happens when I am not opening any door! I make a point to read the thermometer about 1 hour after I've last used it, usually during breakfast, this readout is 0oF. But when I come home at night my thermometer beeps telling me "20oF for 1 hour has occurred!!!"

I thought it could be a faulty thermometer, but sometimes I am home during the 20oF event, and I compare the digital readout with an inside analog freezer thermometer which I have placed very close to the door opening, so I can just crack open the door to read it.

I've been reading about the frost free cycling devices, most work every 8 hours on a timer. It makes sense since I've been noticing the 20oF even happens about each 8 hours! It is so consistent! The frost free cycling device has an actual heater, which heats up to about 20oF... you are right, if the freezer would just shut off, it should remain at 0oF for near a day or at least more than 1 hour!

I assume, having plenty frozen stuff piled up as recommended, but leaving free airflow around the walls, may help the frozen stuff stay frozen stable since it is the open air around the freezer walls that heat up?

I may be discovering something normal?

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Hi Hector - I don't think an hour of 20F isn't too long - freezers are pretty well insulated and they say a full freezer can keep foods frozen for up to 24 hours without electricity if you don't open the door.

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Patrincia, great. I got mine's last month, and let me tell you: my stuff is now sealed!

I do have the Tilia, which I love for longer term storage. Tilia's canning jar and the bottle stoppers are something I just can't live without, I have plenty canning jars in the refrig or even freezer, it even works with reused glass jars from pickles, pasta sauce, etc. Tilia's bag are very reusable, as Tilia itself recommends so.

Perhaps I can throw this question on this post. I've noticed my freezer goes into 20oF for 1 hour daily and at the same time. I've read it is normal since it is a frost free freezer, but I think 1 hour is rather long? Any thing you searched on this subject? This is a standard whirlpool top freezer refrigerator.

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I agree it would be wonderful if Reynolds could come up with some sort of an attachment that would work on canning jars (for dry good storage). Non-freezer storage bags would be good too.

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Well, I bought this handi-vac and I have to say, it's much better than I thought it would be. Only problem I seem to be having is the grocery shelves always seem to be out of the bags - hope the company is able to produce enough of them to support the demand.

I'm pleased with the performance of the vacuum.

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We've been using a Handi-Vac for about 2 months. Great little gadget!
We've been vacuum sealing food for many years; we've had 4 Food Savers, each with more bells and whistles than the last. My in-laws first bought one 20 or 30 years ago. We use our Food Saver regularly, but not for items we will use soon, or for low value contents such as most vegetables, because of the cost.
Since we got a Handi-Vac, I've been vacuuming a lot more: breakfast sausages, veggies, lunch meat, etc. I reuse the bags (except for things like raw hamburger or chicken). I wash & dry the bags, then re-use as needed.
The cost is similar to the Food Saver, but as noted above, every time you reuse the bags you lose a couple of inches, whereas the Handi-Vac bags are resealable and reusable, which drives the price down and the convenience up.
My gut reaction is that the countertop sealer probably removes more air, but for items not stored for long periods of time (a substantial number of months) it doesn't matter.
Bottom line: the Handi-Vac is MUCH cheaper to buy, MUCH more convenient to use, and the bags are a lot cheaper when reuse is considered.

TIP: If you wash the bags before reusing (highly recommended), be very careful when handling the seal strip. As with any zip type bags, the top of the body of the bag can easily tear along the seam, meaning it won't reseal. I've lost several bags this way.
TIP: Put the corner with the vacuum hole on a slightly higher level (I put it on the corner of a cheese board, small cutting board, or the like). Doing this makes it a lot easier to get a good fit between the bag and the pump hole on the Handi-Vac. Alignment of the pieces is critical to getting a stron seal.

Rose, please pass the following along to the product design and manufacturing people at Reynolds.
1. Strengthen the seam on the bags at the point where the zipper strip is bonded to the bag, to reduce tearing.
2. Provide, as an optional accessory, an adapter and lids to fit canning jars, etc.
3. Improve the availablity of the product, both the sealer and the replacement bags. This means both store replenishment and broader distribution. Yes, I know, manufacturing remp-up can be a challenge, but unavailability of refill boxes will quickly sour people on the product.

Still, a great product! Highly recommended.

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=) go to my home page too! Just click on my name. Happy Hula-days.

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Thanks Hector! I loved it!

