With the rising cost of living, we all looking to save on a few bucks for financial security. Food is a basic need that easily spoils and the next step we take is to throw it away. For you to keep your fresh foods fresher for a longer time and to extend the shelf life of your dry and frozen goods, you need to invest in the best vacuum sealers.
A vacuum sealer will provide convenience because you can cook your food in bulk and pack for your camping and still retain the bright and natural food flavors. Freezer burns are also a thing of the past with vacuum sealers. They are designed with a seal bar enclosed in a chamber where a vacuum sealing bag is placed for sealing.
These gadgets are economical as they help you save on food, easy to operate, and oh! They are also waterproof and can vacuum your documents during backpacking or camping. But before you hit the stores to shop for one, there are some crucial factors you need to consider.
This article will guide you further on vacuum sealers. I have also compiled some of the best vacuum sealers in the market. Read on to understand more.
What is a chamber vacuum sealer?
A vacuum sealer is a tool designed to expel air from plastic pouches. The main purpose of the machine is to prolong the life of your food. These chamber sealers use vacuum bags designed with seals that act as protection against any water or dust.
The pouch seal blocks oxygen from getting to the sealers. With the lack of oxygen, the perishables tend to stay longer as bacteria present in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats& oils are degraded. The vacuum sealers come in different designs. The chambered ones have powerful vacuum pumps compared to the non-chambered vacuum sealers.
These chamber sealers use vacuum bags designed with seals that act as protection against any water or dust. The seal blocks oxygen from getting to the sealers. With the lack of oxygen, the perishables tend to stay longer as bacteria present in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats& oils are degraded.
Review Of The Best Vacuum Sealers
Vacuum sealing machines are growing popular, thanks to their perfect work on extending foods life. If you’re looking forward to buying your first chamber vacuum sealer for home use, then you must be expecting huge savings on food.
Unlike ordinary freezing, vacuum sealing protects your sealed food products from freezer burns and does not dehydrate the food. Below is a review of the best chamber vacuum sealers that I’ve either tested or just used within the few years I’ve spent with these sealers.
1. VacMaster VP215 Chamber Vacuum Sealer
Manufactured by ARY, the VacMaster chamber vacuum sealer machine weighs 84 pounds with dimensions of 20 X 14 X 15 inches. This is the perfect machine for small restaurants and culinary institutions. It is also valuable for serious hunters and fishermen, why? Because with just ¼ horsepower rotary oil pump, the VP215 is quite efficient and dependable.
This VacMaster vacuum sealer is all you will ever need for your preservation. Its oil pumps are quieter compared to other machines with dry pumps. It can also accommodate quite a load regardless of how heavy it is. The machine has a removable seal bar fitted with double seal wires that provides a complete, lasting double seal on each bag. The seal is twice stronger than any other machine.
The machine is designed for superior performance and it’s the cornerstone unit of the VP series machines. It is designed with a heavy-duty oil pump for continued use that will take your vacuum packaging expertise to a whole new level! The VP215 can run continuously without any time needed for the bags to cool down.
The sealer comes with a pressure indicator and a digital screen display. It also comes with75 packaging bags of different sizes and it’s easy to set the sealer time depending on the thickness of the bags. The machine also comes with three heat settings, perfect for sealing various kinds of bags. The vacuum levels can hit up to 29 hg.
This heavy-duty vacuum sealer prolongs your foods’ shelf life to up to five times longer and quite efficient and easy to use. You can easily vacuum package liquids and your liquid-rich foods like meat soups and stews without worry.
Key features
- ¼ HP rotary oil pump
- Easily usable digital control panel
- Transparent lid
Pros
- High quality
- Easy to use and maintain
- Ideal for dry, liquid-rich food and liquids
Cons
- A bit expensive
2. Avid Armor Chamber Vacuum Sealer, USV32 ultra series
The USV32 model is the best machine to perfectly vacuum seal all types of foods, be it liquids, liquid-rich foods or your favorite infused cocktail. Its chamber dimensions are 11.5” W X 12” L X 3.75” H with a maximum pouch size of 11” wide and13” long. It is designed with a sleek stainless steel finish, a low profile glass lid, and a small footprint that takes up the least space on your countertops.
What I loved about this sealer is that it features a clear-view glass lid so you can easily load and have full visibility to closely monitor the vacuum and seal process. One can also properly position the bag with ease. The machine is compact with an easy to use one-touch ‘Auto Vac &seal’ function. All you need to do is single-press the button and the entire vacuum and seal cycle begins.
