New Sealer vs Old Sealer (or Sealer Failure to Function)

This is a ridiculously long video about my sister's new sealer that failed to seal bags. It had one job and it failed! (as delivered) Why?
Want to support this channel? Buy me a coffee :-) www.buymeacoff...
Freeze Drying The Next 50 Batches - 551 to 600: docs.google.co...
Batch worksheet link: docs.google.co...
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Before buying a freeze dryer, perhaps research to find out more about the downside of the machine; some people have problems with their machine and it's big and heavy and hard to return!
When trying to decide what to freeze dry you can start by asking why.
Start by asking yourself this question. Why are you freeze drying food? Knowing this should help you decide what you should freeze dry first.
I'm freeze drying because:
Just to freeze dry leftovers?
You want to make your own food for camping/backpacking?
For if/when the SHTF?
For a short term emergency?
You have your own garden and want to freeze dry the food?
You love Costco but don't have a family of 6?
You are good at finding the food sales but only have 1 freezer?
When you cook homemade chili just for yourself you make 10 gallons? Because you have 3 full freezers and are worried about power outages?
If I knew then what I know now, I would have freeze dried things in a different order. Or maybe not, because I started freeze drying because we had 3 full freezers, I was thinking of getting another one, and I decided I should buy a walk-in freezer instead. I started looking into walk-ins and realized they were expensive to buy (even used ones) AND expensive to own and operate. Then I found out Harvest Right was making home sized freeze dryers. One of my first thoughts was "I like Mountain House!" I have used their food for backpacking almost 45 years and we even kept some in our travel trailer, for just in case.
Freeze dried food will stay fresh for many years and be ready and waiting when you need it.
We do videos showing how we are using our Harvest Right Freeze Dryer to freeze dry food for long term storage. (We have the medium size machine that we got in August of 2017) We talk about how to load and unload the freeze dryer, how to know if the food is dry, is it better to freeze dry raw food or cooked food, and do a few taste tests. Freeze dried food is also great for prepping or just for camping and snacking!
We have been getting our Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers for PackFreshUSA.com and have been happy with the products and service we have received from them. --They are not a sponsor, we just like their stuff.
Mylar bags: packfreshusa.c...

[@SchoolReports]

This is a ridiculously long video about my sister's new sealer that failed to seal bags. It had one job and it failed! (as delivered) Why? Want to support the channel? Buy me a coffee :-) www.buymeacoffee.com/DanZm If you are thinking of buying a freeze dryer, please consider supporting us by purchasing through our affiliate link. It helps us and costs you nothing! affiliates.harvestright.com/995.html Before buying a freeze dryer perhaps research to find out more about the downside of the machine; ours has been nearly trouble free, but some people have problems with their machine, and it's big and heavy and hard to return! Batch worksheet link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13DCB2hXo9_ZYrhIUicLk2IrEaQGszwbaJTcEH8wJxk4/edit?usp=sharingdocs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SeVFOmCqhu75fg96E9lAjUXsK9zJotiZ_HKhzQ0dAXA/edit?usp=sharing Freeze Drying: The Next 50 Batches 551 to 600 docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SeVFOmCqhu75fg96E9lAjUXsK9zJotiZ_HKhzQ0dAXA/edit?usp=sharing

[@joesmith4642]

This saved me! I had the same problem with mine fixed now though! Thank you!

[@joesmith4642]

This saved me! I had the same problem with mine... fixed now though! Thank you!

[@TPD605]

I really appreciate this video. I will have to check my Harvest Right sealer. The bags looked sealed; however, I am new to freeze drying so the bags may not be as well sealed as they should be.

[@dasroberts6811]

I had a problem with the Harvest Right one. The sealing was inconsistent. Sometimes it would seal too hot and then sometimes not hot enough. I did end up purchasing the Impak one like yours and I am much happier with the way it seals.

[@SchoolReports]

My sister's sealer was very consistent; it failed every time before we changed out the heat strip, then it worked every time.🤣(so far) I've used Impak brand sealers for many years and I've always been happy with them. Plus, it costs less than the Harvest Right branded one.

