54
Reynolds Handi-Vac
$10.00
Released November, 2007
The Pros:Easy to use. Doesn't take up any counter space. Cheap compared to other vacuum systems.
The Cons:Requires specific bags. Can't find bags. Cant find bags.
The Reynolds' Handi-vac is a handheld vacuum sealer which works to keep your foods safe from freezer burn and maintain freshness. The Handi-Vac works with specialty bags that have a small air valve in the top right corner.
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You place the Handi-vac suction directly on the air valve and suck the air out of the bag until the bag becomes tight around the food. Once everything is sealed, you can freeze the food and keep it fresh for much longer than a non-vacuumed bag.
- Uses 6 AA batteries
- Batteries last 100 bag sealings
- Sealing takes 6 to 13 seconds
- Vacuum bags come in 2 sizes: 1 gallon and 1 quart
- Vacuum bags are microwaveable
- Vacuum bags are resealable
User Reviews (23)
Pros & Cons
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11
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10
Doesn't take up any counter space
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9
Cheap compared to other vacuum systems
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7
Considering the alternative, no counter space used is minute.
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5
Bags are a little pricey, but are fairly substantial. I had a little trouble at first with the valves, but found that doing it on a soft surface (towel) helped.
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4
Easy to hold and not heavy.
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3
i love it. my freezer food was getting freezer burned until i got this.
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10
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5
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4
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3
These have been discontinued... I'm very upset.
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1
Bags are a little pricey, but a fairly substantial. I had a little trouble at first with the valves, but found that doing it on a soft surface (towel) helped.
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-2
Valves on bags are often defective
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-3
Batteries don't last very long
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-4
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-4
Takes fairly long to seal the bags
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-4
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Comments (19)
dee:
#reynolds_handi_vac I can use the handi vac with ziplock bags but it takes some fussing. There is an adapter that can be purchased for $20 that says it makes it easy to use with ziplock bags.
Jul 4, 11
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donsalkorn@yahoo.com:
#reynolds_handi_vac I love this product. It has helped me save on keeping my frozen things from getting freezer burn. My only problem with this is I cannot find replacement bags for this. Help, I need new bags!
Feb 8, 10
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Olduser:
#reynolds_handi_vac I've owned both a Food Saver and the Reynolds Handi-Vac. I love Reynolds Handi-Vac. It is easy to use, takes up less storage space, holds the seal longer, costs less and the bags cost less. I've only changed my batteries once in a year. If you seal your bags on a flat surface it works better. Some surfaces work better than others but I don't know why. I use mine on a formica counter top. I've never gotten a defective bag or valve on a bag. Sometimes pushing some of the air out of the bag will make it seal faster but truthfully I haven't had a problem with any of my seals taking a long time. I haven't found a food saver that doesn't use specific bags. So in my opinion, this is a great product and the price is right.
Mar 8, 09
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fortfumble:
#reynolds_handi_vac This is the 3rd box of bags I've bought that don't work. AT ALL ! I e-mailed the company, but they never answer back, just started sending me info on other products. I used to love the thing but now I HATE it!
Jan 17, 09
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TheNameLassTaken:
#reynolds_handi_vac Sealed 28 bags of chops no problem. I was well on my way to being a satisfied customer, and then came the next box of bags. Same technique, new batteries, plenty of suction from the sucker, but no air was sucked out of the bag. Not one of the 14 bags in the box worked. Played around and discovered that there is a very thin membrane over the blue circle on the bag. I found that if I picked at the edge and lifted it 3/4 off, then carefully pressed it back on (it re-adhered), the bags would THEN work fine. So... if you have trouble, it may not be you, it is quite possibly poor quality control at the bag factory (tsk, tsk).
My daughter also got the system. It worked fine for a while, then no suction. Took the sucker apart and found the plunge inside had inverted (kind of like a bicylce pump might). Turned it around and it was OK again.
Bottom line - Great concept, fairly cheap, good results when it works, but erratic quality on both parts of the system. Hey Reynolds, all your customers aren't engineers. It might be a good idea to tighten things up.
Oct 18, 08
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D'Teacher:
#reynolds_handi_vac The machine works just fine- the bags are the problem. The machine extracts all the air in a few seconds, but within a day, air seeps back into the bags, defeating the whole purpose. Bad product..... very disappointing.
Aug 8, 08
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http://www.productwiki.com/ccorbin:
#reynolds_handi_vac I have used mine to seal 4 bags to send to my son in Afghanistan. Now when I tried to use is 4 months later, it no longer removes the air from the bags to seal the food. I've tried all of the troubleshooting tips, but nothing helps. I'm assuming it's the bags which aren't cheap! I hope they improve the bags soon because they are a waste of time and money this way!
Jul 27, 08
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luz67colina:
#reynolds_handi_vac The product is amazing but I received it as a gift,my husband brougth it from New York and now i can not find the bags. We live in Miami. Could you be able to tell me where i can buy it?
Thank you.
Luz Colina
Jun 17, 08
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rdanys:
#reynolds_handi_vac I absolutely HATE HATE HATE this product every time I try to use it!! These ******* bags are CRAP! Out of a gallon size box of 9 bags the valves on at least half the bags don't work, not allowing the pump to suck the air out. And on several bags they leak and within a day they allow the air back in! On the smaller bag size out of 14 in a box maybe a third don't work.
It's not the pump, and it's not me or my 'technique'. I've used a similar device and bags before never with a problem; it's the quality control of the bag manufacturer on this product line.
I would never ever buy a bag product by Reynolds again, be it a vacuum bag or any other - they are on my official boycott list forever!
Mar 15, 08
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rmlrosebud:
#reynolds_handi_vac i purchased a handi-vac and it worked fine--i bought new bags but the handi-vac stopped working--i thought it was the new bags but i borrowed my sister's handi-vac and the bags were fine--its the handi-vac that is not working. i only used the handi-vac about five times now its no good to me---i tried new batteries still not working---i spent a lot of money for a product the lasted 5 times i am very dissatisfied
Jan 5, 08
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C2ShiningC:
#reynolds_handi_vac As soon as the alkaline batteries are discharged, I would replace with Nimh AA's that could be pulse charged over and over again. I've wore out 2 seal-a-meals, but still have the expensive lexan containers that unfortunately are too big for the smaller Handi-Vac suction cup. The Reynolds bags work fine with other vacuum pumps, including Pump-N-Seal.
Model builders will find the 1 gallon bags are perfect for vacuum bagging small fiberglass composit parts. The battery operated pump is a little slow but pulls plenty of vacuum. Concern would be with keeping the cure temperatures below the melting point of the Reynolds bag material
Dec 25, 07
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JAMA:
#reynolds_handi_vac It is about time that average income folks can afford to vacuum seal leftovers. I love this thing, and the bags are not any more expensive that the other bags at the market when you consider the stuff you have to use to avoid freezer burn etc. Also, batteries are cheaper than Tupperware and the like. Pick your product and stay free from spoiled food. This one really works for me and after 3 decades of bags, wax paper, tin foil and the like ....I like it.
Dec 6, 07
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Amanie:
#reynolds_handi_vac This is ridiculously cheap compared to the other vacuum sealers. I think the price makes up for the downsides (special bags, ridiculous battery requirements).
Dec 6, 07
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