Vacuum Sealer: A Kitchen Appliance Worth Making Room For

Do you find yourself throwing away spoiled food every week? A vacuum sealer may be just what you need! If you’re like most people, varying commitments and schedule changes occur every day making it practically impossible to consume the leftovers in the fridge before mold takes them over. Or if you enjoy hunting and fishing, then regular food storage is not enough to store the game you get or the fish you catch, because of course you’re catching too much to eat right away. Research shows that in vacuum-sealed storage, food can last up to 5x times longer!

If you’re looking for a way to avoid food waste, plan better for meals, and make your food last longer, our vacuum sealer reviews will cover some of the best vacuum sealers on the market to help you decide which one is right for you.

What Exactly Is a Vacuum Sealer?

A vacuum sealer is a type of packaging that removes all air before sealing the storage bag. By reducing the amount of oxygen from storage and protecting foods from freezer burn, the shelf life of food is much longer and the food tastes as fresh as it did when it was stored.

How Does a Vacuum Sealer Work?

By simply aligning the bag in the machine, the vacuum sealer removes oxygen and heat-seals the bag, making food instantly ready for freezer, fridge, or pantry storage. With the amount of food that is saved by using a vacuum sealer, the equipment pays for itself within just a short time.

What Are the Best FoodSaver Vacuum Sealers?

FoodSaver V3240 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System

This easy three-step vacuum sealer not only looks clean and sleek on your countertop, it also helps you properly store food. At about only 19” long and with an easy to use interface, it is one of the simpler FoodSavers to work with. This model operates at various speeds to best store different types of food. It also has different settings for sealing wet and dry food so as to best seal your food. The extra wide sealing strip ensures freshness and the built in extra roll storage creates convenience and frees up space in your kitchen. A removable dip tray makes it easy to clean your FoodSaver without hassle. With an added accessory to seal FoodSaver Containers and Canisters, this model is great for both the newcomer and experienced food sealer.

FoodSaver 4840 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System with Bonus Built-in Retractable Handheld Sealer

The great thing about this model is how versatile it is. The retractable handheld sealer allows you to seal zipper bags, canisters, and containers, while the automatic bag detecting sealer makes for even quicker food storage. While some consumers have reported inconsistencies with the automatic bag detector, it continues to receive positive reviews overall. Another quality that sets this FoodSaver apart is the ability to choose when to seal the bag. This prevents delicate products, like produce, soups, cookies, etc from being crushed as they’re being stored. This FoodSaver is quick, efficient, and its built in handheld sealer allows for more versatility than you could’ve hoped for.

FoodSaver V4440 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System with Bonus Built-in Retractable Handheld Sealer & Starter Kit

Like the FoodSaver 4840, this model has the versatility and speed. The only real difference between the V4440 and the 4840 is the black exterior and the price. Not only will the FoodSaver V4440 save you money by eliminating food waste, it will also save you money on purchase, coming in at around fifty dollars cheaper than the 4840 model. The black exterior looks sharp, too!

What Are the Best Weston Vacuum Sealers?

With an emphasis on “empowering people to reconnect with real food”, Weston boasts highest all around quality in vacuum sealing products.

Weston Pro-2300 Stainless Steel Vacuum Sealer

Powerful and easy to use, the industrial strength Weston Pro-2300 has an extra-long seal bar at 15”, making your big jobs even easier. With a fan-cooled motor, this is the piece of equipment to use again and again without a worry of it overheating. One thing to keep in mind with Weston vacuum sealers is that they are best compatible with Weston bags, which shouldn’t be a problem as Weston bags are cheaper than FoodSaver bags. The suction and power of this model are anything but lacking. Despite all the pros of this Weston, there are some cons too. With a length of 22”, it can be difficult to store especially in an already crowded kitchen. There is also no built in cutter, which many consumers have reported as a frustrating. And lastly high power comes with a high price tag, but keep in mind you get what you pay for.

Weston Products 65-0501-W Weston Brands Vacuum Sealer

This is the more compact of the Weston sealers, but packs the same power Weston is known for. This model even has an angled vacuum chamber to keep it clean and avoid liquids from getting in those hard to clean cracks. It has a manual seal button, allowing you to process the more

delicate seals without a problem. And best of all, this Weston is canister seal capable as well! But my favorite part about this one is its one touch vacuum-to-seal operation. Simple!

What Is the Best Gamesaver Vacuum Sealer?

Gamesaver FSGSSL0800-000 Titanium Game Saver

This heavy-duty FoodSaver isn’t called the Gamesaver for nothing. Built of Titanium, able to seal up to 15” bags, and withstand up to 100 repetitive uses, this is the food sealer for the outdoor enthusiast with plenty of game to store. Two great features that set this food sealer apart:

• its dual pump, giving it more power, 
• its two seal settings, single and double, to make sure your latest catch is free from freezer burn.

For the Gamesaver, power doesn’t come in small sizes. This model weighs a whopping 22lbs and is 33” long. When I said heavy-duty earlier, that was an understatement.

Our Verdict

So, are vacuum sealers worth the investment? Simply put, yes! They can store food up to 5x longer than any ordinary means of storage. The amount of money saved in not having to throw away freezer burned or moldy food more than pays for having a vacuum sealer in your home. While they can be a little bulky and hard to store, they’re worth making room for! Unlike trying to use freezer paper, vacuum-sealed bags keep out icy freezer burn and keep food as fresh as the day you packaged it!

Vacuum sealers are the best way to store your food for the longest amount of time. Based on our research, we’ve found the FoodSaver V3240 is great for the newcomer to vacuum sealing with its simplicity and easy to use interface. The Gamesaver is more geared for the hunter or fisher who will put it to the test. If you want something more versatile, the FoodSaver 4840 and V4440 may offer all you need. Their handheld sealers allow for more sealing options! But if you really want vacuum sealing power, consumers report the Weston Pro-2300 and Weston 65-051-W have the suction power to protect food even that much more.