Machines for ensuring optimal storage conditions for food products are becoming increasingly popular not only in factories, but also at home. Housewives can use such equipment to maintain the gastronomic characteristics of fish, bakery products, vegetables and other products. The market for such devices is quite wide and constantly updated, which makes it possible to choose the best solution for specific purposes. Modern equipment for vacuum packaging of products is a compact in size devices that operate in automatic mode, do not require effort from the user. At the same time, prices for packers of this type allow you to expand the functionality of kitchen equipment with minimal investment.
General information about vacuum packers
Until recently, vacuum sealers were used in factories, restaurants, cafes and canteens. However, reducing the dimensions of the equipment and increasing ergonomics in terms of equipment operation made it possible to form a segment of household models. A home vacuum packer of fish, bread, meat, nuts, greens, or other products does more than simply seal the product. It creates a favorable storage environment, which eliminates the risk of bacteria. In addition, special packaging creates the conditions for a beneficial “ripening” of the product, therefore, during the storage process, the taste properties are also improved.
The principle of operation of most packers is the same. At the first stage, enveloping and packaging of products in a film container occurs. Further, equipment for vacuum packaging of products pumps out the available air, followed by its replacement with a useful gas mixture. The modified environment allows you to increase the organoleptic quality of food, which contributes to the endowment of products with useful properties, and increase shelf life.
Industrial and household machines
Despite the proliferation of household models, industrial devices do not lose popularity. These are expensive plants that are appropriate to use in handling large volumes of products. There are floor and table models. Among the advantages of such equipment, high functionality and power are distinguished. The household vacuum packer for the home is designed to work with a small number of products. Such devices have less performance, but benefit from compactness and ease of use. By the way, usually professional equipment absorbs the most advanced technologies. But in this case, counting on attracting consumers, companies equip household models with a good option, which increases the comfort of using the equipment and the quality of its work.
Key Packer Features
One of the key characteristics in terms of choice is the power on which the performance of the device depends. On average, this figure is 170-220 watts. Actually, for work in a small kitchen, an entry-level device of no more than 200 watts will be enough. You should also take into account the length of the strip, on which the size of the seam for welding the film depends. Again, on average it is 28-30 cm, but depending on the size of the target product, this value should be changed up or down. As for the dimensions, the equipment for vacuum packaging of home products rarely exceeds the size of a microwave oven. And by weight, the devices reach 1.5-2 kg. Now it’s worth sorting out the functionality. Today, even budget packers are equipped with electronic control systems, and the user monitors workflow parameters using LED indicators.
It is important to note the quality of the body materials. Still, the device performs mechanical actions on the type of conveyor, which implies a considerable responsibility of the design. The standard vacuum sealer is made using plastic and stainless steel. This is the optimal combination of materials, which provides the device with durability and low weight.
Tubeless and chamber packers
The differences between the two types of devices are in the technological approach to the formation of the storage medium. That is, in the case of chamber devices designed for food packaging, the same gas environment is provided. In turn, the tubeless vacuum sealer is deprived of such an opportunity and, as a rule, is endowed with lower productivity. Also, some models of this type have special package requirements. In particular, manufacturers recommend using corrugated products for more efficient pumping of air.
Device management
The control process in modern vacuum cleaners is implemented by mechanical buttons equipped with LEDs. Each of them gives a signal about the execution of a particular operation at the current moment. So, to start automatic pumping out of air, one button is intended, to cancel the process - the second, and the other two allow you to select the packaging modes and adjust the sealing of the package. At the same time, a tubeless vacuum sealer may have other control configurations, but the main functions will be just that. From the user, in addition to controlling the device via buttons, it is only necessary to place the package in a special niche up to the sealing head, and then close the lid. Next, the packing mode is selected and the first stage of operation of the device begins. The equipment will “announce” the completion of the process with a characteristic signal and the LED lamp blinking - but these nuances of work in each model are individual.
Vacuum Packing Bags
It is recommended to use packages from the manufacturer of the equipment itself, since they optimally match the characteristics of a particular device. If we talk about the general characteristics that should be considered when choosing this material, then the structure and operational qualities will come to the fore. Typically, such bags are a polyethylene sleeve with an environmentally friendly high-strength film. As for the properties, 7-layer packages for vacuum packaging are considered the best option, which provide a reliable barrier to oxygen and resistance to low temperature (up to -30 ºC). The structure of this material is developed not only with a view to the content of food products, but also to ensure easy operation with a vacuum cleaner. For example, the technique of applying a polyethylene yarn to the surface of a bag, on the one hand, increases its strength characteristics, and on the other hand, forms wide channels for more efficient air removal before sealing.
Manufacturer's Reviews
Customers are available vacuum cleaners of various brands, including Minimatic, Futura, Genius. Models from the company Minimatic cause positive reviews due to its functionality, as well as the ability to work with cans and bottles. As practice shows, the device easily copes with the functions of pumping air and subsequent cutting of the package. Futura is introducing a vacuum packer that is more suitable for working with small objects. Owners of such equipment note modest performance, which, however, is offset by successfully implemented ergonomics. Genius models can also be considered universal packers. In this case, users praise the products for the ability to work with various containers. By the way, in the manufacturer’s lineup there are models with power up to 300 W, which is rare for this segment.
How much does the equipment cost?
Budget devices are represented by models, the cost of which varies from 3 to 5 thousand rubles. True, a vacuum packer, the price of which does not exceed the threshold of 7-8 thousand, will have a small capacity and is unlikely to be able to support the possibility of packing in cans and containers. For such purposes, it is immediately worth considering the vacuators from the middle segment. These are devices with electronic control and an advanced option, the cost of which can reach 13-15 thousand.
Even a private kitchen may require the use of a productive device that can handle large volumes of food and in large quantities. A productive vacuum packer, the price of which exceeds 20 thousand, will be able to perform such tasks. Typically, devices of this group are also equipped with additional safety features and auxiliary accessories.
Conclusion
Vacuators are usually associated with food. But tightness and preservation of appearance may also be required for other objects - for example, documents, high-tech devices, values, etc. In many ways, this aspect has brought equipment for vacuum packaging of products into a full-fledged class of goods for mass consumption. Despite the skeptical views of potential buyers who doubt the appropriateness of acquiring such devices, established users of home vacuum cleaners leave a lot of positive feedback on the practice of their operation. In particular, they note the ease of handling the equipment, saving time and, as a result of the work, maintaining the product in perfect condition.