Andrew James Vacuum Sealers

[porpoise_oil]

Has anyone had any experience with the Andrew James range of vacuum sealers (available in the UK)? They have a professional model here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andrew-James-Professional-Quality-Machine/dp/B001HBE5Y8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375477205&sr=8-2&keywords=Vacuum+sealer

I'm looking to use it for sous vide, but I'm curious if anyone has used it before - and also if you're stuck buying their bags or if you could use other bags from other companies? I'll be taking it t.o Australia, so getting their brand bags will be a little challenging!

Thanks,

John

[thampik]

Not quite the answer you were hoping for but I would certainly recommend the Magic Vac as an alternative - it is roughly the same price (http://www.creamsupplies.co.uk/alice-magic-vac-vacuum-packing-sealer-home-use-/prod_2481.html?category=). I have used it for over a year and it works very well. I have not used non-brand bags, but I do not see why generic bags would not work.

[&roid]

Hi John

The Andrew James one looks like a rebranded version of the one I used to have. It only cost about £35 but died fairly quickly. I'd look elsewhere.

The one I got as a replacement is the foodsaver model from Lakeland: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/15349/FoodSaver it's a similar price to the one you linked and is much much better than my first one. A lot more robust, pulls a better vacuum and can even vacuum seal canisters.

With any of these generic channeled bags will work fine, I get mine off eBay.

[Masterosouffle]

Be careful of the word "professional" the chances are if it says it is, it probably isn't