Eastman Outdoors 38229 Reveo MariVac Food Tumbler Reviews

• Over priced for the performance

  
  By AX19A39YU2Y71 on 2005-09-02
  This product was showcased on TV and I was intrigued. I'm not a gourmet chef, but I do enjoy cooking. And if there's one thing I'm not good at in the kitchen, it's planning ahead when it comes to dinner. So the Reveo sounded like the ultimate kitchen gadget to me. I was put off by the price but after reading all the 5-star reviews, I decided to take the plunge. I ordered my very own Reveo. I could hardly wait to get it out of the box. My first try was a simple oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper marinade that I whipped up myself. I put fresh green beans and chopped potatoes into the Reveo with some marinade and let 'er rip. Once that batch was done, I threw in some raw peeled shrimp with more of the marinade. I followed the instructions (which are pretty simple) and marinated both batches for the appropriate time. The veggies didn't seem to absorb any of the flavor but the shrimp did. This is not surprising because I could've marinated the shrimp for a little longer on the counter and achieved the same effect. The next night I tried a London broil with my favorite homemade steak marinade, which I would ordinarily marinate the steak in overnight. I marinated the steak in the Reveo for the specified time and put it on the grill. While some of the flavor did make it into the steak, it was not bursting with flavor as it is after an overnight marinate. It's not that this product doesn't work, it just doesn't work to the tune of $200. If it were a $40 gadget, I probably would've kept it. But for $200, I wanted to be blown away. Since I was not, I've decided to return it. Also, it's worth noting that this product is pretty large. I was expecting a relatively small box, but what I got was larger than a breadmaker. This isn't a good or a bad thing - I'm just saying clear some room on the counter for this if you decide to purchase.
  
  Bottom line: If you're looking for quick flavor in your meats, go with a marinade injector. I've got a Cajun injector and it definitely works. I don't know why I don't use it more often, but it definitely works better than the Reveo and is much, much cheaper.
  
  

• It works, but I'd like it better with less marketing and more value

  
  By AIQ6VOXJYUU0Y on 2005-10-17
  I have used my new Reveo MariVac multiple times on pork roasts, London broil beef (grilled), and whole roast chicken. Recipes are provided for fish and vegetables as well, but I have not tried these yet. The MariVac is easy and fun to use. Just put up to four pounds of meat in the clear acrylic tumbler with your marinade of choice, let the MariVac evacuate the air inside the tumbler (takes 90 seconds), and have the MariVac tumble the food for up to 20 minutes. Roast food is extremely juicy after just 15-20 minutes of MariVac tumbling. Combining MariVac's system with a good meat thermometer will reliably produce a perfect roast. In addition to the obvious time savings over marinating overnight, the short time that the meat is in liquid in the MariVac system avoids the mushy texture and bland color that slowly-marinated foods sometimes develop. Basically, you get a whole lot of liquid inside your meat, real fast. Your meat can gain up to 20% in weight.
  
  There are, however, several disappointments. MariVac'd meats gain so much liquid weight that cooking time is extended (I found use of a meat thermometer essential). The MariVac does not significantly tenderize tough meat, so you can end up with moist-but-tough results if you start with a cheap piece of meat. The amount of flavor added is often less than I expected, particularly when using MariVac's overpriced and overhyped spice blends. I get much better flavor using citrus juice, olive oil, and fresh herbs from my garden. The cheaply printed cookbook/owner's manual is poorly constructed with many errors. For example, it says to remove the rubber seal on the lid and the tumbler lid will then be dishwasher-safe. This is false; the current tumbler design has a permanently affixed rubber seal and must be hand-washed. Another example: the cookbook says that marinades should contain oil, an acid, and spice (basically, a vinaigrette), but many of the cookbook recipes contain no oils while the same recipes provided with the spice mixes specify oils. So which is correct? The cookbook recipes contradict the general cookbook instructions, and conflict with the spice mix recipes. Also, two-thirds of the recipes in the cookbook specify Eastman's overpriced spice blends. This ingredient alone costs about $2-3 per use, so it's hard not to feel ripped off, as if the purchase of a $200 kitchen appliance is merely a lead-in to a lifetime of paying overpriced rates and shipping to wait a week and get a small bag of lemon pepper. Lastly, Eastman claims they'll send you samples of their spice mixes if you register your warranty on their website; I never got mine and had to order a set, which added annoying delay and another $35 to the startup cost.
  
