Which is the Best Vacuum Packing Machine for My Needs?
This article explains differences between the two different types of machine on the market. These are usually referred to as ‘vacuum chamber machines’, where the whole bag and contents fit inside the machine, and ‘external bag machines’, where only the end of the bag fits into the machine and the rest of the bag and the contents remain outside of the machine.

Buying a Home Vacuum Packing Machine
Most people who buy vacuum pacing machines for home use start off with one specific requirement. This is usually something like packing meat for the freezer or packing vegetables from the garden. However, they often find that vacuum packing is saving them both money, because it can cut down on waste, and time because they can pre-prepare meals and then pack them in single servings. This being the case, it makes sense to buy a quality machine that is going to give you a few years of service.

Choosing Between a Domestic and Commercial Vacuum Packing Machine
Do I need to buy a commercial machine or is a domestic one going to be OK? This is a question that we are asked every day of the week. The answer depends on: how many packing operations you expect to do, how large the items are and in what type of environment the machine is going to be used. This article discusses these factors in detail.

Volumes and Costs for Vacuum Chamber and External Bag Machines
If you are packing significant numbers of items per week then you will need to consider the ongoing cost of the vacuum packing pouches as well as the up-front cost of the machine. There is a significant difference in the cost of vacuum pouches suitable for use in vacuum chamber machines and external bag machines. This means that the decision of whether to buy an external bag vacuum packing machine or a vacuum chamber machine is usually dependent on the number of packing operations that you expect to do.

Looking After Your Lava Vacuum Packaging Machine
Lava vacuum sealer machines require minimal maintenance. However, there are a few things that you should be aware of which will prolong the working life of the machine.

Using Non-Ribbed Bags in Lava Vacuum Packing Machines
If you are packing large volumes then it is possible to cut your costs by about 30% by using non-ribbed vacuum pouches. This takes a little practice but does work well once you have acquired the knack. There are two minor drawbacks to using this method; Firstly, the machine will take a little longer to remove the air from the bag and secondly, there is a slight twist to the top of the bag which does not look quite as neat as the result obtained with ribbed vacuum pouches. This article explains how to get the best results when using non-ribbed bags.

Using Continuous Vacuum Packing Rolls
A question that we are asked quite regularly is ‘What are the advantages of continuous rolls over vacuum pouches?’ The advantage of continuous vacuum rolls over pouches is that they are more cost effective if you are packing small amounts of varying sized items. For example many of our customers who use their vacuum packing machines at home use them to pack small quantities of a wide variety of things and find it more cost effective to buy one or two rolls rather than to buy packs of 50 or 100 of several different sizes of vacuum pouch.

Using Vacuum Containers
Most people associate vacuum packing with using vacuum pouches or bags. However, you can also use a Lava vacuum sealer machine to create a vacuum in a vacuum container. This is a very useful feature and it can help you a lot, not only with packing very soft items but also with smoothing out the flow of work around the kitchen.

How Vacuum Packing Works
This article explains how vacuum packing helps to maintain the freshness of your food by eliminating oxidation and contamination. Vacuum packaging also prevents freezer burn which is important if you want your food to look its best after freezing.

Vacuum Packing Meat – A Practical Guide
This article is based on our own experiences of vacuum packing venison from a whole carcass. It details exactly how to get the best results when you are packing meat either for home use or for sale to the public.

Guidelines for Vacuum Packing Cooked Meat
There are several factors that you need to consider when vacuum packing cooked meat. This article covers these in detail so that you can be sure that your stored food is both fresh and safe.
The Shelf Life of Vacuum Packed Foods
This article details the shelf life of vacuum packed and non vacuum packed foods.

Vacuum Packing Sauces & Casseroles
Sauces and casseroles can be vacuum packed to retain their flavour, consistency and texture. The absence of air and the consequent lack of oxidation mean that sauces will keep their flavour better than if they were stored in the fridge without being vacuum packed. Reheating casseroles in a vacuum pouch avoids the problem of drying out because there is no water lost in evaporation. In addition, the heat is applied from all sides so that you don’t need to stir the casserole during reheating. This prevents any cooked meat and vegetables from breaking up and means that the reheated food looks as good as it did when it was first made.

Preparing for a Dinner Party
I am sure that everyone has experienced the stresses and strains associated with hoisting a dinner party. First of all you are too busy preparing the meal to truly enjoy the company of your guests and then by the time the food is ready your appetite has gone. All this now can be eliminated with the simple use of a vacuum packing machine a little preparation time the day before.

Cooking for One the Easy Way
The problem with cooking just for yourself, is most of the time you just can’t be bothered. I am a lover of good food and do very much so enjoy cooking, but not every night. I had to come up with a solution that would offer me a balanced diet, but with the great taste of home cooked food.