Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker or Rival
okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or twice a week.

I saw some comments on google, but they were like 10 years old.

Salty Thumb wrote:

> Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker or Rival
> okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or twice a week.
>
> I saw some comments on google, but they were like 10 years old.

I have been very happy with my Foodsaver.

In article <Guw2g.2400$HC3.68@trnddc07>,
Salty Thumb > wrote:

> Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker or Rival
> okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or twice a week.
>
> I saw some comments on google, but they were like 10 years old.

I just bought an inexpensive Tilia at Tuesday Morning - $30, I think.
It will only use the 8" wide rolls. I don't know if that's good or bad.
I'm thinking about getting the gizmo that will let me vac seal jars.
That sounds appealing to me.

I just bought replacement bag product at Wally World for HALF of what
Tilia costs at Sam's. Half. And a friend has suggested a way to get
more mileage out of those bags by making the bag way bigger than you
need it the first time, and re-using. Tilia suggests the same, I
believe.

Sort your Google results by date - first ones will come up at the top.
--
-Barb
<http://jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 4-20-2006 with our visit
to Kramarczuk's.
"If it's not worth doing to excess, it's not worth doing at all."

Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> In article <Guw2g.2400$HC3.68@trnddc07>,
> Salty Thumb > wrote:
>
> > Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker or
Rival
> > okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or twice a week.
> >
> > I saw some comments on google, but they were like 10 years old.
>
> I just bought an inexpensive Tilia at Tuesday Morning - $30, I think.
> It will only use the 8" wide rolls. I don't know if that's good or bad.
> I'm thinking about getting the gizmo that will let me vac seal jars.
> That sounds appealing to me.
>
> I just bought replacement bag product at Wally World for HALF of what
> Tilia costs at Sam's. Half. And a friend has suggested a way to get
> more mileage out of those bags by making the bag way bigger than you
> need it the first time, and re-using. Tilia suggests the same, I
> believe.
>
> Sort your Google results by date - first ones will come up at the top.
>


The grunions are a - runnin', Barb...can you hear them...???

--
Best
Greg

In article . net>,
"Gregory Morrow" >
wrote:

> Melba's Jammin' wrote:
>
> > In article <Guw2g.2400$HC3.68@trnddc07>,
> > Salty Thumb > wrote:
> >
> > > Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker
> > > or Rival okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or
> > > twice a week.

> > >
> > > I saw some comments on google, but they were like 10 years old.


> > I just bought an inexpensive Tilia at Tuesday Morning - $30, I think.
> > It will only use the 8" wide rolls. I don't know if that's good or bad.
> > I'm thinking about getting the gizmo that will let me vac seal jars.
> > That sounds appealing to me.
> >
> > I just bought replacement bag product at Wally World for HALF of what
> > Tilia costs at Sam's. Half. And a friend has suggested a way to get
> > more mileage out of those bags by making the bag way bigger than you
> > need it the first time, and re-using. Tilia suggests the same, I
> > believe.
> >
> > Sort your Google results by date - first ones will come up at the top.
> >
>
>
> The grunions are a - runnin', Barb...can you hear them...???

??
--
-Barb
<http://jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 4-20-2006 with our visit
to Kramarczuk's.
"If it's not worth doing to excess, it's not worth doing at all."

On 2006-04-23, Melba's Jammin' > wrote:

> "Gregory Morrow" >
> wrote:

>> The grunions are a - runnin', Barb...can you hear them...???

> ??


I don't get it, either, Barb, and I know about runnin' grunion. (shrug)

nb

notbob wrote:

> On 2006-04-23, Melba's Jammin' >
wrote:
>
> > "Gregory Morrow" >
> > wrote:
>
> >> The grunions are a - runnin', Barb...can you hear them...???
>
> > ??
>
>
> I don't get it, either, Barb, and I know about runnin' grunion. (shrug)
>

Never mind, I was just being silly; it was a line from a movie or something
;-)

Grunion are interesting creatures, though. Read all about The Amazing
Grunion he

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/Mrd/grnindx3.html

--
Best
Greg

In article >,
Melba's Jammin' > wrote:

> In article <Guw2g.2400$HC3.68@trnddc07>,
> Salty Thumb > wrote:
> > I saw some comments on google, but they were like 10 years old.
(snip)

> Sort your Google results by date - first ones will come up at the top.

