FoodSaver 8" & 11" Vacuum Seal Rolls Multi Pack (2159288): problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-22

Summary

A five-roll multipack, model 2159288: two 8 in x 20 ft rolls plus three 11 in x 16 ft rolls, 88 linear feet. The usual complaints are creased film that will not seal and bags that lose vacuum after sealing, and the only recurring cost is replacement roll material, about $34.08 a year if you cut 100 twelve-inch bags at Walmart’s price. Under $25 a sealed, undamaged box is strong value, and $25 to $35 is fair if you will use both widths.

Common problems and fixes

Creased or wrinkled film that will not seal — owners Bran (May 6, 2024) and MyAzMaria (November 7, 2025) reported whole boxes and recent orders with wrinkles and deep creases on this exact multipack; FoodSaver’s troubleshooting FAQ confirms a wrinkle crossing the seal area admits air. Cut the bad section off, flatten and clean the opening, then reseal, and discard film that is itself perforated. The 30-day direct return covers unused merchandise only, and no separate manufacturing-defect cover for this consumable was found. [1][3][6][13]
Losing vacuum after sealing — Al Blanz (August 16, 2024) and ruffel (May 26, 2026) reported 8-inch rolls or single bags failing to hold. Folds, grease or moisture at the seam, a puncture or a misaligned bar can all cause it; the FAQ fix is to cut away the suspect seal, clean and flatten the opening and reseal. [1][3]
Reuse and older machines — a November 2023 owner with an original Tilia-era machine and a January 2025 r/sousvide thread describe sealers that seal new film but stall on previously used material; other owners succeeded after trimming an extra half-inch. That is not evidence of a deliberate restriction or a flaw in every pack. [1][11]
Punctures, seam splits and moisture ingress — sharp bones or food edges can puncture the film, and residue or liquid can prevent a full heat seal; an r/sousvide owner described a leak during a long cook. Those forum reports do not identify the production lot. [3][12]
Sealing margin and waste — every new section needs a first-end seal and a second vacuum-and-seal, and FoodSaver asks for at least 3 inches of empty material between food and the open end, with some manuals asking 4 inches; a too-short cut wastes more plastic than a longer one would have. [3][4]
No zip opening — each time you reopen a bag you shorten it and consume more material, so a frequently opened refrigerator item may suit a reusable zipper container. [1][7]

Parts and consumables

FoodSaver five-roll combination pack (model 2159288) — $29.99 at Walmart and $49.99 from FoodSaver direct, both observed October 2026; replace it when the material is consumed or damaged, with no calendar interval. [1][2]
FoodSaver 8-inch by 20-foot roll three-pack (model 2159392) — $32.99 from FoodSaver direct (October 2026), 60 feet at 8-inch width only. [8]
FoodSaver 11-inch by 16-foot roll three-pack — $44.99 from FoodSaver direct (October 2026), 48 feet at 11-inch width only. [8]
Avid Armor 11-inch by 50-foot two-roll pack — $19.99 from Avid Armor (October 2026), 100 feet at 11-inch width only. [9]
Avid Armor 8-inch by 25-foot four-roll pack — $17.99 from Avid Armor (October 2026), 100 feet at 8-inch width only. [10]
Cutting tools and labels — the rolls need a straight cut, so a compatible built-in cutter or household scissors, plus a marker to date contents; no machine gaskets, heating strips or cutter blades come with the pack. [4][5]

Yearly running cost

Only the roll material recurs; there is no filter, battery, cartridge or subscription, and no electricity figure attributable to the film itself. Using 100 newly cut bags of 12 inches each: 100 feet divided by 88 feet per pack is 1.136 packs, so about $34.08 a year at Walmart’s $29.99 and about $56.81 at FoodSaver’s $49.99, before tax and delivery. Real cuts waste material, and a 12-inch section leaves only a small sealing margin.

When it is a good buy

At $25 or less a sealed, undamaged box is strong value; from $25 to $35 it is fair if you will use both widths; over $40 compare the alternatives. Walmart’s exact listing is $29.99 and FoodSaver direct is $49.99 (October 2026), about $0.34 a linear foot against $0.57. Avid Armor’s 11-inch by 50-foot two-pack is $19.99 for 100 feet at one width (Avid Armor, October 2026), better when 8-inch rolls are unnecessary, and its 8-inch by 25-foot four-pack is $17.99 for 100 feet at 8 inches (Avid Armor, October 2026), better for high-throughput small portions. FoodSaver’s Heavy Duty 11-inch by 16-foot six-pack is $82.49 for 96 feet (FoodSaver, October 2026), a heavier gauge for bone-in meat or game. [8][9][10]