“a slight difference in a vacuum sealer can alter the outcomes of your endeavors…”
If you are in search of a vacuum sealer, you are likely looking for the perfect one that ensures your packaging needs are met. The simple fact is that a slight difference in a vacuum sealer can alter the outcomes of your endeavors just as certain jars or containers function more appropriately for storing different foods. Awareness of these differences is vital. Today, we will provide an educated explanation of the difference between a suction and chamber vacuum sealer machine regarding function, affordability, durability and vacuum draw based on pump type, and more!
Difference in Function
Suction Vacuum Sealer
Suction vacuum sealers are commonly referred to as suction, edge, or external vacuum sealers. The names comply when considering the sealing process. To vacuum seal use an edge vacuum sealer, place the item in the bag then enclose the open end of the bag on the seal bar. It then sucks the air from the open end of the bag and seals the bag closed. In some cases, customers will use a roll form of this product. In these situations, the user needs to seal one end, then insert the product, and then seal.
Chamber Vacuum Sealer
To vacuum seal using a chamber vacuum sealer, slide the open side of the pouch into the pouch clips in the chamber, close the lid, and all three cycles will transpire automatically.
Now, when a vacuum is applied to a liquid, it will experience a cold rapid boil. What is a cold rapid boil? Let’s start by defining boiling. Boiling is the transition state of liquid turning to gas when it reaches the same atmospheric pressure being exerted on the liquid (1). As atmospheric pressure drops, the boiling point decreases accordingly.
For example, at sea level, with an atmospheric pressure is 29.92 Hg the boiling point is 212 °F. At an elevation of 2000 ft, the atmospheric pressure is about 27.82 Hg, decreasing the boiling point to 208 °F. Imagine what the boiling point reaches if the pressure nears 0 Hg as occurs using an oil pump!
When the rapid boil begins, this is your sign that maximum draw has occurred. Use the skip function to bypass the remainder of the cycle time as the liquid may climb out of the pouch if the rapid boil continues. Set one of the programs to those observed cycle times for your next pouch and you’re all set to save time and limit waste!
For more details on vacuum sealing liquids, click here.
Items that Can Be Sealed
Suction Vacuum Sealer
Due to its external vacuum process, a pressure imbalance is produced between the outside and inside of the bag. This can cause a siphoning effect when sealing foods containing liquids. So for items such as sauces or marinading meat, the pressure imbalance may pull those liquids towards the machine causing the liquids to either enter the machine or create a faulty seal allowing air back into the bag which defeats the purpose of the vacuum.
Consequently, external vacuum sealers can vacuum seal any dry, solid, or frozen food, but not liquids.
Some companies may suggest freezing the liquid before vacuum sealing, yet this prolongs the food storage process.
Chamber Vacuum Sealer
Alternatively, due to the enclosed chamber of the chamber vacuum sealer, the pressure is equally distributed between the outside and inside of the bag within the chamber promoting the liquids to stay in place inside the pouch.
Therefore, the chamber vacuum sealer machine can seal liquids with complete assurance as the siphoning effect does not apply!
Difference in the Pump: Oil vs Dry Pumps
Taking into account durability, vacuum draw, and noise pollution, a chamber vacuum sealer machine with an oil pump takes the gold!
It is important to consider that not all chamber vacuum sealers contain oil-lubricated pumps. Therefore, if you want these benefits, confirm the vacuum sealing machine holds an oil-lubricated pump.
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The Benefits of an Oil-Lubricated Pump Explained
1) Increased Durability
The durability of an oil pump is unmatched due to its ability to expel moisture. The heat created when in operation allows for any moisture to separate from the oil. Moisture bypasses the filter and is vaporized out of the machine while the oil returns to the pump for reuse.
How does this prolong the life of the pump? Moisture would corrode the materials within the pump. Since the oil pump dispels the moisture from the machine, this demotes the chance of internal corrosion. With this feature, the pump can service you for over 10 years with proper maintenance!
Additionally, the transfer of heat energy allows these vacuum sealers to run without needing a break due to overheating. In contrast, an external vacuum sealer machine will need time to cool as the heat is consistently building up without being transferred as another energy source.
2) Increased Quality
Vacuum packaging is well-known for its effectiveness because the less contact with oxygen the product has, the longer it can go without spoiling. Oil-lubricated chamber vacuum sealers pull the most air by up to 19.8% more than dry piston pumps found in suction vacuum sealers allowing for the least contact with oxygen or moisture in the air!
How do oil pumps outshine dry piston pumps this drastically? The vanes within the oil pumps are designed to spin in a cyclical motion that barely slides by the pump’s housing by thousandths of an inch. The proximity of the rotary vanes to the housing creates a strong suction allowing for great vacuum power.
The vacuum produced by this mechanism greatly surpasses the 80% removed by dry piston pumps in edge sealers by up to 19.8% – you do the math! Talk about no freezer burn, longer shelf life, and even more flavorful sous vide cooking!
Recall that not all chamber vacuum sealers contain oil pumps. Dry piston chamber vacuum sealers can remove around 90% of air which is still a stretch from reaching the astounding minimum of 99% drawn using a chamber vacuum sealer geared with an oil pump!
3) Decreased Noise Pollution
No one would like to risk their sense of hearing due to prolonged use of their vacuum sealers. Oil pumps create 20-30 dB less noise than any other dry piston pump vacuum sealers. Specifically, the 85-95 dB of noise created by dry piston pumps is compared to the volume of a vacuum cleaner which is only a few dB short of the level considered to cause hearing loss after sustained exposure. Conversely, our JVR Vac100 is as quiet as 65 dB when in operation which is compared to having an average conversation!
To read more about the benefits of an oil pump, feel free to read our article here.
Difference in Affordability
The price of external vacuum sealers may only be a couple hundred at the initial purchase. Yet, limited pump durability eventually requires multiple purchases over time easily making these far more expensive in the long term.
In addition, external vacuum sealers such as Food Savers require the use of embossed bags called vacuum sealer bags. These are more expensive than the chamber vacuum pouches only compatible with chamber vacuum sealers.
If interested in learning more about the differences between chamber vacuum pouches and vacuum sealer bags, click here.
Advantages and Disadvantages of each Vacuum Sealer Machine Spelled Out
Suction Vacuum Sealer
Advantages
1. Conveniently sized for your home kitchen counter and lightweight for portability.
2. No limit to the length of bags, only in width according to the seal bar length.
Disadvantages
1. Can not vacuum seal liquids with certainty due to siphoning effect.
2. Durability ranges from 1 month to 10 years.
3. Volume at 85-95 dB.
4. Only 80% of air is pulled using edge vacuum sealers.
5. Only compatible with higher-price vacuum sealer bags.
Chamber Vacuum Sealer
Advantages
1. Can vacuum seal liquids and even Mason jars.
2. Lasts 10 to 30 years.
3. Volume as low as 65 dB.
4. Up to 99.8% of air pulled.
5. Compatible with less expensive chamber vacuum pouches.
Disadvantages
1. Larger than Foodsaver type vacuum sealers.
2. Limited in width and length of bag size due to chamber features.
Questions?
Contact us to speak with an experienced vacuum packaging specialist about what vacuum sealer is right for you!
Want to learn more about the history and service of JVR Industries? Click here to learn more!
