Selecting Vacuum Pouch Gauge
“…the thickness of chamber vacuum pouches is solely related to the puncture resistance required for your vacuum packaging endeavors.”
While choosing the proper chamber vacuum pouch dimensions is slightly more straightforward as chamber size limitations factor in, knowing what chamber pouch thicknesses work best might be a little more complicated. Today, we will review the difference between each pouch thickness available and what applications best suit your vacuum packaging endeavors.
NOTE: VACPOUCH SUPPLIES ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH FOODSAVER STYLE VACUUM SEALERS!
About Puncture Resistance
Selecting the thickness of chamber vacuum pouches is solely related to the puncture resistance required for your vacuum packaging endeavors.
What is puncture resistance? Puncture resistance is the maximum amount of force required to puncture the material. Just as water balloons are thicker to withstand more force than normal latex decorative balloons, chamber vacuum sealer bags are also offered in different thicknesses intended for different objectives in vacuum packaging.
How to Measure Puncture Resistance?
Puncture resistance is measured in units of mils = 1 thousandth of an inch in thickness.
Simply put, the higher the mil, the higher the puncture resistance of the pouches.
Oxygen and Moisture Barrier
Pouch thickness is not only related to puncture resistance but also to the barrier to external factors. More specifically, the thicker the bags, the stronger the barrier properties they hold to oxygen and moisture. But don’t worry, an industry standard is used in the manufacturing of all packaging supplies ensuring that “high oxygen barrier” for optimal shelf life.
3 Mil Pouch
When considering vacuum packaging, 3 mil pouches are the industry standard of chamber vacuum sealer bags. Although they are the thinnest option, this does not suggest less durability, barrier properties, or puncture resistance. Most food that is vacuum packaged will only require 3 mil pouches. As a result of being the thinnest option, they are also the most cost-effective because less material is needed to manufacture them!
Features
Good Puncture Resistance
Good Oxygen and Moisture Barrier
Most Cost Effective!
Common Applications
1. Soups
2. Boneless meat like ground beef or pork chops
3. Blanched vegetables
Pair 3 Mil Pouches With VacGuard
Reduce packaging supply costs by up to 28% with VacGuard (Boneguard)!
VacGuard (Boneguard): VacGuard is a smaller sheet of high puncture resistance material meant to create a concentrated thick area over the surface of one protruding edge. Instead of purchasing more expensive, thick pouches for products with one protruding edge, pair boneguard with the cheapest 3 mil pouches while also achieving 10-13 mil over the concentrated area eliminating the chance for any punctures!
Shop 3 Mil Pouch Options
100-Pack Zipper Chamber Vacuum Pouches, CASE of Zipper Chamber Vacuum Pouches
Find out about our Zipper VacPouches here!
4 Mil Pouch
The 4 mil thickness chamber vacuum pouches are generally more purposed for packing food requiring slightly higher puncture resistance. This often includes products with multiple round, protruding edges such as bone-in meat. A product that is generally not thought of requiring thicker bags is uncooked rice or grains. The small protruding edges may appear insignificant, but they are sharp and often require that little extra protection.
Additionally, 4 mil is also perfect if you tend to freeze your items aggressively in your freezer or chest freezer. For example, if you have to cram unfrozen soup into the freezer next to frozen soup packaged in chamber vacuum sealer bags, it could puncture.
Features
Great Puncture Resistance
Great Oxygen and Moisture Barrier
Common Applications
1. Hard textured dried goods such as uncooked rice, seeds, grains, or pasta.
2. Bone-in meat or other items with protruding edges.
3. Aggressive storage for items without protruding edges.
4. Protection during transportation.
Shop 4 Mil Pouch Options
100-Pack Zipper Chamber Vacuum Pouches, CASE of Zipper Chamber Vacuum Pouches
5 Mil Pouch
You may find that 4 mil does the job for your bone-in meat, but 5 mil pouches offer even more puncture resistance! 5 mil pouches are less commonly used because 3 mil and 4 mil cover most bases. However, some applications require extra resistance such as meat with sharp protruding bones.
Features
High Puncture Resistance
High Oxygen and Moisture Barrier
Common Applications
1. Items with many sharp protruding edges such as the spine or exoskeleton.
2. Aggressive storage for items with protruding edges.
Shop 5 Mil Pouch Options
100-packs, 500-packs, or CASES!
6-7 Mil Pouch
Looking for the ultimate puncture resistance and oxygen/moisture barrier. We got you! 6-7 mil pouches that are perfect if you are involved in commercial packaging and would like to package heavy-duty products in pouches with superior quality. Or maybe you transport frozen products with extra sharp bones. Eliminate any chance of puncturing no matter what products you package or how they are transported!
Will a pouch as thick as 6-7 mil heat seal as effectively as the 3 mil chamber bag? Without a doubt! All our VacPouch options guarantee superior sealing properties.
Features
Highest Puncture Resistance
Highest Oxygen and Moisture Barrier
Common Applications
1. Highest quality pouches for commercial packaging.
2. Meat with many extra sharp bones.
3. Aggressive storage or transportation.
Shop 6-7 Mil Pouch Options
Give us a call at 716-260-2500 to get a quote today! Available 6-7 mil chamber vacuum pouch quantities will depend on your custom order. JVR Industries also has custom printed chamber pouches. Click here to learn more.
Additional Information
Are you searching for an in-depth guide to choosing what pouch sizes are available and how to apply them to your vacuum packaging endeavors? Check out our thorough “Chamber Vacuum Pouch: Buyer’s Guide” with practically everything you need to know about choosing the right chamber vacuum pouches for your packaging applications.
Feel free to contact us with any questions as we would be happy to help! With over 50 years of experience, our team is highly educated and would love to talk over any vacuum packaging topics that would assist you in the right direction! Give us a call during our business hours or email anytime!
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