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Merry Christmas to ALL, and below I first got elf'ed from Rose!

click here for a dance:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1371468784

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I just bought the Handi-Vac for my daughter in law for Christmas with a box of both bags and I ended up getting myself one too. I haven't had a chance to use it yet though. It is great to see the good reviews on it.
I have always just done the straw thing especially with bread and I have sucked crumbs down my throat. LOL.
Susie in northern NY

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What I like about vacuum bags, is that the vacuum indicates me that the contents inside are airtight, meaning no odors can escape.

Try storing fresh fish, graavlax, cilantro, hot pepper/cilantro marinade, etc, and you will know what I mean!

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Over here in M'sia, I've not found any item like this yet - although I've seen them being advertised in foreign mags. The only vacuum sealer I can find is the commercial kind and way too expensive and huge for my countertop! Sigh - have to keep looking!

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I guess my experiences with the Handi-Vac have been so different than others. I don't notice much difference. Things may last a day or two longer, but it's not worth the extra space in my kitchen cupboards and searchign for special bags in the store

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I bought mine earlier this week. Haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I can't wait.

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Patrincia,

Glad you're all right, so I can safely say "too funny." I imagine that happening to me too if I tried it! Good point about not placing it near the contents. :)

Zach

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I could not resist but to get one, was doing a late Walmart run last night. Looks like a good gadget, fairly inexpensive for what it does. Yes, baggies cost more. I've just repackaged some frozen Chinese pot stickers, and I was surprised that the baggie was indeed strong and managed to crack in half some of the frozen pot stickers as the bag was getting compressed; that tells me that this product is strong!

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Actually, there was one time when I managed to inhale a small bit of cooked ground beef. Then I learned to make sure the end of the straw in the bag was against the wall of the freezer bag and not near the contents.

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I had to chuckle over the "straw" technique. Have you ever passed out on the floor or sucked something down your throat? :)

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I love to make rugelach and often freeze the dough - before it is filled and rolled. My question is - how long do you think the dough would last if I freeze it in the handi-vac? thanks, Louise

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I also freeze liquids before I use the handi-vac. However, there are some tricks to make this work. The liquid can not be above the blue line which angles across the the top/side of the bag and is right below the spot where you use the handi-vac. So, I stand the bag up in the freezer angled a little on the side. I just tried this with chicken soup and it worked fine. Louise

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I've been doing the drinking straw trick for years, but if this handi-vac works out well, I hope to throw my straws away forever!

Good idea to freeze liquids before vacuum sealing too!

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that is an EXCELLENT tip. Thanks for sharing.

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I keep a drinking straw handy in the kitchen drawer. When I bag up something to freeze I insert it into a corner of the almost closed bag and suck out as much air as possible, then quickly finish closing. Maybe not as perfect as having a machine, but better than nothing.

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I have an assortment of cupcakes at all times in my freezer. Whenever I bake cakes, I make an effort to size up the recipe and turn the extra batter into cupcakes. Sometimes I make just 'one' cupcake out of the batter stuck on the bowl/spatula.

Freeze vacuum will keep your cupcakes for a long long time, if not years.

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Michele--the change in your bread rising probably has more to do with lower temperature than lower humidity.

Re: Eleni's cupcakes, I think that is a bakery in NYC. I think he was asking your opinion of them, but it is hard for me to imagine Rose buying cupcakes from anywhere.

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Michele, try placing it inside a large plastic box, covered. A bucket, a bread rising box, a large stockpot, an inverted large bowl, or even a trash can liner, will work.

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I am trying to ask a question about bread dough rising and I cannot figure out where I can send a question. My bread dough rose beautifully all summer but ever since the humidity went away, I am having trouble getting my bread dough to rise. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.

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Great tipper Rose! I also make an effort to slightly wrap in plastic wrap prior to using the vacuum bags, so the vacuum bags remain much cleaner and easier to reuse!

In fact, I have a 'roll' made or used vacuum bags, for near all my cooking foods that aren't too picky to be treated like a second citizen. For products that easily absorb odors or I want to preserve for long time, like butter, pastry items, buttercreams, fruit purees, I always use new bags.

The trick to freeze liquids first before vacuum is one of those things that has been around for years but people forget!

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Hey, Anne's so right!!

I wish there were zip-type bags that were actually sized to hold a loaf of bread.

Wrapping them in plastic wrap and/or foil just doesn't do the job sometimes.

Admittedly, some recipes are so delicious it's hard not to eat half the loaf all at once, but then again, some recipes make more than one loaf, so storage is an issue.

