I just got a Food Saver V2490 from Costco a few weeks ago. For the most part
it works fine, but after I've barbecued a few large cuts of meat and I'm
sealing up small packages to freeze, there comes a time when it'll just quit
vacuuming. It makes all the right noises, but no air gets sucked out of the
bag, then the bag seals, and I'm sitting there with a bag full of sealed-in
air and meat. At that point I can cut the bag open, try to reseal it, and
get the same result. I can even make a new bag, and sometimes it will suck
the air out and seal it just fine, sometimes not. I use the "vacuum and
seal" button.

If I just pull it out to seal one or two things, it works fine. And, it
seems to malfunction most with the wider, 11" roll. The 8" roll seems to
work a bit better.

For example, yesterday I had sealed about a dozen bags of brisket, and the
last 4 didn't vacuum. So, after I ate dinner, I went to open and re-seal
those four bags of now-frozen brisket. Three of them vacuumed and sealed
just fine, the fourth didn't vacuum, so I let the machine rest for a while,
and voila, the fourth one vacuumed and sealed up, too.

So, it seems I can only do about three bags, then the machine has to rest.
Seems odd, though. It is especially odd because I read in the directions
that when the unit overheats, it will shut down. That would indicate to me
that if it had overheated it shouldn't even start up - I shouldn't even hear
the vacuuming sounds. But, as it stands, I do hear the vacuuming sounds,
it's just not vacuuming at all after about the third or fourth bag. And, I
am letting the machine rest for at least 20 seconds in between bags, as the
directions indicate.

Is this unit defective? Should I exchange it for a new unit at Costco? Or,
is this just the way it is and I have to live with it?



EZ

On Aug 20, 2:42 pm, "EZ" > wrote:
> I just got a Food Saver V2490 from Costco a few weeks ago. For the most part
> it works fine, but after I've barbecued a few large cuts of meat and I'm
> sealing up small packages to freeze, there comes a time when it'll just quit
> vacuuming. It makes all the right noises, but no air gets sucked out of the
> bag, then the bag seals, and I'm sitting there with a bag full of sealed-in
> air and meat. At that point I can cut the bag open, try to reseal it, and
> get the same result. I can even make a new bag, and sometimes it will suck
> the air out and seal it just fine, sometimes not. I use the "vacuum and
> seal" button.
>
> If I just pull it out to seal one or two things, it works fine. And, it
> seems to malfunction most with the wider, 11" roll. The 8" roll seems to
> work a bit better.
>
> For example, yesterday I had sealed about a dozen bags of brisket, and the
> last 4 didn't vacuum. So, after I ate dinner, I went to open and re-seal
> those four bags of now-frozen brisket. Three of them vacuumed and sealed
> just fine, the fourth didn't vacuum, so I let the machine rest for a while,
> and voila, the fourth one vacuumed and sealed up, too.
>
> So, it seems I can only do about three bags, then the machine has to rest.
> Seems odd, though. It is especially odd because I read in the directions
> that when the unit overheats, it will shut down. That would indicate to me
> that if it had overheated it shouldn't even start up - I shouldn't even hear
> the vacuuming sounds. But, as it stands, I do hear the vacuuming sounds,
> it's just not vacuuming at all after about the third or fourth bag. And, I
> am letting the machine rest for at least 20 seconds in between bags, as the
> directions indicate.
>
> Is this unit defective? Should I exchange it for a new unit at Costco? Or,
> is this just the way it is and I have to live with it?
>
> EZ

Call the manufacturer and describe the prolbem. (Sounds like a raw
deal to me.)

Pierre

"EZ" > wrote in message
t...
>I just got a Food Saver V2490 from Costco a few weeks ago. For the most
>part
> it works fine, but after I've barbecued a few large cuts of meat and I'm
> sealing up small packages to freeze, there comes a time when it'll just
> quit
> vacuuming. It makes all the right noises, but no air gets sucked out of
> the
> bag, then the bag seals, and I'm sitting there with a bag full of
> sealed-in
> air and meat. At that point I can cut the bag open, try to reseal it, and
> get the same result. I can even make a new bag, and sometimes it will suck
> the air out and seal it just fine, sometimes not. I use the "vacuum and
> seal" button.