[@grayskypreps4036]

Thank you for this. I thought it was my being new and not knowing how to use it. I finally reverted to my flatiron to seal my bags

[@SchoolReports]

I'm glad you found it useful. It's too bad that they seem to be sending out some untested, nonfunctional sealers.

[@vickiebonano2092]

Checked mine and it is 3 months old, and it worked perfectly. Must be something totally new that they changed. Thanks for the info. I was worried that I would have to go back and seal everything.

[@SchoolReports]

Yep, it seems that some are fine and some are not.

[@jeffmcg54]

Hi Dan, As a sparky in Australia, I recon a plausible reason would be that the 8mm heater strip is for a 220v system and the 5mm strip is for a 110v system. I recon they may have stuffed up at the factory and got the wrong element on this unit...and maybe a few others too. Thats my take on it for what it is worth. Cheers Jeff from WA

[@jsigmo]

I agree. This has been my hypothesis ever since reports of the bad HR sealers started showing up. A batch of units set up for 220VAC and/or a batch of heat strips made for 220VAC.

[@jeffmcg54]

@@jsigmo I just checked the width of my element and it is indeed an 8mm wide element and we are on Aussie voltage which is 230vac

[@kayemoore]

I’m heading to storage tubs right now! I’ll check some bag strips too. I think I’m good cuz my seal lines are “skinny” but you’re right that we should ENSURE this! As always - THANKS A BILLION (what’s a million these days, meh)

[@SchoolReports]

I hope yours are all good! (sounds like not an issue) I wouldn't mind an 8mm wide seal, (and my sister is good with it too) but a 5mm seal that is actually sealed is worth a lot more than an 8 that fails!

[@will91078]

I have the harvest right branded sealer. On 6 the light comes on for around 3 seconds. On 7 it comes on just over 4 seconds. On 8 it comes on just over 4 1/2 seconds. On 7 (directly pointing at the 7) it seals 7mil bags that break before the seal can be pulled apart. I also tried the bags O2 packets came in , anything over 3 melts the bag. 3 seems to be perfect for sealing the O2 bags. Under 3 I can still pull and separate the bags at 3 I break the bag before the seal. I honestly think you received a defective sealer. Thank you for all the great information. I have learned a lot from you.

[@SchoolReports]

Thanks for the info! Well, I KNOW my sister received a defective sealer, I'm just trying to understand why. 🤣Especially since a lot of other people are in the same doesn't-seal boat. Do you know if yours has a 5mm heat strip or an 8mm one?

[@snobud86]

@@SchoolReports great video, I checked my strip with calipers and it is 8mm. I haven’t done any bag testing because it heat seals to the point of seeing visible wrinkles and creases, using almost 1 year now. I plan to run some bag sealing tests before doing another batch. I called harvest right today and of course they couldn’t tell me any specs on the impulse sealer not even about the replacement parts they sell for it. So where are you ordering your replacement heating elements from?

[@SchoolReports]

@@snobud86 If yours is working with the 8mm, I'd keep it! I wouldn't mind having an 8mm that works, I just don't want one that doesn't work. The replacement parts I used came with my Impak brand one, so I've never had to buy any. The replacement parts I have came with my machines. www.impakcorporation.com/sealers/IPK-305H (but the replacement kit cost half the price of the whole machine!?) The heat strips on mine are about 13 5/8" from center of hole to center of hole and the element is spot welded to the ends. The ones I see on Amazon seem to be crimped and I am not sure how they are measuring them. www.amazon.com/Impulse-Sealer-LinsnField-Including-13-4inch/dp/B08N9M6FMK (it's not showing the 12" one right now)

[@snobud86]

@@SchoolReports thanks, yeah my heat sealer did not come with any replacment heating elements but it did come with a note saying that I can buy them from. Harvest right. So I think I will need to take my calipers with me to harvest right the next time I go that direction and see about picking up an extra set to keep on hand. Did your sisters come with any extra heating elements?

[@SchoolReports]

@@snobud86 Interesting. 🤔 My sister's sealer came with 2 spare elements and tape strips. (of course they are 8mm) My Impak sealer (shipped from Harvest Right) also came with spares 5+ years ago. (5mm)

[@lawlorerin]

Thank you SO much! I only have one batch bagged and I’ve resealed the bags and ordered some 5mm replacements.

