foodsaver

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:53 am

Anyone have/use a FoodSaver for storing hops? I am going to buy myself one for Xmas and was curious if anyone was using one out there. I buy a lot of hops in 8-16 oz packages and it would be very handy in keeping my hops fresher, along with in the kitchen. Any brands or models to recommend or stay away from?

DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:00 am

I have a FoodSaver brand food saver. It works great for pellet hops. I've had mixed success with whole leaf hops. I don't know if they outgas more or if they simply have a higher surface-area-to-volume ratio and trap gas, but about half the time I vacuum seal whole leaf hops the bag doesn't hold its vacuum. It remains sealed, but there magically seems to be air inside of it after a few months. Either way, I've got hops that are 2-3 years old that still smell/taste fresh, thanks to vacuum sealing and freezing them.

I don't always buy hops in bulk, but when I do, I love to Food Saver them.

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:41 am

Dr Paulsen, the most interesting man in the world.

do you know what model you have? I have a couple that I'm zeroing in on, but just curious.

DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:16 pm

The outside of the unit says "V2420". I think one of the differentiating features of this unit is that it supports vacuum canisters, in addition to the standard bags. I can't say anything about the value of the canisters, though, as I've never used them.

brownbeard · Post by **brownbeard** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:41 pm

I have a foodsaver, and use it often. Mine is pretty simple. I wish I had the canister option. I also wish I had the ability to stop the vacuum and seal. Mine just vacs until it is completely done, and seals. Works good for pellet hops. But I use it more for food.

tompb · Post by **tompb** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:40 pm

I have a Foodsaver V2460. It does the canisters and has a wet/dry and fast/slow option. It seems to do well for leaf hops. It also does well with foods. Using the wet option it doesn't pull down as hard. I haven't used it with any canisters yet, so I don't have an opinion there.
We do buy bulk meat and portion it out. It does a great job of keeping the meat from getting freezer burn.

tompb · Post by **tompb** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:42 pm

And the best place I've found to get the rolls is on Ebay.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:11 pm

I have a Foodsaver V2840 and really like it. It has the canister option which I have never used. It has a manual seal button in addition to the vacuum and seal so you stop the vacuum or skip it all together. I have used some hops that are three years old for aromatics and they still smelled great after being sealed and frozen. I make the bags bigger than necessary so over the year you can open and reseal the same bag over and over again. If you make it too short you have to start with a new bag each time. It has some stainless steel panels on it which are not necesary but makes look like it belongs in the brewery.

Nice tip Tom, I need a new roll.

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:42 pm

The 2840 is actually one of the models I am looking at. There are a couple others and they are all in the $150 range on Amazon. One of the others is the 3860 which is more of a vertical unit. In any case, I hope it will be as boss in the kitchen as it will for my hops.

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:06 pm

I use one as well and it works very well, both pellet and leaf hops, I have found that with the leaf hops you have to wipe down the lip of the bag with a dry (or litely damp) cloth to get rid of the resin or your will lose your seal.

But it works very well for storing hops.

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:47 pm

If anyone is planning on buying one I found this coupon code for 30% off orders over $100, plus free shipping if you order direct from http://www.foodsaver.com. Pretty big savings compared with what I've found elswhere. Here's the code: C9FC30R

tony b · Post by **tony b** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:14 pm

This one looks like the deal - The Deluxe Savings Kit:

http://www.foodsaver.com/product.aspx?pid=8402

Plus, the C9FC30R code works and knocks the price down below $100 and free shipping.

Also, look for the models with this feature (from their FAQ page):

What is the CrushFree™ Instant Seal?

You can immediately stop the vacuum process when vacuum packaging delicate foods. Press the SEAL Button at any time during the vacuum process to immediately stop the vacuum and begin sealing the bag. This prevents crushing delicate items such as bread, cookies and pastries

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 9:40 am

tony b wrote: Also, look for the models with this feature (from their FAQ page):

What is the CrushFree™ Instant Seal?

You can immediately stop the vacuum process when vacuum packaging delicate foods. Press the SEAL Button at any time during the vacuum process to immediately stop the vacuum and begin sealing the bag. This prevents crushing delicate items such as bread, cookies and pastries

Mine has this feature. It is very useful and I also recommend it.

tompb · Post by **tompb** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:47 pm

Any of them that have a seperate "vac and seal" and "seal" button can be stopped and sealed. I haven't had a problem letting it finish it's cycle though.

I second Matt on making your hop bag long so you can reseal after you use some. It seems like a waste until you have to make a whole new bag instead of just cutting off an inch.

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:16 am

I ended up getting the v2840 and followed your guys' tips on leaving the bag long so it can be reused. This thing is cool. Got all my bulk hops nice and sealed. Now I've been looking for other uses around the house...