Sous vide is a method of cooking in which food is placed in a plastic pouch or a glass jar and cooked in a water bath for a long period other than usual cooking. The process happens at a low and regulated temperature to ensure proper cooking. For you to place the food in a plastic pouch, you need the vacuum sealing machines. The best vacuum sealer for sous vide is adjustable to accommodate various weights of foods.
Sous Vide is a French term which means under vacuum. It is one of the classy cooking techniques and is very popular in cooking competitions. Sous vide for meat is around 55 to 60 °C while that of vegetables is slightly higher. Various foods have different cooking temperatures, and they must be adhered to retain the nutrient contents of foods. The cooking technique relies on precise temperature other than perfect timing.
As I have mentioned above, Sous Vide relies mainly on vacuum sealers. Vacuum sealing machines drive away all air in the plastic pouch before sealing. When foods are stored in airtight containers, the contents can stay fresh for a very long time without going bad or losing nutrient value. Remember that the food destroying organisms survives where there is air. The best vacuum sealers for food should be automatic so that you do less work.
Who introduced the Sous Vide?
The cooking technique came into limelight in 2000 under the efforts of the American chef Thomas Keller and French chef Daniel Boulud. The two showed how you could cook vacuum-sealed food contents in a water bath. Thomas Keller wrote a book titled ‘Under Pressure: Cooking Sous Vide’ where he indicated that the cooking technique produced extraordinary results as the cooking process is consistent. Since then, many people and more so those running restaurants have embraced the cooking method.
Why do I need a vacuum sealer for sous vide?
A vacuum sealer will help you seal foods in a plastic pouch before immersing it in a water bath. Some people can do it manually, but it may not be as perfect as that of a vacuum sealer. Furthermore, a vacuum sealer will drive all air inside the pouch so that you can cook the food and store for future use.
The best-rated food processor can do many units within a short time and utilizes less energy in the process. Furthermore, such machines produce less waste and thus maximize profits for the owner.
Which are the 8 best vacuum sealers for sous vide?
The following vacuum sealers will work well for your sous vide either for home use or for your business. Have a look.
1) NutriChef PKVS50STS Commercial Grade Vacuum Sealer
The machine has a high suction power of 400W. It also features a 9 bar vacuum seal pressure which ensures sturdy, airtight bags by doing a perfect air sealing. The suction is adjustable for various foods. Furthermore, the machine has a roll cutter for custom size bags.
The vacuum sealer also has a digital touch panel where you can control the process smoothly. It is also stain-resistant and thus is not dirtified easily. Foods sealed by the machine can last 5x longer than the normal ones.
- Automatic moisture detection
- Five-year warranty
- Automatic bag detection
- LED indicators
- Long-lasting freshness
- Limited warranty
2) FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine
The machine will help you keep food fresh for up to three years. It will also be suitable for sous vide. The device has automatic bag detection. As soon as you put the bag in the chamber, the machine detects it and starts the sealing process.
Also, the machine has built-in roll storage and cutter that makes it easy to use. It has LED indicators to guide you in the sealing process. Interestingly, the device has automatic moisture detection and switches to the right mode to achieve the best sealing. It works with 8 inches and 11 inches vacuum seal rolls. The machine has a five-year limited warranty.
- Automatic moisture detection
- Five-year warranty
- Automatic bag detection
- LED indicators
- Long-lasting freshness
- Limited warranty
3) NutriChef PKVS70STS Vacuum Sealer Machine
The machine has stainless steel and thus not easily dirtied. It features a high power suction element of 350W that helps to drive out the air in the bags. It also has a 9 bar vacuum seal pressure that ensures that all air is driven out of the bag.
It has an eight-litre chamber for sealing liquid foods. Also, the machine has a digital control panel where you can control the sealing process. Generally, the machine will give you suitably sealed contents ready for sous vide.
- High suction power
- Digital control panel
- High seal pressure
- Stainless steel
- Large chamber for liquid foods
- It is expensive
4) NESCO VS-12, Deluxe Vacuum Sealer
Upon buying the vacuum sealer machine, you will get a bag starter kit. It does double line seals for additional strengths. It also features hands-free sealing that makes work easier. Again, it has a double vacuum pump.
Interestingly, the vacuum sealer can work on both dry and moist foods. It has built-in storage for bags. Furthermore, the machine has a 130W double vacuum pump. You can also utilize the optional double heat seal feature. It is also easy to clean.
- Double vacuum pump
- Optional double heat
- Easy to clean
- Storage space for bags
- Comes with a bag starter kit
- Design not attractive
5) Vacuum Sealer by Vesta Precision
With built-in roll storage, work becomes easy. The machine has a roll cutter as well so that you do not have to cut manually. Use the machine to store your food for 3-5 times more compared to other storage materials such as zipper bags and containers.
The sealer can work on both dry and wet foods. It can also help in sealing delicate foods to preserve the natural appearance, and you can also customize the bag sizes with this machine. You will also like its sleek design that occupies less space.
- Roll cutter
- Built-in roll storage
- Suitable for both dry and wet foods
- Sleek design
- Keeps food fresh for long
- May not work well for liquid foods since it has no chamber
6) FoodSaver FM 3920 2 in 1 Vacuum Sealer System
Food preserved by the machine will stay fresh for long. The meat will still taste fresh, flavorful, and the freezer burns free up to three years. The device can marinate foods before sealing them to increase quality. Furthermore, the vacuum sealer has integrated roll storage. It also has a paper cutter that makes your work easier.
The machine is durable and is backed by a five-year limited warranty. It has two modes to work for both moist and dry foods. It also has a patented removable drip tray to trap any overflow liquid. It is also dishwasher safe.
- Preserves food for long
- It is dishwasher safe
- Removable drip tray
- Can marinate foods
- Roll storage
- Limited warranty
7) FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer GM710-000 GameSaver
The machine has built-in storage so that you can have your roll inside. Also, the device is sleek and occupies a small space. Furthermore, it has non slip rubber buttons that make it easy to operate the machine. Customers have rated it with more than four stars due to its durability, ease of use as well as ease of cleaning. The device is also light and easy to carry from place to place. It weighs 7.92 pounds.
Moreover, the vacuum sealer can keep foods fresh up to five times the traditional way of storage. The machine is good for both dry and wet foods. Again, it has an auto seal feature to create custom size bags. It has a roll cutter.
- Has a roll cutter
- Inbuilt roll storage
- It is durable
- Works on both dry and wet foods
- Light to carry
- It is a bit costly
8) LEM Products 1393 MaxVac 250 Vacuum Sealer
MaxVac 250 Vacuum Sealer seals continuously for a long time without stopping. It can seal up to 250 times compared to the conventional sealing machines. It is mainly made of stainless steel so that it is easy to clean. It also has a roll cutter built in so that you do not need to cut the roll manually. It does not necessarily need pressing and is thus useful for delicate foods. For sous vide, it will work wonders.
The machine has a one year warranty. It also has a lifetime customer service and it is ETL certified and thus safe to use. However, it may not be effective for sealing liquid foods since it does not have a holding chamber.
- Works for long
- One year warranty
- Roll cutter built-in
- ETL certified
- Lifetime customer support
- May not be suitable for liquid foods
Bottom line
Vacuum sealing machines are useful to preserve food for an extended period. It is a way of providing food security. Moreover, vacuum sealing machines facilitate the sous vide cooking method to a great extent.
Sealing machines with built-in roll storage and paper cutter make work more comfortable. Again, a good vacuum sealer should be able to handle both liquid and dry foods.