I bought the same one (I'm assuming its the black and silver with the three
plastic containers as part of the "bonus" kit) and I don't have this
problem. I've tried both bag sizes and had good luck with all of them, even
when performing multiple sealing operations (I sealed 8 bags of meatballs
last night in a row using 8" bags).

I've tried to make my own bags in nonstandard sizes (eg, seal both "open"
sides of a bag and then trim the factory sealed edge off to make a smaller
bag, but I can't get these very narrow bags to vacuum. I've had to instead
vacuum a standard bag and then heat-seal it closer to where I want it and
then trim it down (in some cases, I'm trying for a 2x3" sealed bag for small
items).

I *have* run into problems with a 3-pak of rectangular containers I bought
at Target. I can't find these on the company web site, but they have a
rubber flap on the lids and an adapter is put on the end of the canister
hose to seal. 2 of the 3 seal pretty well, but the third seems to have a
leak and won't take more than a half of a vacuum. Which is a shame, as they
are a great size for leftovers. I don't seem to have any problem with the
round canisters that came with the unit.

Thusfar I've settled on the 8" bags as the most flexible. It seems that the
larger bags tend to leave more unused space when I seal stuff.

I'd return yours and get another, it sounds like there's a sealing problem.
I like this device a lot, but I'm worried its a throwaway after about 2
years of moderate use, especially since there appears to be no seal
replacement kits.

In article > ,
says...
> I just got a Food Saver V2490 from Costco a few weeks ago. For the most part
> it works fine, but after I've barbecued a few large cuts of meat and I'm
> sealing up small packages to freeze, there comes a time when it'll just quit
> vacuuming. It makes all the right noises, but no air gets sucked out of the
> bag, then the bag seals, and I'm sitting there with a bag full of sealed-in
> air and meat. At that point I can cut the bag open, try to reseal it, and
> get the same result. I can even make a new bag, and sometimes it will suck
> the air out and seal it just fine, sometimes not. I use the "vacuum and
> seal" button.
>
> If I just pull it out to seal one or two things, it works fine. And, it
> seems to malfunction most with the wider, 11" roll. The 8" roll seems to
> work a bit better.
>
> For example, yesterday I had sealed about a dozen bags of brisket, and the
> last 4 didn't vacuum. So, after I ate dinner, I went to open and re-seal
> those four bags of now-frozen brisket. Three of them vacuumed and sealed
> just fine, the fourth didn't vacuum, so I let the machine rest for a while,
> and voila, the fourth one vacuumed and sealed up, too.
>
> So, it seems I can only do about three bags, then the machine has to rest.
> Seems odd, though. It is especially odd because I read in the directions
> that when the unit overheats, it will shut down. That would indicate to me
> that if it had overheated it shouldn't even start up - I shouldn't even hear
> the vacuuming sounds. But, as it stands, I do hear the vacuuming sounds,
> it's just not vacuuming at all after about the third or fourth bag. And, I
> am letting the machine rest for at least 20 seconds in between bags, as the
> directions indicate.
>
> Is this unit defective? Should I exchange it for a new unit at Costco? Or,
> is this just the way it is and I have to live with it?
>

We too have a Food Saver from CostCo. It has its quirks, but with a
little attention it has performed well. For example, when we caught 12
yellowfin tuna last spring and sealed at least 250 lbs of meat!

If you are vacuuming a bag, and the bag is not deflating, cancel the
process before it seals. Make sure the bag is seated properly in the
vacuum channel. Clean the gasket around the vacuum channel. Sometimes,
just giving the machine a 5 minute rest is all that's needed.

Of course, you could have a faulty unit, but perhaps a little attention
on your part will solve the problems.



--
Peter Aitken

"EZ" > wrote in message
> So, it seems I can only do about three bags, then the machine has to rest.
> Seems odd, though. It is especially odd because I read in the directions
> that when the unit overheats, it will shut down. That would indicate to me
> that if it had overheated it shouldn't even start up - I shouldn't even
> hear
> the vacuuming sounds.

