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  • Writer's pictureRay Campbell

The Best Hunting Game Handling Products, With Tips For Handling Wild Game Meat

You hunted the game, now it's time to handle it. My list has everything from vacuum-sealing machines to food dehydrators to help you handle your meat.

FYI, Prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.


1. NutriChef 12" Vacuum Sealer

Top-rated: 24,262 ratings



Highlight: Smart device. Control center placed on the top panel, with soft touch digital buttons and led indicator lights.

Helpful review: "I have no basis for comparison, but I received my vacuum sealer today and am more than impressed. I had a bunch of venison slim Jim's and jerky to seal and freeze and used up all the included bags and rolled plastic. The process is easy and fast, and it is very obvious if the seal hadn't formed. You need to give the sealer 40 seconds in between seals, which isn't an issue considering you have to load the bags. I wanted a sealer primarily for cooking sous vide, and I didn't want to spend a ton or waste a ton of space on a giant one. This little guy is great. It reminds me of the size of the shredder part of a paper shredder. Easy to carry up from the basement storage and easy to set up. I'm not sure why anyone would pay any more for a sealer than this? This does everything I need it to do." — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon now: $57.53 & FREE Returns

 

2. LIZZQ Premium 12" Pellet Smoker Tube for Hot or Cold Smoking

Top-rated: 8,552 ratings



Highlight: Designed to WORK IN ANY GRILL (gas, electric or charcoal) and with any smoker.

Helpful review: "I am beyond happy with this product. I have a Treager grill and had been trying my hand at cold-smoking cheeses using their method, which is a pan of cheese in a pan of ice in the grill on the smoke settings. It was a major pain to try to keep the temperature anywhere close to right. I bought this smoker tube and and made a temporary modification to the grill to defeat the hot rod and the auger and just use the fan. Found out that the Treager will shut the fan of if the temperature is below a preset temperature for over 10 minutes. Again, a headache trying to keep is going for several hours. I finally backed off the over-thinking and simply put the smoking tub on the drip pan close to the opening where the grease drains.
There was plenty of air available to keep the pellets smoking. The ambient temperature of the smoke was relatively constant and in the 87 to 95 degree range. When the temperature got over 90, I simply put a 4 x 8-inch baking dish on the grate directly over the tube and threw a handful of ice cubes in it. The temperature was back to 90. I filled the tube with pellets and it is still going after three hours. Forget Treager's advice on how to cold smoke cheese; put this tube in the grill and the job is done." — Kenneth A. Gale

Get it from Amazon now: $11.91 & FREE Returns

 

3. O2frepak 6-Pack Food Saver Vacuum Sealer Bags - 8"x20' (3 Rolls) and 11"x20' (3 Rolls)

Top-rated: 6,640 ratings



Highlight: Heavy-duty material, prevents puncture.

Helpful review: "I’ve been using my Food Saver and using the brand name bags for years and always have an issue with it sealing if the strip where it seals gets wet in the slightest. These bags will seal through any water, fat, or juices that get in the track and work with even the oldest models. I’ve read some off brand only work with newer models and these work with my 10+ year old Food Saver great! Well worth the buy for a superior product." — Isaac

Get it from Amazon now: $21.75 & FREE Returns

 

4. COSORI Food Dehydrator (50 Recipes included)

Top-rated: 7,537 ratings



Highlight: Made with food-grade stainless steel and glass front door. Perfect for making healthy beef jerkies, snacks, fruit leathers, dog treats, and bread crumbs, as well as for preserving herbs and flowers.

Helpful review: "This is the perfect machine for me! I read a lot about dehydrators before buying and I'm so glad I purchased this one. It is lightweight stainless it has 6 shelves with a timer and is so quiet. It has a clear door on front so you can see what's happening. I've made jerky in it and the six shelves is a sufficient size for 3 and 1/2 to 4 lbs of meat. You can control the temperature and time and it has all the features I wanted. I'm so happy with this product. I read about Excalibur but my refrain from buying was the noise I read in reviews. That was important and this one is so quiet you don't always hear it. It also cleans up, great and doesn't give off strong smells or retain them after cleaning. I just love this machine and I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a good reliable dehydrator!" — James B. Purdie

Get it from Amazon now: $159.99 & FREE Returns

 

5. Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife



Highlight: Compact, agile and ready to face any adventure head-on.

Helpful review: "Look, having a cutting tool on you at all times doesn't have to be something that might panic someone else. This small multitool has a few basic essentials. It has a pen knife, a small file with a slotted screwdriver head, scissors, a toothpick and tweezers all in one small package. You can carry it on a keyring or in the third pocket of your jeans and never know it's there. The knife is sharp and the scissors can take on just about every small task you assign it. The screwdriver can also act as a pry tool for popping open a key fob to replace a battery. You can use the toothpick as a probe if you like and the tweezers do what all tweezers do from removing splinters to making sure the small tedious tasks are done with precision.
I recommend this to anyone who needs to carry a knife without having to have that larger pocketknife on them or doesn't want something heavy and/or bulky in their pocket." — Travis McMillan

Get it from Amazon now: $16.97 & FREE Returns

 

6. FoodSaver Wide-Mouth Jar Sealer Kit

Top-rated: 8,087 ratings



Highlight: For use with mason-type jars.

Helpful review: "I bought these to use with a NutriChef vacuum sealer hoping they would be compatible and they were. The hose wouldn't work but the one that came with the vacuum sealer fit the attachments so that worked out well. I sealed a dozen wide mouth jars with things from flour to rice to pasta as well as a couple of regular mouth jars and everything worked like a charm. I checked a few days later to make sure the seals were still intact and they were." — James Thomas

Get it from Amazon now: $42.99

 

7. RoverTac Pocket Knife

Top-rated: 6,304 ratings



Highlight: Perfect for camping, fishing, hiking, outdoor activities, and home improvements.

