Vacuum Sealer Model Selection Guide

This model selection guide is designed to offer you some assistance in making a choice based on your expected use and offering some suggestions regarding model choice. The range of vacuum sealer models that we have can be a little confusing, particularly to the first time buyer.

Visit our Comparison Chart Page with the list of machine features to help you choose which model suits you. Or give us a call on 094061004 and have a chat with our team.

General Home Use:

You want to use the machine for daily home use. You don’t envisage processing any large volumes. You just want to do things like break down and vacuum pack bulk meat packs from the butcher or supermarket, vacuum pack and freeze excess garden produce or home made soups and meals, extend the lifespan of expensive food items stored in the fridge. You want a machine that is simple to use, compact and a quality machine that will last for many years.

Recommendation:

The most logical choice here is the ZeroPak TravelVac , the PreserVac K1 or the STATUS HV100. These are all compact in design but is still fully featured. They can all be run on full auto mode or you can use the manual pulse function for full control when vacuum sealing soft foods or liquids.

The next step up is to the Status Solid 300 , the PreserVac P2+ VacMate or the PreserVac LiquidVac machines. They are still very simple machines to operate and have some advantages over the smaller domestic machines. The most important advantage is the double seal bars. The double seals make it a bit forgiving when vacuuming and sealing bags which have food or liquid contamination in the seal area.  Double seals are a must for SousVide cooking. The Status Solid 300, PreserVac P2+ VacMate and PreserVac LiquidVac all feature a removable liquid trap/drip tray  that will catch any liquids accidentally sucked out of the bag while vacuuming protecting the vacuum sealer. Just lift it out and wash in hot soapy water, dry and put back into place.  The Status Solid 300, PreserVac P2+VacMate and PreserVac LiquidVac machines all have double pumps and the manual pulse function for full control of soft foods and liquids.

The Status Solid 300 has a liquid sensor with a light that shows you when liquid has entered the vacuum area.

The PreserVac LiquidVac has a patented liquid sealing system that automatically vacuums and seals liquids without any input from the operator.

 Outdoor, Portable For Hunting and fishing:

You want a machine for both general home use, but you would also like a machine which is portable and can be run off the grid. Perhaps you have a motor home or caravan in which you either live or go way in regularly or you want to take it on the boat or away on a hunting trip to vacuum seal your catch.

Recommendation:

Any of our machines can be run on an inverter.  You could also consider the ZeroPak HandyVac, this is a truly portable vacuum sealer that uses bags with a ziplock closure and a vacuum valve. The ZeroPak HandyVac is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery which will vacuum seal more than a hundred bags before needing a recharge. The bags can be washed reused multiple times.

The next step up is the ZeroPak TravelVac, this is a fully portable /12 volt vacuum sealer  USB – C charged, one charge can process 80 bags.  It has a stainless steel lid and light weight build making it tough yet portable. Easy to use with touch sensitive buttons and the latest technology. Wet and dry sealing modes and full pulse for soft foods and liquids

Heavy Duty Home Use/Sous Vide Cooking:

You have a larger family, you do a bit of hunting and or fishing. You regularly take advantage of larger bulk deals from the Butcher. Perhaps you have a large kitchen that you really enjoy spending time in. When you buy appliances you only buy the best quality gear that will last a lifetime. Maybe you have a Sous Vide Cooker that you use regularly.

Recommendation:

You should look at the Status Status Solid 300, the PreserVac LiquidVac, the PreserVac i400 or the Status ProVac . Your minimum requirement should be the Status Solid 300.  All of these machines have the advantage of double seal bars making it a bit forgiving when sealing bags which have food or liquid contamination in the seal area. They are all fully automatic machines but can also be used manually with a  finger pulse system which gives you full control when doing liquids or soft delicate foods.

If you are a Sous Vide fan, then again the Status Status Solid 300, the PreserVac LiquidVac, the PreserVac i400 or the Status ProVac all offer a far more reliable seals on the bag than conventional domestic vacuum sealers . The seal is critical. You do not want it to release halfway through the cooking process.
When preparing food for Sous Vide it most often involves some sort of liquid or marinade. All of these units offer a considerable advantage in this type of situation as they have double seal bars to prevent the seals from getting contaminated but also feature a removable liquid tray, either a liquid sensor, or a process to completely control liquids making it almost impossible to suck liquid inside the unit.

Hunting, Fishing, Home Kills, Smaller Cafe or Restaurant:

Your main reason for wanting a vacuum sealer is to package meats and seafoods, sometimes in larger volumes. You and perhaps your mates are serious hunter gatherers. Or you have a smaller cafe or restaurant and want to reduce waste, but you do not want a large expensive full commercial machine.

Recommendation:

If you want to process larger cuts of meat like shoulder roasts or large legs of hogget you may consider stepping up to the Status Provac 360 or the PreserVac i400.
The Status Provac 360 has a stainless steel body, 35cm double seals, double pumps, self regulating seal time meaning no duty cycle as it is automatically adjusted to the speed your working at with no overheating of the machine as well as its liquid detector. The ProVac has a 5 year domestic and a 2 year commercial warranty.
The PreserVac i400 has 40cm double seals These vacuum sealers are great for the serious hunter, gatherer. It has a fan cooled sealing bar to help maintain a consistent temperature allowing upto 150 seal cycles.

Both of these machines are capable of continual day to day use expected in a busy cafe restaurant environment. They are also easy care and simple to operate.

Multiple Home Kills, Commercial Use:

This is the realm of the Status Provac and the PreserVac i400.
The Status Provac 360 has a stainless steel body, 35cm double seals, double pumps, self regulating seal time meaning no duty cycle as it is automatacilly adjusted to the speed your working at. no overheating of the machine as well as its liquid detector. The ProVac has a 5 year domestic and a 1 year commercial warranty.
The PreserVac i400 has 40cm double seals These vacuum sealers are great for the serious hunter, gatherer. It has a fan cooled sealing bar to help maintain a consistent temperature allowing upto 150 seal cycles. the PreserVac i400 has a2 year domestic and a 1 year commercial warranty.

Both of these machines are capable of continual day to day use expected in a busy cafe restaurant environment. They are also easy care and simple to operate.

Finally:

If after reading this information and looking at our handy model comparison chart you are still not sure which is the right machine for you, then please contact us, we are happy to assist. Our knowledge is based on 20 plus years of experience with vacuum packers and vacuum packing.

Whatever model you choose, rest assured that you will get a quality made machine, along with parts and service down the track when required.