dry canning only needs an oven - and they keep for 20-30 years
http://suite101.com/article/dry-pack-canning-for-long-term-food-storage-a187387
oops - I meant this link for dry canning - super simple
http://www.permies.com/t/10635/cooking/Oven-canning-preserves-dry-goods
Nothing wrong with dry canning, but the vacuum sealer doesn’t use near as much energy and living in the southwest I don’t use my oven from about May through October.