Vacuum / Cryovac Bags / Rolls

[StevenM]

Howdy all,

Have a Aldi Vacuum sealer. Besides the net where do you get your bags or rolls from.

Round Brissy would be great.

[Jon]

Howards Storage world sell them. Not sure where they are around Brissy though.

[Teabag]

We get the from the Good Guy's Electrical.....

[DANBRI]

I have never used these things.

From somone who uses them - what's the advantage?

[GGV8Cruza]

I have never used these things.

From somone who uses them - what's the advantage?

Keeps the blood and stuff out of the bottom of the fridge

GG

[DANBRI]

But so does a snap lock bag and you don't need to carry a vacuum cleaner.

I don't get it. 

[OffRoadDave]

Vacuum sealing main advantage is it lets you keep meat at fridge temps for long periods, rather than having the need for a freezer.

[sablesoft]

Howdy all,
Have a Aldi Vacuum sealer. Besides the net where do you get your bags or rolls from.
Round Brissy would be great.

Hi StevenM,

I am sure I seen Vacuum sealer's at http://enoggeracamping.com.au/ (not all stock is on the web site) 100 Pickering St
Enoggera, QLD 4051 so they should stock bags, give them a call

Ray

[LJs GU]

Dan, as well as storing for longer (much less/no air compared to a zip bag) they also make the meat a bit more tender.  Plus if you've got any marinade/sauce with the meat, the vacuum effect makes it penetrate the meat more.
LJ

[Marie_R]

Anywhere that sells the machines usually sell the Sunbeam rolls to make bags - ie any electrical appliance stores like Good Guys etc, but they're about twice the price of the Aldi ones. I've used both and haven't had a problem with the Aldi ones, but I've never bought the on-line ones so don't know about them.

DANBRI:  There's a thread on here somewhere about the advantages of using them, can't see it just at the moment.

We keep a stock of frozen cooked meals and uncooked meat in them in the freezer at home, then if we're going away for a few days, just throw in enough for the trip and it's all sorted.

When we go away for long periods we take the machine with us.  It can be kept somewhere in "deep storage" then every couple of weeks when we're in a big town, at a powered site, we buy meat, seal it up and head bush again.

But most butchers will seal the meat for you in meal size portions at a small extra cost - like 30c a bag or something.  I've been to some places who advertise they will do it free if you bring in the add in the tourist magazine thing (stuff you pick up at the information centres)

[StevenM]

Thanks folks

yeah have been hanging out to grab a few rolls from Aldi, but its beeen a while since they had a special. Dont usually carry them otherwise

Will check out the good guys.

[kiwipete]

It is great to vacuum pack your frozen meat,  freeze it and put it in the bottom of your fridge, it will last for a couple months like that...   I am not bothering a machine until I start killing my own meat as I just got to the Butcher and for the price of the bags 60cents he does it for me...   Just order it a couple days before you need it and he freezes it also...     Order the packs in meal sizes - 1 pack 1 meal...   

[GS]

The main reason we bought a vac sealer was for camping. The plastic is generally more durable than normal bags and as the air is removed will help save space.

Things we vacuum seal:-

Rice into serving sized bags
Meat and fish
The pre chopped up dryslaw vacuums well, takes up little space and keeps well.
Preprepared frozen meals

One benefit is no extra space taken up if you kept these things in containers. Just throw the used bag away when you are finished.

We too use the Aldi bags, we bought a few boxes last time they were in stock. You could also try eBay as an option to track down new bags.

Grant

[Teabag]

The other benefit I have found is you can vacuum pre-cooked meals such as Spag Bol, curry or stew etc which when you get to camp you boil some water and throw the whole bag in to just heat up. Cut the end of the bag open, pour out your meal and no pots to clean......Makes for quick and easy meals ready to go.....The flavour is generally heaps better also once vacuum stored......I highly recommend.

I believe red meat can store when vacuum packed for up to 6 weeks if maintained below 4 degrees.
White meat is only about a week I believe at 4 degrees but you just eat the chook first.........

[sschmez]

I usually stock up at the 4x4 shows or caravan/camping shows.
when I run out, the bulk stores, "Good Guys" etc.

other ideas:
ground coffee into single serves.
washing powder for long trip in single serves
pre greased wheel bearings (do it when "she's" not watching)
great for tenderising steaks .. pack and put in fridge for a few weeks.

Stevo

[Yoda42]

We got ours from the Melbourne 4WD Show, and it works well. Can't remember the supplier though.

You can get replacement bags from King of Knives, they're branded as Fresh Prep, but we haven't found the seals to be all that good. They'll do the job for dry stuff, like nuts, but if you're trying to avoid air inside then they don't really cut it.

Mrs Yoda

[StevenM]

Tentworld has them a  little cheaper than normal at the moment at 29 bucks.

[Bill]

I do not know what the prices are like where you live, but they are rediculously over priced here in Cairns.
We get ours here http://stores.ebay.com.au/4926martin for about 1/2 the price we can get them locally.
We buy 2 sets at a time and only pay the one postage cost.
Bill and Morag

[Kit_e_kat9]

http://www.bigw.com.au/home-garden/small-appliances/food-drink-preparation/bpnBIGW_0000000029803/sunbeam-foodsaver-replace-bags-20cm-double-rolls-vs0420

$41.88 ... no affiliation other than a purchaser of the product.  Give them a call to check stock though as they sometimes run out.

Kit_e