Outlet Reviews

I had purchased an economic "ultra" food vacuum sealer for about $35. That sealer worked less than 24 hours. After I returned that item, I succumbed to paying $150 for a tilia foodsaver. As my kitchen is black and all tilia foodsavers are white with the exception of this V1205 sealer, my options were limited to this one item.

I've had the tilia for about a year now. It paid for itself the first month as I'm no longer throwing away lots of food that's been sitting in the fridge and I'm able to buy bulk food items at a discount and seal them into smaller, individual size portions. When things get hectic, as they normally do, I cook one day a week and vacuum seal meals into individual portions. Those are great to bring to work for lunch or eat at home for dinner. I no longer need to worry about having too many left overs after a party - I just seal it up! At first I thought the bags were expensive but then I realized they less expensive than the disposable tupperware I would otherwise use, and they take up less room in the fridge.

I definitely recommend this sealer. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because it does not seal wet food well in bags. For example, after sauteeing zuchhini, even after putting a rolled paper towel in the bag to catch the juices, I can't get a good seal and the bag will leak. I find the food needs to be quite dry if you want to use the bags to seal.

Also, if you buy the tilia you MUST watch the video that comes with it! I bought one of these as a gift for a relative, they did not watch the video and were astonished when they saw me demonstrating all the neat things it can do.

FYI-Hint to seal food with a lot of liquid/moisture. If just storing in the frig, the vac/canisters or mason jar sealers work the best.

Otherwise freeze the food first in another container (like butter tubs, small bowls, or a flat pan), then unmold the frozen food, put into a bag to seal. I do this all the time when I cook in bulk (like pork-green-chile or stews). After I have roasted 2-3 bushels of green chiles, I lay them out flat on jelly roll a pan(s), separate layers with freezer paper (or parchment), about 4 layers max per sheet pan. Freeze. The next day, the frozen chiles can be bagged for vac/sealing. I also use one of the vac/canisters to store some of the frozen chiles. It is easier to open, take a few chiles out for a small recipe, then re-seal, and back into the freezer.

I also vac/freeze beef-stock, lemon/lime juice, wine, etc by putting the liquid in plastic ice trays, freeze, then pop the frozen cubes out of the trays, then vac/seal them in bags.

Great machines! Just need a little finessing from us.

I just love, love, love the Foodsaver (I have the V1205 in white). My Dad gave it to me because I am a Costco maniac, I love stocking up! I buy meat in bulk and vacuum pack individual servings for my husband and I. I have also used it on veggies, it is great on any food and it is so easy to use. It even used it on lettuce. It comes with bags and rolls, initially I used the bags but now I personally prefer the rolls and the rolls are actually less expensive than the bags. With the "store and cut" you can easily cut the roll to make just the right size bags for whatever you are vacuum packing. I never thought I would use it as much as I do. It is so easy to use, all you do is plug it in, seal one end, fill it and vacuum pack. Also, the cord tucks in underneath which makes it easier to store. This is great for any size family, I use it all the time for just 2 people. I wish I got it sooner. Very highly recommended! A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+

PS. The rolls are the best price at Costco! :)