Since time immemorial, people have been using different ways to preserve perishable food. As the cost of food continues to increase, people are looking for methods to preserve food longer. For a long time, people have been using a refrigerator to preserve perishables. However, a refrigerator exposes food to oxygen making them degrade quickly. A vacuum chamber sealer can make food last five times as long compared to other methods. Vacuum chamber sealers are useful for both short and long-term storage where you can store your food for a week or even several months without spoiling.
The vacuum chamber sealer removes all the air and extra moisture which helps to lock in the flavour and preserve the food to the fullest. By removing all the air, the vacuum chamber sealer creates a vacuum, sealing the food in an airtight bag until it is ready for use.
Even though vacuum chamber sealers are designed for commercial settings, they can be used in homes. However, you should expect to spend more on than on a regular sealer that does not have a chamber that seals the air. This is because vacuum chamber sealers have a larger vacuum capacity than external vacuum sealers which enables them to suction out more air. The more air is removed from the storage container, the longer the food will last.
Best chamber vacuum sealer for 2019
1. Vacmaster VP330 chamber vacuum sealer
One of the biggest benefits of this vacuum sealer is that it provides not only a clean and safe environment to package food but also high safety standards. Apart from packaging food items, this sealer can also be used to vacuum package silverware items to protect them from oxidation that results in corrosion.
Power & Pump
It is electrically powered and uses an oil-lubricated vacuum pump. This pump is heavy duty with a power rating of 1.5horsepower. Usually, the machines are shipped with an empty oil tank. You will be required to fill it with 8-ounces of Vacmaster-approved vacuum oil before starting the vacuum packaging process.
Nevertheless, the sealer comes with 3 seal bars and side and horizontal bars. This will allow you to fit the seal depending on the package size. The long bars allows for sealing large packages. In addition, filler plates are provided to reduce the volume of the vacuuming chamber. This results in faster operations because the amount of air to be removed is reduced.
Once the food package is placed in the chamber and the lid closed, the vacuum process starts. It is followed by the sealing process and finally the cooling process. The last process allows the machine to disperse heat for the vacuum devac to occur. After the process is completed, the machine automatically opens the lid.
This machine comes with 100 free vacuum bags. Also, you can use any standard-type or cook-in bags of any type. However, the minimum thickness of the bag should be 4mm. The vacuuming chamber is 33.25 inches long, 19.5 inches wide and 7inches deep which provide a sufficient packaging room of up to 4538cubic inches.
One of the most outstanding features of this chamber vacuum sealer is the digital control panel on the front panel. It displays the pressure gauge, time and timing controls. Below the panel, there is the power switch and sealing option button.
Pros
- A high level of vacuum
- Well-designed compact machine
- Powerful vacuum pump
- Easy to use
- 100 free bags
- Packages both solid and liquid food
Cons
- Not portable
- Slightly expensive
2. Orved 315M8 chamber vacuum sealer
This another incredible standard-size single chamber-style vacuum sealer. It is a high quality machine that is integrated with a digital control panel that contains all the seal settings for both internal chamber sealing and external sealing.
The ability to seal both internally and externally allows the user to seal even big packages that cannot fit well in the chamber. On top of that, it offers a high level of vacuum for safe sealing both solid and liquid foods.
Furthermore, the chamber has been designed in such a way that it ensures a clean and safe environment for packaging and sealing food. It weighs 47kgs (105 pounds) which makes it non-portable. Therefore, you should make sure it is placed on a strong platform that can handle the weight.
The vacuuming chamber is 13.3 inches long, 13 inches wide and 3.13 inches deep. This provides a generous packaging capacity of 533 cubic inches. In addition, it is made from stainless steel which makes it easy to clean.
Another impressive feature of this chamber vacuum sealer is the strong and durable lid. It is transparent which allows to user to witness the vacuum packaging process in real-time. On the frontal face, there is the digital control panel that has a pressure gauge, timing buttons and power switch.
Pros
- Integrated digital control
- Packages both solid and liquid food
- Seals packages internally and externally
- Powerful vacuum pump
- Sturdy and compact
Cons
- Expensive
3. VacMaster VP210 chamber vacuum sealer
The total vacuum packaging cycle takes between 25 and 60 seconds depending on the food item being packaged. Just like its high-end brother the VP33O, this chamber vacuum sealer is designed to offer a high level of vacuum for the safe sealing of both solid and liquid food. It also provides clean environment to package food without comprising safety standards.
When you buy this machine, you will be provided with 75 free bags in three different sizes. The see-through domed lid allows the user to visualise the vacuum packaging process and regulate the vacuuming pressure to prevent the packaging bag from busting.