[@SchoolReports]

It seems that some peoples machines work, but a lot don't. We all need to test our seals to make sure.

[@StrengthandBeyond]

I just checked mine that I bought in mid 2021. It is 5mm so anything after should be checked because it might be the 8mm. Thanks for the video, it was very helpful and made me re, re check things.

[@EricHolcombe]

Thank you for posting this. I bought a dryer in fall of 2022. Now April of 2024. The sealer has an 8mm heating element, has a stamped transformer "8mm 110V" and the too short timer circuit just like the one you show here. Doesn't match the 1-8 seconds instructions on the sealer label at all. Have always had to cycle 3-4 times to be confident it sealed the 7 mil bags. That sealer shipped with one spare 8mm element. I recently bought another new-in-the-box Harvest Right model from an individual. Not sure of the manufacture date (because nothing is shown on these). It has a 5mm element and a stamped transformer "5mm 110V". The timer circuit is the same - only 3.5-4 seconds on highest setting, but that is sufficient for sealing the 7 mil bags on a setting of 6 or 7. I initiated a ticket with Harvest Right to ask how the 8mm units were being repaired because the timer circuit relay is too short to seal the bags, and that they now show a 5mm element for the current sealer with the same model number - i.e., how were they addressing the 8mm units because I would like to keep that element width. They replied that they do no repair work on these, (which is why there only seem to be customers who made a claim receiving a second sealer) and they suggested I buy another sealer since mine was out of warranty, but would give me $100 credit if I left a bunch of reviews at sites of their choosing. I just installed one of the 5mm spares in my old unit.

[@SchoolReports]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I've heard about many people that had the problem with the 8mm sealer not actually sealing.

[@scathach1777]

Great helpful video. 7 times for 7 mil harvest right bag....urrrgggghhh. Gonna try getting the different strip like you suggested. First load trying to bag up too! Thanks.

[@SchoolReports]

Some people have said they contacted Harvest Right and got a new (and working) heat sealer sent to them. (at least one said they received another one that didn't work)

[@bobwilson2860]

Got my Harvest Right sealer in 11/22 and it has the 8mm element in it. I have been having the same issues. Works great on food saver bags set to 9, but I have to cycle it 3 times with the right timing to seal mylar. I'm going to order some 5mm elements and see how it goes.

[@mikeinga3101]

Received my medium HR today (1/16/23). The HR impulse sealer has the 8 mm heating strip. I tested it on 6 mil and 7 mil bags. The 7 mil bag on the first seal took two cycles to seal; subsequent sealing took one cycle. The 6 mil bag took one cycle. The sealer was set on 7 as recommended by HR.

[@SchoolReports]

That's great to hear! A sealer you can trust to seal is a good thing. I've heard from a few people that their sealer worked from the beginning, some saying that their replacement sealer worked, and some saying that even their replacement sealer doesn't work. Some work, some don't. Another viewer (Kellyhelen) posted, first a couple weeks ago and then a few days ago - "I just checked, and discovered my bags weren't sealed. It looked right, but I didn't tug on them." "I was sent another sealer, and it also has the 8mm strips, but the difference in performance is night and day. The new one gets smoking hot and sealed my bag at a setting of 5."

[@olddogprepper2959]

My freeze dryer came with the Harvest Right branded sealer Feb 2021 the Harvest Right branded sealer sealed pretty well (about 95% success rate) - it did come with 5 mm seal strips, so HR has changed what they provide since then. However in June 2021 I purchased a cheap (under $325) Chinese Chamber Vacuum Sealer off of eBay - it works GREAT, and you can tell instantly if you have a seal failure since the bag won't be vacuumed fully. Since using it I have 100% seal rate. Since January of 2022 I have started using a method using the Chamber Vacuum Sealer with Mason Jars that I really like. I believe vermin proof vacuum sealed mason jars (either with high vacuum or oxygen absorber or BOTH) will last 25 year barring exposure to light, heat and/or breakage.

[@SchoolReports]

Thanks for the information! The Harvest Right website stills show the sealers they sell as a 5mm sealer, so I wonder if they "changed" the sealer they send or if the supplier messed up, and they didn't catch it.

