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Today, we are constantly looking for ways to economize, and food is a great place to start. We have all made too much of a meal and not had sufficient storage to save it. Or tempted by offers in supermarkets to buy offers, knowing we won’t be able to eat it in time. Tupperware pots are great but they are nowhere near as good as the Foodsaver Vacuum seals. The FoodSaver FM2000 and the FM2100 vacuum all of the air out of the plastic bag storing your food. They seal the bag tightly, allowing you to store food safely for much longer than traditional methods.
It’s not just food that the FM2000 and the FM2100 can protect. You can safely vacuum creams and liquids for travel, or important photos and papers.
In this article, we are going to compare the Foodsaver FM2000 vs FM2100. Before we go into how the two vacuum sealers are different, we will examine their similarities. We will place all the information in a convenient chart for easy views. You can find the pros and cons of each and our final verdict.
FoodSaver FM2000 vs FM2100
Video Comparison
Both the Foodsaver FM2000 and the FM2100 are used in the same way. You place your food in a sealable plastic bag, lay the opening in the mouth of the machine, and close and lock the latch. The instructions are printed on the inside of the lid, making it easy for everyone to use.
Both these vacuums come with an accessory hose to suck out all of the air. It is great because the hose is compatible with all Foodsaver storage containers. Inside the box of either machine, you will find an 11 x 10” vacuum seal roll, 3 1 qt vacuum seal bags, and 2 1 gallon vacuum seal bags. You will have everything you need to start sealing food straight away.
The FoodSaver FM2000 and the FoodSaver FM2100 have a moist food setting. You can change the setting depending on whether you are sealing liquids or dry foods. Choosing the right setting will enable better sealing.
Aside from sealing food, you can use the sealable bags for sous vide. A French style of cooking that involves marinading food in a vacuum-sealed bag and cooking it in a water bath at a precise temperature. The results are more beyond impressive.
In terms of storing your FoodSaver FM2000 or FoodSaver FM2100 food, you will be able to store everything from flour, cheese, bread, cookies, and soups & stews. Fish will last in the freezer for up to 2 years, unlike the usual 6 months. Meat and poultry will stay fresh for between 2 – 3 years, compared with 6 months.
Finally, both of the Foodsaver vacuum seals have a removable tray. This tray catches any spills that may occur, keeping the process mess-free. The tray is easy to clean and can be placed in the dishwasher.
Now that you understand how the two vacuum sealers are similar and their potential uses, let’s move on the how they differ.
Foodsaver FM2000 vs FM2100: Appearance
When shopping around for a vacuum sealer you will notice two main types. There are the cheaper, handheld options sold as ‘minis’. Then you will find the larger, more robust machines. The larger vacuums are very similar in size and often come in black and/or silver.
FoodSaver FM2000
This vacuum is black with a locking handle on the right-hand side. It is 17.6 x 5.9 x 10.6 inches. The design is quite sleek and it weighs just 5.3lbs.
FoodSaver FM2100
This slightly larger model is 17.8 x 5.9 x 13.6 inches. It’s only a question of 3 inches but it’s worth bearing in mind when you think about storing the vacuum sealer. It weighs 6.6lbs. The color and handle position is the same.
The winner is- The FoodSaver FM2000
Foodsaver FM2000 vs FM2100: Ease of use
Ideally, you want to be able to vacuum so that food is airtight and seal it so that it remains that way. This process shouldn’t take too long and it should be clean. An advantage would be to use the least amount of plastic as possible.
FoodSaver FM2000
With its new technology, there is 40% less bag material used. With one button, the vacuum will begin to suck out air and seal. You need to wait 20 seconds before sealing the next bag.
FoodSaver FM2100
We like the plastic bag roll stored inside (explaining its larger size). With the built-in roll cutter, you can make the exact sized bags you need, saving plastic. It comes with dual heat-sealing strips for a much securer seal You will also need to wait for around 20 seconds before you seal again.
The winner is- The FoodSaver FM2100
Foodsaver FM2000 vs FM2100: Value for money
Brand names will play a role in the price of a vacuum sealer but they can cost an average of between $50 and $150. You should make sure the vacuum has some kind of safety certificate and a warranty is always a bonus.
FoodSaver FM2100
It’s a good price but there is no type of warranty stated. It is ETL listed and has a 25-point quality and safety inspection check.
FoodSaver FM2100
This version has the same ETL listing and quality and safety check. It is more expensive for a couple of extra features. The main advantage is the 5-year warranty.
The winner is – The FoodSaver FM2100
Pros and Cons
FoodSaver FM2000
Pros:
- The nice design and compact size means you can leave it out on the countertops
- It’s really easy to set up and use, just turn it on and you are ready to start vacuum sealing
- We thought the 20-second cooldown would be frustrating, but actually, it is just enough time to prepare the next bag
Cons:
- The cord is definitely too short
FoodSaver FM 2100
Pros:
- The built-in cutter originally seemed to be a gimmick but is really handy being able to cut the bags to the size you need without hunting for scissors
- You won’t have to worry about throwing away food that has freezer burn
- You can stop the vacuum and begin heating at any time. You don’t need to completely vacuum the food, which is ideal for more delicate food
Cons:
- While the seal is excellent on solid foods, it doesn’t work as well with liquids. In some cases, you have to pre-freeze before vacuuming and sealing in order to lock in the freshness
The Final Verdict
This really was a close call and throughout our testing, we changed our opinion twice. Our first opinion was for the FM2000 as we couldn’t see the point in paying extra for a built-in cutter. Once we started to use the two vacuum sealers, we lent more to the FM2100. Surprisingly again, it was mainly down to the ease of use, just to pull the roll and cut the size bag you need.
We loved how much less wasted food we had at the end of a week with both of the Foodsaver vacuum sealers. Not just with frozen food but also fresh food in the fridge.
We asked a 12-year old to try cooking the sealed food sous vide style. It was so easy and it was absolutely delicious! Another thing we liked about both is that you can buy more bags and rolls for the FM2000 and FM2100 online.
Once we completed sealing various options, we finally decided on the FM2000. As we originally thought, this vacuum sealer does exactly what it is supposed to do and for less money. It was easier to vacuum seal liquids with the FM2000. The 5-year warranty would be nice but there were no doubts about its durability. We also liked the fact that it is slightly smaller and lighter. There are no hassles storing it in a cupboard or leaving it on the side.
Reheating the food was easy and the seal stayed tight, so when our soup converted back into a liquid there was no mess. Really, when tasting the food, you wouldn’t even notice that it had been frozen for a period of time.
The FM2000 is definitely a handy little machine for any type of kitchen that will reduce your food wastage and keep your freezer full of tasty meals ready to reheat.
Last update on 2024-07-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API