drybgerg
Greg
I must say to begin with I've been using a high end Food Saver that is about 7 years old to seal up my mice and have been happy with the results just not the cost of the bags.
After seeing it recommended (thanks smigon and Nanci) a couple times I decided to give it a shot as it's a very low cost entry into a vacuum sealer system.
So I purchased the Ziploc Vacuum Starter Kit and a dozen quart bags for a total of $7.90 from the local Wal-Mart. So for a total of $7.90 I got the pump and 15 quart sized bags.
A quart size bag costs $.28 for the Ziploc system.
A quart size bag (pre-made bag not the roll) costs $.52 for the Food Saver system.
It's really a neat little system. The bags have your nice Ziploc style opening as you'd expect and they also have a one way valve with in conjunction with the pump lets you pull the air out of the bags. The nice thing about the Ziploc style opening is that you just open it as you normally would, remove a mouse, close it back and then use the pump to pull out the air. The Food Saver system you have to cut the bags open (making them smaller each time you get into them) then after your done you have to use the Food Saver to seal it back up. Which means dragging it out, finding counter space near an outlet (live in an older house), remember which setting to use and then listen to the thing while your using it.
Hand pump.
One way valve that lets you pump the air out.
Ziploc end closed and open.
So I had 10 large hoppers 11-12 grams that where ready for sealing.
Hand pump over one way valve.
All the air out of the bag (about 12 pumps, with very little to no effort).
I use a dry erase marker (this way when I reuse bag I can wipe off the writing) to write on the bags the contents and date.
Pros:
Low cost to get started.
Extra bags less expensive.
No power cords (did this at my picnic table outside).
Bags can be opened and resealed without cutting and making bag smaller each time.
Quiet. Food Saver system is noisy as can be.
Simple. No buttons or anything to select just place pump over circle on bag and start pumping.
Easy storage a lot smaller than the Food Saver system.
Cons:
None yet.
I'll update periodically to see how the contents hold up. I won't be opening the hoppers I sealed today for at least a month, providing in the meantime I don't get another snake that eats hoppers!
After seeing it recommended (thanks smigon and Nanci) a couple times I decided to give it a shot as it's a very low cost entry into a vacuum sealer system.
So I purchased the Ziploc Vacuum Starter Kit and a dozen quart bags for a total of $7.90 from the local Wal-Mart. So for a total of $7.90 I got the pump and 15 quart sized bags.
A quart size bag costs $.28 for the Ziploc system.
A quart size bag (pre-made bag not the roll) costs $.52 for the Food Saver system.
It's really a neat little system. The bags have your nice Ziploc style opening as you'd expect and they also have a one way valve with in conjunction with the pump lets you pull the air out of the bags. The nice thing about the Ziploc style opening is that you just open it as you normally would, remove a mouse, close it back and then use the pump to pull out the air. The Food Saver system you have to cut the bags open (making them smaller each time you get into them) then after your done you have to use the Food Saver to seal it back up. Which means dragging it out, finding counter space near an outlet (live in an older house), remember which setting to use and then listen to the thing while your using it.
Hand pump.
One way valve that lets you pump the air out.
Ziploc end closed and open.
So I had 10 large hoppers 11-12 grams that where ready for sealing.
Hand pump over one way valve.
All the air out of the bag (about 12 pumps, with very little to no effort).
I use a dry erase marker (this way when I reuse bag I can wipe off the writing) to write on the bags the contents and date.
Pros:
Low cost to get started.
Extra bags less expensive.
No power cords (did this at my picnic table outside).
Bags can be opened and resealed without cutting and making bag smaller each time.
Quiet. Food Saver system is noisy as can be.
Simple. No buttons or anything to select just place pump over circle on bag and start pumping.
Easy storage a lot smaller than the Food Saver system.
Cons:
None yet.
I'll update periodically to see how the contents hold up. I won't be opening the hoppers I sealed today for at least a month, providing in the meantime I don't get another snake that eats hoppers!