Helpful review: "I purchased several "value for the money" knives and multi-tool over the past several months. I just received this little gem this week. This multi-tool by RoverTac comes well packaged and has a nice nylon carrying that in includes a belt loop. It also includes a 9 piece screwdriver set with a socket driver. The Multi-tool has a 3" knife blade, pliers which are very sturdy, can opener, bottle opener and a phillips screwdriver which also is the driver set for the 9 pieces attachment drives. What I will cation you on is the SAFETY LOCKING BLADE. I've noticed on several knives including this one that when they are new, the safety lock does not engage. Make sure the blade is fully extended to engage the locking mechanism. Nothing faulty, just be careful that it is totally engaged. If it is like the others this becomes easier with use." — Kmunshower

Get it from Amazon now: $16.99 & FREE Returns

 

8. FoodSaver 1-Quart BPA-Free Multilayer Vacuum Zipper Bags (18 Count)

Top-rated: 7,316 ratings



Highlight: Compatible with FoodSaver 4400/4840 series vacuum sealers, FoodSaver FreshSaver Handheld Sealer, FoodSaver Handheld Sealer Attachment, and FoodSaver Zipper Bag Adapter.

Helpful review: "I have been using this system and these bags for 2 months now. I love it! I read reviews before I bought it, because I have a tiny kitchen but wasn't sure about this type of setup compared to the larger heat-sealed system. THIS WORKS BETTER THAN I EXPECTED based on reviews.
I place an open sandwich bag inside the vacuum bag (unsealed), seal the vacuum bag and then vacuum. The result is that, so far, every one of my bags is still sealing perfectly (I got the idea from a review). I store cheese, meat, vegetables like cut onions, cucumbers: everything I can think of, I try. It really does keep things fresh much longer. Nice for a person that sometimes forgets things are in the frig until I run across them later. No more mystery yuck! Pretty fun! I put these bags on Subscribe & Save. So far, I have had to skip 2 months of orders since they are lasting so much longer than I expected" — Diane

Get it from Amazon now: $7.89 ($0.44 / Count) & FREE Returns

 

9. FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine with Automatic Bag Detection and Starter Kit

Top-rated: 5,509 ratings



Highlight: Meat preserved with the FoodSaver system in the freezer can last up to 3 years and still taste fresh, flavorful, and freezer burn free.

Helpful review: "I am in love with this thing. I just got a new top freezer fridge and am looking at small Energy Star Rated freezers for my cellar. This prompted a reexamination of my eating habits, as I am single and have an 80 mile round trip commute.
If I freeze something frequently I return to it and it is an unappetizing wonderland of ice crystals. Opened forgotten jars of spaghetti sauce find there way to the garbage pail out of fear of a foodborne illness. I now open spaghetti sauce and spoon it into 2 standard ice cube trays. Four cubes= 1/2cup serving of sauce. I make soups, freeze them by the pint in plastic entree containers as "molds", pop out the frozen squares and bag them in 8" bags. I can make beef stew, make it into 6" x6" x1" pint sized frozen serving. I can make wide noodles al dente, freeze them flat on parchment and put them into 11" bags and put the 8" stew bag inside. Ditto for Kung Pao Chicken (Kikkoman Seasoning) in with frozen brown rice. ( Freeze rice and pasta on parchment on a cookie sheet.) I have worked hard to come up with a selection of dinner meals so I am only making one 5 serving entre every week.
I reuse the 8" bags by cutting close to the seal, washing the bags out with Dawn dish detergent and re using the bags for smaller Items like spaghetti sauce cubes. Yes the bags add to the price but going on Foodsaver.com you can cut up to 30% of the price with a quantity buy and get free shipping.
This unit did have one flaw: the spring for the retractable vacuum hose was defective and doesn't retract. However it works fine and can be worked gently back into the cabinet. It didn't stop me from using the wide and regular mouth Ball jar vacuum attachments (use a second lid over the first for easy release) and the marinator worked fine. I am giving it 5 stars because I consider this a minor nuisance and because the price seems lower, probably because of that. Use the extra money to buy the combo box of 3 11" and 2 8" bag rolls. I able to get bag price down to 32 cents a bag and sometimes reuse bags. Don't forget: throwing food out has a price and two or three items could equal the cost of a roll of bags. I have a feeling this thing is now a part of my life." — Steph

Get it from Amazon now: $179.99 & FREE Returns

 

10. NESCO Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator

Top-rated: 11,570 ratings



Highlight: Adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at different temperatures (95º-160º F).

Helpful review: "I used it to dehydrate chicken feet, chicken necks, turkey necks, chicken hearts and gizzards for dog treats. I put it at 160F and less than 4 hours it’s ready to feed to the dogs. It’s so much cheaper to make homemade treats then buying it." — C. Smith

Get it from Amazon now: $79.99 & FREE Returns


 

By the way, if you're in the market for a shotgun, there are some things you just can't go wrong with. Check out this personal, hands-on review of the Browning Citori 725.

 

11. Sharpal 6-in-1 Pocket Knife Sharpener and Survival Tool (Fire Starter and Whistle Included)

Top-rated: 14,430 ratings



Highlight: A portable EDC field tactical knife sharpener with built-in lanyard hole; ideal for hunting, camping, outdoor survival use; works well for kitchen chef knives as well.

Helpful review: "Let me first say that I sell and work on knives for a living, so I know what I'm talking about, I'm not solely expressing my opinion as a "knife guy". I picked this up on a lark as I have tried multiple pull throughs, including most popular one's here on Amazon. That being said, this little guy is actually better than either Lansky's or Smith's current basic offerings, if you can believe that. I just used it to sharpen a Kershaw Filter, and now my inner left arm is clean shaven, with no irritation. This impressed me, as it only took about 5 minutes, and it looks to be set at a 20° angle correctly on both coarse and fine options. I haven't tried using the ferro rod combo, so I can't attest to it's functionality. The whistle, however works quite well; my beagle agrees. Overall, I'd have to recommend it if you're looking for a good pull through that won't chew up your blade. Good value for the money, too." — Aaron Johnson

Get it from Amazon now: $9.99 & FREE Returns

 

12. FoodSaver 1-Gallon Vacuum Zipper Bags (12 Count)

Top-rated: 8,046 ratings



Highlight: Reusable and resealable for frequently-used food items.