Exactly. When I do a bunch of seals in rapid succession, it will try to
start but won't. Then after a few minutes it is off and running.

> But, as it stands, I do hear the vacuuming sounds,
> it's just not vacuuming at all after about the third or fourth bag. And, I
> am letting the machine rest for at least 20 seconds in between bags, as
> the
> directions indicate.
>
> Is this unit defective? Should I exchange it for a new unit at Costco? Or,
> is this just the way it is and I have to live with it?

Sounds like a problem. My guess is that a valve is sticking and the machine
thinks it has drawn the vacuum so it turns of the sealing heater. That is
what the warranty is for.

Give Foodsaver a call. They have a reputation of good service.

"Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
>
> "EZ" > wrote in message
>> So, it seems I can only do about three bags, then the machine has to
>> rest.
>> Seems odd, though. It is especially odd because I read in the directions
>> that when the unit overheats, it will shut down. That would indicate to
>> me
>> that if it had overheated it shouldn't even start up - I shouldn't even
>> hear
>> the vacuuming sounds.
>
> Exactly. When I do a bunch of seals in rapid succession, it will try to
> start but won't. Then after a few minutes it is off and running.
>
>> But, as it stands, I do hear the vacuuming sounds,
>> it's just not vacuuming at all after about the third or fourth bag. And,
>> I
>> am letting the machine rest for at least 20 seconds in between bags, as
>> the
>> directions indicate.
>>
>> Is this unit defective? Should I exchange it for a new unit at Costco?
>> Or,
>> is this just the way it is and I have to live with it?
>
> Sounds like a problem. My guess is that a valve is sticking and the
> machine thinks it has drawn the vacuum so it turns of the sealing heater.
> That is what the warranty is for.
>
> Give Foodsaver a call. They have a reputation of good service.
Depending if you have bought it from Costco, I would have to read your
posting again; if you have purchased it within 90 days, try taking it back
to them first.

As I mentioned in answer to your posting in rec.food.cooking; have you tried
making sure that the material is down in the trough?
Be sure to use an empty bag and see if it is sealing. Why bother with
taking something back, a large nuisance, IMO, if you can find out if the
vacuum/seal/trough is/is not at fault.

I've had this happen to me and it is because of my material not down in the
trough. It will vacuum, but not completely, then seal, but not completely
if the material is not down in the trough. It is very easy to pull out if
you have heavy meat items.
Dee Dee

"Dee Dee" > wrote in message
...

> I've had this happen to me and it is because of my material not down in
> the trough. It will vacuum, but not completely, then seal, but not
> completely if the material is not down in the trough. It is very easy to
> pull out if you have heavy meat items.
> Dee Dee

I find that it helps to stack a couple of cutting boards in front of the
sealer to make sure whatever bags I'm sealing are basically level with the
inside of the base -- its hard to hold stuff up, in the trough, and hit the
buttons all at the same time unless you want to waste an extra 3" of bag to
make up for the drop to the counter.

EZ wrote:
> I just got a Food Saver V2490 from Costco a few weeks ago. For the
> most part it works fine, but after I've barbecued a few large cuts of
> meat and I'm sealing up small packages to freeze, there comes a time
> when it'll just quit vacuuming. >

In addition to all the other comments, make sure that the 3 inches or so
inside the top of the bag are completely dry (use a paper towel) before
you vacuum. As has been said, make sure the top of the bag is
completely in the trough and make sure the gasket is firmly seated.

Dora

Thanks for all your suggestions, folks. Among all those suggestions, plus a
few from the company, it seems the Food Saver is a bit more picky than I
thought. Getting both sides of the bag in the trough, and getting the three
or so inches of bag lying flat all the way to the sealer, and making sure
that when you close and lock the lid it's all still in place, is apparently
more difficult than it seems. Once all the stars are aligned correctly and I
hold my mouth just right, I can manage to get the bag vacuumed and sealed.
Using the manual vacuum button first to see if it's actually going to suck
air or not, is a good idea, too.

Today I made three bags out of 8" roll and sealed three pieces of cheese.
The first two worked fine without a hitch. The third one failed to vacuum,
but after I turned it over, and messed around with it for a while, it
succumbed, too, and I got a decently-vacuum-sealed third bag of cheese. Yay.

