If you're in the market for a vacuum sealer, this one by Inkbird seems like a decent deal: https://www.homebrewfinds.com/2021/...more-39-89-free-shipping-w-30-off-coupon.html Reviews are pretty good. One of the features that piqued my interest is there is less bag wasted than with my Foodsaver, which requires that you insert the bag about 2" into the machine before it engages and triggers the pump. Also (with my Foodsaver) there's another inch or so of bag between the food and the seal. Looks like the Inkbird needs only about an inch. I ordered one (just under $40). Thought about getting the 8" x 12" bags (just over $15) linked below and quartering them for 1 - 2 ounces each of hops and other small stuff, but found a slightly better deal. https://www.homebrewfinds.com/2021/...re-15-19-free-prime-ship-w-20-off-coupon.html The links are a hat-tip to Homebrew Finds, but when you click on the product image at Homebrew Finds you'll be redirected to the product page on Amazon. If you decide to order, be sure to tick the checkbox on Amazon to save 30% and 20% on the sealer and the bags, respectively. It says “Save an extra 30% when you apply this coupon” (it'll say 20% for the bags) Not sure how long this deal will be available.
I just purchased this Inkbird a couple of weeks ago. Other than the price, there are many advantages over a Foodsaver of a similar price (e.g. the spacesaver version). One is that it produces far more vacuum than does the Foodsaver. The Foodsaver is just under 20 inches of mercury while the Inkbird is 24. Also the Inkbird can do 12" while the Foodsaver only does 8". Another advantage is that the Inkbird can cut bags while the Foodsaver doesn't. As far as I can determine, Foodsaver is asking far too much for their products for what you get. Definitely go with the Inkbird - I think it has currently a promotional price as well.
There are several models from Foodsaver, and that's one reason I referred to it as my Foodsaver. Mine will seal 11"+ width and does cut bags. It was top of the line when purchased. It often takes several attempts to get it to suck the air, and the cutter works well in only one direction. I have two Foodsavers and they both have the same drawbacks. It also seems that some non-Foodsaver bag material doesn't work as well. I agree that the Foodsaver seems overpriced. @OldBrewer have you tried non-Inkbird bags with the Inkbird sealer?
Above, I was only trying to compare the Inbird with a similar-priced Foodsaver model (although even here the Foodsaver was at least $30 more). I purchased two rolls (total 100 feet) of vacuum sealer bags through Amazon, which was about half the price of the Foodsaver vacuum sealer rolls. It works great (made by Ronegye). I think the bag material has to be rough on one side, so normal plastic bags likely won't work. I haven't tried that yet.
Thanks. Foodsaver sucks imo. Of all consumer products they have got to be the worst. I must have been through 4 of them over the years and they aren't cheap. Not built very well at all, it's always something but there are never any good alternatives. Wish I knew of this Inkbird a few months ago. But soon enough I'll need to replace the Foodsaver. Looking forward to the day, sort of like when I gave the cable box back to Spectrum and cancelled by cable TV. It felt great! Cheers
I had actually already purchased the Foodsaver when a friend told me I should have purchased the Inkbird. I went over and checked his Inkbird out and was convinced. I brought the Foodsaver back (I hadn't opened it yet) and ordered the Inkbird. I'm so glad I did. Foodsaver won't clearly advertise the vacuum specs (which is less than 20 inches of Mercury based on someone who actually tested it), which is at the low end of any on the market. The Inkbird is at the top of the commercial market (at 24 inches of Mercury). There are vacuum devices that are higher than this (I believe that 28 inches is the highest possible value) but they are much more expensive and of an industrial strength). The extra amount of vacuum means that the contents will last much longer. That alone is worth switching to the Inkbird. With Foodsaver, you are mostly paying for the name which shouldn't have the prestige that it has. As a vacuum device "with a name", it should at least have much higher vacuum strength. Unfortunately, most people don't know enough about vacuum pressure to even ask the question and check it out.
Thank you for the heads up. We were lucky enough to get a 12 year run out of a Food Saver, but it has come to an end. Just purchased the Inkbird. Great deal!
Rec'd the Inkbird sealer earlier this week. It came with 5 quart-sized bags and an accessory tube for re-closable bags like these and certain containers. It won't work on Foodsaver lids, which I'm guessing are proprietary. The seal looks to be a tad wider than the Foodsaver. One feature on my Foodsaver that the Inkbird doesn't have is a removable drip tray, which I rarely used. The lack of one wouldn't keep me from buying another Inkbird. So far I'm pleased. It's simple, compact and fast. Also ordered 100 quart-sized 8" x 12" non-Inkbird bags. Cutting the bags into quarters is just right for 2 oz of pellet hops while leaving enough margin to write the variety, weight and AA%. These are the bags I got at about half the cost of the Inkbird bags. They work fine.
All you need to make the Inkbird work with the Foodsaver Sealing lids is a short, 3 or 4 inch piece of flexible hosing, 3/16" ID. I had the same issue and this incredibly inexpensive solution works. It will cost much less than a dollar to make it work. The hose fits between the nipple outlet on the Inkbird and the hose attachment of the Foodaver lids.
While we're on tips . . . it's works well to use a full quart-sized bag for a small quantity of hops (or anything). As before, label the contents on the "sealed" end and when you open just toss that part away. What's left is ~ ¾ of a bag (or whatever, depending on size of contents) which is re-cycled back into service. Keep cutting off the sealed tab and gradually reducing the length remaining until it's too small to seal. You might want to rinse the hop residue or could just leave it behind.
I’ve used that tip. 2 ounces is a good package size for me. My thinking is it’s better to open the 1-lb. bag once to repackage (and use the smaller packs as needed), rather than to keep reopening the big bag each time a small(er) amount is required. Another tip – a sharpie pen is good for writing on the bags, and a few drops of acetone (nail polish remover) on a paper towel is good for removing the writing without damaging the bag. It helps when correcting ethanol induced illegible penmanship. The whole concept is more effective if all ends are sealed
