When it comes to purchasing a commercial vacuum sealer, consumers have a lot of questions.
A vacuum sealer is a machine that removes air from specialized plastic bags with an oxygen barrier and then heat-seals them to create an airtight environment. The difference between at-home kitchen gadgets and commercial sealers comes down to usage, vacuum power, build quality, and gas-flush capability.
At-home sealers are built for occasional, light use, while commercial sealers are designed for continuous, heavy-duty daily operation.
When deciding between the two, consumers should first take stock of their production needs and ask themselves questions like:
· What is our daily output volume and cycle count?
· Will we be sealing liquids or wet, high-moisture foods?
· What size are our largest items or portions we plan to pack?
· Do we need an external or in-chamber vacuum sealer?
Knowing these details ensures you can pick a reliable machine that handles your specific workflow.
If you decide you need a commercial vacuum sealer, first find a reputable equipment distributor who is willing to answer your questions.
Let’s explore the top questions consumers ask before purchasing a commercial vacuum sealer.
1) What are the advantages of vacuum sealing?
Commercial vacuum sealing removes up to 99.8% of oxygen from a package to dramatically extend the shelf life of food, prevent food spoilage, and protect non-food items from dust and particles. Other benefits include:
· Reduced product loss: Increased shelf life directly affects the reduction in product loss for companies inventorying products. Reduced product loss helps improve the bottom line.
· Provides a sealed barrier from external elements: With the proper seal, vacuum packaging can protect products from dust, moisture, insects, and a variety of other external elements that may harm or damage products. Vacuum packaging is also an excellent barrier of protection against freezer burn during long-term freezer storage.
· No chemical preservatives required: With the right mixture of oxygen to inert gas, products can last longer without the use of commonly used preservatives. The Earth's atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen, which is the most commonly used inert gas for vacuum packaging. If this is of interest, be sure your commercial vacuum sealer choice has a gas flush option.
· Quick and efficient packaging: With the proper machines and materials, vacuum sealing can be a very efficient process, enabling hundreds or thousands of products to be sealed per hour.
2) What types of vacuum sealers are there?
Commercial vacuum sealers primarily fall into two main categories: chamber vacuum sealers and external suction vacuum sealers. Each one differs in how it removes air.
With the chamber vacuum sealer, you place the entire open bag filled with food or liquid inside an internal vacuum chamber and close the lid. The machine removes the air from the entire chamber, creating a vacuum to force air out of the bag.
With an external suction vacuum sealer, the open edge of a specialized, textured bag is clamped into the machine on the exterior of the vacuum area. An internal pump or piston draws the air directly out of the bag and then immediately applies a heat seal. Higher output machines can have multiple nozzles and conveyors to quickly and efficiently remove air from the vacuum bag.
There is also the option of a self-contained vacuum sealer with a built-in air compressor. It’s ideal for facilities with limited production space. The self-contained vacuum sealers are ready out of the box for high-output packaging. They cannot handle the same volume as sealers with external compressors, but they're an excellent bridge between home use and higher-output machines.
3) What kind of bags are required?
The type of bag you need depends on whether you are using a chamber vacuum sealer or an external (clamp/nozzle) suction sealer. Using the wrong bag type will prevent the machine from pulling a proper vacuum and securing an airtight seal.
Chamber vacuum sealers require smooth, flat barrier bags while external suction sealers require embossed, textured, or channeled bags.
Vacuum bags have an oxygen barrier to keep air from entering or escaping after a seal has been made. Be sure any bags or rolls used with your sealer have an oxygen barrier.
4) How many bags per hour can it seal?
With the proper machines and materials, vacuum sealing can be a very efficient process, enabling hundreds or thousands of products to be sealed per hour.
5) What is the difference between gas flush and standard?
Gas flush vacuum sealers inject inert gas like nitrogen into the package right before sealing to protect delicate items like potato chips. Standard machines simply pull air out.
6) What other items are needed for the machine?
External compressors are often required for many commercial-grade vacuum sealers. External gas tanks will also be required for gas flush systems. Other optional parts include filters for any product with small particles, bag stands and support frames, or accessory hoses and wine stoppers. An air regulator is essential for machines with external compressors to ensure the proper amount of airflow is used to operate the machine.
7) How easy is it to get replacement parts and maintenance products?
We offer a variety of vacuum sealer parts and maintenance items, including filters, sealing trays, sealer stands, regulators, nozzle additions, and pressure bar kits. If you buy a commercial vacuum sealer from U.S. Packaging & Wrapping, we can assist with troubleshooting and any parts required to get your machine up and running.
8) What is the price and lead time of vacuum sealers?
The price of a commercial vacuum sealer depends on the type. A standard model starts at $3,060, while the gas purge model starts at $3,352 and goes up to $8,661, depending on the required seal bar size. A commercial chamber vacuum sealer starts at $6,835 and goes up to $7,263.
Once an order is placed, you can expect your vacuum sealer to arrive in about three to four days.
Whether you need a high-speed commercial food vacuum sealer, a versatile self-contained unit, or a heavy-duty chamber machine, U.S. Packaging & Wrapping has the right solution for you. Request a QUOTE today.
U.S. Packaging & Wrapping offers a variety of high-quality packaging solutions. For your packaging needs, visit our website at uspackagingandwrapping.com or contact us by phone at 1-800-441-5090 or by email at customerservice@uspackagingandwrapping.com.
