Do you love enjoying an out-of-the-oven meal every day? Who doesn’t? Yet, It’s not always possible to have fresh food ready on our dining table three times a day. At times, leftover pizzas make for a perfect lunch. Additionally, having eggs for dinner does not sound too bad, either. But, food is perishable and does not take much time to go bad. 

This is where food vacuum sealers come into the picture as our knight in shining armour! The vacuum sealing system ensures that your delicious food is protected from moulds and bacteria. It acts as a foodsaver lunch box or food flask and keeps it fresh up to 8 times longer than simple zip bags! Our guide will help you get a clear idea about the best vacuum sealers and their importance in food preservation. Let’s find the best one for you! Keep scrolling through… 

What is a Vacuum Sealer? 

A vacuum sealer is an essential kitchen appliance that you should own to keep your leftovers fresh for longer. And not just that! This multipurpose appliance is the best fit for the safe and effective storage of foods of all types. It is an electrical device that ensures that your food is sealed in an airtight pouch for future use. The machines are compact, easy to use and affordable. They come with settings to change the storage controls if needed. Vacuum sealers come with adjustable clamps or stoppers to hold the pouch tightly while the built-in vacuuming proceeds to suck any excess air out of the pack. The vacuum sealer machine then applies the airtight seal to the pouch. This way, the seal bar secures any type of food, preventing it from moulds, bacteria and decay. Most models have roll storage so you don’t have to worry about keeping your bag rolls.

It can also be used for sealing jars, resealing bags, corrosion protection, and as bag cutters. They also help with sous vide cooking and marinating meat or fish. 

Why do you need a Vacuum Sealer?

You really don’t know how much you’re going to use a vacuum seal bag before you actually get one. From storing to freezing food, it is important to keep them fresh. Vacuum sealers are an all-rounder! You can store food, help in sous vide cooking and also protect food from going stale. This is why you really need a vacuum sealer in your life.

• They are a multipurpose appliance

The first reason for choosing a vacuum sealer bag is its multipurpose nature. Many high-level vacuum sealers are used for meat marinades or also reseal a bag of cereal and chips. Some can also apply airtight seals to opened jars. So, forget about the days when vacuum sealers only sealed pouches! They are now expanding their usage and becoming even more significant than before.

• They save food storage and improve longevity.

Air is one of the primary reasons why and how food gets spoiled. But, with vacuum sealers, you can protect your favourite (and non-favourite) foods! Remove the air from the bag to improve up to 8 times the longevity of the products compared to ones stored in zip bags or storage containers. It, also, increases the food’s storage as it takes up less space in your fridge.

• Save money and cut down food waste.

Wasting food is heartbreaking. With foodsaver vacuum sealers, you can buy food in bulk and store them for the long term. All this, without worrying about food wastage! Even if you forget about your stored food, do not worry! The shelf life increases compared to airtight containers. This implies that you end up throwing out much less than you would. Maintain your fresh foods and leftovers as good as fresh for more and enjoy them each time. 

What should you look for when buying a vacuum sealer?

Whenever purchasing a vacuum sealer, you must ensure that it fulfils your needs and requirements for fresh and leftover food. Having the perfect sealing machine helps you store food without the fear of them getting spoiled. So, it is essential to know everything you should consider before buying a vacuum sealer.

1. Type of vacuum sealer

The type of vacuum sealer is the first thing you should look for while buying a vacuum sealer. There are two types of this appliance, a vacuum chamber sealer and an external vacuum sealer. 

A chamber vacuum sealer helps you to place the food inside the machine that needs to be sealed with a closed lid. This implies that the whole sealing process happens inside. Since everything happens inside the device, such vacuum sealers are bulky and large. They are best suited for users having large volume packing demands, such as restaurants.

On the other hand, external vacuum sealers are comparatively affordable. They are also compact as the sealing process happens outside. All you need to do is place the food in the bag and seal it with the machine’s seal bar. The device tightens the head and makes the operations really simple.  

2. Compatibility

Different vacuum sealers use different materials and bag types. Most of them use either reusable plastic bags, zipper bags or packing films. Some sealing devices that are more on the expensive side use high-quality bags. But, there are several bags that you can choose from. This helps you have suitable bags to airtight your food materials.

3. Power

A good quality vacuum sealer should at least have a capacity of 100W. Most vacuum sealers have 100W-200W energy power. The functionality depends a lot on the sealer’s power. It also marks the difference between the efficiency of different sealers with different power levels. Generally, they are energy-efficient when it comes to keeping the electric bills low.

