Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I currently use the "Food Saver" brand vacuum sealer (for 12 years now) and love it. Is the Rival as good as the Food Saver? No, but it does a very good job. I purchased the Rival because I have kids and therefore do a lot of shopping. Two vacuum sealers are faster than one & my husband can now help me vacuum seal (LOL). It is very easy to use & I haven't had any issues with it. To those that complained about liquid leakage or problems with the package not staying airtight. You can have a top of the line vacuum sealer, but if you have excessive liquid from your meats, previously frozen thawed veggies, etc., in the bag, there is no way that the bag can properly seal. It's like trying to stop a leak with Elmer's Art glue; it ain't gonna happen nor is it reasonable. There is a simple solution with two options. Option one: If you are vacuum sealing unfrozen meats, pat them dry with a paper towel and after placing them in the bag, include a folded sheet(s) of paper towel around the top of the meat to catch any excess liquids that may suction upward during the sealing process. This option will seal the package, and should not let any air back in, but you may notice that it is not as air-tight as you want it, though it will still do the job in the freezer. That leads us to option two: Freeze the items 1st, and vacuum seal them the next day. Arrange the items in the freezer bag fold & secure the top of the bag with a clip and lay the bag flat in the freezer overnight. Remove the bag from the freezer ONLY when you are prepared to vacuum seal the items immediately. You will notice that the vacuum seal is a great deal tighter. There is a much tighter seal when you start with a frozen product (especially with veggies & fruits). If you are trying to seal liquids, i.e., broths or soups, just elevate you sealer upward and seal without the suction. Remember to leave some air in the bag, due to the liquid expansion when freezing. The types of bags you use are also important. The stronger/thicker bags seem to be more durable against tears when jostled around in your freezer. They also provide longer shelf life. I have kept foods 3-4 yrs. with no freezer burn or freshness issues! This is based on my own personal usage, hope it helps!