Making Up Your Own Very Small Freezer Packets

[Rozzer]

My wife and I have had to squeeze our budget hard over the past several months. Do more with less, you could say. One way we found was to buy the smallest possible freezer bags and make separate packets of one chicken thigh or 100 grams of chopped meat, for example. This would keep our meat consumption down (healthy) while at the same time permitting us to do something fancy with the meat to make it the taste center of the meal, surrounded by a lot of steamed vegetables.

I know that some of you guys have those "thermaseal" machines (sp?) where you make your own freezer packets, and like them very much. Are they really cheaper in the end than buying pre-made freezer bags? Once you've bought the basic machine, how much do the plastic refill rolls cost? Would you recommend any particular brand regarding the basic machine? How long does a refill roll usually last you?

[K. Slink]

I saw an ATK episode not too long ago that compared the various machines. The best ones cost serious money and are quite large. The bottom line was that the biggest difference they found in the frozen products was the thickness of the plastic used. Unfortunately I don't remember which brand they recommended for us simple civilians, but perhaps you could find the information on their website.....

[BasilRock]

I have the large seal-a-meal machine that I bought years ago from an infromercial on the T.V. I paid around $200 for it. I do not use it much anymore and am going to give it to my niece who does more freezing. What I have been using (because I am alone) is a Reynolds Handi-Vac. It is a small hand held vacuum sealer that run on batteries. You can get a box of bags in either quart or gallon size. It was very inexpensive, under $10 and the bags are bought in boxes of 14 or so in a box. The bags are re-usable also. After you close them and suck the air out, you open them like a regular zip-lock bag. I bought mine at Wal-Mart, but they also have them at Target and other stores. If you are watching your budget like the rest of us, this might be an option for you.

[KarenB]

That sounds like a very good system. I have one from my late mother in law. Just heat seal the roll of bags and your done. I really like it. I make up freezer items since a lot of neighbours bring their extra veggies to me. They grow it, I cook and preserve. This week I'll be doing cucumber relish. Today I did Tom. soup and juice.I'll be doing some e transportable desserts since one is going moose hunting and I am on the hustle for a small roast since I've never done one.