[@carlaanderson9816]

My unit was packed July 2022, purchased in August. My sealer is the same. Dial as hot as it goes and I press 5 times to make sure it’s sealed. I’ll try the 5mm replacement

[@SchoolReports]

At least you know what yours is doing. (or not doing) That's good. Some users out there have a sealer that doesn't work and they don't know it because they haven't checked the seal. A well functioning sealer should seal a 7 mil bag in one try set at around 7. (plus or minus a bit) Some have said theirs will seal 7 mil bags when set to 4. With thin bags like ziplocs, I have to go down to 2 ish.

[@alisamuir9864]

Thank you for this very insightful and informative video. You are amazing. I’m going to go and open my box and check the element.

[@SchoolReports]

Fingers crossed that you got one of the good ones!

[@SchoolReports]

Just following up - Was your sealer one of the good functional ones?

[@alisamuir9864]

Well I’m not sure so I messaged HR and they said my sealer was the 5 mm.

[@SchoolReports]

We test our sealers on a regular bases, just to make sure. Quick Test for Mylar Bag Heat Sealer kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpq2gYKcmaqtecksi=ExeCSUg1iqoowIPG

[@lcdc59]

Thanks for another one!!

[@Mostruggles]

When i first got our harvest right machine about a year ago, the sealer would not seal at all. I cranked it all the way and still it would click off at about 4 seconds. I ended up jury rigging it o work by removing the timing circuit completely. I just counted to 7 or so to get it to seal. It finally gave up the ghost after a long sealing session. I suspected the transformer got too hot. I finally bought one from wallaby and it works great. Harvest Right stuff and quality control is garbage. My machine also arrived with a dead lcd screen which they replaced and I installed. we pay a lot of money for this equipment. You would think they would at least test the stuff before shipping it out to customers. If I had read all the negative reviews before ordering the equipment, I probably would have passed.

[@misterp158]

had you called HR they would have sent you a new sealer at no charge,

[@SchoolReports]

All valid points. Before I got mine I did read all the negative reviews and considered the percentage of issues I was seeing, versus the number they seemed to have been shipping, and took a chance. I've been very happy with mine, (5 + years) but was more leery about my sister getting a new one. So far, so okay. Not perfect. A couple other issues coming in future a video/videos. I'm actually surprised there are not more issues, considering the issues of shipping it and the 130 degree temperature swings and the multiple vacuum cycles for each batch.

[@Mostruggles]

@@misterp158 As i mention in my post my freeze dryer had a faulty lcd screen from the get go. I spent a week waiting for reply for my warranty ticket, spent another week in muitiple phone appts. and emails to get the replacement board. When i finally got a batch to work and tried to seal the bags, the fricken sealer didn't work either. At that point, I was done with harvest right warranty procedure and found a solution myself. To be fair, the machine worked well for 7 months but now i am having failure to achieve vacuum issues. Awesome!

[@misterp158]

@@Mostruggles Sorry you are having issues, all i was saying is HR would have replaced at no cost your sealer. Hope you get your vacuum issue fixed My only dealings with HR customer service has been more than excellent.

[@misterp158]

@@Mostruggles Have you tried replacing your drain valve? Common issue and simple cheap fix.

[@danhandke5012]

I have had this same problem with mine. Switched over to using my Avid Armor vacuum sealer.

[@jhippl]

have you had a problem with the avid armor not sealing because of the bags zipper?

[@danhandke5012]

@@jhippl Have not. I seal above the zipper.

[@jhippl]

@@danhandke5012 i guess my bag/vacuum combo isnt right because my zippers get in the way

[@cherripitman6642]

I have a new freeze dryer and impact sealer. Maybe 2-3 weeks old and have very inconsistent results when sealing, which is why I came looking for some information. If you have it all the way to 7 for the 7 mil bags, it melts the mylar and I struggle to remove the bag from the teflon. I am having difficulty finding the right setting. After watching your videos, I think I just need to test various settings to find the right one for the 7mil bag. Sad they are so inconsistent. If I have to replace it, I definitely will not be buying another harvest right impact sealer.

