Heat Sealers for packaging cookies

[beacheschef]

I've been using food-grade poly bags from ULINE for years to package my cookies. I'd fold over the edge twice and close with a sticker.

Lately I've been looking into poly bag sealers, like the ones ULINE carries. I'm interested in "sealing" the cookies, not just closing the bags.

Who has used these heat sealers, and what has your experience been?

Would you recommend one brand over another?

Is it worth purchasing the foot operated model, which is significantly more money?

Thanks for the info - Mary

[etalanian]

I used this type of sealer in conjunction with high barrier bags when I had my bakery. The foot pedal made it a much faster sealing process.

Eileen

[apronless]

Mary,

I purchased a Jorestech off of eBay a few years ago for the same purpose. It does not have a foot pedal, but works for me. I had problems with the heating element getting a bit too hot, but I layered another protector sheet over the element and that helped some. It takes a bit of practice to get clean seals, but once you have it down it looks great.

My two complaints are that the little cutter that you slide over the poly bags doesnt always make a clean cut. I keep handy some scissors to trim any ragged pieces so it looks even.

The other thing that bothers me is that my sealer does not have any type of platform on which you could put the filled bag to seal. This causes problems when I have arranged things in the bag (to fit or for presentation) because they move around. I found that I can put a round, flatish cookie tin next to the sealer and it brings it level.

[beacheschef]

Mary,

I purchased a Jorestech off of eBay a few years ago for the same purpose. It does not have a foot pedal, but works for me. I had problems with the heating element getting a bit too hot, but I layered another protector sheet  over the element and that helped some. It takes a bit of practice to get clean seals, but once you have it down it looks great.

My two complaints are that the little cutter that you slide over the poly bags doesnt always make a clean cut. I keep handy some scissors to trim any ragged pieces so it looks even.

The other thing that bothers me is that my sealer does not have any type of platform on which you could put the filled bag to seal. This causes problems when I have arranged things in the bag (to fit or for presentation) because they move around. I found that I can put a round, flatish cookie tin next to the sealer and it brings it level.

←

Thanks for the inforamtion. It sounds like this will be a good purchase for my business.

Mary

[sugarseattle]

yeah, i use my heat sealer all the time. when i was doing more volume, i agree the foot pedal would have been a better choice, but now that i'm mostly retail, it's no biggie that i don't have one...it turns out to be good side work for my barista.