IDK if this is what LEM would advise but I do both. I like the size, convenience and pack-ability of the two pound bags but when I plan on storing my meat longer than 4-5 months I usually will grind all of it into two pound bags then put 3 side by side in a vac sealer bag and seal them up. They keep great this way and I'll cut open the vac seal bag as I need them.

Unfortunately, we don't currently offer biodegradable plastics. However, I'm definitely passing your suggestion on to our product development team!

Yes, our meat bags are BPA free.

Yes, you can. The Spring Loaded Pliers and Hog Rings are perfect for our meat bags.

The game bags can be heat sealed but the quality of the seal is highly dependent on the time and temperature. Using an impulse sealer with time adjustments would work best. I found 2-3 seconds at the most does the job and then allow the seal to cool before moving it about too much. (Impulse sealer is available on our sister site Roots & Harvest. Here is a link: https://www.rootsandharvest.com/category/s?keyword=impulse ) The bags are can also be sealed with Poly Bag Tape, cotton twine, or hog rings. http://www.lemproducts.com/product/ground-meat-packaging-system-with-tube/meat-bags-tape http://www.lemproducts.com/product/hog-rings-pliers/casing-closures http://www.lemproducts.com/product/cotton-twine/casing-closures

We have not tested for this purpose, but any permanent marker should work.

Both would work just fine. The grinder would be faster if your have a 2 inch tube.

If you pack the meat while filling this should eliminate the air pockets.

Yes, these work well in a smoker.

These bags are not made to be vacuum sealed.