Make that "the most recent ones will come up at the top."
--
-Barb
<http://jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 4-20-2006 with our visit
to Kramarczuk's.
"If it's not worth doing to excess, it's not worth doing at all."

In message Melba's Jammin' > wrote:

> In article Salty Thumb > wrote:
>
> > Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker or
> > Rival okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or twice a
> > week.
>
> I just bought an inexpensive Tilia at Tuesday Morning - $30, I think. It
> will only use the 8" wide rolls. I don't know if that's good or bad. I'm
> thinking about getting the gizmo that will let me vac seal jars. That
> sounds appealing to me.
>
> I just bought replacement bag product at Wally World for HALF of what
> Tilia costs at Sam's. Half. And a friend has suggested a way to get more
> mileage out of those bags by making the bag way bigger than you need it
> the first time, and re-using. Tilia suggests the same, I believe.
>
I bought a Tilia back in England about 4 years ago (Mail Order), and have
used it consistently ever since. I bought the 2 sizes of bags available and
also the 'make your own bag rolls. After a bit of faffing around I got the
hang of it. It was a real boon for those 'special offer' days or 'out of
season' produce!

Then we moved, because of work commitments, to Belgium. I've brought over
enough food, sausages, smoked and plain bacon, haddock plain and smoked, and
a variety of English cheeses (unobtainable over here) to quarter fill a chest
freezer. I return annually to stock up. It's not that I dislike European
produce - I just love foods that I've grown up with and hundreds of the
recipes I use and develop could not otherwise be made.

Anyway, unfortunately, the machine gave up the ghost this year! I don't know
if I worked it to death, but I can say that it is now sorely missed. I have
tried to replace it but can't find a source for purchase :-(

Anyone know if it's possible? Perhaps an American PX store at a German base?
By the way, I got my bags sent over by a friendly lady who I email weekly in
Colorado. They cost me an arm and a leg because the Belgian customs put a tax
on equivalent to the original price of the goods - greedy leeches!!

Cheers

Don

In message Melba's Jammin' > wrote:

> In article Salty Thumb > wrote:
>
> > Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker or
> > Rival okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or twice a
> > week.
>
> I just bought an inexpensive Tilia at Tuesday Morning - $30, I think. It
> will only use the 8" wide rolls. I don't know if that's good or bad. I'm
> thinking about getting the gizmo that will let me vac seal jars. That
> sounds appealing to me.
>
> I just bought replacement bag product at Wally World for HALF of what
> Tilia costs at Sam's. Half. And a friend has suggested a way to get more
> mileage out of those bags by making the bag way bigger than you need it
> the first time, and re-using. Tilia suggests the same, I believe.
>
I bought a Tilia back in England about 4 years ago (Mail Order), and have
used it consistently ever since. I bought the 2 sizes of bags available and
also the 'make your own bag rolls. After a bit of faffing around I got the
hang of it. It was a real boon for those 'special offer' days or 'out of
season' produce!

Then we moved, because of work commitments, to Belgium. I've brought over
enough food, sausages, smoked and plain bacon, haddock plain and smoked, and
a variety of English cheeses (unobtainable over here) to half fill a chest
freezer. I return annually to stock up. It's not that I dislike European
produce - I just love foods that I've grown up with and hundreds of the
recipes I use and develop could not otherwise be made.

Anyway, unfortunately, the machine gave up the ghost this year! I don't know
if I worked it to death, but I can say that it is now sorely missed. I have
tried to replace it but can't find a source for purchase :-(

Anyone know if it's possible? Perhaps an American PX store at a German base?
By the way, I got my bags sent over by a friendly lady who I email weekly in
Colorado. They cost me an arm and a leg because the Belgian customs put a tax
on equivalent to the original price of the goods - greedy leeches!!

