All You Need to Know About Vacuum Sealers

Vacuum sealers are widely used in food packaging and storage to better lock in the freshness of the food such as meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and pickles. Some cooking techniques also need to pair with vacuum sealers, like sous vide, marination, and infusion. Vacuum sealers also play a role in pharmaceutical or household products to keep items from deterioration or moisture.

Benefits of vacuum sealing:

• Removes oxygen and inhibits the growth and reproduction of aerobic microorganisms, preserving food from 3 to 5 times longer than traditional storage methods.
• Prevents oxidation of the food and better retains nutrients & flavor.
• Takes up less space and stores better.

Types of vacuum sealers

There are typically three types of vacuum sealers, namely suction/external vacuum sealers, chamber vacuum sealers, and handheld vacuum sealers, and here are the differences between them.

Suction/External Vacuum Sealers

The suction/external vacuum sealer features a compact size, quick vac & seal, and quiet operation.

Pros:

• Small size and light weight
• No limitation on the length of the bag, as the bag is placed outside
• Reasonable price (compared to chamber ones), suitable for both commercial and household use

Cons:

• The vacuum pressure is not as high as that of chamber vacuum machine
• Cannot vacuum sealed liquids
• Must be used with vacuum bag with air channels (embossed/texture bags)

Chamber Vacuum Sealers

By creating a highly vacuumed space, the chamber vacuum seal is capable of achieving a perfect vac & seal.

Pros:

• Powerful pumps for higher vacuum pressure
• Ideal for sealing soups, stews, marinades, and other liquids
• Works with more budget-friendly flat bags

Cons:

• Bulk size and heavy weight
• The bag size is limited by the dimensions of the chamber
• High cost

Handheld Vacuum Sealer

Small but mighty handheld vacuum sealers are ideal devices whether you’re in the kitchen, cooking outdoors or traveling.

Pros:

• Small size, light weight
• Easy to carry
• Low price

Cons:

• Low vacuum level
• Must be used with vacuum jar, bottle stopper, and vacuum bag with pumping nozzle and channels