378392 Wed Mar 07 09:23:36 -0800 2007 11 41 Cookware 0 2361607 This really sounds like a good product. Does anyone know if you can get them discounted anyplace other than their website? Any tips to using them? Thanks. Wed Mar 07 09:23:36 -0800 2007 24480 jeb 1 2361622 I'm interested in hearing about this also. Costco may have a good deal on them. Someone once told me that you have to be careful with these machines by cleaning them very well in order to avoid cross contamination. Let's say you bag a steak or chicken, then you decide you want to bag some deli cuts or salad, that's where problems may arise. Anyone out there have info on this and how much maintenance is involved? Wed Mar 07 09:29:22 -0800 2007 2361607 18155 sandrina 1 2361945 I can't see any reason for cross contamination unless you are trying to reuse the bags, which you aren't supposed to reuse bags that have had meat, fish and fowl in them Wed Mar 07 10:31:44 -0800 2007 2361607 46649 kayakado 2 2362543 I have a Rival Seal-A-Meal so I'm not sure how it differs from the Foodsaver mechanism, but the Rival product has a wide, flat vaccum nozzle that goes inside the top of the bag for sealing. It's very hard to load the bag without the meat coming into contact with the top edge of the bag, and then this comes into contact with the nozzle which could easily cross-contaminate. It's easy enough to clean, though, you just have to be aware of it and be careful. Wed Mar 07 12:24:56 -0800 2007 2361945 69452 jzerocsk 1 2362014 The possible contamination doesn't come from reusing bags. The machine actually sucks in air. When that happens, some blood, food particles, etc. may get trapped inside the mechanism that's a bit hard to reach for cleaning purposes. When you bag the next item, some of that residue may contaminate whatever that food item may be. This is what I've read, and the only reason I've stopped myself from purchasing one. Wed Mar 07 10:41:27 -0800 2007 2361607 18155 sandrina 2 2362467 But, since the machine only sucks in, how would it contaminate food in another bag? The part of the bag that actually touches the suction part gets cut off since it's above the sealing line. Wed Mar 07 12:10:45 -0800 2007 2362014 42944 leanneabe 2 2367039 They also suggest in their directions, always read them, when you are trying to seal something moist put the steak or whatever in the bag and put a folded paper towelalong the edge of the meat and then seal. The paper towel acts as a wick and stops the moisture from being sucked into the vacuum. My Food Saver has a removable washable tray that the top of the bag goes into before sealing. If there is some moisture it collects there and cxan be washed away. Thu Mar 08 14:59:00 -0800 2007 2362014 10285 Candy 1 2362080 I use one for a wide range of raw, cooked, liquid and dry foods. The areas where you would get food residues on the device are fairly accessible to and easily cleaned in my experience, and in general cross-contamination shouldn't be an issue so long as you're using care when you bag your food prior to vacuuming and sealing. The difference in frozen food's shelf life is huge. Wed Mar 07 10:53:43 -0800 2007 2361607 67619 ascherer 1 2362257 Try eBay and other web sites. I'd be suprised if you can't get a better price. Also, Bed Bath etc. and Kohl's pass out discount coupons like wild men. The company soaks you pretty good for additional bagging material- I go to eBay for these. I've used the foodsaver for four or five years and am quite happy with it. Wed Mar 07 11:31:04 -0800 2007 2361607 15041 MikeLM 1 2368362 I saw a few models for 40% off at Mervyn's about a year ago. I never think to go to Mervyn's for kitchen stuff... Thu Mar 08 23:00:23 -0800 2007 2361607 10371 Carb Lover 1 2368694 I bought mine in Costso and it came with a couple of rolls of bags. I refill the bags from Costco but think you can find them on EBaay as well. The Foodsaver has the pullout tray that is easy to remove and wash. I have never thought that X-contamination was an issue, but i am only using for freezing. Fri Mar 09 06:09:04 -0800 2007 2361607 11290 jfood 2 2439668 Apparently not all Foodsaver branded models have removable drip trays. I always thought they did since I remember that being a major selling point. The model I just bought yesterday does not. I am looking to see if there are any other trays that somebody has made to fit them, even if another model's tray fits the Vac1060 that I have. Not having the removable tray is not a deal-killer, I would just like the convenience. This unit is to replace a Rival Seal-a-Meal that uses a gizmo that has a nozzle put inside the top of the bag to suck out the air through a very small location instead of across the entire top of the bag like a real Foodsaver does. Sat Mar 31 23:22:26 -0700 2007 2368694 87623 scca229