i've been wondering about a vacuum sealer? the one by tilia advertised on the informercial seems like a pretty good machine. i noticed wallyworld carries the same brand but a different model number.

what is your experience with these? worth the investment? hassle? would you buy another ? what accessories? and also, what sort of things are you actually using it for ? if you've had one for over a year or two, do they hold up well? and are you still using it ?

thanks gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), September 04, 2000

Answers

We purchased a FoodSaver Deluxe by Tilia about 1 1/2 years ago. We don't know how we got along with out it. We buy in bulk and vaccuum seal the right size portions for the two of us. (Meat, vegtables from the garden, herbs, cheese, the list goes on) The vaccuum canisters have not been very useful. The wide mouth jar sealer,(still looking for a regular mouth jar sealer) has been great also for coffee, rice, and various other dry ingredents. Ours has had no problems but is build a bit better then the ones Ive seen at wallworld. We got ours from Cabela's.

-- Judy (mh34615@navix.net), September 04, 2000.

Gene, I have a vacuem machine which I have had about two years. I got it at SAMS CLUB where I shop once a month. It is great for storing items you buy in bulk. It also does well for storing dried fruit and veggies. I would for sure buy another when this one quits working.

-- DON HOWARD (dessertmaker2000@hotmail.com), September 04, 2000.

I had a Brand X for years and used it extensively. When it showed signs of biting the dust, we bought the Tilia model at Sam's and it far exceeds the Brand X for ease of use. It truly does pay for itself in savings on bulk food, keeping repackaged things fresher, etc. One more thing about the dried foods. I like dried tomatoes for soups, etc., in winter but didn't dry any after my first efforts oxidized and turned black because the jars weren't vacuum packed. When I got the Brand X, the dried tomatoes stayed deep red and looked appetizing as long as they lasted. It worked even better with the Tilia model.

By the way, Tilia offers a regular size jar sealer at additional cost. To save shipping, a friend and I ordered together and split the cost.

Feel free to email me directly if you have specific questions. I'll do my best to answer.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), September 04, 2000.

i to just got my sealer after posting a thread here and getting feedback. so you might also check the archives.

mine came with the wide mouth jar sealer and some other things but have you noticed that things just never seem to work oot. by this i mean almost all of my jars are regular mouth. i ordered one from the 800 number they offered for customer service. i think it cost about $15 with shippping and handleing. i just got mine about 2wks ago and when i called they said it would be about 4wks before they had the regular sized jar sealer as they were out of stock. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), September 04, 2000.

We use a Decosonic brand. I like it because its capable of using any heavy grade freezer or sandwich bag. I buy store brand zipper bags at the dollar store and vacuum and heat seal them to size. The suck sealer and dehydrator = pantry in a suitcase.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), September 06, 2000.