Foodsaver FSFSSL4440-000 Appliance Vacuum Sealer, Black and Silver by Jarden Consumer Solutions

UPDATE - 01/06/2020 - After 6 years and 10 months the unit finally died. It actually didn't die. The lever on the right side to lock the lid broke. I spent a couple of hours trying to do a fix but I couldn't salvage the lever. I am buying another one - same model. I always use two hands to lock the top down. Left hand pushing the lid down and the right hand actually using the lever to lock the lid so I'm surprised the lever was the thing that killed it off. It lasted 2 months shy of 7 years. I paid $69.99 for it so it cost me $10/year. I have to say I have changed my mind about the value. I think it was well worth the money. I found that I used it every day. As stated in my original review, I have it on the counter so it's always ready to use. I use it to seal a lot more than just food. I've used it to seal tools; rain jackets - regular jackets for my pickup (so they don't get dirty) and a myriad of other things I want to keep in storage for awhile - clothes, tools, ink cartridges, etc.. I found it better to freeze liquids before sealing. I freeze liquids, leftovers, etc and and then seal them the next day. I purchase strawberries in season, cut the green off, place them on a cookie sheet, freeze and then seal in portions the next day. Then whenever in the microwave for 15 seconds or so (6-7 strawberries), in the blender with some skim milk, a little yogurt, protein powder and whatever else you want your kid (or you) to eat and you have a great smoothie. Works great. Oviously, blueberries, peaches (cut up of course) and other fruit can be frozen, sealed and used for smoothies. My unit came with two small pieces of black foam stuff and before I close the lid I place them where the lid prongs contact the base. It started not sealing very well about two years ago and thought oh boy it's going to the landfill. Well, I started doing some searching on the net and found all I needed to do was purchase new rubber seal strips - very inexpensive - voila, like brand new. The other thing I would like to clarify is that the actual sealing is about 10 seconds. I don't know how I lived without one. I don't buy Food Saver bags, pouches, rolls. There are many places on Amazon and "other" places to purchase them. I found them just as good as the FS ones. I hope this has helped someone out there. (-: END OF UPDATE Food Savers in my opinion are over priced but I bought one anyway. I used it all the time when I first purchased it and was afraid I wouldn't continue to use it after the "novelty" wore off so made a space for it on my counter top (I am a divorced male sharing our 9 year old daughter) so I wouldn't have one of those "out of sight, out of mind" things. I have to admit, I use it all the time, not only for food but for other items as well. I have it in a very convenient place so it is easy to get at and easy to use. I don't buy the Food Saver branded bags/rolls so can't comment on the branded bags other than the ones that came with the unit were fine. The ones I found on eBay were just as good at a MUCH lower price. The only thing I don't like about this unit is it takes longer than I think it should to "seal" the plastic bags - not vacuum, but just the sealing part. I had a business where I had purchased a plastic bag sealer and it seals and cools really, really quickly. This thing takes a good dozen minutes from the actual hot sealing to the 4 second cool down. I read other reviewers stating that the rubber gasket didn't last long or they weren't satisfied with it, it leaked, etc. My unit came with two small oblong black rubber thingies that I guess are suppose to go where the pins on the top part meet the bottom part of the unit. After I use the sealer, I place one of these rubber foam things on each side to hold the lid off the bottom part and have had no problems whatsoever with the actual rubber sealing gasket getting flattened. SEE MY UPDATE ABOVE ABOUT THE SEAL STRIPS.

I purchased this from a UAE site and brought it to Somalia, expecting it to work in Somalia as both the UAE and Somalia use the same voltage standard (220V). However, upon trying to use it, the machine turned on briefly and then shut off. After some investigation, I discovered that the product is designed for 110-120V, which is incompatible with the 220V standard used here. Unfortunately, I am unable to return the product to the UAE due to logistical reasons. I am requesting assistance to resolve this issue, such as a replacement or a partial payment option for a compatible product. This situation has been quite frustrating, and I hope you can offer a solution to help address this problem.

Eficiente, de facil uso y gran utilidad!

وصلني في حالة جيدة والاشكال في الكهرباء 110 وعندنا في السعودية 220 فيلزم وجود محول ولذلك ارجعته ولم استخدمه مع ان الذي اعرفه ان الجمارك لا تسمح بدخول اي جهاز مخالف للمواصفات والمقاييس السعودية ومنها جهد الكهرباء وساضطر للبحث مرة اخرى عن جهاز مناسب

I finally splurged and bought this. Now I know why everyone loves this system! For summer bounty from your garden, for premade meals, for pantry items and emergency supplies, for hunters and those who hunt for bulk sales of meats at the store, there is just nothing like this system for keeping everything fresh. If you read the directions, it's very easy to use and works every time. Seals in less than 30 seconds with no waiting to seal the next bag. No wasted bag edges either, it seals very close to the end. I use a regular zip type bag (with the zip area cut off), inside all the foodsaver bags to make it easier to re-use them. Usually no washing necessary! For long term storage, I use the rolls and premade bags. For short term, and frequent opening and closing, I use the ones with the vacuum hole. Although I was told that the vacuum hole type were "not recommended" for the freezer, I have found that they work just fine. All that is required is very careful sealing technique and a small piece of freezer tape over the hole for added security. For soups, sauces, pie fillings, and other liquids, I freeze them first in lock n lock containers, then I transfer the food into the bags. If you are going to boil the contents at some point, it may be better not to use an inner bag. No telling if it would melt. For real economy, and longer term storage, I use Ball freezer jars with the wide mouth vacuum attachment. Cook that big batch of spaghetti sauce or soup once and enjoy it all winter! At first the cost of the bags seemed to be more than the savings on the food, but with inner bags, or better yet wrapping portions in cling or even sandwich bags, all bags are re-usable, and even easy to wash if desired. For added cost savings on premade and rolls of bags check out "food vac bags" they are sold here on Amazon, and are just as good as the name brand. What an invention! This is the best purchase I have made this year!