  Although I plan to keep my machine, I'd remind Eastman that slick website Flash animations and calling all your customer "Flavoristas" do not add up to providing customer value. I've spent $200 on your machine, give me recipes I can make when I open the box, not ones for which I must pay you more money to order ingredients (or at least put your spice blend samples in the box, c'mon guys!)...Eastman comes across as a bunch of "Greederistas."
  
  

• Reveo....the first word in flavor!!!

  
  By A3D0RU1URR2IOF on 2005-04-15
  I watched this product demonstrated on TV several times. The price was daunting but I decided to give it a try. Before I tried it, I decided to test it against the FoodSaver with its marinade canister. I bought two pieces of sirloin steak and used a marinade recipe that I really like. I vacuum sealed the steak in the FoodSaver canister and likewise used the Reveo MariVac to seal the meat in the Reveo. I placed the FoodSaver canister in the fridge and set the Reveo canister on the unit and set the control for 20 minutes.
  
  Results: After 20 minutes, there was no marinade visible in the Reveo canister. The steak had 'plumped-up' considerably. After 4 hours, there was still a lot of marinade visible in the FoodSaver canister. I cooked both on the Cuisinart Griddler and the Reveo produced a clearly superior steak. It was so tender that you might have mistaken it for rib eye steak. The FoodSaver steak, albeit tender, was still a cut below the Reveo.
  
  The Reveo is pricey to be sure but it will pay for itself as you produce the most tender and tasty foods that you can imagine. It's a hit here....you'll love it too!
  
  

• WOW

  
  By A8K48TYIQQHIB on 2004-11-17
  My wife and I use the Reveo two to three times a week. The results are unbelieveable. We've used it for such simplistic things as Steak Sauce with NY Strips, Italian Salad Dressing with Chicken Breasts to Hot Wing Sauce with Pork Chops. We have not tried all of the Eastman Outdoors recipes; but we'll get there. I think someone with a creative mind in the kitchen could do amazing things with the Reveo. I hope some users can and will share their ideas. I think we have the makings for a new Food Fad with the Reveo.
  
  

• This product never fails to surprise my guests

  
  By AVLY9E94F7NI2 on 2004-09-10
  The Reveo has improved the quality of the food I eat while allowing me the freedom from planning in advance. The product is very intuitive. There are only three buttons - power on/off, vacuum, and tumble. The vacuum takes under two minutes, and the tumbling can not go past twenty minutes. Most food I marinate with the Reveo only takes about 10 minutes of tumbling. The product is also easy to clean, and dishwasher safe. The results are surprising, and when I cook for guests they can't believe how good the food is. I have infused hamburgers with cajun seasoning, olive oil, orange juice and soy sauce, and marinated a whole chicken with italian dressing before putting it on the rotissere. Be careful with ground beef. The first time I put in too much marinade, and the Reveo infused so much liquid in to the ground meat that it turned in to soup. I had to throw out the meat and start over!
  
  
• Formerly Unsatisfied customer
  By AQV1WH2R71T1T on 2005-03-08
  It turns out that the unit I originally received was defective. I called the manufacturer and they sent me a replacement unit -- no questions asked. I would like to change my rating to 5 stars. The product worked just as advertised and the marinated food was delicious. I was very impressed with the way the manufacturer took care of my problem.
  
  
• Become an instant grill master
  By AIHM2YN1PL4GW on 2004-09-13
  I used my Reveo for the first time this weekend. Hand's down, this is the best product to enhance your grilling skills. It was so quick and easy to operate. I went straight from the box to marinating in less than 1 minute. I didn't look at the directions - no need.
  
  I tried salmon, scallops, steak - all came out flavorful and juicy with just 15 minutes in the tumbler. We were cutting our steak with a butter knife.
  
  My kids (and neighbors) really enjoyed watching the Reveo in action. It created quite a stir. From prep to clean-up, I could not ask for more simplicity.
  
  
• Excellent product and warranty service
  By A6APYH4T4MQEL on 2005-05-19
  Have had this appliance since Christmas '04, and we've made wonderful meats with it. The unit mysteriously stopped working last week, wouldn't turn on. Called the manufacturer, and they shipped me a new one, no questions asked. Told me to ship the 6 month old defective unit back, on their dime, to them in the replacement's box.
  