[@SchoolReports]

I have heard from at least a few people that have gotten replacement sealers from Harvest Right when their sealers weren't working. Maybe you could get a replacement one. My sister's sealer has been doing great - after we replaced the heat strip. (I'll stick with mine; I've never had an issue :)

[@AddictOfLearning]

TL;DR; if your sealer is not sealing correctly, check to make sure the heating element is 5 mm

[@michaelwright1602]

Well, we just received our medium Harvest Right, and I found this video and went an unboxed the sealer... I measured, 8mm strip and it does not seal, great. I will order the 5mm kit and see if it works. If not, or, I should probably just order the Impak IPK-305H sealer and call it a day. The can be bought direct from Impak for around $55. I am doing the mods that Ken has done, and was going to fire up the machine tomorrow... I guess that is not happening, at least to do a batch of food. Update: I called Harvest Right, they want to send me an entire new unit. I told the gentleman that all I really need are the advertised 5mm strips. I found some 300mm x 5mm strips on Amazon, they will be here Monday and we shall see what happens.

[@SchoolReports]

I'm glad you added that you had contacted HR. Other people that have received non-functional sealers were sent new ones work. (and most of the replacements worked) The important thing for everyone is to test their sealer when they get it, and every so often to make sure it keeps working. The 8mm wide is great - on the ones that work!

[@lamont22222]

Hmmm mine has a 8mm strip 6.5 does great passes the tear test no problems if I go higher the bag will start to smoke.

[@SchoolReports]

That's great! A couple people have said that their sealer worked with the 8mm strip, too.

[@wisteria4981]

This is what happened to me today too. It’s my first batch ever and would not seal the Myler bags or the clear oxygen absorber plastic bag.

[@SchoolReports]

It's kind of (very!) discouraging to hear that people are still receiving sealers that won't do the simple job of sealing! I've heard that Harvest Right has been doing a good job of replacing the bad sealers. (Maybe they should open each box and test them before shipping) In the mean time, for this first set (if you haven't already done it), you could use an iron to seal the bags. (or some people have used a hair straightener?)

[@wisteria4981]

Well that’s good news that Harvest Right has been replacing the sealers. I’d planned on calling them tomorrow morning as both times I called over the weekend regarding other questions, they didn’t answer. I hadn’t thought of a hair straightener, thank you for letting me know. I don’t have an iron anymore but I guess not a bad idea to have one if this ever happens again. I ended up putting my rice in 32oz and 1/2 gallon mason jars and quickly remembered I had a food saver that I bought at a garage sale years ago and had never used it. It luckily had the large mouth suction attachment piece included in it and it sealed the metal lids to the mason jars. Then put the screw top on the lid. Had the oxygen absorbers in their as well. Thank you greatly for your response back. Also, I can’t believe I found your video explaining what I’d experienced today, on the same day. I have so much of your footage to look forward too watching and learning. Thank You so very much😊

[@SchoolReports]

@@wisteria4981 Thanks for watching and commenting! 😁 That's too funny! I was going to suggest a Food Saver, but thought - what are the odds that you would have one! I've never been without an iron since I was a teenager. . . You have to have something to wax your skis! I've heard they are also good for other things?

[@wisteria4981]

@@SchoolReports thank you too for providing so much content. My used old food saver saved the day, finally😂. I have no need for an iron anymore because most of my clothes are wrinkle fee. The past few years now, I’ve lived in Florida and most my skorts and short sleeved tops are made out of primarily of polyester, so they are wrinkle free even though I do not use a dryer and just put them on my clothesline to dry. When I did use one for years, I had finally bought a clothes steamer that worked well too. When I started my Airbnb at my home in Florida, I also kept the starch, ironing board, and iron in one of the guest room closets. I used it once to iron sheets and thought, I’m definitely not doing this as it was extremely time consuming. Lol. So in a nutshell I just do not have a need. When I lived in Oregon a majority of my life I down hilled ski a few times, but rented them out and then began snowshoeing instead, so I didn’t need the iron for that purpose, only cotton clothes, growing up.

[@mikeb9646]

I received my freeze dryer with impulse sealer in January 2022. My impulse sealer seal is 8mm wide I haven't had any problems sealing, perhaps your sister received a defective unit. Have you tried replacing the 5mm strip on your impact impulse sealer with a 8mm heat strip and test sealing?