The USV32 model has two sealing wires for double sealing on different pouch sizes that include: 6” X 10”, 6” X 12” ,8”X 10”,8” X 12”,10” X 13” and 11” X 10”. The sealer requires close to no maintenance as it uses the dry piston vacuum Pump to attain high vacuum pressure on your foods and marinades. With the different pouch sealing sizes and adjustable seal time function, all the pouches are sealed positively.
The Avid Armor saves you some cash by offering you a professional vacuum packaging experience. It’s by far the best chamber vacuum sealer for home use. It locks in your food freshness and provides resistance to freezer burns. The machine also includes a vacuum filler plate and suitable for sous vide cooking.
Key features
- Stainless steel construction
- One-touch Auto Vac & Seal function
- Transparent glass lid
Pros
- Simple to adjust
- Easy to move it around as it is lightweight
- High-quality unit
Cons
- Does not include instructions set
3. VAC-VIDA VS301 Chamber Vacuum Sealer
This VAC-VIDA VS301 chamber vacuum sealer was engineered to be the most powerful vacuum chamber machine to ever be created. That gives it credit as one of the best chamber vacuum sealers in the market. If you are looking for a strong machine, then this is the best choice. You can say goodbye to other ugly, less efficient chamber vacuum sealers as this one is beautiful-looking and brings a good look to your kitchen or restaurant countertops.
VS301 has a ¼ horsepower oil pump that ensures you use it continuously and is strong to accommodate even the heaviest of all loads. With such powerful pump, you have the assurance that the sealer will not disappoint. The pump makes less noise when compared to the other dry pumps. This makes it one of the reasons you should not lack the VS301 sealer in your kitchen space.
This sealer can package almost all kinds of foods and works well with liquids. Operating it is also quite easy as it Is designed with simple yet very modern controls to help you in the preservation process. The machine is designed to work with even the cheapest vacuum bags, which is quite an advantage as it will save you the cost of getting the expensive ones.
Good thing is that the cheaper bags work as efficiently as the expensive ones, so no need to worry that they may leak the contents in them. The manufacturers also put in mind the ease of the preservation process for beginners by including an instruction manual to help out. The manual however doesn’t match the sealer as it’s a bit poor. That though, shouldn’t worry you as its straightforward. In most cases, the poor manual is hardly a concern.
The manufacturers also provide their customers with 100 chamber vacuum bags and have excellent customer support. Their dedication to customer support guarantees direct support from their team for any arising questions/ issues. VS 301 has a one-year guarantee, and a catalog of necessary spare parts within or out of their warranty.
Key features
- ¼ horsepower oil pump
- Beautiful finish
- Friendly with thinner bags
Pros
- Easy to use
- Friendly with cheaper packaging bags
- Beautiful
Cons
- The quality of the product was not as expected for some.
4. 110V Tabletop Seal Vacuum Packaging Machine sealer
With dimensions of 18.11” X 17.72” X 14.17”, this sealer is very suitable for packaging your wet or dry food, be it grains, fruit, prickles, medicinal materials, electronic elements, or even rare metals. You can also package your money and your financial documents in it to prevent the growth of mold onto them.
Since the machine is designed with the advanced seal technology, itmay retain your food flavor and minimize chances of any spoiling. Its power supply voltage is 110V/60Hz with a rated power of 360w to effectively seal your bags. The maximum bag size this sealer can accommodate is 25 X 30 inches, so you can seal your large bags with ease at a speed of 1.8L/H.
This tabletop sealer adopts a vacuum pump with a great pumping force and the vacuum can even reach -0.1mpa. The sealing strip is 26cm in length and can support multiple smaller-sized bags to be sealed at the same time. The sealing time is easily adjustable and easy to control.
Its stainless steel hinges are strong and durable giving you long use satisfaction. The hinges are highly rust-resistant and beautiful to complement your kitchen countertops. The safety buckle is also strong and safe to use, saving you the worries and doubts on your safety as a user.
The machines make is from silicone so its sealing strips are more firm when compared to other vacuum chamber machines. The machine is also fitted with a transparent glass plate so you can observe the vacuum process and easily monitor it.
Key features
- Strong safety buckle
- Firm silicone sealing strips
- Great pumping force
Pros
- Affordable
- Works effectively
- It is designed to be energy saving.