This machine comes with filler plates to regulate the volume of the vacuum chamber. This helps to reduce the amount of air to be expelled. Generally, the vacuum chamber measures 15.5 inches long, 11.25 inches wide and 5 inches which offers a decent packaging capacity of 859 cubic inches.
Overall, the machine is 20 inches long, 14 inches wide and 15 inches tall. It weighs 32 kgs (72pounds) which makes it relatively portable by two people. Nonetheless, it should be placed on a strong platform that can support its weight.
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact machine
- Dry-pump
- Easy to use
- 75 free bags
- One year warranty
Cons
- Heavy for one person to lift
4. VacMaster VP731 chamber vacuum sealer
This a very strong standalone double chamber vacuum sealer with flat deck design. One of its most prominent features is the bladder-activated sealing. It is complemented with an oil-sensitive pump that helps to create a complete vacuum in sealed packages.
VacMaster VP731 is powered by a very powerful pump that requires a 3-phase power supply. It has an operating voltage of 220volts and amperage of 30amps. Also, it features four caster wheels which offer mobility. This is an ideal machine for commercial use like restaurants.
The vacuum packaging cycle takes between 20 and 30 seconds. It is a fully digitised machine that features a programmable microprocessor, a digital control panel and 20-hardcoded sealing programs. This vacuum sealer also has an oil change indicator to alert the user when the oil level drops.
It is designed to handle a huge workload. Also, it provides a safe sealing of liquid and solid food as well as a clean environment with high safety standards. Unlike other models from the company, VP731 does not need filler plates because the flat deck and the domed lid keep the chamber volume at the required minimum. However, on the downside, you will only use a Vacmaster-approved vacuum oil to operate the sealer.
This is one of the heaviest machines in this review weighing about 420kgs (926pounds). Each chamber is 39 inches, 25 inches wide and 7 inches deep which offer a combined volume capacity of 13,300 cubic inches. This huge capacity will allow you to seal even large packages.
Pros
- Double chamber
- Programmable microprocessor
- High level of vacuum
- Heavy-duty vacuum pump
- Caster wheels
- One year warranty
Cons
- Does not accept third-party vacuum oil
5. The MiniPack MVS 45X
This is a heavy-duty chamber vacuum sealer that is able to seal large packages of food items. It features an auto-calibration and digital panel with ten different programs. The unique feature that differentiates this chamber vacuum sealer from the rest is the built-in volumetric sensor.
MiniPack MVS 45X is massive and heavy and therefore less portable. It is designed to be placed in a particular station. This may be a great choice for you if you have limited countertop space. Nonetheless, it is a workhorse with impressive speeds.
Being a large chamber vacuum sealer, it is suited for commercial applications such as restaurants. This machine can vacuum seal both solid and liquid food. In addition, since the whole process is automated, there will be no need for monitoring.
A major feature in the design of this sealer is the use of heat-resistant materials. Also, the stainless steel chamber provides a hygienic environment for vacuum packaging food. The auto-calibration feature eliminates the need for using buttons to control the process like in many vacuum sealers. This makes the machine easy to use even by beginners.
Due to its sturdy construction, this machine will require minimal maintenance. The sealing bar, which is a very important component in a chamber-style vacuum sealer, is protected from surges in the power supply.
Pros
- Transparent lid
- Auto-calibration
- Oil-leak check signal
- Volumetric sensor
- Sturdy construction
- Aluminium sealing bars
Cons
- Less portable
Factors to consider when choosing a vacuum chamber sealer
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Workload
The amount of foodstuff you require to seal per day, week or month will determine the type of chamber vacuum sealer you need to buy. Since different machines have different capacities and capabilities, you should define your needs clearly before going to buy the chamber vacuum sealer. Also, the place you intend to use the sealer (home or commercial) will determine the type of sealer you will buy. For instance, you may opt for a smaller chamber vacuum sealer for home use and a larger one for commercial purposes depending on the needs.
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Portability and build
If you intend to use the chamber vacuum sealer in different places, you should consider a smaller one for portability. It is good to note that portability comes with low performance and less durability. Even though it is difficult to move bigger and immobile chamber vacuum sealers from one place to the other, they are able to handle huge workloads. In terms of build, you should avoid sealers that have plastic components because they are prone to damage. Instead, choose sealers made from materials such as aluminium as they are harder to break.
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Manufacturer
In every industry, some brands are famous than others. The main reason that differentiates brands is the quality of their products. Therefore, when buying a chamber vacuum sealer, you should choose a brand with a good reputation and impressive track record. A popular manufacturer has a reputation to keep and so they are likely to offer quality products.
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Intended use
The type of food item you intend to package will impact the kind of chamber vacuum sealer you will choose to buy. For instance, if you are sealing sensitive food items like potato crisps that you would not want to crash, you will need a big chamber vacuum sealer with an inert gas. The chamber removes almost all the air and replaces it with inert gas to prevent spoilage.
