Vacuum Chamber Machines- Process and Benefits

Vacuum chamber machines are machines that seal edible items of food in a plastic bag for preservation. These machines have strong vacuuming power which helps in removing the air from food in the plastic bag. Vacuum chamber machines are often used in commercial kitchens. However, there are benchtop models like single double chamber machines used in homes.  

The food preservation process is quite simple. Through vacuum chamber machines excellent food preservation rates are achieved which minimizes wastage and spoilage.  

Understanding The Process  

The food is placed in special plastic pouches which are put inside the chamber. The open end of the pouch is placed under the sealer and the vacuum chamber machine extracts all the air from the pouch which is later on sealed with heat.   

Extreme heat is used to seal these pouches so ordinary plastic pouches are not used with vacuum chamber machines. 

In the home setting, a vacuum chamber machine is a good investment because it helps in minimizing food and money wastage. It preserves the quality of your food. When food is frozen with air trapped inside the pouch, this leads to the product’s deterioration and discoloration. But when the air is removed, there is no oxygen present for the bacteria to thrive. The freshness and color of the product are retained in frozen food items, which results in a tastier and healthier product. 

There are different types of vacuum chamber machines. So, it is recommended to buy it from a reputable manufacturing company i.e., Vacumatic, Australia. The team at Vacumatic have specialists who will help you in deciding the right machine model for your needs. The experts will also explain how to use them and will offer other products that may be useful for you. 

How To Choose Between Suction and Chamber Sealers? 

This is one of the most common questions we hear from people who want to buy vacuum chamber machines. When you decide that a vacuum sealer is a great addition to your life, the next step would be to choose the right machine. It can be a daunting task. So, to help you out, we have discussed the important things that you must consider before making a final purchase.   

The first thing you need to decide is if you want a chamber machine or a suction machine. This decision should be based on how you plan to use the vacuum chamber machine.  

Vacuum Chamber Sealer 

This question is a million-dollar question. Can you vacuum seal liquids? Yes, you can vacuum seal liquids. You may need a chamber vacuum machine to do so.  

Soups 

• Marinades 
• Beverages  

If you want to use a vacuum sealer for any of the above items, you would want to follow the route of vacuum chamber rather than suction. You will be able to vacuum seal liquids in a chamber machine because instead of removing air from the pouch, it removes the air from the entire chamber leaving equal air pressure inside and outside the pouch, therefore, keeping the liquid secure inside the pouch. 

Suction Vacuum Sealer Machine 

The suction vacuum sealer machines are traditional vacuum sealers. These are also called external vacuum sealers. The suction vacuum sealer machines suck the air out of the pouch and then provide an airtight seal. These machines are perfect to use around the home which allows vacuum sealing a lot of items such as:     

• Food leftovers
• Coffee beans/grounds
• Out of season clothing 
• Extra bedding
• Firearms  

Duo Vacuum Sealers 

Of course, at this point, you might be thinking that you can use both vacuum sealer machines. While you can buy any, we offer custom-built vacuum chamber machines. Our machines will give you the best of both worlds, the ability to seal items without affecting the quality of the food item.      

The Vacuum Sealing Guide 

Reducing food waste and spoilage is important to any food service operation, and using a vacuum chamber machine is a great way to do just it.  

The products that are vacuum packed can last up to 3-5 times longer than the non-packaged foods. The food will also taste fresher and better because you will be removing most of the factors that cause them to break down. 

Advantages of Vacuum Sealing Food 

Preserving the Food Quality

By removing air from the bag, you prevent bacteria growth and also protect foods from dehydration and freezer burn. Your food will also retain a high degree of freshness that too for a longer time period.   

Save Time  

With sous vide cooking i.e., long-time cooking, vacuum-sealed portions require less attention than they would if cooked with other methods.  

Even if you don’t cook sous vide, it will be helpful to package individual servings so that when your employees go to prepare a meal, they are consistent and are able to practice portion control. 

Save Money 

Vacuum packaging rapidly increases the shelf life of food, hence reduces waste and saves you a lot of money and time. Many food items see dramatic increases in how long they can be stored: 

Food Types 

• Dry Goods 
• Cheese 
• Fish 
• Cut Meat 
• Ground Meat 
• Vegetables 
• Berries 

What Foods Can You Vacuum Seal? 

Almost any food can be vacuumed easily such as meats, hard fruits, and vegetables. However, there are a few exceptions that either require more attention or which should not be sealed at all. 

Blanch Before Vacuum Sealing Item  

Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and turnips can be vacuum sealed, but these must be blanched first. Boil the items briefly, submerge in ice water to stop the cooking process. In this manner, you will be able to seal safely. Blanching halts enzyme production which deteriorates quality and color with time.  

What Should Not Be Vacuum-Sealed? 

The food items such as mushrooms, garlic, and soft / unpasteurized cheeses like Brie and Ricotta should not be vacuum sealed. These products are at risk of containing anaerobic bacteria, which can grow and thrive within the oxygen-free environment inside the vacuum pouch. 

Also, make sure that you allow the food to cool down to at least room temperature before sealing it because the higher temperature is more likely to harbour bacteria. Make sure you cool the food items safely and also you keep them out of the temperature danger zone for as long as possible. 

If you need a custom-built vacuum chamber machine, contact our team of Vacumatic, Australia.