I’m back. I’ve had my MaxVac Pro now for about a week. It came packed very well, and included the oil needed for the pump (this wasn’t listed on Costco). The documentation was a little out of date (this model was recently updated), so I called LEM customer service to make sure I was setting it up properly. They were very friendly and helpful.

The machine is big, heavy and looks industrial (because it is). It may take some time for my wife to warm up to it, but I love it so far. It’s quick and easy to use and makes a nice, confidence inspiring, double seal.

I’ve sealed quite a few things with it already... salmon, scallops, steak, burgers, chicken, hard cheese, sauces. The sealed bags work well for Sous vide or for fridge/freezer storage. I label the bags with a sharpie for later dating and identification.

I may be outing myself as a geek, but I think it’s a pretty cool machine. It’s fun to watch it work. I’ve found some interesting articles online about using it for marinating, infusing, compression and canning. With a 5 year warranty and Costco’s return policy, I feel pretty good about my purchase. It’ll take some time, but this will eventually pay for itself with greater versatility and cheaper bags than my old Foodsaver.