Helpful review: "I used to use another brand of vacuum seal storage bags for leftovers, but they have been discontinued. I was contemplating buying a vacuum heat-sealing machine from FoodSaver, but when I saw these bags, I decided to forego the expense of the machine, and bought a good supply of these bags. They are heavier and seal better than any other bags I have used. Fortunately, the hand-held vacuum pump from the other brand worked fine. If you don't have one of the other brand's pumps, I recommend buying FoodSaver's FSFRSH0051 FreshSaver Handheld Vacuum pump." — Texas Jack

Get it from Amazon now: $7.98 ($0.67 / Count) & FREE Returns

 

13. TAC Force Spring Assisted Folding Pocket Knife



Highlight: For rapid one-handed deployment; locks securely into place with liner lock.

Helpful review: "I have never owned a pocket knife in my life, but after binging LNM on Reddit for awhile, I thought it time I took my safety seriously. So I got this knife with the Prime membership & boy am I obsessed with it. The blade is legitimately super sharp and means business. I love the rainbow, it looks incredible when it hits light just right. I got down the one-hand open / close in about 5 minutes, it does open and close fast like the description stated. The bottle opener / screwdriver or glass breaker is such a nice perk to it. I hope I never have to use it to defend myself but if I do, I know I am in good hands with this product. Will recommend to others!!!" — Molly

Get it from Amazon now: $10.21 & FREE Returns

 

14. Vacuum Sealer Machine by Entrige

Top-rated: 9,193 ratings



Highlight: You can take off the upper lid to clean the sealer machine easily and safely. Compact size and lightweight design are easy to store and move around.

Helpful review: "I've had this vacuum sealer for over a month now and I can say with confidence that its worth every penny. I refrained myself from reviewing products personally, but this product just had to be shared. I've been using this for multiple purposes from sealing processed food to packaging items. It has been a month+ since I've begun to use it and it seems to be holding up and working flawlessly. For the price of $53.49 to include a Lifetime Warranty is just a steal, of course within reason of it breaking. I'm a first time user myself so I was personally a bit uneasy to be working with such a new product. It comes with easy step by step instructions easy enough to read and understand for anyone. I hope this review was helpful for those who were seeking questions." — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon now: $49.97 & FREE Returns

 

15. Simple Houseware 8'' x 50' Vacuum Sealer Bags (2-Pack)

Top-rated: 22,829 ratings



Highlight: Extends the shelf life of your foods up to 5 times longer than traditional storage methods, which in turn reduces waste and cuts down on costs.

Helpful review: "I do not often write reviews however I felt like I had to for this product. My hope is that if I write this review and people like it they will buy more of the rolls/bags and help keep the price the same or lower for the next time I buy these rolls again. The rolls are definitely bigger than the starter roll that came with my Foodsaver FM5380 from Sam's Club. I went through that roll pretty quickly, I do not know if it was because the bags were not so good on that starter roll or because I had a learning curve to conquer, but they did not hold up too well. Needless to say I felt like I wasted a good roll from Foodsaver, however I still had 8 more rib eyes I needed to wrap. Not realizing how expensive rolls were I decided to take a shot at these bags.
The first thing I did was roll half of the roll onto the empty roller from the starter roll. The roll then fit perfectly under the sealer. The bags worked great and either they worked better than the Foodsaver brand roll or I mastered my learning or I think both. I do miss the little white section on the bags from the FoodSaver brand that allows a spot to write the date and contents, however for a fraction of the price, I do not miss it too much. Only one bag punctured but that was due to a very shop bone. After smoothing it out there were no more issues. I'll keep my eyes on them and if they do not hold up I'll update my review. For the time being I recommend these bags over the Foodsaver brand." — Arturo Centeno

Get it from Amazon now: $17.87 & FREE Returns

 

16. Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator (5 Trays)

Top-rated: 4,149 ratings



Highlight: 48-hour timer with auto shutoff and clear lid so you can easily check food.

Helpful review: "I bought this to make dog treats. I was disgusted with the warnings about buying them, so I really paid attention to the ingredients. I then spent some guilt ridden hours over what we had been feeding our babies.
A downside of making treats without preservatives is that they can get moldy. Add in humid Florida weather, then make room in your freezer. Hence, the dehydrator. I spent weeks comparing makes & models, going back & forth. From other reviewers I knew that I wanted a timer, the right fan placement, and not too noisy. Price of course, for what I was going to use it for. This fit the bill. I started just drying the dog treats after baking them but then I got cocky and decided to make jerky. OK so the 1st batch was disgraceful and inedible. Hint: you are warned to not make the meat too thick. Well the opposite is true- don't make it too thin, either! I had the butcher slice some meat for me, but I also found thin slices of sirloin that I simply had to cut in half with scissors. Perfect. I partially froze a chicken breast to slice it, and that was easy. Flank steak is wonderful. I even sliced a beef heart and wrapped it with sweet potato strips that I steamed for a few minutes to soften.
While I've made some mistakes, they were all mine, the unit performed great. I never have to move items around because one section is drying faster. Keep everything the same size, or at least the same size on each tray where you can pause the unit to remove a tray and keep the rest going. I have 6 months at this and I couldn't be happier. That includes 3 dogs (one diabetic ) one daughter and one very happy jerky loving son-in-law. Not to mention the money I've saved and why I bought it in the first place. If offered a store bought treat or a homemade one, they immediately go for homemade. Smart dogs!" — Suzie

Get it from Amazon now: $129.99

 

17. Smith & Wesson 9" High Carbon Fixed Blade Knife with 4.7" Dual Edge Blade and TPE Handle



Highlight: Covered by a limited lifetime warranty.