Cons
- The heat bar cannot be set for more than 1.5 seconds
5. BestEquip Chamber Vacuum Sealer Machine
Looking for a heavy-duty vacuum sealer? The BestEquip machine got you covered! its construction is stainless steel, a material that is long-lasting, fast, and easy to clean. You do not have to worry the sealer might corrode with time, this is because stainless steel is highly resistant to rust. This guarantees you a longer service life with its ventilation systems designed for safe and smooth operations.
It has an excellent sealing effect with one to four pieces per minute with total efficiency and effectiveness. Its’ temperature sealing range is extensive to accommodate different bag packaging materials. The heat-sealing bar is made from imported epoxy highly temperature-resistant material that adds up to perfect sealing performance. The machine is fitted with two seal bars that enable you to seal even large bags.
Its’ transparent glass is hard enough to offer protection from any explosion. The lids’ shapedoes enlarge the vacuum space. if you are looking for a wide application machine, then the BestEquip is all you’ve been looking for your kitchen. It is suitable for your foods, medicine, aquatic products, and even chemical raw products. The machine’s versatility is one thing that makes it stand out among many others.
The BestEquip chamber vacuum sealers’ large size, makes it suitable for commercial use. The machine comes with an instruction manual that can be a little challenging to follow but it is not a major concern as the machine is very straightforward to set up and operate.
When using this sealer be sure to press the vacuum cover tightly before you start the sealing process. If not completely vacuumed, there may be sparks and smoke that may form and may pose some danger. The electric heating wire may also burn.
Key features
- High power vacuum pump to withstand continuous use
- Micro-computer control
- Transparent glass lid
- Stainless steel construction
Pros
- It’s a versatile machine
- The large chamber that allows for high vacuuming capacity
Cons
- Wanting instructions manual
6. Vesta Precision Vertical Vac Elite Vacuum Sealer
The Vesta precision vacuum Chamber Sealer features a unique vertical design, just like its name suggests. The machine features a patent-pending vertical shape that comes with some advantages like allowing you to fill your soups, brines, and fine powders without creating a spilling mess.
Whether you are a professional chef or a home cook, this machine is a great addition to your kitchen space. For home cooks, the Vesta machine Is perfect for sous vide cooking so you can easily get restaurant-quality food at the comfort of your home. This machine extends your food freshness from three to five times longer and works best with vacuum seal pouches and rolls.
The Vesta precision sealer includes movable hooks in the seal chamber that enables users to secure vacuum bags with ease. It also features an inbuilt sensor where the bags are sealed immediately after the vacuuming process to ensure that no air gets in. This machine is not only elegant but also features a user-friendly digital touch that helps you to set your sealing and marinating time.
Although the machines’ vacuuming pressure might be lesser when compared to other large chambers, you should be confident that the machine still does excellent work in preserving your food. However, to achieve a perfect seal, ensure that your bags aren’t too stretched or too loose on the hanging rods. Setting the sealing time to the maximum also helps achieve a reliable seal.
Another good reason this vacuum sealer shouldn’t lack in your kitchen or restaurant is that its’ innovative and streamlined design allows it to sit on your pantry counter easily, just like a small refrigerator saves on your kitchen space.
Key features
- The vertical seal chamber design
- Movable hooks
- A user-friendly digital touch panel
Pros
- It is convenient
- Less spillage due to the vertical design
Cons
- Lesser vacuum pressure
7. Weston Chamber Vacuum Sealer pro-2500
The Weston chamber vacuum sealer is no slouch on the job because it never disappoints. If you are looking for the best chamber vacuum sealer to package your fish and other fragile foods, then this is it! It is great with your soup and stews, not to mention marinades and sous vide cooking, compression, and even infusion.
One thing I like about this machine is its sleek, flat control panel that is easy to clean compared to others. It features well laid 120v sealer digital controls that are simple and easy to read. It also features a hinged transparent lid that will allow you to monitor the sealing process.
This Weston Pro 2500 will save you hundreds of dollars yearly on the number of vacuum poaches you use. Its friendly with the less expensive chamber vacuum poaches, that still achieve a perfect vacuum seal on your food.
With this sealer, you don’t have to worry about checking and changing oil as it features a 630W pump. However, the only drawback is that, it may not run as quietly as other oil pump machines. It draws a vacuum pressure of 29.5 Hg, guaranteeing you a fast sealing process.
