You guys, I have a new toy. For all of my meaty needs, which is exciting particularly because fall is fast approaching, and I will be hunting a lot of meat.
Since so many of you ask me the best way to store meat and fish after a successful outdoor adventure, I thought I’d share my experience with it and show you how it works.
Any hunter who packages and freezes wild game using traditional storage methods of wrapping it well in plastic and then a zip lock bag can expect the meat to store well in the freezer for up to three months before freezer burn begins to set in.
In general, I’m a big proponent of freezing fresh protein so that you can really build up a freezer full of healthy wild meat and fish that will last you for years. If you use the First In, First Out (FIFO) method, and date your bags well, you can become a remarkably self-sufficient eater, especially if you store your garden vegetables this way.
The reason I like vacuum sealing so much is that rather than having your harvest last for 3 months by wrapping it the traditional way, you can store it for up to 1 1/2 years, which means you can even be self-sufficient throughout the dormant, cold months.
This brand is called FoodSaver® and it is their newest version that just came off the factory line, called the GameSaver® Brand Titanium G800. It is a vacuum sealing system designed with hunting and fishing enthusiasts in mind because…
…it allows you to store in 15-inch, 11-inch, ad 8-inch wide bags. This means that you don’t have to break down large portions of meat like roasts, or cut up whole fish into fillets. I don’t know about you but sometimes I like to serve up a whole beautiful roast or a whole fish and would like to be able to store them that way so they stay as fresh as possible.
Here is how it works:
Set the roll of plastic inside the machine to make your bag, which can be any length that you want (you could fit a really long fish in there if you want!)
Close the lid and lower the latch to “close.”
Then you can choose your seal. The 15-inch-long seal strip has two settings. In single sealing mode it can produce up to 100 repetitive seals with no waiting time. The double sealing option can give you an extra secure seal with an added enclosure. Up to you!
Then you open the lid and pull the bag out to make any length you desire.
Then you close the lid and move the cutting lever to the left to cut your bag.
Voila!
Next you add your meat, in this case I had two small venison roasts that I wanted to seal.
Set the end into the sealing strip…
…and close the lid and lower the lever to close.
Press vacuum and let the magic red light do its thing…
Here is what it looks like as the air slowly gets sucked out of it. Fun times!
Here are the features that I like in this new model:
- Foam gasket that ensures a good vacuum seal
- Bag cutter on lid that slides across to cut bags at any length
- Seal button to seal rolls and create custom-sized bags
- Vacuum and seal button that vacuums, seals and shuts off automatically
- Accessory port for use with a vacuum hose (included) for all FoodSaver® brand containers and accessories
You know why else I like it? You can store more than just protein. It is great for camping or survival prepping. For example:
- Seal off toilet paper before you take it camping to ensure it doesn’t get wet.
- Seal off packs of batteries before storing them to protect them from the elements.
- Seal left overs so they last longer throughout the week. It is a way to be much more thrifty and stretch your dollars further.
You can view this model as well as their lower priced models HERE.
I think it is a worthwhile investment in the long term, especially if you’re interested in having a more self-sufficient life and want to rely less on the grocery store and more on your own two hands.
