Benefits of a Vacuum Tumbler
“A vacuum tumbler is manufactured for efficient facilitation of protein extraction, the leading domino in a succession of benefits.”
Are you looking at getting a vacuum tumbler for your business and are not sure how it would enhance the performance or success of your company? You’ve come to the right place! Today, we will discuss how a vacuum tumbler is made to help your business reach a higher standard of commercial meat processing with precision and finesse.


What is a Vacuum Tumbler?
A vacuum tumbler is a form of food-processing equipment that expedites the marinating process for meat products such as steaks, seafood, and poultry. To learn more about what a vacuum tumbler is, this article goes into much further detail on how it works as well as the difference in machine features that play a role in the product quality outcome.

Benefits of Vacuum Tumblers Explained
While our “What is a Vacuum Tumbler” article went through an overview of the benefits of vacuum tumbling meat, this article will take a deep dive into the “what” and “why” of those benefits so you know exactly what you are getting into for your meat processing journey.
A Vacuum Tumbler Facilitates Protein Extraction
What is it?
Protein Extraction: Accessing proteins for quality marination and tenderizing through lysis or the disruption of protein membranes. A vacuum tumbler is manufactured to efficiently facilitate protein extraction, the leading domino in a succession of benefits. It is perfect for large production outputs because it produces enough mechanical energy.
Mechanical Energy: Kinetic energy plus potential energy. Kinetic energy is produced by movement and contact. Potential energy is produced by stored energy or potential movement. For example, if you hold a bouncy ball in front of you in midair, it has the potential to drop, but gravity can not cause movement unless you let go.
How a Tumbler Creates Mechanical Energy
1. Kinetic energy is created when the drum rotates so the connected baffles on the interior wall lift the meat causing it to fall onto itself or the drum wall. This works to disrupt the cell membranes for more effective and even marination.
2. The action of the baffles lifting the meat in midair before falling creates that potential energy.
3. Vacuum tumblers also apply a vacuum system, continuous or intermittent, which slightly expands the fibers, allowing more surface area to be affected through mechanical energy.
Why Is It Important?
So what does protein extraction accomplish? Protein extraction promotes meat fiber breakdown. Membrane breakdown tenderizes the meat, exposes the protein fibers for optimal marination, and enhances all other benefits. A bonus is that the process also causes the meat to release an exudate solution called lyse. This acts as a binding substance when the meat is cooked, preventing moisture loss.

Increases Moisture Retention and Marinade Pickup
What is it?
The main purpose of marination is to add flavor and moisture. The process by which this happens is through diffusion and osmosis. The salt or other seasonings in the marinade will first diffuse to the places with the least concentration, the meat, to add flavor. Osmosis follows as water moves into the meat to dilute the salt which swells the muscle fibers with moisture.Increases Moisture Retention and Marinade Pickup
Why is it Important?
Using a salt brine accomplishes two goals to improve the quality of the meat. First, your food will simply taste better! With more salt marinade pickup, the flavor will be heavenly. It’s mouth-watering just thinking about it. Secondly, adding moisture ensures that the meat does not lose any original moisture while cooking. Additionally, more marinade pickup also means an increase in the product weight. You know what this means – you can sell your products for more as their weight value has increased!
Tumblers facilitate deeper diffusion by breaking down the meat fibers and pressing the marinade into the meat cuts. Studies show that vacuum tumblers will pick up 8-24% more marinade than immersion depending on the meat’s toughness.



Increases Meat Tenderness
What is it?
Following slaughter, the muscle receives less oxygen and, as a result, releases lactic acid to become more acidic. You’ve probably heard of this state – rigor mortis. This state leaves the meat tougher. Wouldn’t this call for a process to reverse the effect for maximal tenderness? Believe it or not, the answer is no. Bringing the pH back to its neutral level will not restore tenderness.
As discussed, vacuum tumblers optimize meat tenderness by creating mechanical energy. Additionally, meat processors will use an acidic marinade ingredient such as vinegar to promote the breakdown of the cell membranes.
Why is it Important?
While letting the meat sit in an acidic solution would be somewhat effective, it would reach a limit as it just reaches the surface. Vacuum tumbling is a natural way to provide tenderness without using an acidic flavor. Although, this process in conjunction with the acidic breakdown would be the ultimate formula for meat tenderness!
Increases Product Value
This may go without saying, but a vacuum tumbler will accomplish optimal product weight and overall quality of the meat meaning you will have reached the highest product value. You can charge your customers a higher price! You will assuredly notice the returns soaring in, immediately making it all worth it.
A Vacuum Tumbler Expedites the Marination Process
Instead of waiting several hours for the process of osmosis to kick in using the traditional marination process, the vacuum meat tumbler marinates a large amount of meat in a much shorter time. In addition, it only takes you minutes to throw the liquid marinade, seasonings, or spices into the drum. All in all, the vacuum tumbler saves you an ample amount of time!
Additional Information
Now that you are aware of how a vacuum tumbler will benefit your business, feel free to check out our quality unit manufactured with stainless steel for durability and adjustable tumble time. We carry two size options depending on the amount of meat you predict to produce – JVR VST25 (holds 25lbs) and the JVR VST50 (holds 50lbs).
Call us with any further questions you may have about vacuum tumblers or anything regarding vacuum packaging. Evidently, we have an experienced team who would be glad to help!
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