498519 Wed Mar 12 17:00:39 -0700 2008 9 41 Cookware 0 3486976 I have seen this advertised on tv and it is sold in the regular supermarket. I have an old foodsaver that need replacing and this would be a much cheaper alternative. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that in this case, you get what you pay for. If anyone has tried it, I would love to hear opinions before I buy. Wed Mar 12 17:00:40 -0700 2008 70474 baseballfan 1 3487289 Here ar some of the previous posts: http://tinyurl.com/ytrrob I do have a food saver vacuum pack, but wondering if this is almost as good, without the cost and space. I only use the foodsaver a couple of times a year. Wed Mar 12 19:09:15 -0700 2008 3486976 14620 hummingbird 1 3489469 Here are all the previous threads I could find (including discussions on the Frisper): http://www.chowhound.com/topics/455350 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/455101 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/285933 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/451032 Is it as "good" as the Food Saver? No, it has limitations, most often seen in the freezer. It's best for refrigerated foods. You can't seal jars or canisters (that I know if). But it keeps food fresh in my fridge for over a month and does cut down on freezer burn in the freezer. And it's really small, so it's convenient to put away and take out whenever you need it. Bags are resealable, without having to cut away plastic. Plus, it's only $10 (often less!) so is it really worth debating? Thu Mar 13 11:56:08 -0700 2008 3486976 42944 leanneabe 2 3492464 Good point. I was only questioning since I have tried other "gadgets" that just turned out to be a waste. Thanks for the threads. I appreciate the info. Fri Mar 14 09:27:20 -0700 2008 3489469 70474 baseballfan 3 3492644 In my experiece, the Handi-Vac gets used way more than I think we would use a Food Saver (we don't have one), if only because the wand is so small and the bags are zipper-resealable. This means it's easy to just pull the vacuum wand out (and put it away), zip the bag, and suck out the air. We use it all the time with cheese, herbs, pre-peeled garlic, and anything else that you just use a little of over a long period of time. Fri Mar 14 10:10:23 -0700 2008 3492464 42944 leanneabe 4 3493191 I have an older foodsaver that isn't working well now. It is bulky and not something that you can keep out on the counter plus the bags are expensive. I know that a lot of people love the newer models but I just don't know if I really want to re-invest in one thus my interest in the haandi vac. Fri Mar 14 12:10:02 -0700 2008 3492644 70474 baseballfan 5 3493216 What do you typically use the Food Saver for? If it's for long term freezer storage a few times a year, I think the Food Saver performs better. I've had a few steaks in my freezer lose the tight vacuum seal from the Handi-Vac bags, but they don't have freezer burn. So, if that's what you're doing, I'd be hesitant to praise the wonders of the Handi-Vac. But if you want to seal up things for the pantry and fridge, you can't go wrong with the Handi-Vac. And, I guess, for $10 you can buy one and buy some gallon bags to see how you like the performance in the freezer. My boyfriend goes deep sea fishing once a year but we pay to have the fish vacuum sealed rather than do it at home. To me, that's cheaper than buying a Food Saver system anyway. Fri Mar 14 12:17:14 -0700 2008 3493191 42944 leanneabe 1 3493227 I've had a handivac for about 4 months. It's good for saving things you want to open and reseal over and over again, but I'd recommend against it as a replacement for a Food Saver for long term storage. I have one of those too. The handivac's batteries die out pretty quickly and when they are low it won't work. It also can be a bit fussy if the nozzle isn't exactly right. Most things I have vac'd and put in the freezer with the Reynolds unit have lost their seal within a few weeks. I'd say about 25% ofthe other stuff loses it's seal within a month in the fridge. No problems in the cupboard. I like them both but if you want to be assured of a totally permanent seal, the Handy Vac is not your tool of choice. Fri Mar 14 12:18:52 -0700 2008 3486976 43893 C. Hamster 2 3493289 For freezer us which is better, the Handi-Vac or the Frisper? Which is the better all around unit? How much is the Frisper? Thanks! Fri Mar 14 12:32:01 -0700 2008 3493227 63331 blondelle 1 3625833 I have ons and the bags suck. They wont hold a vacuum, my failure rate for new out of the box bags is 50% to 100% Thu Apr 24 10:02:45 -0700 2008 3486976 186533 mrb02334