After reading numerous posts on numerous forums, I bought a Food Saver at Costco yesterday. I haven't opened the box yet. I guess I'm still trying to justify purchasing it. I've gotten along just fine with ziploc bags all these years and probably could continue to do so.

The only purchases we've made in the last year are things that we feel would be helpful and plan to take with us once we begin our fulltiming life. That has saved us a lot of money! What we don't spend now is put away to help subsidize that first year where we'll probably need tons of extra stuff.

So my questions are:

1) Does this help fit more in the freezer vs. just putting in the ziploc freezer bags? I have an upright freezer in the garage now, so it's not an issue. I'm sure it will be an issue later. I've always bought in bulk at Costco or when I find a wonderful sale. Will that still be possible fulltiming or should I start learning how to shop differently? (I do have 3 years to learn new lessons )

2)Other than freezing things, what creative things have you done with your Food Saver?

3)Lastly, in your opinion, was this a wise purchase with fulltiming in mind or should I return it and save the money? (DH thinks it was a wise purchase; I don't know why I'm questioning myself!)

Thanks in advance for all your opinions!

~g

We have one and use it occassionally. No matter what size fridge you get, it's going to be MUCH smaller than what you've been used to at home, and in general storage is at a premium. If you're not using one now, why would you imagine you'll need one on the road? You're definitely going to be food shopping more often. I'd recommend returning it and waiting till your settled in your new home. You can always buy another one. Good luck, Fred

Gypsy Turtle 2 wrote:

---

After reading numerous posts on numerous forums, I bought a Food Saver at Costco yesterday. I haven't opened the box yet. I guess I'm still trying to justify purchasing it. I've gotten along just fine with ziploc bags all these years and probably could continue to do so.

The only purchases we've made in the last year are things that we feel would be helpful and plan to take with us once we begin our fulltiming life. That has saved us a lot of money! What we don't spend now is put away to help subsidize that first year where we'll probably need tons of extra stuff.

So my questions are:

1) Does this help fit more in the freezer vs. just putting in the ziploc freezer bags? I have an upright freezer in the garage now, so it's not an issue. I'm sure it will be an issue later. I've always bought in bulk at Costco or when I find a wonderful sale. Will that still be possible fulltiming or should I start learning how to shop differently? (I do have 3 years to learn new lessons )

2)Other than freezing things, what creative things have you done with your Food Saver?

3)Lastly, in your opinion, was this a wise purchase with fulltiming in mind or should I return it and save the money? (DH thinks it was a wise purchase; I don't know why I'm questioning myself!)

Thanks in advance for all your opinions!

~g

---

I would return it also, especially since you have an extra freezer in your basement. This was the reason that we bought another freezer for our unit because I like to buy at a Sams Club, so we opted for a freezer instead of a washer/dryer unit.....the brand freezer we have is an "Aventi" and we love it. I do know that others do have the food saver and use it.
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs

Does anyone who uses special diet items use a food saver?  For Bread items etc?   Anna

Freezers in RVs are generally very small so you won't be doing much bulk buying. I repackage meat when I bring it home from the grocery and put it into ziplok bags. I would return the food saver and wait until you have your RV before making purchases like that.

I have a food saver at home and love it. We buy in bulk at Costco and the frozen foods stay fresh for many months longer if we repackage them with the foodsaver. However, I'm not sure even an extra freezer in an rv would have enough room to justify buying in bulk and using the food saver. Of course we have a Class B and our freezer only has room for ice cubes.

Thanks for the reality check everyone. It's just what I needed

~g

we're in a 5th wheel and I have a side by side refrigerator/freezer. while I don't shop at Sams or Costcos I do get big packages of meats and divide them. I use the foodsaver for this. Also, dry goods are easily kept and out of reach of critters. Linda

We decided to keep ours.  Once something is vacuum sealed it freezes without "Freezer Burn."  We think it will be worth the effort.

Hmmm, as a wannabe who knows very little about my future space situation, we have owned a couple of Food Savers and we plan on bringing it along when we RV fulltime in (groan) two more years.  I love my Food Saver, using it to freeze leftovers besides meats.  And since I am an avid baker, I shrink my nuts to perserve their quality and shelf life.  Although we won't be "bulk shopping" after we hit the road, I also don't want to cook on a daily basis or eat the same thing for 3 days, so we are opting for bringing ours. It really shouldn't take up much space.

BTW, the last Food Saver I bought was on Ebay (brand new for half the cost).  Sometimes people get them as gifts I guess and never use them.  It may be worthwhile checking Ebay out.
 

We never had one and then we went to Alaska and caught 200+ pounds of fish!! We had to buy a 5 cu ft freezer PLUS a foodsaver. We are planning on returning to Alaska in 2009, so we'll leave the freezer and foodsaver in my daughters garage until 2009, then we'll load up our freezer and foodsaver again... and off we go!!! The good thing about the foodsaver is that the frozen fish last for up to 2 years if it is vacuum sealed!! EVERY RV'er up in Alaska had a foodsaver onboard.

I have never used a food saver.  I did think about buying one after reading that others use them when full-timing but I decided to wait and full-time for awhile and see what my needs might be.  It is amazing what you think you will use and then it just sits there never being used at all.  I think that is why lots of people continue to purge after they begin to full-time.  Of course, the opposite can be true also.  You might wish you had kept something you didn't.  Each couple is different and their needs might be different.
I can understand Jackie's trip to Alaska and the need for freezer/food saver.  How often do you get those kinds of experiences???  I read all about that adventure and we all might want those items when traveling to Alaska!!! 

Like Fred said, your freezer space will not be what it was in your sticks and bricks.  We have the 4 door refrig. in our motorhome and the freezer space is limited.  I don't stock up like I once did - we shop more often.  You just adjust!
Good luck on your decision.