Cabelas vacuum sealer issues/question

[Huntindad]

I bought a Cabelas 15” commercial grade vacuum sealer back in December of 2014. I used 2 times since then as I pretty much just use it to seal up deer sausage and back straps.
I noticed(after a while) after the first time it did not look as though the seal was good. Kinda brushed it off as operator error.

Last time I used it, the bags that I hadthe longest did not seem to have a good seal, like it leaked or something.
I did notice a (for lack of better term) a dimple or splotch in the seal of the bags…all in the same spot. I can see a bump in the heat strip under the tape thing.
Over the weekend I made a bunch of sausage and before I started sealing the links I ran a little test. I sealed one end of a bag and then poured water in it.

Sure enough, after a few minutes, water started to seep out. When I used the “double” seal, it did not leak.
I sealed one bunch of links, but it took a while since everything was double seal and it overheated quickly. Not a long term solution.
I called Cabelas customer service today to see if I could exchange it since I had not used it but a couple times. After being transferred to a tier 2 rep, she said they would have the parts dept. folks call me to see if they could get it fixed up. Hmmm…

Has anyone else had this type of issue before?

[texan4ut]

Mine is a foodsaver, but I bought Cabela's brand bags and they don't seal very well. It's like the whole roll has a kink in it and that part won't seal sometimes.

[Huntindad]

I have used different brands of bags. The defect in the seal is in the same spot. A couple times the bag would not vacuum. I had to cut the end off and re seal. Kinda frustrated with it as much as it cost.

[jakemaenius]

I've never had an issue returning or exchanging Cabela's brand stuff. Take it in, tell them what's wrong, and they tell me to go get a new one. I keep my receipts for everything though.

[Saltyag15]

Did you ever try replacing that heat strip or checking to make sure it was flat and had no ridges in it? That can cause problems sometimes and that is an easy fix! I made a bunch of sausage last weekend and had to adjust that strip a few times and replace it once.

[Elite0429]

i have a commercial grade cabelas brand sealer as well, no issues with mine not sealing properly. I still have packs of meat from last year that is still sealed tight.

[Huntindad]

Did you ever try replacing that heat strip or checking to make sure it was flat and had no ridges in it? That can cause problems sometimes and that is an easy fix! I made a bunch of sausage last weekend and had to adjust that strip a few times and replace it once.

I think it is the heat strip. I think there is a "bump" or something under the tape that covers the heat strip. But... I don't know that if... I pull the tape back to inspect, it will go back on.

If that is the problem, it may be an easy fix.

how did you adjust the strip? when you say strip??? do you mean the tape covering the heating element or the heating element itself?.

I'd just assume keep the sealer if it will work ok. I double sealed everything tonight.

[Saltyag15]

I think it is the heat strip. I think there is a "bump" or something under the tape that covers the heat strip. But... I don't know that if... I pull the tape back to inspect, it will go back on.

If that is the problem, it may be an easy fix.

how did you adjust the strip? when you say strip??? do you mean the tape covering the heating element or the heating element itself?.

I'd just assume keep the sealer if it will work ok. I double sealed everything tonight.

Yeah, I'm just talking about the strip that covers the heating element. It can be a big pain if it isn't on there flat. I just peeled it all the way back, then pressed it back down smooth and tight. That worked a few times, but the stickiness eventually does start wearing off, and you might need to replace the strip. Hope this helps!

[BigLick]

I've returned 2 cabelas commercial vacuum sealers this year. Horrible quality control. One over heated and one wouldn't seal.

[JasonS]

I bought one this year, sealed up about 25-30 packs of sausage and about 40-50 packs of hamburger and 20-30 packs of other cuts (steaks, roast, ect. I have had no problems so far. I do have to make sure seal is dry, which isn't bad once you get system down. I double seal all the bags, it makes me feel better. I did not do all the packing at one time, did it over 3 sessons.
We set up a family processing system. I grind meat/trim meat, brother trims meat/fat, and gf/SIL label/seal up meat. Its very efficient, fast system. I guess the sealer gets to cool a few minutes every 3-5 bags. We usually have fan running to cool off stuff, grinder/sealer.
I have had good luck with minor returns at Cabelas. I would take the sealer to their store and ask for an exchange.
Of note, my commercial grade will seal Cabelas bags and LEMS or food saver(cant remember which I tried). The sales guy at Cabelas said the other brand sealers did not seal Cabelas bags well , but Cabela sealer would seal other foodsaver bags.

[Huntindad]

Yeah... i have little faith that i will get a call from the parts folks like customer service said. Looks like a trip down to Buda.

[Mossback]

mine is a couple years old and I started having problems with it recently. Here is the number to the manufacturer that supplies replacement parts (for my model anyways). 855-939-7263, its blue sky innovations i think

[Huntindad]

thanx, that may come in handy.

[Huntindad]

Update ----

On Monday, the CS rep said that their parts person would contact me. Didn't expect it to happen...and it didn't.

I was in south Austin today for a training class and figured I would just drive down to the Buda store since it was fairly close. Went in and told the folks there what had happened. The guy checked to make sure they had them in stock and told me to grab another one.

The guy back in the food processing area said he'd heard of the problem before. He also said not to store them with sealer locked down.

Cabelas did good by me. Bought a few new 70A Havalon blades as well.

[tkuehn5410]

I've got the CG 15 as well and we burn thru around 500 bags a year. We've had ours for 8 years or so. One essential is making sure the teflon tape has no creases in it. We have to unstick ours and then reapply fairly often. Also, we have to replace the rubber seals occasionally. You can get the teflon tape off amazon, as well as the heating elements and foam seals.

Also, someone above had a good idea about cutting down a bit of a bag if the seal is damaged or doesn't seal properly. We do this occasionally as well.