Vacuum sealer recommendations

Yes, the Food Saver models are decent. They take up a lot of bag material when sealing, though. Mine has a moist and dry feature but have yet to really figure it out. Almost everything I freeze is a little moist so I always keep it on the moist. The bags are expensive and they go quick so reuse them like somebody above said.

Really cheap alternative:  http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/VacuumFreezerSystem.aspx

As "Really cheap alternative" is my middle name, I had to give these a shot. 
So far, so good! This is a Wahoo slab in a gallon bag after a week in the big freezer and its rock solid with no evident crystals on the fish. All of the bag that's not on the fish is pulled flat.



 
I wish I would have packed it in LaPaz, but I didn't get to bag it till I got to L.A.

Probably not as good or as ultimately cheap as the foodsaver, but it sure works better than just a baggie in the field and low initial investment @ $4 for the pump w/ (3) 1qt bags and ( 8 ) 1gal bags for $3. Probably wouldn't do for long term storage, but that just means eat more fish!

FYI - The new Costco coupon book that just showed up in the mail (good 11/11 thru 11/28) has the FS Combo Pack at $8 off, down to $37 (limit 3). Also online, item 409153

combo pack includes:

• 
  Four – 11 in. x 16 ft.  Bag Rolls
• One – 8 in. x 20 ft.  Bag Rolls
• Thirty – Quart-sized Bags
  

Reviving an old thread...

Caught a couple of salmon, and my trusty old vacuum sealer died.  See how it goes sometimes?

Looking for a new one.  What's reliable?  I got ten years out of that Seal-A-Meal unit and would like to find something at least half as long-lasting.

if you have access to Costco,   they currently have the Foodsaver on a coupon.   Also a box of bags is on a coupon.  $119.99 after the $30 off.  $31.99 for the bags.   I have a really old Foodsaver that is still working but needs to be replaced soon.   Not sure how the Foodsaver's stack up now so perhaps an owner of this model can speak to its quality.

I can reply.  I used one to seal the smoked salmon and I don't like it.  You make bags on the bottom and seal them on the top.  If you like to put more than one item in a bag - two filets, for example - when you lift the bag to seal it, you can't keep them separated unless you have three arms...

But thanks for answering.  If FoodSaver's are the way to go for non-chamber sealers, you've put me on the right track.

Its interesting FoodSaver products cameup because I wss going to recommend against it. The company has found a pricebreak market for the "Martha Stewart" home cook that expects to save some money & have easy meals on hand for the family at an economic price. These machines are not built for preserving the quality of raw food IMO. I have been through 3 of their highest quality models in the last 4 years. As mentioned, they cannot adequately preserve several filets at once, nor mis-shaped cuts like collars & bellies, especially if theres any excess moisture at all.
I'm also on the pursuit for a quality price point chamber vacuum sealer, but have no experience with one less than a grand. I was tempted to purchase one in a pinch from Englund Marine in Astoria, but the wife would've tried to veto future fishing trips for sure. 

pre-freezing, or at least partial freezing, is essential to deal with any "moisture" that may exist.  I'll agree that chamber sealers are the way to go particularly if you have more than an occasional need.  But expect to pay out at least $500 for a low end unit.

If I have items that are quite moist or have just been rinsed off I wrap them in plastic wrap first, then into the food saver bag.

I'm also on the pursuit for a quality price point chamber vacuum sealer, but have no experience with one less than a grand. I was tempted to purchase one in a pinch from Englund Marine in Astoria, but the wife would've tried to veto future fishing trips for sure.

      

A paper towel deals with moisture really well

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Thank you, Craig.  Wrapping things in plastic wrap before sealing the bag has been discussed and it makes sense if you want to keep the item moist and not make a mess in the sealer.

But which one of these seal-a-bag products works good enough to pack some fish for the freezer?  Even the crappiest one out there has to be better than a Ziplock...

A paper towel deals with moisture really well

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This too.  Thank you, Lee.

Give the units from L E M Products a look. Much happier with results. Easily found online,  and I believe SPORTCO and Outdoor Emporium carry them too.

 Had a Seal a Meal unit and was never happy with it.  Too easily overwhelmed by high moisture contents and the seals never seemed to completely weld shut no matter how patient I was. 

Thank you.  Just looked-up the L E M sealers and they're definitely industrial strength.  There are similar models from VacMaster and Weston probably worth a look, too.