Sunbeam FoodSaver VS4300

Never worked so never used ... now doesn’t even power up – .. first time I tried to use it I couldn’t get a seal so wasted time bags and gave up. Now doesn’t power up. Is sunbeam serious when they say to Dan H you have to physically exert a lot of strength to make it even power up? Surely that’s a safety issue and manufacturing defect. You shouldn’t have to sit on it to make it work. As a small female… Read more

I don’t have that strength, sounds like Dan didn’t either ... how is it suitable for the average consumer if that’s the case?

Poor vacuum maintained – Bought January 2018 from the Good Guys unused. Take it out of the cupboard first time July 2019 and it doesn’t switch on! made of plastic but can’t test the function of it as it doesn’t work. Show details

Eventually worked it out! – Was ready to give a 1 star having tried for half an hour to make it work. Then read JuneeVee review - yes it DOES have to have the plastic positioned properly and yes, you DO have to press quite hard on both sides of the machine, making sure you hear the "click" on each side. I was only getting a click on one side and took A LOT of strength to get the second click. Then it worked!!  Show details

If all else fails, follow the instructions – I've seen a number of complaints here that this machine is difficult to use, or doesn't work properly. If my folks hadn't already owned one, and told me how to use it correctly, I would have been put off buying one. I'm so glad I went ahead - it's great! All you need to do is read and follow the instructions properly. I can see why people might… Read more

have problems - yes, it DOES have to have the plastic positioned properly, depending on whether you are sealing a length of the roll to make a bag, or sealing the top once the food is already in it. And yes, you DO have to press quite hard on both sides of the machine, making sure you hear the "click" on each side (might be a problem when I'm old and arthritic, that would be the only negative point). I love it, and I've used it to seal bulk-buy meats and home-made butter for freezing; dehydrated herbs, fruits and vegetables for long shelf life; home made cheese for maturing. It's great to re-seal packets of nuts and so on (though rarely potato chips - no leftovers there!) Although this is a fairly basic model, I'm really happy with it. It's small and light, easy to store, easy to wipe clean, and it does the job perfectly when you know how to use it properly.

Love it – Bought mine a week ago. At first l couldn't get it to work, but then l got someone who has one show me how to use it. Have not had any problems at all with it. What l was doing wrong was not taking the plastic bar out of the vacuum tray. You do need to push fairly hard on the sides as well.  Show details

Used infrequently over a two year period and both sealer and vacuum do not work – As stated in title. Unit used infrequently over a two year period and now not working at all. No lights, no seal, no vacuum. Seals are in good condition. Expensive new bags with no pinholes. The machine makes a noise when pressed but no action. As it is out of warranty, it will now become an expensive item of landfill. Show details

Very poor quality. Broke after less than a year of infrequent use – Pretty typical of Sunbeam's poor quality control. I probably went through less than 30 bags over the course of a year before the sealer element failed. For close to $100 you should expect much better than this. While the force required to operate the button mechanism is awkward and excessive, that is not the issue - the unit pulls and holds a vacuum, but never actually seals the bag.  Show details

Stinker – Worked a bit early days but now won’t seal at all!! We don’t even bother with the vacuum seal anymore. Not sure how they can see such crap. Makes me so angry because this heap of crap wan’t cheap either. Don’t waste your money, this thing is really bad. Thr  Show details

Rubbish and only good for landfill – This machine has had little use because it won’t vacuum or seal. Waste of my hard earned money and does anyone one know of a good replacement that works. We produce a lot of our own fruit and like to store it safely. Something that is not too expensive preferably.  Show details

Only one place this needs to be and that is in the bin – Giving this product a 1 star rating is overkill. I was given my first as a gift lasted 14 months I stupidly purchased another and it died after 16 months. Sunbeam you obviously are aware that this product is [sorry to be so blunt] CRAP,but you choose to ignore these reviews. Sent an email directly to Sunbeam 2 weeks ago and still waiting for a response, The next one I buy will be a Dometic.  Show details

Like all Sunbeam Products(had several) it's rubbish didn't work and instructions stupid – Doesn't work. Troubleshoot is a riddle.....what a load of garbage it is like all Sunbeam products junk. Was a present. Instruction book leaves you guessing how to use it and if it's a scientific project for the user to read the manufacturer mind on his creation so you know how use it. cannot provide proof of purchase unless last year's Christmas card is ok!!!!!!!!!  Show details

