There are two different types of vacuum sealer machines 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 vacuum sealer machine and the rest of the bag and the contents remain outside of the machine. These two different types of vacuum sealer machine are very different when it comes to; purchase price and operating costs that it is usually a fairly simple choice between the two.
Vacuum Bag Sealer Machines - External Type
All external bag machines work by clamping the open end of the vacuum bag (sometimes called a vacuum pouch) whilst the air is being removed. Because the end of the bag is clamped shut, this type of machine needs to use a special type of bag with a finely ribbed or textured back surface so that the air can be removed easily. It is possible on Lava machines to use non-ribbed bags but this is slower and requires a certain ‘knack’ – see Using Non-Ribbed Bags in Lava Vacuum Packing Machines.
This means that whilst the purchase price of external bag machines is significantly lower than vacuum chamber machines (Realistically, £200-£1000 as opposed to £1500-£4000), there is a difference in the price of the consumable vacuum packing bags. The number of packing operations that you expect to do is the single biggest consideration when deciding which type of vacuum packer to buy. This is quantified in ‘Packing Volumes and Costs for Vacuum Chamber and External Bag Machines’ but the external bag machine is usually the best choice for the home user or the smaller restaurant.
Some external bag machines (including Lava) also have an external vacuum port which allows you to use acrylic vacuum containers or stainless steel bowls with removable lids. These have the advantage of being reusable and are ideal for vacuum packing salads, soft fruit or anything which would be crushed if packed in a vacuum pouch.
Vacuum Bag Sealer Machines - Chamber Type
These machines resemble a stainless steel box into which the vacuum pouch and contents are placed and the lid closed over them. The entire chamber is then vacuumed and the pouch is heat sealed. This type of machine does not need ribbed bags and consequently the vacuum pouches are cheaper than those which work best in the external bag machine. This type of machine costs from £1500 upwards depending on the physical size and speed of operation.
Because the vacuum bag and contents need to fit inside the machine, vacuum chamber machines are limited in the size of items that can be packed. They are ideal where large volumes of similar sized items are being vacuum packed and are widely used by in the food packaging industry. We don’t sell vacuum chamber machines.
 |
|
 |
The V100 is the simplest model in the Lava range and has manual sealing only. It is ideal for the domestic user who does not need to vacuum pack large quantities of produce in one session. Made in Germany and with a 2-year warranty, the V100 is priced at only £195 including VAT. Size (LxDxH) - 410 x 210 x 98mm. |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
The V200 is ideal for the domestic user who needs to vacuum pack larger quantities as it has an automatic function which speeds up the packing process. Made in Germany and with a 2-year warranty, the V200 is priced at only £265 including VAT. Size (LxDxH) - 410 x 210 x 98mm. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
The V300 has both manual and automatic functions and makes light work of vacuum packing large quantities of produce. It also has a pressure gauge and a variable pressure control, which makes it possible to pack softer food items quickly and efficiently. Made in Germany and with a 2-year warranty, the V300 is priced at only £320 including VAT. Size (LxDxH) - 410 x 210 x 98mm. |
|
|
| Lava Commercial Vacuum Bag Sealer Machines | |
| Our commercial range consists of three models which are designed to meet the needs of the delicatessen, restaurant or other user who needs to vacuum pack large quantities of produce quickly and efficiently. All models have manual and automatic facilities, dial gauges to control pressure and seal vacuum bags with a triple sealing strip. | |
 |
|
 |
The V333 is a robust and efficient machine and is the ideal model for the small delicatessen or restaurant. It has an easy to clean hard case, vacuum pressure gauge and a variable pressure control valve. Made in Germany and with a 2-year warranty, the V333 is priced at only £495 including VAT. Power 800w |
|
|
 |
|
 |
The V400 is designed for the larger restaurant or commercial kitchen. It has a steel case and is designed to stand up to hard daily use. Made in Germany and with a 2-year warranty, the V400 is priced at only £695 including VAT. Power 800w |
|
|
 |
|
 |
The V500 is designed for the larger restaurant or commercial kitchen who need to pack bags up to 60cms wide. It has a steel case and is designed to stand up to hard daily use. Made in Germany and with a 2-year warranty, the V500 is priced at only £995 including VAT. Power 1000w |
|
|
