Vacuum Sealer Model Selection Guide
This model selection guide is designed to offer you some assistance in making a choice based on your expected end 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.
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, 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 STATUS HV100. This is our most popular model. It is a compact design but is still fully featured. The HV100 can 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 ZeroPak Status Solid 300 machine. It is still a very simple machine to operate and has some advantages over the HV100. The most important advantage is the double seal bars. This makes it a bit forgiving when sealing bags which have food or liquid contamination in the seal area. The removable liquid trap/drip tray with liquid sensor can 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 Solid 300 machine also has double pumps and the manual pulse function for full control of soft foods and liquids.
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. Coming soon new battery powered vacuum sealer beginning 2024. Lots of features the best we can find worldwide.
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 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.
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 Solid 300 or our Italian SICO Machines. Your minimum requirement should be the ZeroPak Status Solid 300 or the SICO S250 Premium. This machine can be run as fast as you wish when processing larger numbers of bags. It has the advantage of a double extra wide seal bar for 100% reliable seals every time. It is a fully automatic machine.
If you are a Sous Vide fan, then again the Status Solid 300 or the SICO machines offer a far more reliable seal 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. The S-250 Premium offers a considerable advantage in this type of situation. Plus its higher vacuum pressure offers a more complete air extraction which is important when preparing food for Sous Vide cooking.
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:
The minimum requirement for this type of work is the Status Solid 300 or the SICO S-250 Premium. Both the Soild 300 and the S-S250 Premium have double 2.5mm seals which give a far more reliable seal on the bag when doing foods with liquid content, like meats and seafoods. You also get a machine which can be run continuously with no risk of overheating. The width of the vacuum chamber of the S-250 Premiumis is 25cm and for the Solid 300 is 30cm. If you want to process larger cuts of meat like shoulder roasts or large legs of hogget it is possible to use film as wide as 40cm in the S-250 Premium by simply sliding the film sideways after the first seal and sealing again interlocking/overlapping the seals. You may consider stepping up to the SICO Nevada or our newest model the Status Provac 360.   The Nevada has a 32cm wide vacuum chamber, triple seal bars and a bigger pump. The Provac 360 has a stainless steel body, 35cm double seals, double pumps, self regulating seal time and liquid detector. These vacuum sealers would have to be the ultimate machine for the serious hunter, gatherer. 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 SICO S-Line machines and the Status Provac. They are capable of full commercial use. The SICO s-Line machines all have triple seal bars, full stainless and alloy bodies, and are excellent for continuous and intensive use. There are 4 models which range from the S-Line 350 with a 35cm wide vacuum chamber, up to the S-Line 700 with a 70cm wide vacuum chamber. Choose the right machine for the vacuum film you will mainly use and it is possible to process 2 or more bags side by side.
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 more than 15 years of experience with vacuum packers and vacuum packing.
Whatever model you choose, rest assured that you will get a quality made machine, with our European models backed by a full 5 year warranty, plus parts and service down the track when required.