We bought a couple of those large vacuum seal bags which suck the air out fantastic leaving you with at least half the volume. We just assumed that we would be able to do the same when we were packing to go home from camping with the deflater we have but it didn't work. We obviously need a vaccuum or similar, has anyone used these bags and what did they use to suck the air out to come home?
We have the "yellow one" but the ends didn't cover the whole of the hole so we tried to adapt an empty bottle top to make it fit better (very blue peter) but it wouldn't work, maybes it wasn't powerful enough.
The one we have has several nozzles so that we can find one to fit the opening.
If I remember correctly, it came with a double height airbed which went into the bin after one night of use. We kept the pump though cos it was really good.
Quote: Originally posted by marie111 on 02/05/2005
has anyone used these bags and what did they use to suck the air out to come home?
No I have not used them, to me they seem a risk too far.
If space is so tight that you need to use them, what are you going to do when you need to come home and cant suck the air out because your pump is broken or you put a hole in them ?
I bought some of these from Wilkos last year that do not need a vacuum cleaner. You put in the stuff - seal with the plastic closure/zipper and then roll-up. They have a simple valve at one end that allows the air to be pushed out but maintains the vacuum until you unzip. They were a bit pricey but do have a long guarantee and work really well.
Were they the JML ones? The ones we have at the moment are the JML ones and a small one came with it that you don't use the hoover for, just roll it.
The Large JML ones were £9.99 fro two but what a huge reduction in space, it just means we can take the luxurys along with us, i.e. pillows and quilts.
We have done the same with a bin liner before but if you put even the tiniest of hole in, it's obviously no good.
The idea is wonderful and provided youve got some means of sucking out the air at the campsite they're great. However just one tiny pin hole and the bags is useless, they are expensive and very vunerable to tiny pinholes which I have discovered to my cost. Decent tough bin liners will do the same job and are cheaper.
Mine weren't JML but yours sound very similar. They are made of quite thick plastic that has (I think) a 5 year guarantee, so they must think they are up to the job. Bought some other cheapo versions (£1 shop) and these are, well, cheapo and not that great! These really did need a hoover - now if only you could get a flat-pack hoover . . .
I bought the JML ones last year. They worked great first time, but the seal slide thingy started letting the air in, and the inflated themselves I haven't been able to get the seal to work properly since so now they are used as just storage bags. If anyone can recommend good quality vacuum bags I'd be interested.
The one we have has several nozzles so that we can find one to fit the opening.
If I remember correctly, it came with a double height airbed which went into the bin after one night of use. We kept the pump though cos it was really good.
I bought the QVC ones and then some from Index. None of them stay inflated for more than a few days. Also, I found that the rods you use for sealing were a nuisance because the bags got smaller but the rods stayed the same length (obviously!) so they stick out each side and make them harder to store. Not my best buy.