Cheers

Don

Don Gray > wrote in
:

> In message Melba's Jammin' >
> wrote:
>
>> In article Salty Thumb > wrote:
>>
>> > Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker
>> > or Rival okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or
>> > twice a week.
>>
>> I just bought an inexpensive Tilia at Tuesday Morning - $30, I think.
>> It will only use the 8" wide rolls. I don't know if that's good or
>> bad. I'm thinking about getting the gizmo that will let me vac seal
>> jars. That sounds appealing to me.
>>
>> I just bought replacement bag product at Wally World for HALF of what
>> Tilia costs at Sam's. Half. And a friend has suggested a way to get
>> more mileage out of those bags by making the bag way bigger than
>> you need it the first time, and re-using. Tilia suggests the same,
>> I believe.
>>
> I bought a Tilia back in England about 4 years ago (Mail Order), and
> have used it consistently ever since. I bought the 2 sizes of bags
> available and also the 'make your own bag rolls. After a bit of
> faffing around I got the hang of it. It was a real boon for those
> 'special offer' days or 'out of season' produce!
>
> Then we moved, because of work commitments, to Belgium. I've brought
> over enough food, sausages, smoked and plain bacon, haddock plain and
> smoked, and a variety of English cheeses (unobtainable over here) to
> half fill a chest freezer. I return annually to stock up. It's not
> that I dislike European produce - I just love foods that I've grown up
> with and hundreds of the recipes I use and develop could not otherwise
> be made.
>
> Anyway, unfortunately, the machine gave up the ghost this year! I
> don't know if I worked it to death, but I can say that it is now
> sorely missed. I have tried to replace it but can't find a source for
> purchase :-(
>
> Anyone know if it's possible? Perhaps an American PX store at a German
> base? By the way, I got my bags sent over by a friendly lady who I
> email weekly in Colorado. They cost me an arm and a leg because the
> Belgian customs put a tax on equivalent to the original price of the
> goods - greedy leeches!!
>
> Cheers
>
> Don
>

The rival Seal A Meal VS150 ($85) seal a meal rated fair (performance),
very good (convenience) and $0.54 cents square ft. plastic, plus hands-
free, roll storage and accessory hose.

The black and decker "Fresh Guard VS300 ($80) rated very good
(performance) fair (convenience), $0.45 cents square ft. plastic, no
hands free, no roll storage or hose.

Food Saver V840 ($140) rated very good (both performance and convenience)
but $0.70 cents square ft. plastic, no hands free but with roll storage
and hose.

The high end was the "Food Saver Professional II" ($290) rated very good
(both), $0.70 cents square ft. plastic, hands free, roll storage and
hose.

None achieved "Excellent". No Tilia models tested.

According to consumer reports.

Andy

Andy <q> wrote in :


> The rival Seal A Meal VS150 ($85) seal a meal rated fair
> (performance), very good (convenience) and $0.54 cents square ft.
> plastic, plus hands- free, roll storage and accessory hose.
>
> The black and decker "Fresh Guard VS300 ($80) rated very good
> (performance) fair (convenience), $0.45 cents square ft. plastic, no
> hands free, no roll storage or hose.
>
> Food Saver V840 ($140) rated very good (both performance and
> convenience) but $0.70 cents square ft. plastic, no hands free but
> with roll storage and hose.
>
> The high end was the "Food Saver Professional II" ($290) rated very
> good (both), $0.70 cents square ft. plastic, hands free, roll storage
> and hose.
>
> None achieved "Excellent". No Tilia models tested.
>
> According to consumer reports.
>
> Andy
>

Thanks for posting that info. I think Foodsavers are Tilias. Kohls
Department store has the v800 model on sale for like $59 this week. I
might get that one and use generic bags. I think I saw the/a Rival at
Wal-mart for $30 or $40. They didn't have the price for the B&D posted
and all the price scanners were busted.

hmm, the 840 is on Amazon for $63 free ship.

