Just my first thoughts after vacuuming/sealing one bag and making some new bags.
Any comparisons are between the Nesco and "my" Food Saver GameSavers, no other devices.
Biggest concern was if it would work with Vacuum Sealers Unlimited bags, so that was the roll I used.
It does.
Making bags:
Different that my old FS GameSavers.
For them, you just pull roll out, close lid and lock it, seal, cut off excess.
For the Nesco, you open lid, raise the cutter bar, pull bag out from roll under bar to length you want, lower bar, put light pressure on cutter handle and slide it across the bar.
Then slide bag down so back edge lines up with top of sealing bar, lower lid and lock it, seal.
Sounds time consuming, but you could probably do it in less than the time it took to read that.
If you just use ready made bags, then it doesn't matter.
If the cutter bar is in the raised position, and you close the lid, the lid will hit the cutter bar.
Potential there for a heavy hand to break the cutter bar.
Pic of raised cutter bar.
Vacuum/sealing:
Once you have bag filled, you slide the open end (duh) into the Nesco up to the stops on the drip tray, select function (normal, gentle, wet, etc.), press vacuum/seal.
My platform I use on my FS is too high for the Nesco. When locking, the handle hits the food in the bag and won't lock.
Need to make one about 1" tall.
Tube for canisters is stored under the lid. Better (IMO) than the FS compartment.
Big plus, it works with my FS containers.
Vacuum sealed bag of brisket.
Vacuum/Seal process is quite a bit faster and quieter than the FS.
Double sealed. If you expand the pic, you can see the double seals and how I didn't get bag in straight. Haha
==================================================
Summary:
Pros:
Double seals, has two heating elements in the heat bar.
No bag waste (unless you make bag too long).
Fast and quiet (compared to my FS). Should definitely save some time when I do green chilies next year.
Handle is easy to lock.
Can use Vacuum Sealer Unlimited bags/rolls.
Can use my FS Canisters.
Drip tray is removable. Some of the new ones I was researching didn't.
Cons:
May be slightly slower than the FS when making a few bags.
Potential for sealing bar to be broken if closing lid too hard with bar raised.
Need to pay attention when putting bag in for sealing to get end flush with both stops.
EDIT: Not a biggie, but cord storage is just a cubby hole in the back, and you have to fold the cord up, cram it in there, and hope it stays.
I have some sticky back Velcro, and I think I will but a piece above and below the opening.
Then I can run a mating piece between them to hold cord in.
After about 15 minutes with it, I am happy with my choice.
Anybody still awake ?
Any comparisons are between the Nesco and "my" Food Saver GameSavers, no other devices.
Biggest concern was if it would work with Vacuum Sealers Unlimited bags, so that was the roll I used.
It does.
Making bags:
Different that my old FS GameSavers.
For them, you just pull roll out, close lid and lock it, seal, cut off excess.
For the Nesco, you open lid, raise the cutter bar, pull bag out from roll under bar to length you want, lower bar, put light pressure on cutter handle and slide it across the bar.
Then slide bag down so back edge lines up with top of sealing bar, lower lid and lock it, seal.
Sounds time consuming, but you could probably do it in less than the time it took to read that.
If you just use ready made bags, then it doesn't matter.
If the cutter bar is in the raised position, and you close the lid, the lid will hit the cutter bar.
Potential there for a heavy hand to break the cutter bar.
Pic of raised cutter bar.
Vacuum/sealing:
Once you have bag filled, you slide the open end (duh) into the Nesco up to the stops on the drip tray, select function (normal, gentle, wet, etc.), press vacuum/seal.
My platform I use on my FS is too high for the Nesco. When locking, the handle hits the food in the bag and won't lock.
Need to make one about 1" tall.
Tube for canisters is stored under the lid. Better (IMO) than the FS compartment.
Big plus, it works with my FS containers.
Vacuum sealed bag of brisket.
Vacuum/Seal process is quite a bit faster and quieter than the FS.
Double sealed. If you expand the pic, you can see the double seals and how I didn't get bag in straight. Haha
==================================================
Summary:
Pros:
Double seals, has two heating elements in the heat bar.
No bag waste (unless you make bag too long).
Fast and quiet (compared to my FS). Should definitely save some time when I do green chilies next year.
Handle is easy to lock.
Can use Vacuum Sealer Unlimited bags/rolls.
Can use my FS Canisters.
Drip tray is removable. Some of the new ones I was researching didn't.
Cons:
May be slightly slower than the FS when making a few bags.
Potential for sealing bar to be broken if closing lid too hard with bar raised.
Need to pay attention when putting bag in for sealing to get end flush with both stops.
EDIT: Not a biggie, but cord storage is just a cubby hole in the back, and you have to fold the cord up, cram it in there, and hope it stays.
I have some sticky back Velcro, and I think I will but a piece above and below the opening.
Then I can run a mating piece between them to hold cord in.
After about 15 minutes with it, I am happy with my choice.
Anybody still awake ?
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