Customer Reviews

FoodSaver V2040 Vacuum-Packaging System, White

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

My old Food-saver died, so I replaced it with this model.

The first time I used it-to seal about 10 bags- it worked great. The lid latches when you put a bag into it, and that makes the whole process hands-free and much easier. It pulled a pretty good vacuum, and I got good seals on a collection of new and re-used bags.

It does seem to take more space at the top- 2" or so- to get a seal. There doesn't seem to be any reason for this gap other than to sell more bags-but that was a minor irritation.

It also came with two little foam inserts that prevent the lid from resting on the base when you store it. This was supposedly a major problem with the older units, resulting in a deformed gasket which didn't allow for good seals.

The second time I tried to use this product, it wouldn't pull a consistent vacuum. On some bags it would have a great vacuum, while on others it would barely pull any air out of the bag at all before it sealed. It didn't seem to matter whether they were new or reused bags, how far into the trough I put the top of the bag, what side of the bag was up, how full the bag was, or anything else I could determine.

It took forever to get 10 bags sealed. I ended up trying most of them multiple times, tossing some bags away, and saying "good enough" to a number of bags that still had air in them. I could have done better with a straw and a ziploc bag.

Lucky it was only 3 weeks since I bought it, and I was able to return it for a refund to BiMart. After seeing the other reviews, and my own experience, I did not take an exchange. Not sure what I will try next, as the FoodSaver products seem to set new standards for expensive, cheaply made junk.

Update: I just bought a Kenmore (Sears) sealer for about $100. It doesn't look to be of much higher quality, and in fact looks like the same company built it. But for another $13, Sears will give you a 3 year warranty (that I will no doubt need) which makes the quality of this product their problem.

I got this as a wedding gift last fall. I used up all the bags that came with it and it worked great. I went out and bought the expensive three-roll pack of bags (about $30 on sale), and then the vacuum didn't work anymore! I called on a Monday, the guy at customer service was courteous and had me wash and flip the gasket. After it was dry, it still didn't work. I called again on a Saturday, and the lady on the phone was also very nice, and after trouble-shooting a few things said it might be the bags. I happened to still have a small piece of bag left over from the original batch, so I tried that and it worked just fine. So--she said it was a bad batch of bags, and the company is now sending me another set of bags rolls and a new gasket to keep handy just in case, at no charge. I'm quite impressed with customer service, but not bag quality control.

I purchased this Foodsaver V2040 Vacuum system and when I first tested this product I thought it was a piece of junk since it did not seal the plastic bag after vacuuming out the air. But my wife mentioned a detail from the instructions which says "Prevent moisture or liquid from being pulled into the Vacuum Channel..." then I realized that if my meats were placed in the bags (while drenched from the marinade) then the bags could not seal because the liquids were seeping out while the heating element tried to impress the plastic together. In fact, the vacuum could not hold the air out tight since there was no seal taking place at the same time. I then dried the meats and placed them in a new bag and "voila!!" ... the perfect seal. I was about to send it back and write a negative review but glad it worked out differently. This product stays in my kitchen!

I was very skeptical about buying this item, based on the reviews I had read. But after buying one and actually running a couple of rolls of bags thru it, I'm convinced that the problems cited in other reviews are mostly based on people not READING THE DIRECTIONS FIRST. If you read the directions first and follow the directions, it works perfectly every time. I have made bags of all sizes, cut open bags and resealed them and have not had a problem, yet. I love this small, compact unit. I have a larger unit that I bought at the same time which I use for larger items. Here again, if you READ THE DIRECTIONS it works perfectly also. (No, I don't work for FoodSaver, I'm 64 and retired from Civil Service).

I have had this machine for more than a year. At first it worked fine, I only need to use it occasionally. Then it wouldn't vaccum. I dismantled it then dismantled the pump. Inside the pump is a silicone rubber one way flap and that's the problem. If it doesn't seat properly then you get limited or no vacuum. I turned the flap over and for a while I got excellent vacuum but then none at all. I emailed Foodsaver telling them what I had done and what the problem was. I asked if there was an authorized repairer or even etter where could I get a set of replacement valves, or alternatively a full replacement motor. The answer was that there are no repairers and that they couldn't give me any info about replacement parts as it was "proprietry information" and they didn't want anyone to copy their design. What rubbish, it's not rocket science. So, it's a $100 piece of junk with built in planned obsolescence. I won't give up. I found the manufacturer stamped on the pump. They are in China. I am going to email them with pictures and see if they can supply the pump or the silicone valve.

It worked great for a while, easy to use, perfect vacuum and seal, but guess I need something more heavy duty, I've really been doing a lot of sealing, quit vacuuming, called customer service they had me flip the gasket over and it worked again for a little while, found I can press down in middle of lid and it vacuums, now one of the latches has busted and the automatic vacuum shutoff quit working, I have to hold lid down, hit the vacuum button, when it's where I want it, hit the seal button, it's still working, but definitely not hands free, I will definitely buy something more heavy duty next time

I should've read these reviews prior to purchase. I bought this from Target beginning of Oct 2009 and have had 2 sessions of vacuum packing...no more than 10 packages. It worked fine until yesterday. It no longer seals properly. Seal is irregular, therefore does not hold a vacuum. Called customer service. They are willing to replace my unit, but I had to send it back on my dime. It cost me $17 priority mail. I did not bother calling Target as I have had this for ~ 2 months now. I wish I did. I actually wish I purchased from Amazon instead. I think they would've taken it back postpaid. If it fails again, I will demand that they pay for the shipping.

I bought this for my wife as a Christmas gift. I thought we would save money by purchasing meat,chicken,and fish in large quantities and "FOODSAVING" it. Well this appliance does not do as advertised. It doesn't pull the air (foods worst enemy) out of the bags all the time. It seems to have a mind of it's own, works when it feels like it. Yes we read the instructions several times to make sure we are doing it correctly, and yes we use only FOODSAVR bags. Horrible machine. $80.00 for an appliance that is only good for re-sealing snack bags and bags that do not need the air pulled out to freeze. Worst product we have purchased in a long time. What can we do to return. I don't think we have the box it came in. I wonder if the new model that stands upright works any better?????

Christmas before last I received the Food Saver V2040 as a gift. My old Seal-a-Meal had bit the dust and I had wanted one of these. I've had nothing but trouble with the machine. It will usually seal the bags just fine but when it does vacuum, it will almost immediately release the vacuum. I've tried all the different size bags which are on the expensive side and end up wasting them. All I can say about this product is it doesn't vacuum but, it does suck. It is a piece of excrement and I wouldn't advise anyone to purchase it.

The FoodSaver Food Vacuum Sealer worked exactly as the manufacturer described. It is very easy to set up and use. The model V2040 does all the work. All we needed to do was put the food in the bag, insert the end into the Vacuum Sealer and push the button. The machine did the rest.