[@SchoolReports]

I haven't yet, but of course I will have to. 😄

[@betsy773]

Thanks for the video..yes a bit boring but so important. I have a Harvest right sealer 4 yrs seals well. But your video makes me feel I should go back and check seals on my bags to confirm they truely are sealed. My switch seems to be broken now. So I need tonpurchase another machine. Always somthing with this project. But love it none the less. Thank you for the video. Do you have a link to your Impak sealer I dont see that brand on Amazon?

[@SchoolReports]

I'm sure there are lots of good ones out there; maybe people will chime in and say what has worked for them. I've been using this brand for decades. (In a different setting - not freeze drying) I couldn't find it on Amazon either and had to go to their website. www.impakcorporation.com/sealers/IPK-305H Heat Sealer for the Mylar Bags - The Old & The New (No Change!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqnTkIWgmcaEg5Ysi=AblpL7WbPAq_uGGl

[@betsy773]

@@SchoolReports wow thank you for your reply. I will order one now. The reviews on the ones on Amazon are sketchy. So I appreciate you sending this link. I did go on their site but couldnt find the one you referred to. I did already order one from Amazon but wow it feels so junkie and it wasn't a cheap one. Thank you again for your videos. I KNOW it is no easy task recording and fiddling with all that editing etc. Thank you.

[@robingirven4570]

Thank you for doing this!! I went and checked mine and they were not sealed!!!! I rebagged them, thank goodness I’m new and didn’t have many. I guess I’ll contact Harvest Right 🤬 Can you provide a link to the heating element strips or whatever it is we need to change?

[@SchoolReports]

I have a feeling that a lot of people are in the same boat, but haven't even checked. Some commenters have said that Harvest Right sent them a new one; some of them still didn't work. The replacement parts I used came with my Impak brand one when I bought it, so I've never had to buy any separately, they came with my sealers. www.impakcorporation.com/sealers/IPK-305H (but the replacement kit cost half the price of the whole machine!?) The heat strips on mine are about 13 5/8" from center of hole to center of hole and the element is spot welded to the ends. The ones I see on Amazon seem to be crimped and I am not sure how they are measuring them. www.amazon.com/Impulse-Sealer-LinsnField-Including-13-4inch/dp/B08N9M6FMK (it's finally back in stock so I just now ordered it.) If they fit/work I'll now have a multi lifetime supply of them!

[@robingirven4570]

@@SchoolReports thank you. I think if HR won’t “fix” it, I’ll order one like yours. Yeah, not right. If it’s a known issue, they need to fix it. We all need to report it as an issue, so they know!

[@SchoolReports]

@@robingirven4570 Agreed! Harvest Right used to ship out the Impak brand sealers when I got my machine. I don't know that Impak has a better rating, but I never saw this issue until they switched brands. There might sealers out there that even a lot better than the Impak, but it works and and worked for 5 years.

[@Marigold106]

I just checked, and discovered my bags weren't sealed. It looked right, but I didn't tug on them. My machine is about a month old, and sure enough, it has 8mm strips.

[@Marigold106]

The bags are a few weeks old, but I am sure they have taken on moisture. Would you run them through again or just throw it out? I have some buttermilk, vegetarian chili, soup, etc.

[@SchoolReports]

@@Marigold106 Sorry to hear that! I would definitely consider running them again. In just a few weeks, if zipper shut, most things should be fine. Weigh everything, every time, (dry check) to make sure it is 100% dry. Never bag anything that might have moisture in it. Don't trust the machine to know if it's dry; it CAN'T tell you because it doesn't know! Here are some of the things I would consider: Were they zipper top bags and zippered closed? (Are the zippers good enough for a few weeks? I believe so.) Was the "seal" area still closed and looking sealed? (Maybe a bad seal is good enough for a few weeks?) Is the oxygen absorber still absorbing? (You could test the OAs to see if they still have absorbing capacity) Do the foods still feel, smell, and look perfect? (When in doubt throw it out!) We did re-dry some bags of freeze dried when we got a batch of bad bags. (Hundreds of bags) The Freeze Dry Video I Never Wanted to Make kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGGuhpmlfdp2oZY

[@Marigold106]

@@SchoolReports thankyou. I went through, and all of the O2 absorbers were hard, so I will redo the pnes I wonder about, and toss the ones with meat. I don't think I would enjoy eating them in any case. I will check the video you posted. I have learned so much from you!

