Vacuum Packaging Information

What is Vacuum Packaging?

Vacuum packaging is an effective way to keep your food and products fresh longer. By removing oxygen, which can lead to spoilage, vacuum packaging helps extend shelf life. Depending on what you’re storing, a mix of oxygen and nitrogen can further enhance freshness. For detailed information, check out our shelf life charts for vacuum-sealed food.  But vacuum packaging isn't just for food! It’s also perfect for protecting non-consumable items sensitive to moisture, dust, and other external factors.

If you have valuable items that need safeguarding, vacuum packaging is a fantastic option. Many people confuse vacuum packaging with shrink wrap packaging, but they serve different purposes. While both protect items, understanding their unique benefits can help you choose the right solution for your needs.

Vacuum Packaging vs. Shrink Wrap Packaging

Shrink wrap packaging and vacuum packaging both use heat to seal packages, but that’s where their similarities end. With shrink packaging, heat is applied to shrink the film tightly around your product, after sealing the ends. However, it doesn’t remove oxygen like vacuum packaging does. In fact, shrink packaging often includes small vent holes to let air escape, meaning your products may not be completely protected from oxygen and external elements.

On the other hand, vacuum packaging goes a step further by using an air compressor to remove air entirely before sealing. This creates a tight barrier against outside factors. Plus, vacuum packaging bags are typically thicker than shrink film, offering greater protection. For even more freshness, vacuum packaging can introduce additional gases like nitrogen. This helps balance the reduced oxygen levels, further extending the shelf life of your products.

Types of Vacuum Sealers Sold

Vacuum sealers come in various models to suit different needs, whether you're a home cook or running a commercial operation.

One popular choice for home use is the FoodSaver brand. However, all the vacuum sealers we offer are designed for commercial use, capable of packaging up to 300 items per hour, and running 24/7 for complete production line efficiency.

Our vacuum sealers include chambered, gas purge, and self-contained options:

• Chamber Vacuum Sealers: These sealers operate by placing the entire package inside a chamber. They remove air and seal, providing a strong vacuum that is perfect for packaging liquids and fragile items.
• Gas Purge Vacuum Sealers: These models add inert gases like nitrogen during sealing, which helps preserve freshness and prevent oxidation. Ideal for extending the shelf life of sensitive products.
• Self-Contained Vacuum Sealers: Compact units with built-in compressors, designed for home or light commercial use. They are convenient but may not last as long as external compressor models.

SHOP VACUUM SEALERS

 

Types of Vacuum Bags Sold

We provide a wide selection of vacuum bag sizes and styles to meet your needs. Each case contains between 250 and 1,000 bags, so you will always have plenty on hand.

Choosing the right vacuum bag for your products is crucial for maximizing shelf life and efficient storage.

For additional information on vacuum packaging, sealers, and bags, feel free to call us at 1-800-441-5090 or check out our Vacuum Packing 101 page.

Frequently Bought With

• Reclosable Barrier Bags: These bags feature a zip or seal closure, allowing easy access while providing limited protection against moisture and oxygen.
• Vacuum Bags: Designed for sealing with a vacuum sealer, these bags remove air to extend shelf life and protect contents effectively.

SHOP VACUUM BAGS

Want to Learn More?

See our additional resources below for more information on vacuum sealed packaging:

• Vacuum Packing 101
• Vacuum Sealed Food Shelf Life Chart

Vacuum Packaging Terms

Vacuum Packaging - A form of packaging in which air is removed from the primary package. The common objective is to remove oxygen from the container. The removal of internal oxygen is attributed to longer shelf life.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging - A packaging method in which the atmosphere within a package has been altered from the external atmosphere. Atmospheric altering can include removing or introducing a variety of atmospheric gases.

Vacuum Sealer - Considered any machine that removes oxygen from a package while forming an airtight seal to keep air from entering the container.

Nozzle Vacuuming - A method of vacuum packaging using a nozzle with one end connected to a pump and the other inserted into a vacuum bag or pouch. The nozzle removes the air, and the package is quickly sealed to keep air from entering or exiting the container.

Thermoforming - A method of vacuum packaging using two rolls of film fed into a machine. The product is inserted between the top and bottom film rolls. The package is sealed, and the air is removed using heated preformed clamps.

Chamber Vacuuming- A popular form of vacuum packaging to package various products, especially liquids. A flexible package is placed in a chamber that uses negative air pressure to remove air from the container.  

Vacuum Bag - A bag with three enclosed sides used to contain products to remove some or all oxygen. Once the air is removed, the bags are sealed using heat and pressure to create a barrier from external elements.

Channeled Vacuum Bags - Vacuum bags with air channels allow air to escape from the package more easily. Channeled vacuum bags are required for use with home vacuum sealers.

Mil - A unit of measurement equal to .0010 of an inch. Mils are used to measure the thickness of flexible packaging products.

Inert Gas - A gas often used to avoid unwanted chemical degrading in products and materials. Some examples of inert gases are nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide.

Shelf life - The length of time a product will maintain market acceptance under specified conditions and guidelines.

Gas Flush - Often referred to as gas purge, it is the introduction of inert gas to remove unwanted gases from the interior of the package. Gas flush is an integral part of Modified Atmosphere Packaging.  

Gas Permeability - The ability of gases to penetrate or escape a specific material.

Cycle Rate - How many times a machine can cycle per minute.

Vacuum Filter - Used in nozzle vacuum sealers to keep liquids and small particles from obstructing the vacuuming nozzle.

Vacuum regulator - A device precisely controls the amount of air to be removed from a package during vacuum sealing.

Dual Nozzle- Two vacuuming nozzles to remove air on a nozzle vacuum sealer. Dual nozzles allow two packages to be sealed at one time.

Sealing Bar - A heated bar closes on a package to mend two open ends together. Sealing bars are what enable an airtight seal on many vacuum packages.