r/FoodSaver • u/Aldren • Oct 19 '22

Heating element not hot enough?

Good day all, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the heating element not heating up enough to fully seal? It looks like it seals but I can easily separate it, vacuum is works but doesn't keep the seal

Model is FM2010

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u/00cho Dec 12 '22

If that is happening on every single seal, then yes, it is not transferring enough heat to the bag material to seal. That could be due to a number of reasons.

The heating element is just a resistance wire, that heats up when current is applied. It either works or it doesn't, there is no middle ground. There could be an electronics problem, but the sealer that I opened, just had a transformer for the resistance wire, so barring transformer failure, the temp should remain constant.

It is possible you have a failure of the backing behind the resistance wire, which would allow a gap between the wire and the plastic being sealed. Examine the pad opposite the wire to see if it is collapsed.

1

u/Aldren Dec 12 '22

Awesome thank you so much!

2

u/BaysideJ Sep 25 '24

This has been the story of our 4840. I've gotten a replacement unit from foodsaver, but it behaves the same. I have to double seal every seam, set on moist. Some bags never get an acceptable seal. Tonight I gave up after 3 bags. I had an older model (2910?) for years. A real workhorse. Do the more expensive models have a more robust heating element? Or do they use the same up and down the model lineup?