  I was thrilled with my purchase with the original, but now I'm doubly pleased since the maufacturer's customer service is so good!
  
  
• Yes - it is worth the $$$$
  By A3PG2BEQ2JIBBC on 2005-07-07
  You may find this hard to believe, but this really works. Chicken is kept plump and juicy despite over grilliing it - making you look like a genius. Shrimp actually is more succulent, beef and pork becomes juicier on the grill or even roasted. Fish - doesnt tumble very well, but keep it in the vaccum and it works well. The machine might seem pricey, but its worth the cost of admission.
  
  
• Every home should have one!
  By AI3MPSF9ZD4RQ on 2004-10-19
  This is the most innovative product since the microwave! This product is amazing! It allows everyone to be gourmet chefs without having any skills! If you can select a flavor, pick a meat or vegetable, drop it in a bucket and push the button - You are destined to succeed! This is an easy product that is fail proof! It does not do the cooking for you; however, it prepares the food in such a way that it takes out the planning and preparation time. It answers the age-old question, "why doesn't my food taste as good as it does in the restaurant??" Now it can - you can possess the secret through the marination process. Even an amatuer grill master can produce excellent meals. My finicky eight-year old even said it was the best chicken I had ever prepared...she didn't even drown it with ranch dressing! Everything I have prepared using the Reveo has turned out juicy, flavorful and outstanding! This product is incredible, convenient and innovative! Every home should have one!
  
  
• Lovin' my meals!
  By A1P8B2VL0CVSQ8 on 2004-12-06
  I am the world's worst cook and the Reveo has totally saved me! Every single meal I marinate in the tumbler turns out really really good! This is a must have kitchen appliance!
  
  
• Simply Awesome!
  By A2EPREFA7LAJXH on 2005-05-29
  My butcher told me about this incredible product. The $200 price tag shocked me at first but after reading the reviews here online I had to try it. The first night we received it we tried a flank steak with a honey teriyaki marinade.... Simply Awesome!
  
  
• Great product and customer service
  By A2WB85DFVCSYN on 2005-12-06
  I've owned this for 6 months now, and used it dozens of times on all major types of meat. The flavor has been incredible every time. This machine gives me the same results that I used to get when I marinated food 2-3 days in the refrigerator, but it only takes 20 minutes. I find myself marinating meats more often because its so fast, easy and adds so much more flavor to my dishes and barbeque.
  I recently developed a crack in the acrylic container for reasons that are unknown to me. I called customer service and they sent me a new one immediately free of charge and no questions asked.
  I feel that this machine is worth every penny and would highly recommend it to anyone. If mine were to break after the warranty I would buy another immediately.
  
  
  
• Exceeds Expectations
  By AXIL9EBQMCQI2 on 2006-02-22
  The Reveo MariVac Food Tumbler is a marvelous addition to my outdoor grilling preparation tools. I have always marinated my meats before grilling with mixed results. The marinade rarely penetrated very far and the flavor was marginal. The Tumbler allows the marinade to penetrate less dense meats, such as poultry, almost completely and on the denser meats there is a notable improvement. Chicken breasts which can dry out are now moist all the way through the grilling process. Vegetables like mushrooms soak up marinade like sponges. Better yet, everything is done in 20 minutes or less with easy clean up. Well worth the money.
  
  
  
  
• Brilliant!!!!
  By A1F0P10DW6OSEZ on 2006-02-25
  The best home cooked meat I've ever had. In fact, if it weren't for my poor presentation skills, I'd rate my recent experiments among those from the best restaurants. Really, really good. One warning though...use the vac times that they suggest. I ran some pork chops through 3 20 minute cycles. The meat was totally disguized by the marinade. So, listen to the directions, don't buy their overpriced spices, and enjoy chicken again...or for the first time. Great product.
  
  
• A really nice device with excellent customer service.
  By A1TTKKN4AY63QK on 2006-08-01
  I was pretty skeptical when I saw this, especially at the non-trivial price of 200 clams. However, I grill or barbecue five nights out of seven, and I'm always looking at a shortcut to infuse my meat with rubs or marinades. I knew some pro rib joints used similar (but MUCH more expensive) commercial units for this purpose.
  