[@SchoolReports]

@@Marigold106 Well, I hope you didn't lose to much. It's very frustrating when sealers are sent out that don't work, but yet it looks like it does. If we didn't already have one for years (and I had been around them for decades where I used to work) I don't know if I would have thought to test it. Edit: Hey everyone! Test your sealer and make sure it ACTUALLY seals!

[@Marigold106]

@@SchoolReports I was sent another sealer, and it also has the 8mm strips, but the difference in performance is night and day. The new one gets smoking hot and sealed my bag at a setting of 5. My husband plans on taking the old one apart. If he discovers anything, I will update. Thank you for posting this very useful video

[@therandlefamily9954]

I am new to freeze drying and in previous videos I see thermometers in the product. Could anyone explain what the purpose is. Seems like a great idea. I just do not understand why.

[@SchoolReports]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Nobody NEEDS thermometers in the freeze dryer; they are not required, but I like data overload! They do come in handy occasionally. With many batches I do, the machine might say it's getting close to done; it might be in the last 3 hours and is going to finish at about 2 am, but one thermometer is showing that one tray was less than 10 degree, and I know from experience that it wouldn't be done in just 3 more hours, so I add more time without having to take it out and check it. Also, if the freeze dryer finishes when I'm not there, I can still know the temp of the food, making sure it's still warm before I take it out. If the food is -40, there will be condensation on/in the food almost instantly, you just won't be able to see it because it will be absorbed and not visible. It probably will have already happened before you even get it out of the freeze dryer. The room air moisture going into the machine when the drain valve is opened may be condensing in the food before you even have the door open. There is a temperature probe built into the machine, but only one, and it's on the bottom of the second tray from the bottom. It's sandwiched between the heater pad and the rack itself. It can not tell me the temperature of the food, only the temperature of the heater; good enough to know the temperature of the heater for controlling it, but tells me almost nothing about the food. The built in probe also does not tell me the temperature of the chamber walls, the thermometer laying on the bottom does.

[@therandlefamily9954]

@@SchoolReports data overload is a good thing since these might not be eaten for years.

[@SchoolReports]

@@therandlefamily9954 No kidding! Could you imagine 10 years down the road and you're surprised to find out that the food wasn't 100% dry or that the sealer didn't actually seal the bags, it just looked like it did. Some people are on that road right now and they don't know because they haven't checked. I was so surprised to find out how much water "dry" rice had. The way we do our "dry check" is one thing we don't skip.

[@jhippl]

mine is about a year old and it takes 3 times on high to seal up the bags

[@SchoolReports]

A functional sealer should seal in one press/cycle, every time. Mine always has, and I wouldn't own one that couldn't; I wouldn't trust its seal.

[@bluewolf4915]

Same with mine bought in January.

[@SchoolReports]

@@bluewolf4915 Maybe I should do a poll; anyone get a sealer that works (in one press) and if so how wide is the nichrome strip, 5mm or 8mm?.

[@bluewolf4915]

@@SchoolReports I've seen tons of Facebook posts complaining about the new style sealers not sealing. You just explained why. 👍🏻 I'm sure the poll would be 100% negative for any sealers from the last year or so.

[@wendealhagan1888]

Do you have a link to the replacement strips?

[@SchoolReports]

The replacement parts I used came with my Impak brand one, so I've never had to buy any. Mine came with my machines. www.impakcorporation.com/sealers/IPK-305H (but the replacement kit cost half the price of the whole machine!?) The heat strips on mine are about 13 5/8" from center of hole to center of hole and the element is spot welded to the ends. The ones I see on Amazon seem to be crimped and I am not sure how they are measuring them. www.amazon.com/Impulse-Sealer-LinsnField-Including-13-4inch/dp/B08N9M6FMK (it's not showing the 12" one right now - out of stock. I'll have to wait to try one, or hopefully, someone else has tried them and will let us know.)

[@brianschindler1511]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@SchoolReports]

Thanks for checking out so many videos and leaving your comments! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@emailausdrucker]

I don't hear the sealer 'click' when it is done.

[@emailausdrucker]

I think your sisters sealer is broken. Mine came broken as well and HR sent me a new one. Get a new one sent to you. Unacceptable use.