4. Wet sealing function

A tender and succulent result is needed if you wish your food to be packed in the right way. The feature is necessary for each vacuum sealer if you want to vacuum seal moist foods, like soup or fruits. Many vacuum sealers also come with a removable drip tray in case the food is highly wet. This collects all the extra liquid from the wet foods and saves you the struggle of a great mess.

5. Other functions

Some sealers also come with extra features that give you the extra benefit. Almost all of them are designed in a way to remove excess oxygen; they do vary by size, pumping mechanism and design. Some machines have automatic vacuum, while some are manual. They also come with wet and dry food functions. So, choosing the correct device is important according to your preferred functions.

6. Pulse vacuum function

The pulse mode is a feature that helps you control pressure while sealing food. Every food has a different decomposing ability. These vacuum sealers produce the proper vacuum pressure for the different food types.

7. Storage

Some vacuum sealers are compact or even pocket-size, while some are bigger ones. The big ones take up more counter space, which does not suit everybody’s household. It is best first to consider the storage space that you have. And then proceed further with choosing the best-suited sealer. 

8. Ease of use

Last but not least, read reviews about machines that are simple and easy to use. The hard to clean and complicated machines are a strong pass. We recommend that you always go for one with effortless cleaning and maintenance. Most of them come at premier quality and affordable prices.

How long will vacuum-sealed food last fresh?

Vacuum sealed lasts for about 7-14 days, in contrast with only staying for 2-3 days when not in an airtight pack. Yet, the lasting days also depend on the nature of the food. For example, a pack of bread in a vacuum-sealed pouch can last up to 8 days. 

Raw rice, pasta, cereal and tea can last anywhere between 6-12 months. When cuts of meat are stored in the refrigerator, they can last up to 40 days, depending on the type of meat. Hard cheese lasts for about 3 months, whereas vegetables also last for 2 weeks. Frozen products stored in the freezer smoothly last from 2 to 3 years. This includes marinated and pre-cut meat and fish, too. Vegetablesand also delicate foods like soups and sauces also last long. The vacuum sealer protects them against a freezer burn.

Can you vacuum soft foods and liquids?

Absolutely yes. Soft and liquid foods like bread, lettuce, soups, stew and more are stored in vacuum-sealed stainless steel containers. Liquid items could make a mess while being vacuum sealed, but thankfully, most sealers come with a drip tray. To avoid this, liquids could be stored in another container or a storage bag and be frozen first. Once frozen, they should be placed in a vacuum bag and sealed.

Freeze the bread before vacuum sealing it as it can get smashed and crushed if not frozen beforehand. Leafy greens and lettuce can also be crushed too much if stored in a vacuum bag and not a vacuum canister instead. 

How much should you spend on a Vacuum Sealer?

Spending on a vacuum sealer highly depends on your type of requirements. If you are only looking for a simple vacuum sealer for daily home use, there are great affordable ones in the market. Some more expensive ones come with more sophisticated features that help you ease out the meal prep.

• Affordable range

The affordable range starts from £10 and can go up to £20. These vacuum sealers are super-compact and fit easily in one’s hand. They are primarily handheld vacuum sealers. They come with essential features and have good functioning. The sealers are user-friendly and best to use as a starter kit. This helps people who haven't owned a similar machine before.

• Mid-range

The midrange cost of vacuum sealers is around £420-£50. These vacuum sealers are a little heavier than the affordable ones and have a few more features. They come with an easy control panel that is intuitive and has settings for sealing wet food as well. Many of them also come with a double heat seal. This prevents bags from overheating and burning. These versatile sealers fit almost every type of food.

• High-end

Last but not least are the expensive high-end models that are best suited for bulk packaging. These are huge containers that range anywhere between £50-£100. They come with all possible features. These sealers are an excellent option for anyone who buys meat in bulk, with a high power of over 900W. They also come with efficient accessory ports that help ease the use of the sealer.

All products in every range can be found online with comprehensive reviews. The reviews make it easier for you to choose the sealer. Additionally, most of the sealers are affordable and come with at least 1-year warranty.

Conclusion

Our final verdict about vacuum sealers is that they are a complete kitchen saviour. They are simple to use and operate. They also help keep all the deli items like produce, proteins, meat fresh for a more extended period of time. It extends food’s shelf life, reduces food wastage and helps save money! 

Since the vacuum sealers come in various shapes, sizes, functionalities and built, it is suitable for every kind of requirement. People looking for a sealer for any sort of food should know that there is a variant for you, too! Our buying guide will help you choose the perfect vacuum sealer that fits your requirements. We strive to ensure that you get your hands on the best vacuum sealer for you!