Foodsaver Vacuum Sealers

[josht138]

I haven't figured out an easy way to compare the Foodsaver sealers. Amazon and Costco both have a model on sale currently. Amazon's is the deal of the day and Costco's runs through the end of the week. In addition, I've seen others post on a cheaper version from Amazon.

Can anyone help me tell the difference in the first two? Also, is the only difference between the first two and the cheaper model the standalone sealer gun and build quality? If so, is it worth the extra $50 for one of the first two?

https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Vacuum-Sealing-System-Starter/dp/B00DI342IW/?tag=amazi0a8-20

https://www.costco.com/FoodSaver-FM5...100310211.html

https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-FM2000-FFP-Vacuum-Sealing-Starter/dp/B01D5TMBE0/?tag=amazi0a8-20

[customtrim]

I have the first one and love it. The best thing about the attachment is you can vac seal Mason jars that hold your rubs. The costco on it believe is a newer model. The last one is just the vac sealer no bells or whistles. So it would be up to you if you would use any attachments

[tbob4]

I have the first one and love it, as well. I have seen the second one at Costco. I think the advantage of #2 is that you can size things a little better and because it is a bit smaller, it would seem easier to store. With that said, I don't know why it is cheaper. Costco had them side by side for awhile and #2 was newer and cheaper. They seemed to have the same features, just a different design. As a side note, my hose attachment stopped working within a few months of buying it. I really wasn't using it like customtrim does (I should have thought of the rub thing) so it was not a big deal to me.

[Thunder77]

I have the first one, and so far so good. I have had it about 8 months now. I like having the hose attachment, because it allows me to also use the re-usable ziplock vacuum bags that they sell. I use those a lot for cheese, lunch meat, etc. I also like the built in bag roll holder, and cutter. It makes it very easy to custom size bags.

The third one,the base model, does have an accessory port, so if you wanted to add things later, you could.

[GadjetGriller]

I to have the 1st one and use the re-usable bags. Unfortunately around here (West Texas) they have stopped selling the ziplocks Can you Thunder77 still get them in your area? I now have to order Foodsaver bags from Foodsaver.

[Thunder77]

GadjetGriller, I can usually find the re-usable bags at Target or Walmart

[GadjetGriller]

Thanks Thunder77 I've looked at Target they were out. However not at Walmart those are scary!! I am almost killed in the Parking lot everytime!!

[josht138]

tbob4 I cannot seem to find the dimensions and weight of the Costco model. How much smaller and lighter do you think it actually is? I don't have a ton of counter space so I might be storing in one of the cupboards when not in use so something more compact would factor into this...

[tbob4]

I don't have the dimensions of the newer model. Mine is 16" side to side. 7 1/2" tall and 6 1/2" front to back. The newer model is the same length (side to side) and height, it seems. However, the newer model appears to be about 1/3 smaller front to back. Because of the size of the bags, you can't condense it too much. I store my in a cupboard, too and it does take a bit of room. I thought about buying the newer model to save space.

[josht138]

Thanks for the help!

[Abom]

I've never seen the costco model before but I have the first one you linked to. Works well.

[mgaretz]

The second one has the newer, separate lower seal bar and cutter for bag making. Supposedly it reduces wasted material.

[Lowjiber]

I have #3 that I bought last year from the FS site for the same price listed in your link. I have enough gadgets and stuff sitting around in my kitchen, and the profile of that one works for me.

The build-quality is surprisingly nice, the cutter works just fine, and it holds one roll of 11" (I think) wide bags.

[Atalanta]

I have none of those but I have an older model that works great for me, more like #3. The FoodSaver site also has some specials right now.

[Craigar]

The boys gave me the last one you linked to for Christmas, and it works great.

[josht138]

Picked up the one from Costco yesterday. Thank you for the help.

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[Craigar]

Congrats! Now make sure you have a couple of extra rolls of bags on hand because you are going to want seal everything in sight. Ha!

[GadjetGriller]

I agree! My Freezer is full of vac sealed meats, My Fridge is full of Re usable sealed bags and containers of Cheeses and butter and Avocados and well you get the idea. Keeps longer and keeps smells away from easily corrupted items.

[Doc Hazard]

I have the model that holds a roll with cutter. It works fine but is big and bulky. I also have the small plain one that you lock by hand; no roll storage or cutter. It's much easier to store and works great; I keep a box cutter handy to cut bags. I've never used the accessories. I've pretty much given up on rolls, except for big, 11" wide ones. Buy the cheaper quart bags from Amazon; they fit almost anything I want, and even if you cut and throw away 1/2 a bag, it's still cheaper than making a short bag from the roll. Easier, too.

[MBMorgan]

You're going to need more bag-making stock pretty quickly. I get these "Commercial Bargains" rolls from Amazon and they work great ... inexpensive, too:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I1OM7TO/?tag=amazi0a8-20

[josht138]

Thank you!

[Craigar]

My new shipment just arrived on Tuesday, so I will have to put them to the test this weekend.

[Atalanta]

I get rolls from this dealer on eBay, they also have bags.

[josht138]

Thanks!