Helpful review: "A few noteworthy aspects for a well deserved 5 star product.
1) This Knife is an extremely effectively made Self-defense weapon.
2) The Clip is remarkably durable and highly adaptable to preference, making placement on Belt, Boot, or M.O.L.L.E gear an easy task.
3) Effortless Deployment with Thumb Break (below button clasp) for quick release with thumb/index finger.
4) The Handle is Rubberized/Ridged with a Wide Double Guard to prevent hand from slipping down.
5) Includes a small Brass tube lanyard hole for para-cord or whatever you prefer.
When it comes to any negative remarks regarding the SWHRT9B, I would just suggest some people do their due diligence before they make a purchase. I see comments like, “Not the Best Collector's Knife,” “Handle is too Short,” “Cut my Leg.” I must encourage the cynics to realize a few things:
1) More times than not, a knife at this price point is not going to be a collector’s item.
2) The Handle is not “too Short,” it’s just too short for your intended use or flawed expectations.
3) Don’t buy a knife boasting a Duel Edged Spear Point Blade if you don’t know how to handle it.
The Bottom Line: If one is using this blade for its intended purpose, namely, self defense, I believe it meets all standards and could very well be a life saver." — Braxton Aldrich

Get it from Amazon now: $17.99 & FREE Returns

 

18. Stainless Steel 12'' Pellet Smoker Tube

Top-rated: 6,438 ratings



Highlight: Unlike traditional circular smoker tube, the hexagonal smoker tube can stay steadily and will not roll on the grill grate.

Helpful review: "I have been using wood chips for years, with my gas and charcoal grills. I have never been satisfied with the amount of smoke that I get out of the wood chips, either soaked or dry. After purchasing this smoke tube, I am absolutely overwhelmed as to what I had been missing over the years, by not using wood pellets. After purchasing the cheapest wood pellets that I can get my hands on, it’s easy to fill the tube with either one kind two kinds or as many flavors as you want wood pellets, with different smoke combinations. I put the tube in the gas barbecue up under the burner, and I get smoke within five minutes, that lasts approximately two hours. During those two hours, the smoke is very intense, and imparts the smoke into the meat that I am barbecuing. The pellets burn completely, and leave very little fine ash behind, which makes cleaning the grill a lot easier.
For my cold smoker, I ordered the 6 inch version of the smoke tube, so that the tube would fit under the meat in my cold smoker. I fire the pellets in the tube up with a propane torch, prior to putting the tube into my cold smoker. That way, very little heat transfers to the product, such as eggs, oysters and cheese. I am very satisfied with this product." — Renaissance Man

Get it from Amazon now: $13.95 & FREE Returns

 

19. Lavalock High Temp Nomex Smoker Gasket

Top-rated: 2,300 ratings



Highlight: Designed by BBQ gasket experts. Used by BBQ pit manufacturers worldwide.

Helpful review: "I installed this Lavalock High Temp Nomex gasket on a duel fuel Masterbuilt smoker. I believe my smoker is referred to as the 30" model. Reviews of the smoker say that installing a gasket turns the smoker from a good to a great system and I have to agree. I hesitated ordering this due to some of the negative reviews. Some customers are having issues with the gasket coming off even though they thoroughly cleaned, de-greased, and wiped the mounting surface with alcohol. I took a chance and ordered and am glad to say that I have not had this issue.
In hindsight, I would have installed this prior to using my smoker but didn't know I would have issues with the smoker leaking. The included directions were good and clear on using a degreaser and alcohol and waiting at least 24 hours prior to using. I used a citrus (orange) based degreaser from Home Depot to initially clean the surface and then wiped it down with alcohol. I then adjusted the latches on the smoker so it fit snugly but not too tight to crush the gasket and waited 2 days before using it. I attached a photo of how it fit and looks on my smoker. On first use, the gasket greatly reduced and almost eliminated smoke escaping between the door and smoker. Instead of a steady stream of smoke escaping, I can barely see a faint wisp between the door and smoker from the hinge side of the door.
I don't think tightening the latches further will help and I'm happy with how its working. I've used it twice so far for several hours with no evidence of it coming off. Overall, for the price, quality, and fit, I would highly recommend this product. It fit perfectly and works as designed. If anything changes, I will update this review." — Typical Consumer

Get it from Amazon now: $18.49 & FREE Returns

 

20. 2-Pack Portable Mini Bag Sealer

Top-rated: 4,418 ratings



Highlight: Helps to easily keep foods and snacks fresh.

Helpful review: "We have had issues with moths in our pantry. So, we decided to buy these heat sealers to re-seal open bags. The price seemed too good to be true, so I decided to give them a try. After a few tries getting the batteries right (the instructions aren’t clear and the units have a “+” and “-“ on them, which I assumed was the battery direction), they worked like a charm. No need to look for something more expensive or “technical.” This works great! My only suggestion is to make the battery direction symbols in the unit more visible. Thanks." — Giuseppe

Get it from Amazon now: $15.99 & FREE Returns


 

Attention, gunners! Don't go deaf! We've rounded up 27 of the best shooting and hunting earmuffs just for you.

 

21. FoodSaver PowerVac - Compact Vacuum Sealing Machine

Top-rated: 4,029 ratings



Highlight: Seals with 35% less bag waste compared to previous FoodSaver models, so you can get the most out of your FoodSaver bags.

Helpful review: "My old FoodSaver model V3230 worked for about 6 years. It was loud, obstinate, not always reliable- wasting vacuum bags, and awkward to use and clean. Recently the side lever twisted off and it became unusable. This brand new replacement model, VS0150 is incredible, so much so that I'm writing my first review of any product bought on Amazon. Small, quiet (at least compared to the earlier model), and extremely reliable. I am very pleased with it. If you are considering a vacuum sealer look no further!" — Conserve as Found

Get it from Amazon now: $71.99 & FREE Returns

 

22. EZCO Mini Bag Sealer (Battery Included)

Top-rated: 4,270 ratings



Highlight: Very easy to use.

Helpful review: "This bag sealer is a pretty great little tool to have around. I think most people think of using it for chips but you can use it for so much more. I used it to seal my bag of grass seeds, grout bags, and all kinds of other stuff. You have to be careful because some of the foil type bags can split if you get it to hot. I start in the middle on the thick plastic bags with a seam in the middle since it is the toughest part of the bag. It also has a little cutter on it which I haven't really used. And it came with batteries which not all do." — J.G.

Get it from Amazon now: $14.97 & FREE Returns

 

23. Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator with Adjustable Temperature Controls

Top-rated: 1,012 ratings



Highlight: Prepare 100% all-natural dehydrated foods and snacks with no added sugars, additives or preservatives.

