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If you’re interested in efficient food storage, start with investing in the best vacuum sealer for your needs. Vacuum sealers help preserve the shelf-life of food. They suck the air out of plastic-wrapped food and seal the sides with heat.

There are many advantages to vacuum-sealed foods. Since the process removes oxygen, it reduces the chemical reactions and bacteria buildup that would otherwise cause food to expire, (including freezer burn and dehydration). Food stored in this way lasts and maintains freshness 3-5 times longer than non-packaged foods!

Because vacuum sealing preserves food freshness, it reduces waste—which ultimately saves money and time spent cooking. For example, frozen meat cuts can go from lasting in the freezer from six months to two to three years when vacuum sealed!  Plus, it makes your fridge and freezer organized by helping you save leftovers efficiently and even meal prep.

When purchasing a vacuum sealer, here are a few things to keep in mind:

This Potane sealer is powered by 120 watts. It uses eight millimeters of sealing width, whereas many other styles use only three millimeters, so it is an overall stand-out for its smooth sealing method and robust, high-power motor.

One reviewer says, “The day I received the Potane Vacuum Sealer I had just bought five nice, big, juicy ribeye steaks and was waiting on my Potane so I could try it out. It did not disappoint and it gave me the best suction and seal I have ever had with a vacuum storage system.”

Plus, it stores up to twenty feet of bag rolls and features a built-in cutter that minimizes labor. It comes with a five-year warranty so that it can last for the long haul. Finally, it has both an automatic and a manual mode—a simple design that doesn’t compromise the most important features. You’ll be packing freezer foods like a pro before you know it.

For the novice food sealer, this FoodSaver FM2000 is a great choice. We love its simplicity, from its hassle-free bags to its simple cleaning process to its simple automatic function. With the click of one button—presto! You’ll have your chicken meal prep sealed and ready for the week.

One reviewer says, “[I] chose the FM2000 for simplicity in look and function—don’t need all the super-sized bells and whistles, just a good, basic unit to do the job. So far, this unit has lived up to my expectations, aside from my own learning curve: tip, look at what appear to be safety labels inside the jaw area, those are your quick-start guides. Once I figured out how to properly place the bag, everything sucked and sealed as it should.”

For the vacuum-sealing newbie, you can’t beat the approachability of this FoodSaver.

If you’re looking for a more professional sealer, this Vesta Chamber Vac Elite is the vacuum sealer for you. Chamber sealers are best for large batches and liquid-rich foods; they require placing entire packages inside the chamber so that air can be sucked from the entire chamber.

One reviewer says, “I have had and returned or sold many vacuum sealers. I love the chamber function on this. I can put something in it and walk away. Seals perfectly.”

Although it features an automatic option that seals food according to its size at the click of a button, this design is highly customizable—you can even enter how long you would like bags to seal.

It also includes a special marinate feature, which allows you to infuse flavor into your food (such as these marinated mushrooms). It features a whopping 270 watts, making its suction power impeccable. If you’re sold on the chamber style, this Vesta model is the one to go with.

An external vacuum sealer differs from a chamber sealer. Rather than immersing your bag in a chamber, simply line your bag alongside this sealer and make a clean seal. The Nesco VS-12 is powered with 130 watts and a double-vacuum pump.

It includes a built-in storage bag cutter that can utilize any brand of plastic bag. It features a variety of settings—for moist, dry or double foods. Plus, a gentle seal setting for soft foods. Its easy-lock handle makes operation with one hand accessible so that your other hand is freed up. It also allows a double heat seal for extra protection.

It is most ideal for someone who hopes to get started on vacuum sealing without breaking the bank. One reviewer expresses, “I’ve sealed close to a hundred bags of cold-smoked cheese using this without a single hiccup. It has performed flawlessly.” (Psst… If you’re curious about how to cold smoke cheese, here’s a basic cold-smoked cream cheese recipe.)

For the best bang for your buck, the Geryon Vacuum Sealer offers all of the quality of a great vacuum sealer without any of the frills. It features an incredibly simple design with two sealing modes.

A reviewer says, “This vacuum sealer is the best you can buy for under $50. It is very easy to use and the best feature is the ability to vacuum seal delicate foods like bread without ruining it by taking too much air out and squishing the bread.”

This prevents food spoilage and freezer burn by keeping air out. It also allows you to reseal previously opened packages to preserve freshness. The design is compact and lightweight for easy storage. Its upper lid is easily removed for cleaning purposes. Its external cutter allows you to cut bags in any size you need. We love that this model is fully-equipped to get the job done but won’t cost you an arm and a leg!

If you’re interested in taking meal prep seriously, or just know that you are going to put your food sealer to use regularly, go with this heavy-duty Weston Pro-2300 sealer. It possesses 935 watts of power, so its vacuum is much more powerful than the average vacuum sealer.

One reviewer expresses, “Having experience with the much lower cost consumer products, I had no idea what a real vacuum pump could do. All I can say is wow… Man, oh man, that vacuum pulled the plastic so tight so quickly around those kernels I was impressed. The seal was quite fast too.”

It features a manual seal mode for user control of the operation. Plus, its double piston pump makes it quick and efficient for cranking out big batches of sealed foods. It is designed for continuous use—it includes a fan-cooled motor to allow for repetitive use without causing the motor to overheat. Its large size also allows you to fit extra-large bags—up to 15 inches. If you have a husband who loves to hunt, you’ll be all set to seal and stock your freezer with venison recipes.

This Anova set is ideal for the serious food vacuumer and sous vide chef. The sealer is compact, simple in design and features an automatic method. Its small size makes it great for small kitchen spaces.

The cooker is specifically designed for sous vide. Sous vide is a cooking technique that heats food with water. It circulates heat in a pot, which allows vacuum-sealed food to cook thoroughly and evenly while being immersed in the water. The set is Wi-Fi-enabled and allows you to monitor a food’s cooking progress through an app.

A reviewer describes their experience: “I’ve been wanting a SV machine for a while and finally treated myself during lockdown. Very easy to use and definitely exceeded my expectations.”

So if you’re serious about perfectly poached eggs, invest in this precision cooker and you’ll be poaching like a pro!

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