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Rose,
With your "connections" to the company I wish you would recommend that they make bags that are narrower and longer so that we can easily slip in a whole loaf of bread without stuffing it in. Since you can control the level of vacuum, this system seems perfect for the home baker. And since you don't have to trim the seal off to open the bag the frugal homemaker could rinse and reuse the bags a time or two.

I am anxious to try this product!

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I have the Tilia model, IT IS a giant appliance on my countertop. Use it a lot, reuse the bags, too. Love the canister vacuums (for things short term refrigerated, that I really don't want to waste a bag for or things crushable). Another handy attachment is the small and large canning jar lid sealers, this is a great way to save on bags, too, and the canning jars do go in the freezer fine! It even fits many jars from pickles, ragu, etc.

Buttercreams, fruit pulps, pastry dough, go in the bags. Roasted garlic, glace de volaille individually wrapped in foil, stay frozen in the canning jars. Jams and jellies, opened, in the refrigerator, resealed. Poultry bones, roast scraps, frozen in the bags. Oh, I've tried to keep my dry herbs in the canning jars, but when opening them, the pressure out spills the herbs all over. Fish, and everything with strong odors, in the bags. There are no odors whatsoever in my fridge or freezer now.

I've seen the handi vacs in Europe, such clever idea. The Reynolds model seems to be a great compliment to the Tilia countertop. Thanks Reynolds to bring this to us in the USA, and for great price. Hey, if the reclosable zip bags are not very reclosable, you can use the tilia to seal them thoughly, and thinly cut them off and reseal back? The Tilia bags waste about 2 inches each time you try to vacuum/reseal.

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Hi
I purchased a Reynolds Handi Vac and love it. The bags are a little pricey( I will check out Wal-Mart), but considering the savings in that it keeps food so fresh I think it is worth it.

It is small and I keep it tucked into a kitchen drawer. It is quick and easy to use. Well worth it!

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I have had one for about two months, and just love it. I am now giving it as gifts. I can't begin to tell you all I have used it for, but here are a few. Sliced mushrooms-were as fresh as ever three weeks later. Half of an Avacodo-a week later just like I put it into the bag. Green onions- weeks later just as fresh. I could go on and on, but buy one and try it, you will love it! Very small, so can store in a drawer! There have been rebate coupons and I just clipped out a $2 off one today.

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oops...spelling...vacuum

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Rose:
Thanks for the info on the vacume sealer. I haven't seen one in my supermarket ... but I'm going to be on the look out. I've always wanted one...but never had the room to store a countertop model. This looks great!

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Rose what's your opinion on Eleni's cupcakes? Do they use a buttercream like you do? After tasting them, I think they do. But I found their cake a bit drier. And it tastes differently. Do they use preservatives in their cupcakes too?

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Sorry for the confusion... you're right Matthew, I use the work Ziplock as a generic term. I've experiences this problem with all freezer bags.

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Patrincia, as far as I know, Ziplock and Reynold's are different brands, unless you were referring to ziplock in the generic sense, as in not a professional sealer.

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Thanks Rose - I didn't realize that. I'll still wait until I know a few people who have used the new handi-vac system before I make up my mind for sure.

However, I'll tell you what Reynold's product I simply adore... it's their Non-Stick Foil. That stuff is phenominal!

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My experience with Ziplock's standard freezer bags has been that the actual seems (not the zipper closure) aren't always airtight, so I am very apprehensive about trying this product. Also, the bags do seem overly pricey, and the website says the bags are not recommended for liquids.

I'm still leaning towards buying a more expensive counter top vacuum sealer.

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One of the reviewers on Amazon says Wal-Mart sells boxes of 9 of the gallon bags for $2.84. I think that's about what they charge for 15 of the gallon Ziploc freezer bags. Which works out to about 32 cents each for Handi-Vac bags and 19 cents for Ziplocs. Seems worth the extra money to me, maybe not for everything you freeze, but at least for the stuff where freshness is more critical or harder to maintain, or stuff that will be in the freezer longer. Especially considering that the unit itself is less than $10.

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I agree about the bags, their price is the only reason I didn't bother purchasing.

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I clipped a coupon for this a few weeks back. Now that it has a Rose recommendation, I'm definitely going to give it a try!

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I have one of those. So far it's been really nice, but the bags are really expensive. I hope it sees a lot more use, but I think for that Renyolds would need to license the bag patents to other companies so that the bags become widespread. As it is now, the bags are really hard to find, and there are much less for the same price as normal freezer bags.

All in all, a really good product that needs more of the bags to avoid becoming an extinct one.

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