The FoodSaver Advanced Design Home Vacuum Packaging System V2440 is an improved way to keep all types of perishable foods fresh for longer. The advantages of vacuum sealing are numerous. You'll save space in your freezer, since no extra air is trapped in vacuum-sealed bags. You'll also prevent freezer burn and preserve the freshness of foods up to five times longer. The sealed bags are both airtight and watertight, so you can use the V2440 to protect non-food items such as matches, film or other items if you are headed on a canoeing or camping trip.

The clean, slimline V2440 comes with a starter kit containing one FoodSaver roll, three 1-quart FoodSaver bags, two 1-gallon FoodSaver bags, an accessory hose and an instructional DVD. An assortment of FoodSaver accessories are available for purchase separately, including Vacuum packaging canisters, a Quick Marinator, extra bags, rolls and a variety of lids that work with mason jars, coffee cans and other store-bought containers.

The V2440 incorporates several innovative features, including a removable easy-clean drip tray, an extra-wide sealing strip and two speed settings, along with a CrushFree Instant Seal option that stops vacuuming and finishes the seal to prevent delicate foods from being mashed to a paste. The inside of the unit contains a roll storage area and a cutting tool, so all of the necessary components are right at your fingertips. There's even a place to store a pen for labeling the sealed bags, as well as the accessory hose. The V2440 is one of the more compact machines in FoodSaver's line, measuring 9-3/4x16-3/4x4-1/2 inches.

The V2440 operates quickly with a minimum of fuss. A touchpad control panel contains seven buttons, and each button is clearly labeled with its function. The two primary buttons are Seal, which fuses an airtight strip across any of the rolls or bags, and Vacuum & Seal, which first pulls all of the air out of the before sealing it. The basic vacuum-and-seal cycle takes 15 to 20 seconds, during which time you hear a mild rumbling noise from the V2440. Two speed settings (normal and fast) let you optimize the process for different-sized bags or containers. Other buttons let you select your food type (dry or moist), as well as the CrushFree instant seal option. Selecting CrushFree even lets you reseal mylar packages such as potato chip bags. In some cases, the resulting seal is stronger than the original bag, making it hard to reopen the bag without ripping it.

One roll of plastic storage material makes 12 to 15 average-sized bags. Both the rolls and the ready-to-use bags have a writeable surface strip to recording the date and items stored for easy identification. Extra rolls are available in department stores or online, costing about $21 for two rolls, 48 quart-sized bags or 32 gallon-sized bags.

The FoodSaver Advanced Design Home Vacuum Packaging System V2440 lets you enjoy the benefits of vacuum sealing at home.


Pros: Compact styling, easy touchpad operation, CrushFree option protects delicate foods
Cons: Must purchase replacement FoodSaver bags and rolls, operation can be loud

Warranty
1 year, limited