  So far, this has paid its way with chicken, small roasts, steaks and even fish. It does get the flavor much deeper into the fibre of food in a shorter amount of time than overnight marination, whether wet (like a marinade) or dry (like Jerk seasoning.)
  
  After about a year of constant use, the seal went soft, resulting in some horrendous kitchen messes (timed just for bright red Tandoori chicken !!)
  
  I emailed the company, and received a new re-designed lid in a couple of days at no charge. It is expensive as kitchen gadgets run, but it NEVER goes on sale anywhere. It'll pay you back with
  restaurant quality meals at home...
  
  
• Great Product and Great Support
  By AEVZYB01D2QML on 2005-11-28
  At first sight after opening it last Christmas I thought, "Oh great - another gadget for my already gadget-stuffed kitchen." But hey! This thing works as advertised. (For the money it had better, and fortunately, it does.) After heavy use, mine developed a vacuum leak, and a small part broke. One call to customer service, and new parts were on the way. If you don't want to shell out the dough to get one for yourself, see if you can con somebody else into buying you one as a gift! You will definately see improved results in your cooking, as well as substantial savings in time.
  
  
• Never bored with my veggies again!
  By A3PYLFYNY2662P on 2004-09-15
  My husbad and I just tried out the Reveo this week on a variety of vegetables and they came out bursting with flavor! The best was mushrooms - they really soaked up the marinade. As a vegetarian, this was really important to me. My husband enjoyed marinating his steak before grilling - he couldn't believe it only took minutes. We were both very happy with the results - everything was so tasty and tender!
  
  
• Flavorific
  By ABQN5GEME7IGB on 2004-09-20
  My husband and I have so far used the Reveo with pork, chicken and steak and had excellent results. The depth of the flavor we've gotten has definitely been better then what we've experienced with zip-locking. But the best part for us is that it only takes 10 minutes. We'd always forget to marinade the night before so this solves the problem of having to remember.
  
  
• Barbecue friend
  By AC71AFZB6551J on 2006-08-17
  I saw a newspaper article outlining this and other vacuum marinators. I told my husband I wanted it for my anniversary present and, wonderful man that he is, he got it for me. It's so easy to use. The results are wonderful!!! I do tend to marinate meats about 5 minutes longer than marinated. We like deep flavors. There hasn't been a bad meal produced by the machine. It's very easy to use. I've used all kinds of marinades -- sweet, sour, pungent and spicy. All came out delectable and tender. I've used bone in meats, boneless meats, chicken, beef, even seitan, a vegetarian "wheat meat". Scrumptious! No time!! I admit it does take up a good deal of counter space, but that counter space isn't used for long. The directions in the manual are crystal clear. I highly recommend this device if you are a person fond of marinated foods. My husband says that this is the best anniversary present he's ever gotten -- even if it was for me!!
  
  
• Doesn't last
  By A3PJJ6LE36ZM0H on 2006-12-02
  The first Reveo I got was broken when we unpacked it. A replacement was shipped promptly, but now the same part in the lid that was broken in shipment, has broken again. It's a great premise, and I suppose it works well, but the fact that the lid is broken (again) after less than 20 uses makes me believe it has a fatal design flaw. Yes, the mfr has a one year warranty, but this is too pricey to only last a year, and too much hassle. I prefer my gadgets to be trouble free.
  
  
• Works Great
  By AQMMTUANDYIP0 on 2005-07-10
  It really tenderizes the meat as well as getting the flavor into the meat quickly.
  
  
• So, this is how the restaurants do it!
  By A13WLXBM36009G on 2006-06-30
  As a reluctant cook who loves good food, this is a major discovery. Moreover, judging from the three tries I've had at it so far (meat, fish, chicken), it lives up to its hype. The flavors of the marinade not only are suffused throughout the fibers of the meat, but they're peaked. That is, powder spices that usually go barely noticed, assert their presence like never before. What's more, the moisty succulence is something I've tried to achieve for a long time. Anyone who is not getting these results might not be doing the vacuum part right.
  
  In my anxiety to try new marinade ingredients, it's likely that frozen dinners will become a thing of the past.
  
