Vacuum packaging of products has long crossed the line of industrial production and has firmly established itself in the kitchens of ordinary citizens. Why not? Such devices are inexpensive and useful in everyday life. The shelf life of products packaged in this way is doubled. Attractive when it comes to moody berries or greens, right? The practical usefulness of such an apparatus over time makes up for the every minute greed and unwillingness to spend money. And this is not an unfounded statement, but the words of those people who bought a vacuum packer for products. The reviews make it clear that this is a great investment - try to calculate how much money you throw away every day because of the untimely cheese, greens, sausages, etc.
More information about models and applications of packers we will describe in this article.
Functional
From the name, in principle, the main function of the device is understandable - it packs some objects by creating a vacuum in a confined space. They are distinguished by purpose. The following variations are possible:
- Bank vacuum packer. Each branch of the bank must have an apparatus approved by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. It is used for packing banknotes.
- Vacuum packer for products. The principle of operation is the same, differs from the previous apparatus in that in the process of creating a vacuum, objects do not heat up. Banknotes, in principle, do not care, while not all food products survive such heating without loss.
The principle of operation is as follows: the apparatus creates a vacuum in a bag that processes it, and then seals it with a heating element. This article will discuss the latest type of devices. They are used for packaging products, which is designed to either extend the shelf life, or help in the cooking process (more on this in the paragraph on molecular cuisine).
Main characteristics and operation features
Vacuum packers are characterized by the following indicators:
- the presence / absence of a camera;
- power of the vacuum pump ;
- the length of the heating element;
- case material;
- type of management;
- processing cycle length;
- the presence / absence of a display.
Vacuum packer for home products (reviews will not lie) in the work does not cause any problems. The only thing is that when changing the type of packages, you will have to adjust the temperature of the adhesion on the heating element, because if it is too high, the package will melt at the seam, but if it is too low, it will not stick together. These manipulations are of a one-time nature and do not cause any particular inconvenience.
Types of Vacuum Sealers
It was previously announced that a vacuum packer for products can be with or without a camera. Let us consider in more detail what this entails.
1. Tubeless devices - they are cheaper. Most household models do not have a camera, pumping air directly from the package. Also, the lack of a camera allows you to pack items of any size (within reason, of course). On this, the advantages end when it comes to the load level “I use it in my home kitchen”, because the device without a camera uses only special corrugated bags, has lower performance and provides a lower degree of vacuum compared to “chamber” counterparts - 89% against 99 %
2. Vacuum packer for products with a chamber - has a higher productivity and degree of evacuation. Packaging takes place directly inside the chamber, which imposes restrictions on the size of the product.
CASO Packer, China
According to customer reviews, the CASO vacuum packer fully complies with all the characteristics specified in the technical description, is simple and reliable in operation. Among the entire model range, CASO VC 10 is distinguished, which combines a low (5500 rubles) price and excellent quality:
- type - tubeless vacuum packer;
- power - 0.11 kW;
- the length of the heating element is 28 cm;
- vacuum degree - 0.8 bar;
- case material - plastic;
- productivity - 9 l / min;
- the control panel allows you to adjust the temperature depending on the thickness of the package;
- complete set - 10 packages, instruction;
- dimensions (LxWxH, mm) - 370x110x210;
- connection type - 220 V.
Bork Packer, Korea
Bork equipment, although considered household, in terms of quality of materials, assembly and performance is close to industrial. Small cafes and restaurants can easily do with such an apparatus, without overpaying for the mark "professional". If you believe the reviews of cooks, many do so.
Consider the AU501:
- type - tubeless vacuum packer;
- power - 0.13 kW;
- case material - plastic;
- operating modes - automatic / manual;
- the presence of clips for reliable fixation of the package;
- complete set - packages 200300 mm (10 pcs.), packages 280x330 mm (10 pcs.), instructions;
- dimensions (LxWxH, mm) - 80x425x190;
- connection type - 220 V.
The current price for tubeless packer company Bork - 15 000 rubles.
Packer company Bartscher, Germany
This German brand mainly produces professional equipment for the kitchen, but it also offers relatively compact models, one of which we will now consider. So, the 300P / MSD Bartscher Vacuum Packing Machine:
- type - tubeless vacuum packer;
- power - 0.49 kW;
- heating element length - 320 mm;
- pump productivity - 0.9 m 3 / h;
- case material - plastic;
- electronic control system;
- dimensions (LxWxH, mm) - 390x310x140;
- connection type - 220 V.
Its price now averages 40,000 rubles. Very expensive vacuum packer. Reviews at the same time say that under operating conditions with an intensity above the average, such a price is justified even at the current exchange rate. No complaints.
Industrial vacuum packer for products. Differences from home
Industrial vacuum sealer is used for the following purposes:
- Packaging of finished semi-finished products with their subsequent sale.
- Packaging of expensive foodstuffs before storage (cooling or freezing). In the case of freezing, such packaging helps to avoid ice, which affects the taste of the product.
- Packaging of dishes with their subsequent preparation (all the same molecular cuisine). However, due to the small load, here you can use high-quality vacuum packers for home products.
First of all, such a device is distinguished by its performance. Industrial, in contrast to the home packer, is able to work at least 3-4 hours per shift, while the cycle time is from 15 to 30 seconds, depending on the size of the vacuum object. Plus material and build quality (a household vacuum packer for products cannot boast so much metal).
Also, industrial vacuum packers come with a gas filling option. In practice, this means that a cylinder with a gas cocktail is connected to the apparatus, which enters the chamber in the process of creating a vacuum. This method is used for packaging semi-finished products in order to extend the shelf life - depending on the product, the storage period is increased by 1.5-2 times without loss of taste and nutritional qualities.
Vacuum Packer and Molecular Kitchen
Recently fashionable "molecular" direction, despite all its exoticism, pursues laudable goals: ensuring the true taste of products plus an unusual presentation. One of the cooking methods is the "su-view", which consists in prolonged cooking at a low temperature. The products are in vacuum packaging. The "su-view" consists of 4 stages:
- Primary preparation of products. It consists in adding seasonings and marinades.
- Vacuum packaging. Here you will need a vacuum packer for products (home or industrial).
- Cooking in water with strictly controlled temperature.
- Innings. It is recommended to implement it immediately.