Reduce Your Food Footprint

People trying to live on a budget as well as people trying to reduce their carbon footprint are looking for ways to shop and cook to minimize food waste. The most common way to save on food is to buy in bulk and freeze what you do not immediately need. You will save money because bulk costs less, and you will not need to shop as often, which will help you save on spontaneous spending. Vacuum sealing is one of the best methods to use for storing food. The sealer pulls out all of the air in a special plastic bag, which creates a vacuum and seals it closed. Food that is in a vacuum-sealed bag will keep for a long time, and the bag will prevent the food from gettin freezer burn. There are several brands from which to choose, and here are vacuum sealer reviews of some of the best.

Who Makes Vacuum Sealers?

A few companies make most of the vacuum sealers on the market today. The major manufacturers are:

• Cuisinart
• FoodSaver
• Nesco
• Seal-a-Meal
• Weston

Cuisinart

Cuisinart VS-100 Vacuum Sealer

Cuisinart makes high-quality kitchen appliances and the Cuisinart VS-100 is no different. It has a compact design suitable for small kitchens. It is easy to lock and has an instant seal for delicate foods. It accommodates extra-wide bags and has a drip tray and bag cutter. It is comparatively inexpensive and has a manufacturer’s warranty.

FoodSaver

FoodSaver is considered the experts in the vacuum sealer industry. Its products are highly recommended as some of the best on the market. Three of the top selling vacuum sealers are:

FoodSaver FM2000-000 Vacuum Sealing System

This is a popular item mainly because of its compact size. It has an easy latch, removable drip tray and uses 40 percent less bag material, which will reduce your costs for bags over time. Considered a good model for a beginner, it is so small because it does not have a bag cutter or bag storage and offers a five-year limited warranty.

FoodSaver 4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System

This item has more features including a handheld attachment that is good for sealing containers. This is considered the best system for canners. It also has a Rapid Marinate Mode that marinates meats in minutes, and it has settings for moist and dry plus bag cutter and roll storage. It offers a five-year limited warranty.

FoodSaver GameSaver Deluxe Vacuum Sealing Kit

This system is for heavier use. It is intended for sportsmen or hunters who bring home dinner that needs to be stored. It has a powerful vacuum that is good for meat and fish. The lever makes it easy to use hands-free, and it can also be used for canisters. It has a built-in cutter and roller storage and is considered the best on the market by many users. It has the best warranty with a 10-year limited warranty.

Nesco

Nesco is a popular kitchen appliance manufacturer that includes a line of vacuum sealers. The Nesco VS-02 Food Vacuum Sealer is a well-designed machine and easy for beginners to use. It features one-touch operation and has automatic shut-off. A unique feature of this model is a longer seal time for the times you want a tighter seal. It has an override function for delicate foods. It also has a cutter and roll storage compartment and a one-year warranty.

Seal-a-Meal

Seal-a-Meal FSSMSL0160-000 Vacuum Sealer

Seal-a-Meal is an inexpensive option, especially for light use. It is small with a compact design and offers hands-free use. It has an easy to clean removable drip tray and is compatible with 8-inch, 11-inch and quart and gallon rolls and bags. It offers a one-year warranty.

Weston

Weston makes several kinds of food preservation appliances, including vacuum sealers, dehydrators, tomato strainers, meet slicers and more.

Weston 65-0201 Pro-2300 Vacuum Sealer

This is a sealer for heavy duty sealing, especially for commercial enterprises. It may be more than most people need in their kitchens, but many people recommend it for home use. It has automatic mode operation for quick, simple jobs and custom sealing with manual mode for sealing things that require special care. It can seal 15-inch bags and has a powerful vacuum pump and a fan-cooled motor. It has a one-year warranty.

Each of the above vacuum sealers is excellent, but the FoodSaver GameSaver Deluxe Vacuum Sealing Kit gets the most recommendations. It has a compact design and a powerful vacuum as well as a great 10-year warranty.