Helpful review: "I was a little nervous when I bought it. I saw few bad reviews and a few goods. So. I was kind of confused but my sister has one and it seems to work well. So, I decided to buy it and I am so happy that I did. It is really easy to use, easy to control the temperature. There are some people who did the review on how to use it on YouTube, so you can check it out for more tips on how to use it. I used it three times in the last 3 weeks and nothing was going wrong. I do not know why people have a bad reviews but to me, this machine is perfect. I use it to hydrate carrot and white radish for Vietnamese traditional foods and it is just perfect." — Brian Thi

Get it from Amazon now: $42.99 & FREE Returns

 

24. Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker

Top-rated: 6,395 ratings



Highlight: Patented side wood chip loading system allows you to add wood chips without opening the door.

Helpful review: "With a few minor adjustments this smoker is perfect. First I took the chip tray rack out to let it sit directly on the coils. I flipped a bracket that is over top of the heating element and put it below. Lastly I drilled about 12 very small holes in the chip tray. After making these adjustments this thing started rolling out smoke. Did two whole chickens and they turned out fantastic. For the price point its worth making the few adjustments, highly recommend for any home smoker. Only complaint is that the digital controls are hard to read when in direct sunlight but this is a minor inconvenience." — Batman

Get it from Amazon now: $199.00

 

25. Presto Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator

Top-rated: 9,072 ratings



Highlight: Drying trays and cover are fully immiscible and dishwasher safe.

Helpful review: "Wow, I've definitely gotten my money's worth from this little dehydrator. It's been running pretty much every day since I got it. I bought it in a bit of a panic when forecast early deep freeze and snow required me to pull in everything still in my garden. With no room in my freezer, I turned to dehydrating. In the last month, I've done several kinds of peppers; zucchini; tons of apples; tomatoes; beans; and a few other things. I put the dehydrator in the garage, load it up in the morning, and check during the day until things are done how I like them. I wish I'd gotten it sooner, actually; I'll be doing a lot more of this next year. The dried apple slices & tomatoes came out especially well; made 'sun-dried' tomato pesto spread that is awesome. This may not be a commercial dehydrator, but it sure does the trick for me. Best purchase I've made in a while. Pro tip: don't lean over it and put your face in the steam when drying hot peppers." — K. A. Krisko

Get it from Amazon now: $39.82 & FREE Returns

 

26. FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine with Starter Bags and Rolls

Top-rated: 4,957 ratings



Highlight: Just add food to the bag, insert the open end into the FM2000, and the machine takes care of the rest.

Helpful review: "I have been using this food saver for a year, since I got my sous vide unit, and it's still going strong. I mostly use it for bagging food for sous vide (which is often then frozen for another day), but have also put away leftovers that we weren't going to eat right away. After a large Christmas party we had pounds of pulled pork and pulled chicken left over, far more than my husband and I could (or wanted to) eat before it went bad. Now it's all cozy in the freezer in 1-pound quantities.
The most fun I've had with it, though, was when a friend who had recently moved wanted some of the plastic grocery bags from the big chain in our area. (She said that the bags from the groceries in her area were just too flimsy.) I filled up a box and looked at the cost of mailing it. Ouch. So I folded the grocery bags up, stuffed about 13 of them in a flat(ish) pile into a big vacuum bag and vacuumed all the air out. I was able to put 35 plastic bags in a large cardboard envelope from the post office. My friend was amused!" — V. J. Robinson

Get it from Amazon now: $82.49 & FREE Returns

 

Top-rated: 2,505 ratings



Highlight: Elechomes food dehydrator machine is perfect for beef jerky, fruits, vegetables, and dry backpacking food.

Helpful review: "I ordered this as my very first dehydrator because my veggie garden is really producing and I want to try drying things this year. Used the unit to dry chili peppers, tomatoes, and spices, and it does a great job drying them to the level you need. I even did some jerky and dog treats at the higher temps, and it came out fantastic. Then my unit broke. It would not warm up, just blew room temp air. Not acceptable, obviously. I contacted the company Elechomes through Amazon. They got back to me promptly and offered a new unit after I sent in the damaged one. I asked if we could do anything faster, as I had produce that needed to be dried or it would go bad. Elechomes graciously agreed to send me a new unit immediately and process the return later. Got the new unit in 3 days and was back up and preserving! I think you can tell a lot about a company when there's a problem. The unit broke - not good, but the company went the extra mile to make me a happy camper. Highly recommend these folks. Highly recommend the unit, it does a nice job with all the trays and temperature options." — Bobwayland

Get it from Amazon now: $69.98 & FREE Returns

 

28. MTECH USA Spring Assisted Folding Knife



Highlight: Comes complete with a pocket clip for easy and safe carry.

Helpful review: "This is the 3rd (well 4th technically) Mtech knife I have purchased in about 2 months. I have 2 of their neck knives already and they are good, was able to put a near razor edge on them with a cheap stone and piece of leather to strop on. I got this knife the other day and when i opened the package, the blue on the blade was scratched bad, had one very deep scratch down the middle as well. I contacted Amazon and they wasted no time in replacing the knife, even sent it next day shipping for free so kudos to Amazon for having great customer care. The replacement knife, pictured above, I believe, is representative of what most of the knives are like, just fine.
These knives are well built, they are a bit hefty in weight due to being all metal with frn scales on the handles. The knife is well built and very solid, the flipper action is fantastic and does not hurt your finger to engage like some of the other knives I have bought (Olera tanto flipper, just painful). All in all for the small asking price its well worth it, I can carry a knife at work, or in urban environments with out getting the swat team called on me for opening a package. Pick one (or several) up, they come in all kinds of colors and would make a great gift. Disclaimer: I purchased this knife with my own money, i have not received anything from Mtech or Amazon to leave a positive review. I do like this knife and will carry it often. No bought reviews here, just honesty." — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon now: $8.53 & FREE Returns

 

29. Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker

Top-rated: 2,548 ratings



Highlight: 290 square inch cooking surface in main chamber.

