Whether you’re cooking in batches, trying to save money by buying in bulk, you’re an avid home gardener, opening a small food business, or you’re simply trying to cut food waste, putting fresh food in a vacuum sealed bag is the most effective way to combat its number #1 enemy — oxygen.
Vacuum sealing food can keep it fresh for up to five times longer, it can prevent freezer burn, and it’s an ideal method for portioning food. However, selecting the right type of food vacuum for your needs can be confusing. In this article, we look at the three most common types of vacuum sealers, comparing all-important factors like price and power to help you decide what’s right for you.
Why Use a Vacuum Sealer?
There are so many benefits to vacuum sealing. It can even be used beyond food storage to prevent important documents from deteriorating, to keep first aid supplies dry when camping, or to neatly store spare clothes in your car. But here are the main ways vacuum bag storage can help at your home or business, including:
- Extending the shelf life of food;
- Reducing food waste;
- Preventing frozen food from burning like it does in a regular plastic bag;
- Preserving flavour and nutrients with a tight seal;
- Speeding up the marination process;
- Being great for meal prep and portion control;
- Being ideal for sous vide cooking;
- Organising freezer storage more efficiently.
The Different Types of Vacuum Sealers
From powerful commercial machines to convenient vacuum sealing on the go, here are the most popular food vacuums on the market.
Chamber Vacuum Sealers
Chamber vacuum sealers are the top tier of vacuum sealers because they offer a more powerful vacuum that keeps food fresh for longer. Most vacuum sealers of the chamber kind also have adjustable settings to give you more control.
Food is placed in a vacuum sealer bag and into the chamber. All of the air is removed from the chamber before an airtight seal is created. This type of vacuum sealer is most commonly used in commercial settings like kitchens for sous vide cooking, by butchers who sell vacuum-sealed meat or by caterers to keep delicate food fresh.
Chamber vacuum sealers are considered a premium food vacuum machine because they work best for high volumes of food storage and are suitable for liquid-rich foods.
External (Out-of-Chamber) Vacuum Sealers
Unlike a chamber sealer which creates a vacuum within a sealed chamber, external vacuum sealers remove air directly from the bag. The food is placed into the vacuum sealer bag and the opening is placed under an edge. A vacuum is then created to remove air from the bag.
Out-of-chamber vacuum sealers are best for home use or small businesses with lower vacuum sealing requirements. They are an easy-to-use, cost-effective vacuum sealer that takes up only a small amount of counter space and although they are not designed to seal liquids, they are ideal for dry and moist foods. They are sometimes available with a retractable handheld sealer that does away with the need for additional attachments when sealing zipper bags or vacuum canisters.
Handheld Vacuum Sealers
The best vacuum sealer for occasional and light use is a portable and compact handheld sealer. They work in the same way as an external vacuum sealer, removing air pockets via the bag’s opening to create an airtight seal.
These versatile vacuum sealers are often charged using a USB and are ideal for keeping small portions of food and snacks fresh while travelling, camping, or at home.
Mini Sealers
It’s worth mentioning this type of sealer because they are very popular at the moment. However, they don’t provide air extraction, they simply reseal open bags. While somewhat convenient, they won’t help keep your food fresh for as long as when you remove all the air with vacuum sealing.
Many of these mini sealers are battery operated, with a heating element on one side and a bag cutter on the other.
Key Differences at a Glance
Choosing the Right Vacuum Sealer for Your Needs
When it comes to choosing the right vacuum sealer for your needs, you should primarily consider how often you’ll be using it and what you’ll be sealing. For example, if you process raw meat or fish regularly, you may prefer the convenience of a chamber sealer that can seal multiple bags at once. If you’re looking for an alternative to freezer bags to prevent your family’s favourite frozen goods from spoiling, an out-of-chamber machine is the most cost-effective solution.
Also, consider whether you’d like the convenience of optional extras like accessory ports for sealing containers, built-in bag storage and what functions, like double seal, might be helpful.
Lastly, remember to look at what type of bags your vacuum sealer requires. Can it use any type of bag? Are there different bag sizes to suit your needs? Are there reusable bag options to prevent bag waste?
Where to Buy Vacuum Sealers in Australia
There are many different types and brands of vacuum sealing machines available but none are as durable and versatile as Pac Food’s vacuum sealers. We use advanced technology to make our vacuum sealers easy to use, including features like customisable sealing options and precise vacuum control.
Pac Food’s vacuum sealers also have functions that other brands of vacuum sealers don’t provide, such as built-in bag storage, so you only have to use bags as big as you require and seal-only options so that you can re-seal as required.
Visit our website to view our full range of premium vacuum sealers or stock up on vacuum sealer bags, or call us on 1800 823 200 to speak to our friendly staff about what makes our vacuum sealers different from the rest.
FAQs
Which type of vacuum sealer is best?
Which type of vacuum sealer is best depends largely on your requirements. You should consider how often you’ll use it, what types of foods it will be used to preserve and your budget before you buy.
What is the difference between Cryovac and vacuum seal?
The difference between a Cryovac and a vacuum sealer is that Cryovac is a brand name and vacuum sealing is a general term that describes what a Cryovac does.
What to look for when buying a vacuum sealer?
When buying a vacuum sealer, you should look for quality of materials, value for money and features that other vacuum sealers don’t provide, like customisable sealing options.
Which is better, chamber or suction vacuum sealer?
While chamber sealers are generally preferred for higher volumes of vacuum sealing, suction sealers are ideal for home use, especially if they are high-quality like those sold by Pac Foods.