Best thing i ever brought – After reading a few reviews I can't believe the negativity I have had the sunbeam vac sealer for over six years and every year I vacuum over fifty kilos of Italian sausages and have never had a problem because you must use it properly when I first got it I was shown how to use it by a friend helping me to make my sausages she had one and knew by… Read more

experience that you must use it properly I vacuum seal my Italian cheese as I buy half a wheel of cheese my sausages stay vacuumed for for about nearly twelve months no problems as all the negative reviews are having same issues I think they need someone who is experienced to show them how TO use the machine correctly.

Works just fine – InitiallyI was concerned with all the negative reviews about this unit. Having used it during the weekend and the last few days, I must say my concerns were unfounded. Took it out of the box, read the instructions and it worked first time and every time. The unit comes complete with a roll of bag, plus 5 pre-made bags. So far I haven't had to… Read more

purchase any bags yet. It even sealed opened bags of potato chips.

One thing that I've noticed is it is important to press and hold down firmly on BOTH sides of the machine to get it started - this is clearly explained in the instructions.

So far, so good – First of all, I didn't think the machine worked at all. I followed the instructions and nothing happened. Then I realised there had to be enough pressure to press the switch on both sides (you hear a small click as each side engages) THEN it worked perfectly. But first, I dried off the bag seal area according to other reviewers. Seal was good, now into the Sunbeam sous vide cooker :)  Show details

Waste of time, food and money!! – Bought this thought we can reduce the amount of food we waste. Wasted more food after got this. Bags won't seal properly. Noisy. Contacted Sunbeam, the person told me the bag won't seal right if there's moisture. FFS, there is a drip tray for the machine itself. The veg won't even last a few day in the bag. The bag blow up after a few days. Waste… Read more

of money and time!!!! Worst thing I ever bought. Should have done my research. Will try to return the product as I got the receipt and still under warranty.

My first one lasted 20 bags did not have a receipt so they would not refund – Because I had purchased additional rolls of bags I am now on my second one so far after 20 odd bags it is still working ( I do have the receipt ) I believe the problem is the seals but you cannot get replacements for this model After I use this one I make sure that the seals arte all dry and I paper towel between seals  Show details

Won't turn on out of box – I have just unboxed the Sunbeal Foodsaver Unrban Series and it doesn't turn on. So can't be used. Bought at David Jones today. May 2017. Will be a major effort to get back there and return.  Show details

THE BIGGEST heap of junk – This product is probably the worst product on the market. It doesn't vacuum properly, leaving the bag full of air. I've got $300 of meat on the counter waiting to be sealed and this piece of junk isn't working. This is my first replacement, I'll be getting a refund tomorrow. DO NOT BUY.  Show details

Does not turn on – Just bought this today, plugged it in and it does not turn on at all. After reading all the reviews I will not be getting another sunbeam product. If only I had of researched before hand than I would have read all these terrible comments. Plus your Facebook page does not allow customers to review you, convenient because you would not have a rating at all.  Show details

sunbeam 4200 food saver – been nothing but trouble after a few uses, sucks but doesent seal long enough to complete seal, tried everything being a handyman able to test veriest things to no avail its very little use not more than 24 times no wonder after reading the various reviews ill never buy another sunbeam product as long as i live, put that in your pipe and smoke it sunbeam. steve  Show details

Overkill with the oversuck – If anyone else has this problem,I would be interested to hear. When I vacuum eg vanilla biscuits, it sucks so much that the biscuits break. Just purchase the VS4300, it vacuumed out the liquid from cake. Am I doing something wrong, there is no instruction booklet..I only wanted to keep the biscuits fresher for longer.  Show details

Save yourself the hassle and money – Brought my sunbeam back in July and figured because of Christmas it would be perfect!, couldn't have been any further from perfect if it actually did work... vaccum doesn't work... bags leak... works if and when it wants to and for maybe 3 bags and that is it, would love to just get my money back and you can have your crap product  Show details

Bought and returned it the next day – Tried the Breville that didn't seal properly so I thought I'd spend a bit extra and get the Sunbeam VS6100 Spent nearly 2 hours trying to figure out how the canisters worked. No matter what I did they would not succion any air out. The bag sealer seemed OK but then I didn't do too many to give it a good go I wanted the function of both cansisters… Read more

and bag sealers. So now I had the pleasure of returning it back to the store, they told me no refund because I had already used it, dahh how else would you know if it works or not unless you try it!! Sales lady ( ex Sunbeam employee) also could not get it to work, so finally I got my money back, Now I'm trying a 3rd brand "Maxkon" maybe three times lucky!

