I like the idea of the food saver but the cost of the bags are the problem.
Has anyone tried to use Uline poly bags they are food rated but would they hold up they seem kind of thin based on the spec listed

FoodSaver FM2000 Manual Vacuum Sealing System and Starter Bundle
https://www.walmart.com/ip/FoodSaver-FM2000-Manual-Vacuum-Sealing-System-and-Starter-Bundle/836453410?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=5867&adid=22222222227249430988&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=293223967359&wl4=pla-509746510242&wl5=9067609&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=836453410&wl13=5867&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_qXMtYHx3gIVLv_jBx3kfwMeEAQYAyABEgL2svD_BwE

ULINE 4 MIL INDUSTRIAL POLY BAGS

they have bags that are thicker

https://www.uline.com/BL_109/Uline-4-Mil-Industrial-Poly-Bags

The system from the post below looks like a great idea

Thanks

tag for interest

the smooth bags wont work with the walmart sealer

you need a snorkel sealer

https://www.sorbentsystems.com/sinbosealer.html

then you can use the cheap bags

I think I paid 140 for the above plus 600 bags when it was bundled on a sale.

the bags cost 1/3-1/4 of the embossed bags and you can also get ziploc topped bags, real nice for camping because you cna seal them, then reuse the zipper portion, unlike the food saver bags

This is an example of what I use for bags:

https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Vacuum-Sealers-Unlimited-Heavy-Duty/dp/B01CT9KZL8/ref=sr_1_12?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1543283402&sr=1-12&keywords=foodsaver+rolls

I'd have to dig to find the exact brand - but price and description looks about right. I like the rolls because you can trim to length. Also if it's something you are going to continue to-reuse make the initial bag long so that you can reseal.

These work great by the way. I try to buy meat whenever there's a big sale. I'll break it down, vacuum pack it and freeze.

There is a way to use cheap bags with standard vac sealers. I've done it with somewhat successful results... The problem is that the vacuum pulls the smooth poly bags down tight on themselves and won't let the air escape out. The embossed channels in the "special bags" are there to let air escape.

To use flat bags you need to find something that will allow the air to escape. I buy some food-saver bags or rolls and cut them into strips. You put 1 or 2 of the embossed strips into the smooth poly bags leading from the food to the exit to enable air-movement. You must use extended seal on the sealer (hope yours has that option) to get the heat to go through both layers of bag AND the embossed strip. I've done this to seal up summer sausages in long tube bags; I couldn't find long thin bags so I bought a roll of poly tubing and made my own bags 4" diameter by 24" long...

Another way would be if you can find some of the "mesh" material used in the cheaper vac-seal bags...

I have had poor results with using 2, 3 or 4 mi Uline bags for vacuum sealing.  My best guess is that the bottom seal of the bag is not wide enough to ensure a good seal.  I do not understand why, because the bags do hold water but I have numerous failures both right after sealing and after several days later.  As a part of my occupation, I use a large chamber vacuum machine for packaging of product for resale.  Even after first heat sealing the bottom of the bag with a traditional heat sealer which can affect the product appearance (important for retail, more than home production), and than vacuum sealing the product the vacuum holding failure ratio is still unacceptable.

I have flat vacuum seal bags that I use for my machine, and I stock (for resale) the bags for the foodsaver type machines.   Flat packs of the foodsaver type bags can be purchased for less money than the branded rolls.

Uline bags work well for non vacuum heat sealing, as well as twist tying bags shut.  They always have an excellent selection, and quick shipping.  However as a person who's employees use several thousand bags of various sizes a month in retail (most 2 mil), there are other places to purchase bags at lower cost.

I've been using these for a few years.  They seem okay:

https://www.amazon.com/FoodVacBags-2-pack-Embossed-Commercial-Foodsaver/dp/B00CQ8IXIK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1543364147&sr=8-6&