  
• AWESOME!
  By A3DRGLCWOFGVXX on 2006-10-14
  If I could give it 10 stars I would. I have NEVER tasted better meat,chicken, or fish. 20 mins in the tumbler with ANY marinade and the food is 200% infused with the flavor of your marinade. The clean up is SUPER easy. Throw the tumbler in the dishwasher and take 1 minute to wash the top. No need to remove the rubber seal from the top, as that will decrease the longevity. The seal doesn't let anything get in that will contaminate it anyways. This is absolutely the indespensible kitchen item for non-vegetarians :-) As a test I put in thawed thick cut bacon in it with some maple syrup and pepper and it was so good I made another pound immediatly afterwards. Works excellent on venison. No gamey taste and as I said earlier,,it totally infuses the meat with flavor. Additionally you don't have to baste your meat in between flips on the grill or whatever technique you use. Buy this product NOW! I know it sounds like a review written by an employee of the company, but I assure you I'm an Air Force man with a wife and two kids. We use this machine at least 4 nights a week.
  
  
• When it works, it works.
  By A2SAQRAOQXC9E0 on 2007-03-31
  The first few times I used this thing, I was NOT impressed. It did not seem to do much. Then I noticed a tiny crack in the black lid. It must have happened in shipping. I called the company and told them it had a hair line crack and didn't seem to be drawing a vacuum. 'Nuf said. They shipped me a new lid pronto and it was like a miracle. I threw a few chicken leg quarters in, some Worcestershire, some lemon juice, and some tabasco sauce and history was made.
  
  I think it sucked the juice all the way into the bone marrow. Delish!!!
  
  The thing is, when you get the thing:
  1) Put the lid on the barrel.
  2) Set the valve to 'open'.
  3) Attach the vacuum hose and run it through a 'Marivac' cycle.
  4) Set the valve to close and detach the vacuum hose.
  
  Then open the valve and listen...If it goes 'pssst', that don't cut it. Get another lid. If it goes 'SHHHhhhhhhh' for about a second, thats the ticket. You got one that works. Guard it with your life! They don't tell you this in the instruction manual.
  
  I was all set to come here and tell you folks this thing ain't worth two bucks much less two hundred. Now they will have to pry the thing from my lifeless fingers before I willingly give it up.
  
  
• review for marivac food tumbler
  By A7IRZFO4OX8D5 on 2006-07-08
  Great product, improved the quality of food preparation. I have recommend to at lease 5-8 of my friends. I just LOVE IT!!!!!!!
  
  
  L.A. BERGER
  LBERGER@TWMI.RR.COM
  
  
• This thing really works !
  By AW5FJXX4FEZNS on 2006-07-15
  I had that buyers remorse feeling shortly after clicking on PAY. When I first saw the box it came in, I felt even worse.It had all these cheesy colorful infomercial stuff all over the box.
  It might take a couple of trys to get it right but once you do you will be amazed.
  
  
• Fast Marinades & good support
  By A1BWESANOC8AF7 on 2006-08-04
  I love to BBQ and this machines is made for this. It has allowed me to on the spur of the moment decide to defrost some meat and throw it in the marinade machine. lamb, chicken and steaks work well.
  
  I broke off the pump insert inside the lids (my fault) and with one call it was replaced no questions asked. Thats service.
  
  It was a great Dad's gift.
  
  
• The Best!
  By A179MMRJE7896N on 2006-08-18
  I was sceptical but had to have another kitchen toy............ This one quickly became a favorite and I use it constantly to quickly, and spontaneously, be able to marinate for our new grill. I absolutely love it!
  
  
• This product rocks
  By A396NGOUVKSSY0 on 2006-11-10
  If you are into great steaks or wild game then this is the product for you. I was given my 1st one as a gift and had a problem with the original lid after contacting the vendor they took care of the problem and overnighted me a new one. After the new lid arrived it has been bullet proof and a GREAT product. Since then I have purchased 3 additional units and have given them as gifts. Everyone that has received them loves them for steaks and vegetables etc....Long story short you cant go wrong with this company or products!!
  
  

• Marinades, Rubs, Brines, Cures, & Glazes: Revised And Expanded
• Mr. Bar-B-Q Meat Tenderizer
• The Best Little Marinades Cookbook (Best Little Cookbooks)
• Barbecue! Bible : Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades, Bastes, Butters, and Glazes
• Reveo Meat Tumbler Extra Barrel