Absolute crap – Just purchased the food saver to seal our food for camping and it only sealed 4 bags before it break itself and won't seal anymore. Two of the bags didn't vac. Not the first sunbeam product i have purchased and have had poor results. Next time I will be choosing another brand.  Show details

Garbage – Purchased one a few days ago only to find it doesn't turn on. I replaced it today only to find this one doesn't turn on either. I really wished that I had read these reviews earlier. When I buy I product I expect it to work. Especially disappointing that this was made by Sunbeam; an until recently reliable brand.  Show details

Absolute rubbish device with massive design flaws and poor quality – Purchased one two days ago, from the first attempt it failed. Tried meats, nuts, herbs and veggies all in different bags, sizes, etc. This unit would not vacuum enough so when the seal was complete the bags were still full of air! The sealing strip also failed in my Sous Vide almost instantly (at only 72C). Totally disappointed, luckily Harvey… Read more

Norman was good and refunded me for the purchase. Huge mistake buying this shoddy product. Please be careful!

I have had enough of Sunbeam – Bought a Foodsaver from Retravision, after 2 weeks it stopped vacuuming, brought it back to the store, they checked what they had in stock. 2 didn't work at all, 1 worked ok so brought it home. Managed to do 3 packages before this one also died. Gave up and got my money back, thought it could have been a bad batch. Bought one from The Good Guys. Worked 5 times and died. Will never buy another one.  Show details

Ok when its working – This is my second one , its a shame because when they do work they actually work well , pump doesn't take long to get noisy and the heat strips seem to give up on these things , spare parts should be readily available for these things to be repaired but my understanding is they're throw away job.  Show details

Won't turn on or work – Just bought but got home and plugged in and does not work - will be taking back tomorrow and won't be getting another one - very disappointing Sunbeam - and I see others have had the same issue so you should remove the product before your reputation really sinks now have to drive back to the shop another 1 hour I won't get back

works efficiently – I bought this product to store meat for a long time without freezer burn, it is a little bit tricky to use at first and this resulted in a couple of the bags not sealing correctly. Works well and is very cheap if you use the generic bag rolls from Ebay.

Absolute crap – Bought 1 from Goodguys this morning after sales person said they were great for the price, took it home plugged it in no motor running nothing totally dead. Went back to GoodGuys and told them, then they proceeded to advise me that they had previous same problems with a lot of their stock, sales person got another one plugged it in & guess what… Read more

nothing dead also, so got full refund back.

Seriously why hasn't this product been recalled buy Sunbeam and taken off all store shelves, terrible service by Sunbeam l bought it as l never have a problem with their products but this one is definitely a lemon.

Disappointed – VS4300 bought Saturday, 2 days ago. Used Sunday to seal 6 packages of fish. Used today, Monday, worked first time and then NO lights and NO sealing. Have food ready to seal and I now have to go back to Good Guys and get replaced or refund from the sales lady that said it was crap in the first place and we didn't believe her. So frustrating!

Not happy! – Bought one of these in June 2013, only model available at the time and only used it a few times when my son was here fishing, followed the instructions to the letter but noticed it getting harder and harder to get a vacuum - even bought different plastic rolls in case that was the problem, put it away until yesterday and now it won't work at all!

Absolute rubbish ! – I had a smaller version of this lasted 10yrs. Bought the Vac430 as that was all they had at Big W when I needed a new one ... it is rubbish trouble even trying to seal the bags ..and worse still does not vacuum all the air out and takes so many goes to even get it to vacuum at all and it is not even 12 months old ...would never recommend it to… Read more

anyone ... very very disappointing it cost well over $100.00 so you would expect some decent quality of product.