[@SchoolReports]

Hers clicks off at the end of each heating cycle. The relay is quiet and may not come through on the video.

[@TNtreasurehunter]

Got the same one your sister has brand new. Does the same thing have to do 3 to seal it.

[@SchoolReports]

It seems like their supplier must have made an error. I'll keep mine. 😇 It should not take more than one press to seal a bag.

[@TNtreasurehunter]

Where did you get the 5mm strips? May change mine out and give it a try. What was strip length?

[@SchoolReports]

@@TNtreasurehunter The ones I have were the spares that came with my sealers. www.impakcorporation.com/sealers/IPK-305H The total length is about 353 mm (about 13.9") and about 345 mm from center to center of the holes and the element is spot welded to the ends. The ones I see on Amazon seem to be crimped and I am not sure how they are measuring them. www.amazon.com/Impulse-Sealer-LinsnField-Including-13-4inch/dp/B08N9M6FMK I haven't tried one of these yet. I wonder if I could cut an 8mm strip down to 5mm.🤔

[@bluewolf4915]

@@SchoolReports I was wondering about cutting them down too. Maybe a strong kitchen shears would work? But the thickness will be the same soooo....🤔 As far as the crimped ones you could always put a small bead of silver solder on it I suppose?

[@SchoolReports]

@@bluewolf4915 I think it would cut with just regular scissors, I just wonder about me following a straight line. 🤣 I assume if I had a narrow area it would be hotter there. Maybe I'll try a straight edge and a sharp blade and score it. The ends wouldn't be an issue, they are way outside the seal area. I think the thickness is far less of a power suck than the extra 60% width.

[@240weatherby3]

Mine will melt the plastic bags if I turn up to 5

[@SchoolReports]

Thanks. Is yours a Harvest Right branded sealer? And if so, do you know how long it stay on when set at 5, and how wide your nichrome strip is?

[@will91078]

I have the harvest right branded sealer. On 6 the light comes on for around 3 seconds. On 7 it comes on just over 4 seconds. On 8 it comes on just over 4 1/2 seconds. On 7 (directly pointing at the 7) it seals 7mil bags that break before the seal can be pulled apart. I also tried the bags O2 packets came in , anything over 3 melts the bag. 3 seems to be perfect for sealing the O2 bags. Under 3 I can still pull and separate the bags at 3 I break the bag before the seal. I honestly think you received a defective sealer. Thank you for all the great information. I have learned a lot from you.

[@lillypatience]

Thanks for your testing. I have the same sealer as your sister but haven’t used it yet. I’m not sure if I missed it but did you test with the 8mm without the silicone layer?

[@SchoolReports]

Thanks! I didn't try it without the silicone strip. Without the silicone, the metal of the machine is going to act like a large heat sink and have an even harder time sealing. I was also concerned that they may be using the silicone as an electrical insulator.

[@hydej1667]

😀 😄 😛 🐸 ❤️ 😋

[@mlydick]

As you know Ken, I have the same problem as you do with my new sealer. You have to press it three or four times to get it to seal and melt correctly. I ordered the replacement 5 mm wires they'll be here in a few days and I'll let you know what happens with mine.

[@SchoolReports]

I had forgotten how much frost and condensation happen on the door/seal area. My sister's machine door just drips and leaves puddles; unacceptable! We wrapped our front seal gasket with 4 layers of the metalized film bubble stuff. Adding Front Seal Insulation To A Harvest Right Freeze Dryer kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnKUpHuMitZ-qtU To make this work on my sister's new machine we are going to just flip the hinge bracket to allow the needed space. Video coming.

[@will91078]

I have the harvest right branded sealer. On 6 the light comes on for around 3 seconds. On 7 it comes on just over 4 seconds. On 8 it comes on just over 4 1/2 seconds. On 7 (directly pointing at the 7) it seals 7mil bags that break before the seal can be pulled apart. I also tried the bags O2 packets came in , anything over 3 melts the bag. 3 seems to be perfect for sealing the O2 bags. Under 3 I can still pull and separate the bags at 3 I break the bag before the seal. I honestly think you received a defective sealer. Thank you for all the great information. I have learned a lot from you.