Weston chamber sealer also comes with 30 free chamber sealer bags to help you have the best vacuum packaging experience. The bags are of different sizes: 6” X 10”, 8” X 12” and 12” X 14” to package your necessities. The Weston features a nice stainless steel build that will give you the best long-lasting life. The material resists any corrosion and rust, making it a trustworthy item in terms of durability.
Key features
- Adjustable seal time with an easily readable display
- Transparent lid
- Two-year warranty
- 3.5mm seal bars
- Rapid seal time
Pros
- Comes with a manufacturer’s warranty
- Great for sous vide cooking
- Rust-resistant construction
Cons
- Makes noise during the vacuuming process
8. VacMaster VP95 Chamber Vacuum Sealer
The VacMaster vacuum sealer is one ideal machine for home users like hunters and foodie lovers. It’s not only suitable for home users but also great for chefs, restaurants, food trucks, etc. it comes with a manual cycle to enable you customize the vacuum by percentage, making it a reliable machine to help you improve your vacuum packaging experience.
The fact that it can be used even in food trucks means that this machine takes up the least space on your counters. Storage comes by with ease when transporting it to an event or storing away your pantry. The machine is streamlined and lightweight and features a small footprint.
VPN95 can handle almost anything from your dry foods to liquids to marinating or sealing. Thanks to the removable internal incline plate. Operating the machine is also quite easy as this machine features an easy to touch screen control panel, that allows you to preset vacuum packaging modes.
The machines oil pump is a high performer that is quite efficient and reliable. It can seal up to 9” X 12” with its seal bar that is 9.25”. The machine is easily cleanable and BPA free with a warranty length of one year.
Key features
- External vacuum for canister
- Incline plate
- Auto sealing
- Preset vacuum packaging modes
- Oil cleaning
- Touch screen control panel
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Space saver
- Doesn’t make noise
Cons
- A bit expensive
How to buy the best chamber vacuum Sealer
There is nothing as satisfying as finding a vacuum sealer that will suit your needs. To help you purchase the best chamber vacuum sealers, I have compiled some of the crucial things you should check out.
- Price/ Budget
Vacuum sealers can be very expensive and so it is necessary to consider the amount you will be willing to spend on the machine. However, different sealers are manufactured differently and with different price tags. You will find that models designed for home use can come at a cheaper price compared to other efficient models designed for commercial use.
If you are in the restaurant business, you might consider getting a heavy-duty vacuum sealer that can withstand heavy use.
- Suction power
The suctioning power of a vacuum sealer translates to the amount of air the machine can remove from a bag within a limited time frame. If it has higher suctioning power, the better it will be. A more powerful one is much better compared to one with lesser.
Moreover, we all want to invest in a sealer that will preserve your food better and one should go for that with efficient suction power. The only disadvantage that is there, is that the more efficient sealers tend to be rather expensive, if you not on a tight budget, you can go for it!
- Quality/Durability
A high-quality vacuum will give you a long life usage without breaking down. With that security, you will have the security that your sealer will work efficiently no matter the frequency of use.
- Size
One of the things that should be back in your mind is how much space are you willing to dedicate to your vacuum chamber sealer. Some are rather large in size and may not be suitable for a small kitchen. If you want a sealer to move around in food trucks, then you might also want to look for a smaller and portable sealer for your food.
On the other hand, you can go for a larger sized vacuum sealer if you are planning on using it for a long time and in one location.
- Construction
A vacuum sealers material matters when it comes to its efficiency. Those made from tough metals like stainless steel are durable enough since its highly resistant to rust and corrosion. Stainless steel chamber vacuum sealers are also easily portable as they are lightweight and can be easily moved.
- Operation/ ease of use
Models with straightforward controls are easier to use. Going for one with a digital display or micro-computer displays will ease you with the headache of trying to start the machines. Also, the best chamber vacuum sealers will allow you to set and store your preferred vacuum sealing settings.
- Sealing Size
The sealing size will determine the size of bags you will use on your machine and that will affect the food volume you can seal at a time. The seal bar & chamber size are two important things that will determine the sealing size. The large size will accommodate larger bags and vice versa. The size you go for will be determined by your needs.
- Sealing Speed
The best chamber vacuum sealer is one that can seal bags fastest. A faster one will ensure that you seal more bags with the least time, especially when working on a heavy workload. You should check out the vacuum pumping rate to determine how fast it will pump air out of your bags. A lesser efficient vacuum chamber sealer will take a long time to get the work done.