Helpful review: "So I wasn't so sure how this was going to work out after reading all of the reviews. However, I've decided that anyone writing a negative review really didn't know what they were doing and didn't properly care for the smoker as was instructed on the first page of the manual. It took me one short hour by myself to put together then I seasoned it by rubbing down with vegetable oil and lighting a hot fire inside for several hours. I simply couldn't wait to get the smoker cooking, so when the seasoning process was completed, I cleaned out the ash and started the process over. I smoked my first brisket on it and it was absolute perfection! The smoker held the smoke well and had next to no leakage of heat or smoke. You simply cannot beat this entry-level smoker! I absolutely recommend this product without hesitation!" — Neil H.

Get it from Amazon now: $94.09 & FREE Returns

 

30. Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System



Highlight: Includes extra-coarse, coarse, medium, fine alumina oxide, and extra-fine ceramic hones.

Helpful review: "This thing will, with time and care (though not likely as much as needed on a traditional whet stone) put a *wicked* edge on your knife/knives. That said, here are a few pointers I've figured out while using my kit:
* If you're going to buy a base/stand along with it, spring the extra money and get the metal one. The plastic one is loud and not great. I have one, I never use it. I just hold the whole setup in my non-dominant hand.
* Use a finger (I use my left hand's index finger) to keep the guide rod in the same area of the guide slot throughout. I just make it so that the rod rests on top of my finger, between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles. This eliminates any extra 'wiggle' in the angle of the hones.
* I spend most of my time using the coarsest and finest hones, but I had a few knives that needed some serious edge work. This did the trick, though I imagine the diamond set might be a bit faster. I have the time, and don't mind committing it, to get great results out of this kit.
* Before transitioning to the next grade fineness of hone, make sure that you cannot see any scratches from the previous coarseness. So, if you're on the 2nd-coarsest (120 'grit'), before you stop using it and switch to the 280/medium, ensure that you can't see a single scratch left from the 70/extra coarse. Doing this, along with keeping your angles of attack as tight as possible, will ensure fantastic results.
*When mounting a blade into the holder, follow Lansky's guides. Should be about 5/8"/11 mm from the edge of the jaws to the blade. Also, and this is more important in my experience, make sure that you center the blade along it's cutting edge inside the jaws, or get it as close as you can. This ensures that the angle of attack from the hones remains as close to the same along the entire edge as possible.
* Along those same lines, longer blades seem to offer a bit of a challenge, especially around the tip, if it curves at all. I find that I will work my BK7 in sections about 4"/100 mm long, and do the tip last. Shorter blades aren't as finicky about this. But think about it this way. If the angle of the hone is at 20° right in front of the clamp (approx. 5/8" away), then when it's 4" away, working the tip, it's angle is going to be more shallow.
So, in conclusion, this system isn't perfect. It's got a character, and can be a little wonky. But, if you're willing to spend the time in prep, and pay attention while sharpening, you can get some fantastic results. The photos show results, and my techniques for proper setup and holding. Of course, do what you want. This is just what I've found works for me. :D" — Nova

Get it from Amazon now: $40.52 & FREE Returns

 

31. Vacuum Sealer Machine By Mueller

Top-rated: 8,353 ratings



Highlight: The Mueller vacuum sealer package also includes: 5 medium vacuum bags (7.8” x 11.8”) and one extra-long vacuum bag roll (7.8” x 79.0”), both reusable and waterproof.

Helpful review: "I bought this to replace my expensive food saver that is going out so it sounds like a jet plane. I didn’t want to spend over $100 on an appliance I don’t use daily. I have a Mueller pressure cooker and am so far pleased with the brand. This is so much smaller and quieter than my old vacuum sealer. It worked wonderfully right out of the box. It’s easy to figure out how to use and seals great. I used bags from a roll I already had of a different brand and it worked well. Great value for the money. Can’t wait to buy meat in bulk again to really try it out." — CynthiaA

Get it from Amazon now: $59.97 & FREE Returns


 

If you love deer hunting, you know it demands precision. Here are the best rifle scopes you can get on Amazon right now.

 

32. Gerber Gear Pocket Knife

Top-rated: 4,547 ratings



Highlight: Contractor-grade utility blade.

Helpful review: "If you are looking at the Gerber EAB Pocket Knife- chances are you will also look at the EAB Lite, and wonder to yourself- what's the difference? The differences are slight- but they could sway you to one or the other, I've purchased both to compare.
The standard EAB is small (4.3oz) and rectangular and about 1" x 2" closed The EAB Lite is the same advertised weight (4.3oz) and trapezoidal- with skeleton cuts on the handle. The overall width is about 2mm wider than the standard EAB, length is unchanged. The finger guard is another difference- the standard EAB has a nice concave cutout that fits your index finger nicely and is very unobtrusive. The EAB Lite has an angular finger guard with a more pronounced "hilt" - this looks pretty cool, but IMO not as comfortable as the original- I could see how having the more pronounced "hilt" could prevent slippage and keep you from getting cut. Last noticeable difference is the liner lock- The standard EAB lock is quite stiff and machined very close to the contour of the frame- making it difficult to accidentally disengage. The liner on the EAB lite stands off the frame just a bit further, and is easier to manipulate- however, does not lock in place nearly as securely.
Both accept standard size utility razor blades without issue, the included blades from the factory are very heavy duty and quite a bit thicker than your normal cheap two-sided blades. Only ding is the blade securing screw does not have any thread locker from the factory- so I can see it backing out and getting lost, so first thing I did was put a drop or two of Blue Loctite on the threads - good to go. The standard EAB looks just like a regular money clip when it's closed- the EAB Lite looks a lot more like a knife." — Tool Deals

Get it from Amazon now: $17.50 & FREE Returns

 

33. Impulse Heat Sealer

Top-rated: 1,483 ratings



Highlight: Easy to use and to clean.

Helpful review: "I purchased this Impulse Hear Sealer to seal my 36" and 20" clear plastic balloon. After being told I could not use it for that purpose. Both turned out great! Well worth the purchase" — ANGELA BILLUPS

Get it from Amazon now: $23.99 & FREE Returns

 

34. Work Sharp Field Sharpener

Top-rated: 6,100 ratings



Highlight: Fast and easy sharpening solution for knives & camp tools.

