Need some input on vacuum/chamber sealer

Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Messages
1,419
Right now I’m between Weston 3000 vaccines sealed vs vacmaster vp230. The only reason for the vp230 over the vp215 is for the ability to do 2 6” wide bags at the same time.


Who can explain some of the differences between these two. Pros and cons. What can one over the other. Been trying to look this up for a week and still not able to find a good comparison or understand the difference between a vacuum sealer vs a chamber sealer.

Thanks!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2017
Messages
351
Location
Montana
Chamber sealers are wayyy better at getting air out and sealing. Basically you put the entire bag of meat or whatever in the chamber and the whole chamber gets a hard vacuum. The vacuum sealer just pulls air out from one end of the bag. I have the vp230 and it’s ok for a vac sealer. I haven’t ponied up the money for a chamber sealer yet but I want one bad.
 

Beendare

WKR
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
9,038
Location
Corripe cervisiam
Good comment^.

More suction is better.
The chamber sealers are better.

I have the Foodsaver home version [for about 10 years now] and it's just OK. It works and meat lasts a long time in the freezer but sometimes sections of the meat have a little air bubble the food saver just doesn't have enough suction to get out.

FWIW, Doing 2 bags at once wouldn't even be a factor for me- one at a time is fine as I'm usually prepping another so no wasted time.
 

CorbLand

WKR
Joined
Mar 16, 2016
Messages
7,831
Been a while since I looked at them and I cant remember everything from when I was researching them but I would make sure you compare the time you have to take between seals. That time really can add up. I think mine is 15 seconds, which I just seal, put it in a box and then prep the next one.

As for getting all the air out. Pull on the corners of the bag when it starts to vacuum. Really helps get everything out.
 

bpa556

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 25, 2021
Messages
142
Chamber sealers are wayyy better at getting air out and sealing. Basically you put the entire bag of meat or whatever in the chamber and the whole chamber gets a hard vacuum. The vacuum sealer just pulls air out from one end of the bag. I have the vp230 and it’s ok for a vac sealer. I haven’t ponied up the money for a chamber sealer yet but I want one bad.

The VP230 is a chamber sealer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
11,245
Location
Alaska
Chamber sealers are wayyy better at getting air out and sealing. Basically you put the entire bag of meat or whatever in the chamber and the whole chamber gets a hard vacuum. The vacuum sealer just pulls air out from one end of the bag. I have the vp230 and it’s ok for a vac sealer. I haven’t ponied up the money for a chamber sealer yet but I want one bad.
That vp230 is a chamber sealer...
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
11,245
Location
Alaska
I use a vp215 and its great, it would be nice to be able to get 2 bags at once but it's never been an issue. Those food saver things are horrible for processing game. They are ok for small kitchen stuff but I can't imagine sitting there holding th bag in the vacuum while it seals for 300lbs of burger. People do it, It sucks though.
 

Ucsdryder

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2015
Messages
6,691
I have the 230. This is the 2nd year I’ve had it. Last year it did 11 animals. So far this year, it’s done 4 antelope, a moose, and an elk. It’s not hard to justify the cost when you compare it to having animals butchered! Zero complaints or regerts.

The 5 mil bags are tough, but will still get pin holes if rough handled when frozen. Bags banging into bags will damage them. The bags are cheap compared to vacuum bags and you can get 6mil bags if desired.
 
OP
ddavis_1313
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Messages
1,419
I use a vp215 and its great, it would be nice to be able to get 2 bags at once but it's never been an issue. Those food saver things are horrible for processing game. They are ok for small kitchen stuff but I can't imagine sitting there holding th bag in the vacuum while it seals for 300lbs of burger. People do it, It sucks though.

I’ve done it. It sucks. And I’m tired of random bags. Coming open resulting in freezer burnt game meat. It’s time for an upgrade!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
ddavis_1313
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Messages
1,419
Been a while since I looked at them and I cant remember everything from when I was researching them but I would make sure you compare the time you have to take between seals. That time really can add up. I think mine is 15 seconds, which I just seal, put it in a box and then prep the next one.

As for getting all the air out. Pull on the corners of the bag when it starts to vacuum. Really helps get everything out.

To answer your question earlier…

5d1ce98f101b2701279c539870001568.jpg


No I didn’t not. I pulled out my $1000 worth of Sitka gear and stayed warm for those two days.

Haven’t worn any of it since!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Bluumoon

WKR
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
May 4, 2020
Messages
1,203
I have a weston pro 1100, wish I had sprung for a chamber sealer
 
Last edited:

NRA4LIFE

WKR
Joined
Nov 20, 2016
Messages
1,671
Location
washington
As I've said in other threads, I have a VP215 with a 10" sealing bar. My only regret is not going larger with the 230 and 12" sealing bar as I use a lot of 6" wide bags. Being able to do 2 at a time is well worth it.
 
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
2,073
Location
BC

Anyone have one of these? Been eyeing it because of the good reviews and lower price point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
We got one a year ago. It is big, heavy, and slow, taking over 55 seconds to vacuum and then seal the bag. It is noisy, about like my Dewalt air compressor and the pointing dog leaves the house until the job is over. It does a decent job, but I can't imagine sealing an entire moose or elk with it.

We will stick to the decade old Food Saver from Costco...compact, light weight, quick, quiet and effective. I also take it (plus a freezer and generator) and a bunch of pre-made bags on hunting trips...from Coues in AZ, Tule Elk in California to Alberta moose hunts and deer hunts.
 

cb2176

FNG
Joined
Jul 6, 2024
Messages
62
I'm in search of a chamber sealer... once one of my vacuum sealers die.

I have 3 vacuum sealers that I've had for years. It definitely shortens the sealing part if you have a helper and you're sealing 3 at a time.
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2018
Messages
635
Location
SD
We got one a year ago. It is big, heavy, and slow, taking over 55 seconds to vacuum and then seal the bag. It is noisy, about like my Dewalt air compressor and the pointing dog leaves the house until the job is over. It does a decent job, but I can't imagine sealing an entire moose or elk with it.

We will stick to the decade old Food Saver from Costco...compact, light weight, quick, quiet and effective. I also take it (plus a freezer and generator) and a bunch of pre-made bags on hunting trips...from Coues in AZ, Tule Elk in California to Alberta moose hunts and deer hunts.

This is helpful. Thanks for the reply!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

HookUp

WKR
Joined
Nov 4, 2015
Messages
959
Im using an AVID chamber sealer from amazon half the weight of the Vac master and much cheaper. Going strong on hundreds of pounds of elk,deer and salmon. Would but another in a heart beat. 1000 4 mil 13x10 bags is $100 from webrestarunt
 
Top