An accessory port allows you to attach a hose (unfortunately not included) for jars and canisters, and a built-in roll storage area and bag cutter allow you to cut bags to the exact size you need. In one series of Lab tests, the VS-12 was the only sealer that didn't crush fresh raspberries, the most delicate ingredient in all of our experiments.īeyond performance, we love how user-friendly this machine is: The latch locks easily, and there's a timer that counts down until air extraction is complete and it's time to press the heat-seal button. The gentle setting, in combination with the pulse feature, offers precise control over the vacuum process, so foods like buns, pastries, cereal, and potato chips don't get crushed. There are two vacuum pressures to choose from: normal and gentle, the latter of which is designed for crisp items like crackers and delicate ones like fresh fruit.

Even with irregularly shaped items, we saw almost no air pockets or bubbles after sealing. A double vacuum pump extracts every last bit of air from your sealed package. There are sealing settings for dry foods (like cereal) and moist foods (like raw meat) as well as an option to create a double heat-seal on any bag for extra-secure storage. The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer is intuitive to use, features several settings to ensure the best results for a variety of foods, and its capabilities were unequalled in our tests. It's not just food, either: Vacuum-sealing jewelry, silverware, and other precious metals can keep rust and tarnish at bay during long-term storage. Its airtight bags are necessary for sous vide cooking, a futuristic technique that can make scientifically perfect steak, along with unique dishes you can't create any other way (like these savory, freezable egg bites). It can quick-marinate meats, rapid-pickle vegetables, and fast-infuse booze. With one of these machines, you can save on groceries by buying meats, spices, and more in bulk freeze and preserve the haul from a hunting or fishing trip or make your own jarred or bagged survival meals for emergencies.īut the vacuum sealer has other abilities, too. It also protects food from moisture, which makes baked goods go stale and causes the heartbreak of freezer burn. This appliance sucks the air out of a bag or canister and makes a hermetically sealed closure that can vastly extend the shelf life of what's inside.

That's why we tested vacuum sealers: They can be incredibly useful kitchen tools. Whether we're talking about half an apple, a bag of potato chips, or a stack of frozen pork chops-when food is exposed to air, its flavor, color, and texture deteriorate.

Avocado slicer tool