Is it possible to make your own bags? I have wanted to buy a Rocket Grill, but have one concern about it. Parchment Paper! I've done some research on the internet and read that unbleached parchment paper is safe to use, but parchment paper that has been bleached may contain toxic dioxins. (I am not affiliated with this website).http://www.dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=97Dioxins have neen linked to cancer. I've had cancer, ovarian cancer. I had surgery, chemo, lost my hair...etc. That was six years ago. I don't want to get it again. I would hate to see anyone else get it either.The solution would be to use unbleached parchment paper, which can easily be found on the internet. If you bought your own paper and made your own bags, you would save money and your health.Has anyone tried to make your own bags? Is it possible to do that? I'd like to know before I buy the grill. Is it possible to make your own bags? I have wanted to buy a Rocket Grill, but have one concern about it. Parchment Paper! I've done some research on the internet and read that unbleached... » Read More Is it possible to make your own bags? I have wanted to buy a Rocket Grill, but have one concern about it. Parchment Paper! I've done some research on the internet and read that unbleached parchment paper is safe to use, but parchment paper that has been bleached may contain toxic dioxins. (I am not affiliated with this website).http://www.dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=97Dioxins have neen linked to cancer. I've had cancer, ovarian cancer. I had surgery, chemo, lost my hair...etc. That was six years ago. I don't want to get it again. I would hate to see anyone else get it either.The solution would be to use unbleached parchment paper, which can easily be found on the internet. If you bought your own paper and made your own bags, you would save money and your health.Has anyone tried to make your own bags? Is it possible to do that? I'd like to know before I buy the grill. « Show Less
1063111
I haven't tried making my own bags but you could purchase the machine, try making your own bags and, if they don't work, return the machine. WalMart will almost always take things back if you're not satisfied with them. Just ask them when you purchase it. Making your own bags, you would need to make sure you securely fold the sides so the juices don't leak.
1288586
I think making your own bags out of parchment paper will work. folding the edges is the best bet. Most adhesive tapes will burn or otherwise fail when exposed to the high heat (ESPECIALLY "duct" tape -never expose that stuff to high heat!!!). Staples could work, just be sure they don't contact the heating elements inside the grill.
1288587
Thanks for your suggestion. That is a good idea. Do you think staples, or tape would work to secure the sides?
1288588
I've never had this grill, and consequently never made my own bags. However, having used parchment paper previously for other uses, I would venture to guess that you should experience good results if you fold the edges, and then staple them in a couple of places to make sure the edges don't unfold.If you don't want the toxins from bleached parchment paper, I can't imagine you'd want whatever toxins are released from any kind of tape when it's heated to wind up in your food. Blech!!
1430030
It seems to be safe on anything made of leather, as long as you don't use too much. Now as for the perforations, I'm not sure what to do about that. How to keep the Lexol from filling the holes? Seems to me that anything would fill the holes... So after finishing, I guess just open the perforations back up with a stick the right thickness. Maybe little wooden skewers that they make for food.
2285085
Hello, I don't think I have an answer to your question. I used Lava Buns years & years ago when my kids were in sports....I got tired of the cold metal bleachers real quick. The Lava Buns I recently purchased were a gift so I didn't even open them. If they are still made the same way the warming pouch was sewed into the rest of it so it couldn't be removed even if you wanted to. I would warm them in the microwave, put them in a brown paper bag to keep them warmer just before I left the house. They worked great! Maybe you could call the company or just take a chance.....you can always return them if you are unhappy. I do remember to warm them gradually so you don't over heat them. Good luck. Hello, I don't think I have an answer to your question. I used Lava Buns years & years ago when my kids were in sports....I got tired of the cold metal bleachers real quick. The Lava Buns I recently purchased were a gift so I didn't even open them. If they are still made the same way the warming pouch was sewed into the rest of it so it couldn't be removed even if you wanted to. I would warm them in the microwave, put them in a brown paper bag to keep them warmer just before I left the house. They worked great! Maybe you could call the company or just take a chance.....you can always return... » Read More Hello, I don't think I have an answer to your question. I used Lava Buns years & years ago when my kids were in sports....I got tired of the cold metal bleachers real quick. The Lava Buns I recently purchased were a gift so I didn't even open them. If they are still made the same way the warming pouch was sewed into the rest of it so it couldn't be removed even if you wanted to. I would warm them in the microwave, put them in a brown paper bag to keep them warmer just before I left the house. They worked great! Maybe you could call the company or just take a chance.....you can always return them if you are unhappy. I do remember to warm them gradually so you don't over heat them. Good luck. « Show Less