Helpful review: "I LOVE this knife sharpening system! I have spent about 62 of my 72 years trying to find a repeatable way to sharpen my kitchen and field knives. First, I had to learn that my eyes were not keen enough to see how to guide a beveled blade over a stone or whatever. I remedied that on Amazon a few years ago. Then I had to discover Work Sharp products. I have a Ken Onion Edition electric band sharpener and that was a huge step forward due to the graded belts and the reliable angle guide. I just purchased this item for two reasons: no electricity in the field...and the electric grinder system removes a lot of metal quickly.
I wanted 'touch up' control. I just used this to sharpen a six-piece quality-steel steak knife set and to tune up four chefs knives of varying sizes. This hand-sized system worked fine for straight-edged paring knives and my 10-inch serrated bread slicer. I also have high-end steels and diamond steel hones but I still benefited from this purchase for its range of grits and its small but serviceable leather stropping surface." — James Ellsworth

Get it from Amazon now: $29.41 & FREE Returns

 

35. Electric Food Vacuum Sealer Set with Sous Vide Bags

Top-rated: 3,140 ratings



Highlight: Includes a rechargeable vacuum pump; 30 reusable vacuum sealer bags in 3 Sizes; and 10 replacement air values.

Helpful review: "So, I read all the reviews and wondered how on earth they could be so disparate. I mean, big time. There aren't many in the middle. People love them or think they are absolutely useless. I figured there had to be a reason. I decided to go ahead and try them and see how it went. I can always return, right? They work great. If you follow directions. The little line in the corner of the bag that says not to fill beyond it? They aren't playin. If you fill beyond that, you mess up the suction. Those little slides they give you to help seal the bag? They're there for a real reason. Use them.
I thought I had one sealed, but it wasn't shrinking. I double checked it. Still nothing. Then I used the slide. Turns out, I didn't seal it as well as I thought. It worked fine. I actually have gone a little bonkers. I've used 98% of the bags included, and I haven't even touched my freezer. I got on here to order more bags, then thought I should probably write a review! As of right now, I would absolutely purchase again (I know, obvious since I'm buying more bags!). If I find they don't maintain their seal, I'll update." — H. Watson

Get it from Amazon now: $22.99 & FREE Returns

 

36. Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool



Highlight: Fieldmaster pocket knife; made in Switzerland.

Helpful review: "Genuine Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. The Fieldmaster is an outstanding combination of the most useful tools on a Swiss Army Knife. It has the Phillips head instead of a corkscrew, 2 blades, scissors, can opener / small flathead, bottle opener / large flathead, tweezers, toothpick, and camp saw. (If you don’t do much camping or don’t have a need for that aggressively serrated rip-saw, consider the Super Tinker model, which has a small set of pliers instead of the saw blade.) I absolutely LOVE Victorinox steel. Easy to sharpen, nearly rustproof, rugged, utilitarian perfection. I’ve carried their Swiss Army Knives since I was given one by my grandfather when I was 10.
This purchase was for my nephew, who is also 10, and this knife is the same excellent quality as always. You just can’t beat them. Also note that the Fieldmaster has the original style scissors that are surprisingly, deceptively stout and useful. The newer scissors’ design on the “EvoGrip” models aren’t as well-engineered. I highly recommend these old classics if you want to get the full potential and usefulness out of them. I use mine near daily— and often times it gets used multiple times per day. It has become such a beloved Every Day Carry item that I feel naked when I don’t have mine in my pocket." — Abernathy

Get it from Amazon now: $37.99 & FREE Returns

 

37. Longzon Portable Mini Heat Sealer

Top-rated: 4,518 ratings



Highlight: Longzon bag sealer combines sealing and cutting functions in one product.

Helpful review: "So I have been debating on this item for a couple months. We are usually good with chip bag clips but I really hate having to hunt one down if I run out. I decided why not give this a shot. I am very pleased how easy this little tool is to use in the kitchen. I had a big bag of kettle corn that after some kids and parents to munch on it, you get all that extra plastic to mess with when closing. So I decided to put this gadget to the test. I liked to start from the middle and moved right and flip the bag to do it again. I found that method easier than trying to start from an edge (popcorn bag is flimsy plastic, it might be better with a thick plastic). Anyway, I have some ideas to little travel bags for the kids on roads trips and I think this gadget might be my new kitchen buddy." — Jenna McAdam

Get it from Amazon now: $4.99 & FREE Returns

 

38. Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife



Highlight: Considered one of the highest performing knives in the world.

Helpful review: "This knife is very nice. From a visual standpoint, it's simple. Not much going by way of frills, it's designed to do it's job and that's it. As an American, I appreciate the fact that it's American made, as well as the American flag they put on it. I will now go into detail on different aspects of the knife.
Sharpness: Even out of the box, this came razor sharp. Not "Razor sharp" how most knife and sword manufacturers say theirs are, but legitimately razor sharp. It cuts through the very thin page of a phone-book with ease, and can even push cut through a page from it's own weight towards the end of the blade.
They recommend resharpening it at an angle between 18 and 22 degrees, which is between the angles of edge retention/durability and sharpness. Pure sharpness would go down to about 15 degrees, Durability in relevance to sharpness would be about 25 degrees, so they have a good compromise on the angle.
SpeedSafe Assisted Opening: works just as intended, as it's quite easy to open it. With how easy it is to open, they basically needed to include The Blade Lock. The blade lock is a manual safety that keeps it from flipping out unintentionally, and it is a very good safety feature for them to have with the knife, though it can be slightly annoying to have to lock and unlock it constantly (at least if you sheath it often). It also has a reversible pocket clip, which is nice to have (though I have not changed it).
TLDR; The materials make for a very good knife, and they have made a very good knife with a good choice of materials. They deliver it American made at a good price. I would certainly recommend this." — Brynjar Björnsson

Get it from Amazon now: $46.74 & FREE Returns

 

39. Avid Armor Vacuum Sealer Bags

Top-rated: 3,578 ratings



Highlight: Large 8" wide food saver bags rolls. Heavy-duty affordable replacement for Foodsaver, Seal-a-Meal and other food sealer bags.

