Monte

Have not read where you can increase the width of the maxim width of bag. The sealer bar is easily removable. I could see using a longer bag but it would stick out the front. I find the larger bag and the smaller size worked very well. Where you wanting the larger size for sealing soup?

Vacuum sealing fruit With berries soon to be ready for harvesting and freezing I was wondering if it is advisable to vacuum freeze the berries whole or cut them and add sugar. I realize you need to pre freeze the berries first on a sheet before vacuum sealing.

VP 215 Chamber sealing bags Would appreciate feedback from members that use the chamber vacuum sealer VP 210 or VP 215 as to what size bags they use, both these machines have a maximum size of 10 x 13" and I will be purchasing a 1,000 of them. Other sizes I am unsure of as I have recently purchased my unit and they include samples of 6 x 12, 8 x 12, and of couse 10 x 13. Second question: I recently purchased some steaks and packaged them individually using zip lock bags and found ice crystals within days of sealing with a straw. Thus the research and purchase of a chamber sealer. Is it possible to remove the steaks, pad the meat with a wet towel to remove the crystals then seal in the chamber. Will that stop the crystallization?

Newbie member here. Read all the comments on the full size Breville Smart Oven. We have had our unit for over two years now and use it every day. We purchased this on watching the video and reading the comparison on Cooks Illustrated. We are very impressed! Want to add the following points of interest: 1. We purchased the Breville cutting board to sit on top of the unit. Some reviewers were concerned with the heat of this oven. There is no problem with the sides, front or back, but the top can get warm. We put all the accessories on the cutting board. Works out great. 2. We purchased the 13" round pizza stone for making pizza and breads. The preheat if half the time as our larger stone we use in the main oven. (I do not know the manners yet on this forum, but have spent a lot of time researching pizza making for the Breville Oven- can give more advice if you want). 3. A 10" cake flipper is ideal for removing bread loafs and pizza from the oven. 4. Being able to use 1/4" baking sheet to us was a deal maker. Fits perfect and as only the wife & I are left, it is perfect for smaller portions. 5. Tested the temperature with an instant thermometer and discovered the setting held the heat, even at 500 degrees 6. We use the heating function every day, as we are both slow eaters and do not like the food getting cool. Works great. When I barbecue I preheat a large plate and small plate, per person, to use to rest the meat. The meat sits on top of the smaller plate, juices drip onto the large plate. Cover with foil and the meat stays hot. 7. Making toast is perfect. We but the triangle buns from Costco and they toast up perfect. I am not positive on the bagel selection, but I think only the top of the bagel toasts and bottom warms. I could be wrong on this point 8. Making baguette with al the toppings is a snap. The 1/4 sheet pan is a life saver, as it collects all the cheese that over flows. Very fast and easy to prepare 9. Open face sandwiches are easy to make. In our case I then to leave the shelf in the middle for broiling as our sandwiches tend to high. 10. Cleanup if extremely easy. Simply pull out the bottom tray and clean up. Hope some of these points are a help to you. We purchased our unit at Bed & Beyond and were very pleased. We have a number of Breville products and find them a bit expensive but well worth buying. For those of you considering the smaller version. Beware the 1/4 bake sheet will not fit and that sheet get used very of ton, especially if you are single or a couple.