1719135
You do have to buy the Food Saver. It really saves you money. You can take advantage of sales at your local market or BJ's, Sam's Club and Costco. You seal your food and it can last for up to 2-3 years. The portion bags are my favorite. I seal a boneless chicken breast in each side, or hamburgers, left over casseroles. You can seal veggies from your garden or local farm stand. The rolls you make the length you want. There are 2 roll sizes. In addition to the regular stuff you would seal you can also buy the marinator which is wonderful for marinating food. You can also buy the jar sealers. I buy Ball Canning jars. You can store your dry food like rice, cereal, flour, sugar, etc. I also make homemade soup and I freeze the leftovers in a Ball Canning Jar after using the jar sealer. They also have a new product that you can use to seal your deli meats and cheeses. They last much longer. I would recommend you buy this model as it has the hose for using the marinator and jar sealers and the new product for deli items. You could buy this at Sam's Club, BJ's or Costco. I would search for the cheapest price. Once you start using it you will wonder what you did without it. NO MORE FREEZER BURN. Plenty of video's on You Tube. You do have to buy the Food Saver. It really saves you money. http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Sealing-Retractable-Handheld-Heat-Seal/dp/B00DI342IW/ref=sr_1_13?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1408380678&sr=1-13&keywords=foodsaver+vacuum+sealer
393600
The Home Depot stores around me carry the small 14.0 or 16.4oz disposable bottles that this grill requires. If there are none in the barbecue grill area, try looking in the plumbing area where they carry torches like Bernz-omatic. They have these canisters there too.I've found the best place to get these disposable cylinders is Wal-Mart. If you look in their camping supplies area (these cylinders are commonly used for propane gas lanterns), they have two packs of 16.4 oz cylinders (Wal-Mart branded) for about four dollars and 50 cents.I get about 25 - 28 charcoal starts out of each cylinder, allowing about 5 minutes per start. The Home Depot stores around me carry the small 14.0 or 16.4oz disposable bottles that this grill requires. If there are none in the barbecue grill area, try looking in the plumbing area where they carry torches like Bernz-omatic. They have these canisters there too.I've found the best place to get these disposable cylinders is Wal-Mart. If you look in their camping supplies area (these cylinders are commonly used for propane gas lanterns), they have two packs of 16.4 oz cylinders (Wal-Mart branded) for about four dollars and 50 cents.I get about 25 - 28 charcoal... » Read More The Home Depot stores around me carry the small 14.0 or 16.4oz disposable bottles that this grill requires. If there are none in the barbecue grill area, try looking in the plumbing area where they carry torches like Bernz-omatic. They have these canisters there too.I've found the best place to get these disposable cylinders is Wal-Mart. If you look in their camping supplies area (these cylinders are commonly used for propane gas lanterns), they have two packs of 16.4 oz cylinders (Wal-Mart branded) for about four dollars and 50 cents.I get about 25 - 28 charcoal starts out of each cylinder, allowing about 5 minutes per start. « Show Less
183366
Ooops, sorry. The company got back to me the same day and I forgot to post the answer here. Copied and pasted from their response. "The filter paper we use is made of natural components, the primary component is abaca (manila hemp). We've gotten many requests such as yours recently, so we had our Technical Director contact our filter paper supplier and this is what she has found: In checking with our filter paper supplier, they use a TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) bleaching process, one that is recognized as a global standard in processing of wood pulps for the food industry .Response to Epichlorohydrin inquires: All filter paper tea bag types used for Newman's Own Organic Teas are safe for direct food contact. They have all been tested for epichlorohydrin / 3-MCPD residues to ensure that they meet FDA regulations for materials in direct contact with food. Recent testing by an outside lab shows epichlorohydrin is non-detectable in the filter paper."
2061070
I would say that you may not want to do this. The do make bags especially for microwave steaming. You may want to contact the company directly for that questions. I am always Leary of chemical leaching on to food. I use these but do not microwave them. I rarely microwave to defrost or cook that is a personal preference.