Thanks again. It seems I'll keep this unit, since it doesn't appear to be
defective.


--
EZ
Traeger BBQ075 "Texas"
CharGriller Smokin Pro
Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain Wide Body
CharmGlow 3-burner All-Stainless Gas Grill
Weber Kettle One-Touch Silver 22-1/2"
Weber Kettle Smoky Joe Silver 14-1/2"

In article >,
says...
> Thanks for all your suggestions, folks. Among all those suggestions, plus a
> few from the company, it seems the Food Saver is a bit more picky than I
> thought. Getting both sides of the bag in the trough, and getting the three
> or so inches of bag lying flat all the way to the sealer, and making sure
> that when you close and lock the lid it's all still in place, is apparently
> more difficult than it seems. Once all the stars are aligned correctly and I
> hold my mouth just right, I can manage to get the bag vacuumed and sealed.
> Using the manual vacuum button first to see if it's actually going to suck
> air or not, is a good idea, too.
>
> Today I made three bags out of 8" roll and sealed three pieces of cheese.
> The first two worked fine without a hitch. The third one failed to vacuum,
> but after I turned it over, and messed around with it for a while, it
> succumbed, too, and I got a decently-vacuum-sealed third bag of cheese. Yay.
>
> Thanks again. It seems I'll keep this unit, since it doesn't appear to be
> defective.
>
>
>
Since turning it over helped, is it possible you had the wrong side of
the bag facing upward?
--
Jerry Bank
Trenton, New Jersey
Music is the language of the gods.

"Jerry Bank" > wrote in message
>>
> Since turning it over helped, is it possible you had the wrong side of
> the bag facing upward?
> --

Does not matter. I've done it both ways many times. They do have to be
flat and in the trough though or it is easy to miss.

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> "Jerry Bank" > wrote in message
>>>
>> Since turning it over helped, is it possible you had the wrong side
>> of the bag facing upward?
>> --
>
> Does not matter. I've done it both ways many times. They do have to
> be flat and in the trough though or it is easy to miss.

My experience has been the same. I've tried it both ways in the last month
or so, and it didn't seem to matter. I read the instructions cover to cover,
and didn't see anywhere where you were supposed to have either the smooth
side or the checkerboard side of the bag up or down.

And, I'm not using bags - I'm using the rolls, and making bags as I go.
Don't know if that makes a difference, either.

EZ

EZ wrote:
>
> And, I'm not using bags - I'm using the rolls, and making bags as I
> go. Don't know if that makes a difference, either.
>
> EZ

It won't make a difference, EZ. Don't worry - a little practice and
you'll have it down pat.

Dora

EZ wrote:
> I read the instructions cover to cover,
> and didn't see anywhere where you were supposed to have either the smooth
> side or the checkerboard side of the bag up or down.
>
> And, I'm not using bags - I'm using the rolls, and making bags as I go.
> Don't know if that makes a difference, either.

I make my own bags from rolls as well. I've found that on
any given bag, with the bag laying flat, the end to be
sealed will naturally curve one way or the other. Lay the
bag with the end to be sealed on which ever side is
naturally curving down into the trough.

As others have said, it's extremely important to have the
inside of the bag material dry for the first few inches.


--
Steve

Lots of good advice, folks. The food saver is a terrific device when it
works. Seems like I just have to be a bit more exacting and patient.

Being able to reheat stuff right in the bag in a pot of boiling water is
worth the price of admission.

EZ

EZ wrote:
> Lots of good advice, folks. The food saver is a terrific device when it
> works. Seems like I just have to be a bit more exacting and patient.
>
> Being able to reheat stuff right in the bag in a pot of boiling water is
> worth the price of admission.
>
> EZ
>
>
Yup, I'll never be without another one. The boiling to warm
even works for frozen stews, which tend to "break" when
warmed in the microwave.

I've had tuna that I caught vac. sealed in our freezer for 3
years (-20dF) and they tasted just like the day they came
off of the boat.

Hang in there, you'll love it.

--
Steve