A vacuum sealer is a loyal kitchen worker who is responsible for extending the shelf life of food. He extracts the air from their packaging. Consequently, microbes cannot multiply in such an environment and products last much longer. In this article, I decided to tell you about the parameters that you need to pay attention to before buying a vacuum sealer.

Appearance

There are 3 types of vacuum sealers:

1. Chamber.
2. Tubeless.
3. Manual.

Chamber sealers are multifunctional devices with which you can vacuum even whole bags of products. As a rule, such devices are not purchased for home use, because they are large in size. But they are often used in cafes and restaurants. With their help, you can pump out air not only from the package itself, but also from the chamber. As an example, I will give one of the expensive models, like Caso VacuChef 40 .

Tubeless packers are compact versions of chamber packers with less functionality. The packaging is placed in a special chamber of the device and the lid snaps into place. By pressing one button, air is evacuated and the bag is sealed. For example, TINTON LIFE has become very famous on AliExpress for its quality and affordable price. In Yandex.Market, this model costs more.

Hand packers are small devices without a camera. In appearance, they are a hand-held device with a special nozzle, which is inserted into the package to evacuate air. However, in order to use them effectively, you need to purchase special packages with a ZIP zipper. For example, a vacuum cleaner from Steba .

Power

The efficiency of a vacuum sealer largely depends on its capacity. This setting does 2 things:

1. Air pumping speed.
2. The quality of the air pumped out, i.e. the percentage of air remaining after the procedure.

If you are going to use the packer for home purposes, then 120-180 watts will be enough for you. When working with large packages in a professional setting, I recommend looking at models with power ratings of 350-650 watts.

Control

Any model of vacuum sealer has two modes of operation – automatic and manual.

In automatic mode, the device independently pumps out air to the maximum and seals the bag.

In manual, you can independently control the amount of air pumped out and turn on the sealing. The mode is suitable for packing wet products (e.g. raw meat). This way you can ensure that liquid does not get into the sealing area. In the following photos you can see the vacuum cleaner with automatic control (electronic) and manual (red, right).

The seam

There are 2 kinds of seams that vacuum sealers can realize:

1. Single.
2. Double.

They are designed to work with different products. If you plan to pack dry products (vegetables, fruits, cereals), then a single seam will suit you. For those who are focused on working with wet products (for example, meat), it is better to give preference to devices that make a double seam.

Also pay attention to the width of the sealing mechanism. This determines the maximum allowable package size that can be placed in the device.

Additional options

If you are going to pack wet food frequently, then you should pay attention to the liquid drain tray. With it, you can easily clean the tray after work. When liquid flows into devices without a tray, they can quickly fail.

Many modern models of packers have integrated special cutters that allow you to cut packages evenly. They also add a compartment for rolls.

It is also advised to look closely at models that have a snap lock on the lid. It will allow you to securely fix the package in the device during evacuation and sealing.

Some tips for caring for vacuum sealers

1. Make sure that liquid from the product does not get into the chamber. Almost all packages have a mark to what level liquid can accumulate. If its amount exceeds the norm, the device may stop functioning. When liquid leaks out, it is best to wipe it off immediately.
2. Let the device “rest” after each procedure. The sealing mechanism heats up during operation. If it is overheated, the packaging may melt.
3. Keep the device in a dry place. Moisture can penetrate into the body of the packer and cause corrosion.
4. Wipe the device chamber regularly to prevent dust from getting inside the package during evacuation.