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Effective sealing
A goodchamber vacuum sealer should be able to do the job effectively without the need of resealing it again. Therefore, when shopping for a vacuum sealer, you should consider the effectiveness of the machine.
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Suction power
Vacuum chamber sealer is a preferred method of preserving food items because it sucks out all the air from the bag that contains the food. If some air is left in the bag, the food will not remain fresh for a long time. The ability of the sealer to suck all the air from the bag will depend on the suction power. A chamber vacuum sealer with high suction power is likely to perform better. However, the higher the suction power, the more expensive the sealer is likely to be. Nowadays, there are some good affordable sealers with strong suction power.
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Sealing speed
A fast machine will enable you to seal more bags in a shorter time. This is a very important feature if you are using the sealer for large-scale application or if you have many bags to seal. While there vacuum sealers that can seal a single bag in a matter of seconds, others take a longer time and might not be convenient when the workload is big. Apart from being fast, the sealer should also give you different speed options according to different food type. For instance, some food items may require a slower speed to ensure they do not crush.
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Warranty
Depending on the number of times you use your sealer, the motor and other elements are likely to wear out. Replacing the worn out parts will be an additional cost for you. A good quality chamber vacuum sealer should last for a long time no matter how often it is used. It is advisable to choose a vacuum sealer with a lengthy warranty.
Reasons to buy a vacuum sealer
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To save money
If you have a better way of preserving food, you can buy in bulk. This way, you will be able to save money than buying in small quantities.
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Preserve food
A chamber vacuum sealer is one of the best ways of preserving food for a longer time. It seals the bags in a certain way that increases the lifespan while the taste remains the same even for months.
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Save time
With a vacuum sealer, you can cook meals for two or more days and seal it. Moreover, if it is cooked food, the taste of the will remain unchanged.
How a chamber vacuum sealer works
Even though chamber vacuum sealers are slightly expensive than other sealers, they do an excellent job in sealing food items. The ability to quickly seal multiple bags at the same time will depend on the size of the chamber and the power of the vacuum pump. Unlike the edge-style vacuum sealers, the plastic bag does not collapse because the pressure in the chamber is nearly the same as inside the bag. This is an ideal method to seal even liquid foods. How does a chamber-style vacuum sealer work?
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Packaging food
You should start by placing the food items in the plastic bags. A preferred technique is to fold back the top of the bag. This helps to keep the top area clean where it will be sealed. If there is food debris at the top area, the bond may weaken, which can cause leakage.
However, there are concerns that folding back the top may damage the plastic bag in a way that allows air to leak over a long time. However, in restaurants and homes where food is not preserved for a long time, this may not be a practical concern.
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Loading the chamber sealer
After packaging food, load it in the chamber. The open side of the plastic bag should go over the sealing bar and tucked back into the chamber. Ensure the edge of the bag does not protrude from the chamber. Then, close the lid to engage the vacuum pump so that the sealing process starts. If the edge of the bag protrudes from the chamber during the sealing process, air from the bag does not find a way to escape because the surrounding pressure is lowered. In fact, the pressure inside the bag will make the plastic bag appear to swell. If the pressure difference is significant, the bag may even burst.
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Vacuum sealing process
After placing the food in the chamber and closing the lid, the vacuum-sealing process will begin. When sealing solid foods, you should reduce the pressure to 5-50 mbar. This way, the machine will produce a tightly sealed package.
At 50mbar, the chamber vacuum sealer will remove about 95% of atmospheric air while at 5mbar, 99.5% of air is removed. Even though the difference may seem small, it affects how the bag will tighten around the food. The lower the milibars, the more the bag will shrink tightly around the food. However, this will depend on the type of food you are sealing.
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Why the bags puff
Since the air moves out of the chamber more quickly than it escapes the bag, the pressure may be higher in the bag than in the chamber. This causes the bag to puff slightly. Even though this is normal, sometimes it may cause the bag to slide from the sealing bar which will prevent the package from sealing of completely.
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Heat sealing step
At the end of the vacuum-sealing process, the bag should be sealed closed to prevent air from rushing back. The sealing of the bag is done by the heat-sealing bars. A standard bag may require a sealing time of two to three seconds to completely fuse the bag. However, you may need to adjust the heat depending on the thickness of the bag.
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The sealing process
Once the package has been sealed, a valve opens to refill the chamber with air. Since the bag is sealed completely, the air in the chamber cannot get inside. The atmospheric pressure in the chamber forces the plastic bag to shrink around the food.
Conclusion
In the recent past, chamber vacuum sealers are proving to be game changers in the preservation of food. They exist in different sizes and capabilities. Your choice will depend mainly on the intended use. Our top pick is the Vacmaster VP330 model because of its superior capabilities and a good price point.
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