What's the difference in the Food Saver V840 and the 800 if I may ask??
Looking at these and want to know the differences since y'all have
one.

Thanks!

What's the difference in the Food Saver V840 and the 800 if I may ask??
Looking at these and want to know the differences since y'all have
one.

Thanks!

What's the difference in the Food Saver V840 and the 800 if I may ask??
Looking at these and want to know the differences since y'all have
one.

Thanks!

In message Andy <q> wrote:

> Don Gray > wrote
>
> > I bought a Tilia back in England about 4 years ago (Mail Order), and
> > have used it consistently ever since. Then we moved, because of work
> > commitments, to Belgium. Anyway, unfortunately, the machine gave up the
> > ghost this year! I don't know if I worked it to death, but I can say that
> > it is now sorely missed. I have tried to replace it but can't find a
> > source for purchase :-(
> >
> > Don
>
> The rival Seal A Meal VS150 ($85) seal a meal rated fair (performance),
> very good (convenience) and $0.54 cents square ft. plastic, plus hands-
> free, roll storage and accessory hose.
>
> The black and decker "Fresh Guard VS300 ($80) rated very good
> (performance) fair (convenience), $0.45 cents square ft. plastic, no
> hands free, no roll storage or hose.
>
> Food Saver V840 ($140) rated very good (both performance and convenience)
> but $0.70 cents square ft. plastic, no hands free but with roll storage
> and hose.
>
> The high end was the "Food Saver Professional II" ($290) rated very good
> (both), $0.70 cents square ft. plastic, hands free, roll storage and
> hose.
>
> None achieved "Excellent". No Tilia models tested.
>
> According to consumer reports.
>
> Andy
>
Thanks for the report Andy. I'll file it away for reference if ever those
machines become available in Europe.

Don

On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 04:01:02 +0100, Don Gray >
wrote:


>Thanks for the report Andy. I'll file it away for reference if ever those
>machines become available in Europe.

I don't know where you are in Europe, but here in Switzerland you can
buy the Solis brand
http://www.solis.com/products/kitche..._kitchen_e.htm

Nathalie in Switzerland

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 11:19:34 +0100, Don Gray >
wrote:

>In message Melba's Jammin' >
wrote:
>
>> In article Salty Thumb > wrote:
>>
>> > Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker
or
>> > Rival okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or
twice a
>> > week.
snipped....
>tried to replace it but can't find a source for purchase :-(
>
>Anyone know if it's possible? Perhaps an American PX store at a
German base?
>By the way, I got my bags sent over by a friendly lady who I email
weekly in
>Colorado. They cost me an arm and a leg because the Belgian customs
put a tax
>on equivalent to the original price of the goods - greedy leeches!!
>
>Cheers
>
>Don

Don't think I can help on where to buy one in Europe but I do have a
good advice, I think.

I use Tilia a lot and have run through 2 machines (bought from COSTCO
for about $125 each) in packing up my farm Macadamias.

I could not bear the additional cost of the Tilia bags however and
found some substitute bags- but remember I am just packing up dry
nuts. Pay a visit or call a local bag supplier- there is one in every
city. This is how I did it.

I called around to a big city (Honolulu) and asked for a sample of
bags that they sold, asking for clear ones that I could use with my
Tilia Foodsaver- figuring every bit of information was helpful. I
gave approximate dimensions and they sent over a few samples. None
worked, so I asked for another standard size, about 4 inches X about
10 or 11 inches..those worked. I do have to make sort of air channels
by pushing in the seams a little--there needs to be spaces for the air
to be vacuumed because the bags I use are totally flat---, but the
cost is so little, the bags work perfectly and I couldn't be happier.