1427794
Looked in Wikipedia under en papillote & it says you can use paper bags instead of parchment ones. It also suggests making the bags from aluminum foil. I don't know which would work better. My cooking is a bit more basic, so I don't know about the unbaging process, but I'd look for bags made of silicone that might work, as long as they can be reused & you use them a lot, they'd sooner or later pay for themselves. Either that or fold bags yourself from parchment sheets, which I assume would be less expensive than using the premade ones. For me, I'm considering the bags because they can be used to pop sorghum grains in the microwave. Looked in Wikipedia under en papillote & it says you can use paper bags instead of parchment ones. It also suggests making the bags from aluminum foil. I don't know which would work better. My cooking is a bit more basic, so I don't know about the unbaging process, but I'd look for bags made of silicone that might work, as long as they can be reused & you use them a lot, they'd sooner or later pay for themselves. Either that or fold bags yourself from parchment sheets, which I assume would be less expensive than using the premade ones. For me, I'm considering the bags because they can be... » Read More Looked in Wikipedia under en papillote & it says you can use paper bags instead of parchment ones. It also suggests making the bags from aluminum foil. I don't know which would work better. My cooking is a bit more basic, so I don't know about the unbaging process, but I'd look for bags made of silicone that might work, as long as they can be reused & you use them a lot, they'd sooner or later pay for themselves. Either that or fold bags yourself from parchment sheets, which I assume would be less expensive than using the premade ones. For me, I'm considering the bags because they can be used to pop sorghum grains in the microwave. « Show Less
1793282
Not really. The paper bags tend to "spit" a little when you take them out just from the bag shifting and air coming out. If the stuff you're vacuuming up is that bad, you should be wearing a respirator as well regardless. Also, they do sell a different kind of bag for use when vacuuming toxic materials...it's basically the same brown paper bag but within a black plastic bag as well that then has a sealable mouth for proper disposal. I haven't used it before but I suspect you'll still have the same problem when removing/swapping it out. Best bet, get the plastic bag and wear a respirator as well. Good luck. Not really. The paper bags tend to "spit" a little when you take them out just from the bag shifting and air coming out. If the stuff you're vacuuming up is that bad, you should be wearing a respirator as well regardless. Also, they do sell a different kind of bag for use when vacuuming toxic materials...it's basically the same brown paper bag but within a black plastic bag as well that then has a sealable mouth for proper disposal. I haven't used it before but I suspect you'll still have the same problem when removing/swapping it out. Best bet, get the plastic bag and wear a... » Read More Not really. The paper bags tend to "spit" a little when you take them out just from the bag shifting and air coming out. If the stuff you're vacuuming up is that bad, you should be wearing a respirator as well regardless. Also, they do sell a different kind of bag for use when vacuuming toxic materials...it's basically the same brown paper bag but within a black plastic bag as well that then has a sealable mouth for proper disposal. I haven't used it before but I suspect you'll still have the same problem when removing/swapping it out. Best bet, get the plastic bag and wear a respirator as well. Good luck. « Show Less
1710772
Don't know why you can't as parchment paper is safe in ovens. The temp in the dehydrator is a lot lower. Would beLess cleanup.
1560054
Set it for the recipe. I have had the temp up to 450* and no problems with the paper. It might turn a little brown, but does not get brittle or anything. I really like this parchment paper.
1215599
I have never tried to reuse the bags, however I don't think that this would be a good idea, because of possible food contamination. I do not think that you can clean these type of bags as good as regular zip lock type bags! You can buy these bags in bulk, already cut and sealed on one end for approx. 2.5 cents each from Lemonhead kitchen supplies over at e-****y. I hope this helps you! This machine is FANTASTIC! I saw this same model and breand machine at Target for $79.99! Amazon offers a great saving! Thanks! I hope that I was able to help you!
2243838
I use baking paper(parchment paper),works fine 100% of the time.No need to clean up corn meal or flour........hope that helps anyone.
1936625
It is reusable and seems like it would last a long time. I have only used it a few times because after reading the label and thinking it through I have come to believe that it might leave unhealthy chemicals on the food. It is made of teflon-type stuff. It works well but I think I'll invest in a metal rack designed for roasting food in ovens. If you do not have those kind of concerns---go for it.
1192345
I would not recommend it because they are reusable, and they are thicker than other brands. I absolutely love the product and the bags.
1452911
There are two consumable parts in this type of bag sealer: The metal strip which acts as the heating element, and the teflon foil which lays over this heating strip so that the heating element does not come into direct contact with the plastic bag you are sealing and just melt right through it. How long these last depend on how much you use the sealer, and what setting you use. No company is ever going to warranty consumable items such as these. The unit comes with one spare of each item, and additional heating strips/teflon covers can be purchased separately. I have used similar sealers ( not this exact model, but the picture looks identical to the one I use, except mine has a sliding cutter attachment) to seal mylar bags for long term food storage. They do a good, but not great, job. The seal is a bit thinner in width than is optimal for sealing mylar bags (~ 1/8 " wide, when ~ 1/4 " wide seal is best). I seal twice, slightly offset, to be sure of the seal. The use of oxygen absorbers will create a light vacuum overnight (assuming you press out as much air as you can before sealing), and the presence of this vacuum is a good test of the seal. I get &gt; 95% success in creating a vacuum-tight seal this way, as long as the heating element and teflon foil are in good condition.
2009311
It is unsafe to re-use any kind of bag in cooking, especially sous vide. Don't do it. Just consider them an expendable item.