- Efficiency
Considering the efficiency of a vacuum sealer is important. Make sure the machine will operate in a way that there will be no leakage or breakage.
- Brand
Some buyers might be loyal to a specific brand and that makes it a little difficult to try other brands, which is appropriate. There are also a ton of top vacuum chamber sealers in the market and it’s proper to purchase from reputable manufacturers. If you are a bit hesitant about getting a certain brand, you can call for customer support to avoid disappointments.
- Frequency of use
The frequency you plan to use will determine the type of vacuum sealer you go for. If you are a business operator planning to use it on daily basis, you should go for a heavy-duty vacuum sealer. Have in mind the potential workload as different sealers have different features. You can confirm the best chamber vacuum sealer with your supplier if you are not sure how to go about it.
- Extra features
The best chamber vacuum sealer comes with some bonus features. Some of the standard features include an external vacuum system that can be used with vacuum jars and canisters, adjustable seal settings that enables you to use different vacuum poaches, and a bag roll cutter to help you create custom-sized pouches, which are cheaper than the pouch packets.
- Manual or auto
Lots of vacuum sealers bags are based on a certain parameter. External suction sealers have a re-set time after the sealer has been activated normally referred to as “vacuum cycle”. Other high-end external sealers and some chamber sealers use the pressure present in a bag or the chamber to seal bags.
You will also find that some vacuum sealers will require user control for the sealing process to begin. It’s best to go for one with the automatic sealing control but this depends solely on what you prefer.
Chamber vacuum sealer versus Suction vacuum sealer
Chamber vacuum sealers create vacuum in an enclosed space, pushing air out of the chambers, leaving the air pressure in and outside equal. On the other hand, the external suction food vacuum sealers suck out air from the front part of a pouch, and once sucked completely, the pouch is sealed and the vacuuming process ends.
One important thing to consider is,knowledge of the future use of packaged food. If it is for sous vide cooking, then the external vacuum sealers will not be suitable as the bags would easily lose the vacuum.
On the type of bags, external vacuum chambers use special embossed bags composed of different materials. One side is smooth while the other resembles a honeycomb texture to perfectly create an outer vacuum. Chamber vacuum sealers can be just normal, laminated, retractable and in some cases, embossed.
In terms of space, external sealers tend to be rather smaller than the chambered ones. On maintenance, simple machines require fewer interventions as they do not require oil changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
- Question:
What is the best chamber vacuum sealer?
- Answer:
Ideally, the best chamber vacuum sealer is that which packages your food properly and that which suits your needs and preferences.
- Question:
Can you use any bags with vacuum sealers?
- Answer:
Not any bag can be used for vacuum sealing your food. The regular ones may leak oxygen and may not hold vacuum. Check for specifications of a barrier bag when purchasing them.
- Question:
Are vacuum sealers worth the money?
- Answer:
Vacuum sealing will enable you to cook in bulk and freeze the food for family use. That saves you the money and it’s worth the sealers’ purchasing price.
- Question:
What foods should not be vacuum sealed
- Answer:
Some foods should not be vacuum-sealed. Examples are:
- Raw mushrooms
- Garlic
- soft cheeses (they mold faster)
- whole apples (you should slice them first and put some lemon juice),
- raw cabbages & lettuce
- freshly cooked or steamed vegetables.
- Question:
Is a chamber vacuum sealer worth it?
- Answer:
Of course, it is worth the cost. With five pre-set levels and adjustable function, a manual-seal button for making custom-sized bags, it’s definitely worth the cost.
Conclusion
Now that I have listed some basics on what you should know to help you get the best vacuum sealer, I hope that back in your mind, you have already decided on which sealer to go for. If you need one that can withstand heavy loads, then you can go for the VAC-VIDA VS301 Chamber Vacuum Sealer. You might also want an easily movable sealer and you should consider going for the Avid Armor Chamber Vacuum Sealer, USV32 ultra series that weighs 26.4 pounds. Generally, the vacuum chamber sealer you go for should perfectly suit your needs and preferences. It’s now time to say goodbye to food wastage and focus on preserving them for future use!
Jennifer D. Simon has spent the last 26 years studying and practicing nutrition science. She has used a larger part of this time in improving people’s livelihoods. She has done so by coming up with unquestionable ideas on how to tackle food problems in her community. Read More
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