Just my $.02

aloha,
Thunder
smithfarms.com
Farmers of pure Kona Coffee

In message smithfarms pure kona > wrote:

> Don Gray wrote:
>
> > tried to replace it but can't find a source for purchase :-(
> >
> > Anyone know if it's possible? Perhaps an American PX store at a German
> > base? By the way, I got my bags sent over by a friendly lady who I email
> > weekly in Colorado. They cost me an arm and a leg because the Belgian
> > customs put a tax on equivalent to the original price of the goods -
> > greedy leeches!!
> >
> > Don
>
> Don't think I can help on where to buy one in Europe but I do have a
> good advice, I think.
>
> I use Tilia a lot and have run through 2 machines (bought from COSTCO
> for about $125 each) in packing up my farm Macadamias.
>
> I could not bear the additional cost of the Tilia bags however and
> found some substitute bags- but remember I am just packing up dry
> nuts. Pay a visit or call a local bag supplier- there is one in every
> city. This is how I did it.
>
> I called around to a big city (Honolulu) and asked for a sample of
> bags that they sold, asking for clear ones that I could use with my
> Tilia Foodsaver- figuring every bit of information was helpful. I
> gave approximate dimensions and they sent over a few samples. None
> worked, so I asked for another standard size, about 4 inches X about
> 10 or 11 inches..those worked. I do have to make sort of air channels
> by pushing in the seams a little--there needs to be spaces for the air
> to be vacuumed because the bags I use are totally flat---, but the
> cost is so little, the bags work perfectly and I couldn't be happier.
>
> aloha,
> Thunder

Good advice. The bags from Tilia are really expensive! Thanks for that.

Don

I haven't tried any others, but my recommendation nonetheless is Tilia
all the way. It works well enough that I wouldn't risk using a
knockoff.

The bags are expensive at retail, but there are a few people on eBay
who sell them at about half-price (and a bunch willing to jam you for
full price or more). I just took delivery of a big package with a
bunch of rolls and premade bags. If I'd spent another ten minutes
looking, I wouldn't have had to buy the bags to get the rolls at that
price. eBay is insidious that way.

I've got so much Tilia stuff now I may start bagging my garbage with
it.

--Blair

"Blair P. Houghton" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I haven't tried any others, but my recommendation nonetheless is Tilia
> all the way. It works well enough that I wouldn't risk using a
> knockoff.
>
> The bags are expensive at retail, but there are a few people on eBay
> who sell them at about half-price (and a bunch willing to jam you for
> full price or more). I just took delivery of a big package with a
> bunch of rolls and premade bags. If I'd spent another ten minutes
> looking, I wouldn't have had to buy the bags to get the rolls at that
> price. eBay is insidious that way.
>
> I've got so much Tilia stuff now I may start bagging my garbage with
> it.

I've got the Tilia, and I like it.

Can't compare to the other brands, because I've never tried them. All I know
is that when I buy a cheap knock-off of something, I often end up wishing I
would have spent the extra and gotten the "good" one. So either I trudge
along with the cheapie, or I get rid of it and buy the better one, and end
up spending even more money in the end.

As far as bags, Tuesday Morning had a bunch of them last time I was there. I
didn't check the price because I've still got a couple rolls left. I'm
starting to see the bags everywhere lately, including the grocery store, so
there are probably bargains to be had.

D.Currie
>I'm
>starting to see the bags everywhere lately, including the grocery store, so
>there are probably bargains to be had.

The first time I saw bargains one of the local safeways was closing out
their stock and had them on sale for about $4 a roll; the regular price
is roughly $10. So I cleaned them out. This past week on eBay I got
ten rolls for about $5 a roll, which is about the best price you'll
find. It calculates out to about 60-70 cents per square foot, but in
terms of bagging a single-serving item is about 10 cents per bag. The
labor is worth more than that, but the way this thing keeps food
essentially forever, and the savings by buying freezable items on sale
and in quantity is huge.