Helpful review: "I just finished vacuum sealing 5 New York strip steaks and 6 pounds of ground beef. I did not find any difference in this product and the more expensive national brands. I had no problems in vacuuming or sealing the food. The two rolls came in a plastic wrapper and were ready to use. My food storage device was the only problem I had. It has storage space inside for rolls of bags, but the 50 ft. roll was too large to fit. I will use them as-is until the roll is small enough to fit. Otherwise, a great value." — Greg Phillips

Get it from Amazon now: $17.98 & FREE Returns

 

40. FoodSaver 11"x12' Heavy-Duty Puncture-Resistant Rolls (2-Pack)

Top-rated: 3,369 ratings



Highlight: Stronger, more puncture-resistant material than Standard FoodSaver GameSaver bags.

Helpful review: "I love FoodSaver. Love my machine, love the bags and rolls. I've tried other brands of rolls and bags and they just aren't the same. The FoodSaver plastic molds around the food better somehow AND it doesn't get "nicked" in the freezer as much. I thought the GameSaver rolls would be better for the longer-term items or the items I package for SousVide cooking. Out of the freezer, into the water. The plastic is thicker and so far, so good!" — Snafooo

Get it from Amazon now: $21.97 & FREE Returns

 

41. Lansky BladeMedic



Highlight: Just three or four strokes will restore your blade.

Helpful review: "Wow! My father and grandfather were both carpenters. I grew up using a whetstone, oil, and a leather strop to sharpen blades. And that works great when you're at home on a bench. But it's not really an option when you're far from home in the woods. And it takes me about 10 min to put a razor sharp edge on a blade that's in good shape. For some tools in some circumstances it's just not worth the time to go use a whetstone. So I bought this as my first pull through sharpener not really knowing how well it would work or if I'd like it. It's great!
I just got it today and used it to put an edge on some cheap steak knives and a couple of cheap chefs knives. And I touched up a couple of new Smith & Wesson assisted folding knives I just bought. How did it work? Fast! If you need to put a quick edge on a dull blade the carbide in this BladeMedic will do that.
The ceramic will polish it reasonably well with a few more strokes. The ceramic for serrations and the tapered diamond rod work as advertised. Does it produce an edge like a whetstone? No. The carbide is pretty aggressive and leaves the blade a bit wavy. But the ceramic can polish the final result to a decent smoothness relatively quickly. The end result is probably 90% of the way to a razor sharp blade produced by a whetstone for someone with the skill to use it.
But this takes far less time and almost no skill. And the thing is tiny. For a survival situation or putting an edge on a work knife quickly , this thing is great! I'm not throwing away my whetstone but I'm keeping this BladeMedic in my pocket or my pack from now on. This is perfect when time counts and you need an edge to get something done whether that's a chore around the yard or a survival situation. It's well made and solid. It's just big enough to grip safely. The metal frame makes it heavy but also very rigid. Four different sharpening tools ensure that you can sharpen just about any blade. And the carbide as well as the ceramic rods can be replaced easily. For less than 10 bucks this thing is a great value.
LOL, I'm not a salesman for Lansky. But I liked the Blade Medic so much I figured with the three tools, I can sharpen just about anything in the house whether it's in the kitchen, my toolbox, the garden shed, or my backpack. And I can hone my pocket knife to a sharper edge if I want sharpness instead of durability. My whetstone was inherited from my father and will probably last my lifetime. I may be getting lazy but that whetstone is seeing less and less use. I pull it now more for nostalgia and to keep my skills than any real need." — Barnacle Bill The Sailor

Get it from Amazon now: $12.73 & FREE Returns

 

42. Masterbuilt Analog Electric Smoker with 3 Smoking Racks

Top-rated: 3,348 ratings



Highlight: Built-in temperature gauge.

Helpful review: "This unit is well made and should last many years. I like the electric as opposed to propane. I smoked a pastrami (brined beef brisket) the first time I used it and it did an outstanding job. The temp control is not labeled with actual numbers, so you’ll have to adjust it until you get the desired temp. And even then, keep an eye on it as mine fluctuated up and down some. This may be the coil breaking in, I don’t know. Overall, a very good unit that will accommodate almost anyone doing home smoking." — Bill

Get it from Amazon now: $186.16

 

43. Old Timer Splinter Carvin' Traditional Folding Whittling Knife



Highlight: 6 inch (15.3 cm) overall length, with a blade length of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) and a weight of 3.9 ounces.

Helpful review: "This carving tool is not just an excellent value for the money - it's an excellent value, period. I own a Flexcut carvin jack, I paid 125.00 for it and to me it was worth every penny at that price. The old timer isn't just comparable - it's quite arguably much better. The reason I say the old timer is better is because it's larger - easier access to the tools, it doesn't lock - which, in a whittling tool, is not a negative at all since you don't apply pressure in ways that make the locking necessary anyway.
This tool being bigger also means the blades sink deeper into it which means its a lot harder to cut yourself - a big plus to me and one of my main criticisms of the flexcut. The steel appears to be identical to the flexcut, although the flexcut is thicker - and it should be considering it costs 5x the money! duh. The thinner size of the tools on the old timer is not a negative though, in my opinion it not only doesn't subtract from the durability but also makes the tool easier to sharpen. I hope those who read my review understand my overall point - this is a great tool, even if it cost 4x the money it would still be a good value. I am a serious whittler and someone who uses these tools a lot, to me, this is an excellent tool in every way.
No it doesn't come out of the box razor sharp, but those who hold that against a cutting implement are simply ignorant, if you buy a knife and don't own a stone, you're the dumb one - not the tool. It is in no way a mark of low quality for a tool to come needing to be sharpened. I give this 5 out of 5 stars and plan on buying a couple more, for the price I can own 5 of them and still have spent just about 100.00 - that's fantastic." — ValuShopper

Get it from Amazon now: $19.94 & FREE Returns


 

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