Picking The Best Vacuum Sealer For Your Budget

Long ago, special cooking techniques such as sous vide (pronounced as sue-veed) are limited to the experts. It goes more than the regular cooking methods as its needs precise control of the temperature to produce excellent results. However, what was once limited to restaurants can now be achieved via home cooking -- thanks to vacuum sealers!

What Are Vacuum Sealers And How Do They Work?

Vacuum sealers have existed for some time, however, not everyone knows what it is and how it is used. It doesn't use any vacuum but it needs a lot of suction though. A type of bag heat sealer is utilized for the purpose of specialty packaging to protect and preserve different kinds of food such as coffee products and dried foods.

It works by taking all the air out of the plastic bag; when there's no air, the food will last longer since there is no oxygen. Once the air is removed from the plastic, the vacuum sealer will "seal" or close the bag by melting the top of the plastic bag. Therefore, a special plastic bag is used for this purpose. The bag needs to be strong enough to withstand heat, meaning it can be boiled or placed inside a microwave. Otherwise, a regular plastic bag will just melt and make a mess.

Why Do We Use Vacuum Sealers For Sous Vide?

As mentioned above, sous vide is a special cooking technique that is done by expert chefs. However, various cooking equipment has made the method possible in home cooking.

Sous vide is a French term  that means "under vacuum." Therefore, the method will involve vacuum sealing to remove the air and then cooking the food in a water bath while considering a very precise temperature. Aside from vacuum sealing, the process of water displacement is also used.

Water displacement is the inexpensive alternative to vacuum sealers. This is used when you don't want to spend a large amount on the sealing device or you don't want to use its expensive bags. Instead of using a specialty bag, all you need is a zipper-lock bag and a pot of water. The food will be placed inside the bag and leave an inch of it opened. Then, the bag will be lowered in the pot of water, forcing the air out of the bag and closing it. While this method seems to work at some point, most people still prefer vacuum sealers over water displacement.

Vacuum sealers are the experts when it comes to preserving food. It works flawlessly in stopping the growth of unwanted microorganisms such as fungus, mold, and spoilage bacteria. Such bacteria causes rancid odors, discoloration, and slimy residues in food. Since these bacteria need oxygen for food and reproduction, using a vacuum sealer is beneficial.

The technique has been widely used because it helps prolong the shelf life of various food product, therefore, it's  ideal when you want to transport fish, poultry, beef, fruits, and vegetables in farther places. In addition, using the technique protects the food from dehydration and freezer burn. Vacuum sealed-foods comes out richer and tender.

Overall, the shelf life of the food lasts 3-5 times longer compared to using regular plastic bags and container. However, in order to preserve the food's quality and freshness, you still need to store in properly inside a freezer or refrigerator.

Types of Vacuum Sealers

Despite all the benefits that a vacuum sealer offers, some people are still hesitant in having one since it is a little pricey. But the trick lies in picking the best vacuum sealer for your budget, and to successfully do this, you need to find out the right vacuum sealer that would suit you and your home.

There are three major types of vacuum sealers, including external vacuum sealer, clamp vacuum sealer, retractable nozzle vacuum sealer, and chamber vacuum sealer.

External Vacuum Sealer

This state-of-the-art vacuum sealer can seal two small bags at once. It also packs different sealing containers and is best used when storing leftovers or groceries, such as meat, fruits, and vegetables. Some of its advantages include: stronger vacuum strength; convenience; and space saver. It can be easily placed on a kitchen countertop.

It has a few drawbacks though as external vacuum sealers are not portable. It also takes a long time to cool down.

Chamber Vacuum Sealer

If you need a heavy duty vacuum sealer, then this one is for you! Ideally, it is used for commercial packaging as it can do both dry and wet packaging. It also works well on heavy and fast packaging jobs.

However, it will take too much space, so you might consider the available area first before purchasing this one. Also, it is very costly and bulky.

Clamp Vacuum Sealer

If you're looking a cheaper type, you can opt for this type of vacuum sealer. Clamp vacuum sealer is distinguished with its unique design. It comes with an air sucking channel bags and is ideal if you will not use it on an everyday basis. It is perfect for sealing cans and is easy to use.

However, it only emits poor vacuum strength and can only accommodate special vacuum bags.

Tips In Selecting A Vacuum Sealer

To ensure that you will take the right vacuum sealer home, you need to consider a few things first, such as determining the kind you need. Ask yourself questions such as "What kind of food will you seal?" and "How frequent will you use it?"

The frequency of usage is very important as each machine works differently. Are you going to use it on a regular basis? Or are you only going to need it once in a while? If you need it on a daily basis, a heavy duty machine such as external vacuum sealer is perfect. Otherwise, you may purchase a clamp vacuum sealer if you will just use it once a week or month.

In addition, you need to take note of the available space you have at home and its portability. Do you have enough space in your kitchen or you only have a limited area?

Moreover, think of the available budget you have. The price of your vacuum sealer will depend on its power and size.