--Blair

"Blair P. Houghton" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> D.Currie
>>I'm
>>starting to see the bags everywhere lately, including the grocery store,
>>so
>>there are probably bargains to be had.
>
> The first time I saw bargains one of the local safeways was closing out
> their stock and had them on sale for about $4 a roll; the regular price
> is roughly $10. So I cleaned them out. This past week on eBay I got
> ten rolls for about $5 a roll, which is about the best price you'll
> find. It calculates out to about 60-70 cents per square foot, but in
> terms of bagging a single-serving item is about 10 cents per bag. The
> labor is worth more than that, but the way this thing keeps food
> essentially forever, and the savings by buying freezable items on sale
> and in quantity is huge.
>
> --Blair
>

Ten cents a bag for something that keeps the stuff from going bad in the
freezer isn't such a bad price, when you think about it. I mean, if it isn't
worth an extra dime, it's probably not worth the storage space.

The other thing I like is that I can see what's in the bags so easily. Any
other wrapping/freezing method, and I've got to rely on what I've got
written on the container. Which I'm not always so good at. My abbreviations
make sense when I write them, but I've had times when I can't figure out
what I really meant. So much easier just to look at the package and see for
sure what's in there. :-)

Donna

D.Currie wrote:
> Ten cents a bag for something that keeps the stuff from going bad in the
> freezer isn't such a bad price, when you think about it. I mean, if it isn't
> worth an extra dime, it's probably not worth the storage space.

Actually, I just redid the math. At $5/roll for 8-inch, 11-foot rolls,
using about 5 inches per serving (they're more economical when you put
more in or don't flatten the item, but I like to be able to pull one
out and thaw it quickly so I use them pretty inefficiently) it's about
20 cents for a small item.

A box of zip-locs is about a dime a bag. So I'm adding a dime or so
per item. Which is usually not a big fraction of the savings on the
sale price.

Heck. The value preserved due to monetary inflation alone must pay for
these things.

The possible value loser would be if the machine breaks, or the bag
design goes off patent protection right after I buy the next batch of
plastic. But once that patent runs out, this stuff will probably be
cheaper than zip-locs. Homes will be sold with built-in sealing
stations. Freezer burn will be a thing of the past, like underarm odor
and neoconservatism.

> The other thing I like is that I can see what's in the bags so easily. Any
> other wrapping/freezing method, and I've got to rely on what I've got
> written on the container. Which I'm not always so good at. My abbreviations
> make sense when I write them, but I've had times when I can't figure out
> what I really meant. So much easier just to look at the package and see for
> sure what's in there. :-)

If the item is something like a steak, I'll cut the store label off the
package and slip it in the Tilia bag with it. For bulk items I'll date
the bag so I know how long it's lasted.

--Blair

"D.Currie" wrote:

> I've got the Tilia, and I like it.
>
> Can't compare to the other brands, because I've never tried them. All I know
> is that when I buy a cheap knock-off of something, I often end up wishing I
> would have spent the extra and gotten the "good" one. So either I trudge
> along with the cheapie, or I get rid of it and buy the better one, and end
> up spending even more money in the end.
>
> As far as bags, Tuesday Morning had a bunch of them last time I was there. I
> didn't check the price because I've still got a couple rolls left. I'm
> starting to see the bags everywhere lately, including the grocery store, so
> there are probably bargains to be had.

I don't buy the bags. I get the rolls of material and cut them to make make bags
as I need them.

"Salty Thumb" > wrote in message
news:Guw2g.2400$HC3.68@trnddc07...
> Should I splurge and get the Foodsaver or is the Black and Decker or
> Rival
> okay? Not expecting to be using it a lot, maybe once or twice a week.
>
> I saw some comments on google, but they were like 10 years old.

Do not go for the rival or B/d. They are not worth the money.

I have 3 tilia sealers and I have found the best is the rectangular hands
free seal type not the ones with a rounded front.

http://foodsaver.jardendirect.com/default.ad2


--
CHI-MUM

Last year's models are now on close-out discount at the Tilia page.

http://foodsaver.jardendirect.com/pr...CatalogID=1000

That's the one I have. I paid like $139. $70 is a steal. I may get a
spare.

--Blair