Best Inexpensive Vacuum Sealer for Food and 8 Ways It Will Slash Your Food Costs
You probably already know that a vacuum sealer for food is great for keeping food fresher, but did you realize it can extend freshness up to five times longer than regular storage methods? Using a vacuum sealer mason jar kit can further enhance this by providing a versatile way to seal a variety of foods. In fact, a vacuum sealer for food can easily pay for itself in less than a year just by reducing food waste. In this post, we’ll explore how a vacuum sealer can help you save money, plus EC’s top-rated picks for affordable vacuum sealer bags, accessories, and machines.
When it comes to tackling the high cost of groceries, a vacuum sealer for food can be a game-changer. This handy device helps preserve food much longer, reducing waste and really stretching your food dollars.
Top 8 Ways to Save Money with a Vacuum Sealer
Before we get to the specifics of the vacuum sealing process, let me list the ways my vacuum sealer for food keeps our food costs under control—even as inflation continues to wreak havoc on the typical household. I am confident it can do the same for you.
- Buy in Bulk: Save money by buying larger quantities at warehouse clubs or stocking up on sales. A vacuum sealer can keep food fresher longer, making perishables last up to five times longer. This makes loading up when the price is right a viable option.
- Minimal Food Waste: Vacuum sealing helps keep groceries fresh, reducing waste, so we can stop throwing spoiled food into the garbage.
- Keep Produce Fresher: Preserve your garden’s bounty by sealing and freezing vegetables, herbs, and fruits to enjoy long after the growing season.
- Save Leftovers: They’re great for busy nights, but leftovers don’t last long in the fridge. Vacuum sealing keeps them fresh, so you don’t have to cook from scratch.
- Prep Meals in Advance: Meal prep can save time and money. Vacuum-sealed prepped meals stay fresh longer in the fridge—and for months in the freezer.
- Stave Off Stale. Vacuum sealing can keep dry goods—rice, pasta, beans, pet food, and more—fresh and pest-free.
- Fresher Deli Items: Deli meats and cheeses spoil quickly. Vacuum sealing extends their shelf life, so you can use them at your own pace.
- Cheap Cuts of Meat: Vacuum sealing helps a great marinade to penetrate meat faster, saving time and tenderizing cheaper cuts without sacrificing flavor.
EC Fan Review
“I could not recommend enough the FoodSaver vacuum sealer for food. It has been a lifesaver, saving me so much money and frustration as well. I remember before I got it, I would buy some meat, put it in the freezer, and go back later only to find it all freezer-burned so badly that I would have to throw it out. What a waste! Never again. Now I use my vacuum food sealer, and I can go back to it in a few months or even longer, and it is perfectly OK—no freezer burn at all. The vacuum process, combined with the right vacuum sealer bags, removes all the air and keeps the food fresh until I’m ready to use it. It has been a real money saver.”
–Arthur M.
Why a Vacuum Sealer for Food is a Game-Changer
A vacuum sealer for food is a handy little countertop machine that comes in different brands and sizes, with either a plug-in or rechargeable battery option.
Generally, the purpose of a vacuum food sealer is to remove all oxygen from a food item’s environment—oxygen is the enemy of fresh food and the culprit that causes it to rot.
To do this, you place the food item to be vacuum sealed into a vacuum sealer bag or an appropriate container, attach the bag or container to the machine, press a button, and it sucks out all of the air and then seals that bag or container seamlessly before any oxygen can sneak back in. There! Sealed. Generally, sealed items must be refrigerated unless they contain pantry staples like flour, pasta, or rice—items that do not typically require refrigeration.
The most well-known brand of vacuum sealing machines is FoodSaver, but there are also several top-rated options from other brands that have entered the market over the years, increasing competition.
Choosing the Right Vacuum Sealer Container: Bags, Jars, and Canisters
Vacuum Sealer Bags
Vacuum sealers for food typically use special vacuum sealer bags designed for vacuum sealing. FoodSaver, for instance, has its own brand of bags, but many off-brand machines can use FoodSaver bags too.
While vacuum-sealing bags can be reused, cutting them open makes them smaller each time, which can be tricky. These bags come in cut-to-size rolls or premade sizes, similar to how you buy ink and paper for your printer. You’ll need to keep a supply on hand, even if you reuse them once or twice.
Some machines work with reusable bags that don’t need to be cut open. These bags have zip-type closures and a valve that the machine uses to suck out the air, requiring a special attachment.
A challenge with vacuum sealer bags is avoiding crushing delicate items like chips, muffins, and bread. Here are some other options that work well.
Jars
Glass canning jars, like Mason or Ball jars, are ideal for use with a vacuum sealer mason jar attachment. You’ll need a special jar lid attachment, but jars are perfect for items like berries, chopped lettuce, and cereal. You can even vacuum seal liquids like milk, cream, and juice in glass canning jars. This method avoids the bag-cutting problem, doesn’t crush the contents, and both the jars and lids are reusable.
Canisters
FoodSaver also makes reusable food containers with tight lids and valves for air removal. Earlier models had issues with cracking, but the newer ones are much improved, though they can be pricey.
Keep Your Vacuum Sealer Handy for Maximum Savings
For my vacuum food sealing machine to do the best job of keeping our food costs, it must be handy. For me that means out on the counter, plugged in or charged up and ready to go. If I keep my FoodSaver in a cupboard, requiring me to pull it out, lift it up, and plug it in, chances are great that I’ll skip it, “just this once.” Or forget that I even have the option. That means, for me, it must be out and ready to go at all times.
If you don’t have counter space or another option for storing your vacuum sealer for food, my advice is to make sure it is as handy and ready-to-go as possible.
Best Inexpensive Vacuum Sealer Recommendations
There are many vacuum food-sealing products out there, and a lot of it is junk. Buyer beware!
Team EC and I have narrowed the field to present our top-rated vacuum sealer recommendations, including Amazon links for more information. Of course, you may find these products elsewhere, so be sure to do your own due diligence.
- Best Inexpensive: Pyukix Vacuum Sealer for Food
- Best Upgrade: FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine
- Best Budget: Vacuum Sealer Mason Jar Kit
Best Inexpensive Vacuum Sealing Machine
Pyukix Vacuum Sealer for Food
Whether pro or beginner, this budget-friendly vacuum sealing kit includes everything you need except for mason jar sealing. It features a top-rated vacuum food sealer machine with a cutter, a cut-to-size bag roll, heat-seal bags, reusable sous vide bags, clips, an air suction hose, user manual, 2-year warranty, 30-day money-back guarantee, and lifetime technical support. Make sure to check out the reviews to see why this kit is considered one of the best on the market.
Best Upgrade Vacuum Sealing Machine
FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine
This is the most current and top-rated model of the FoodSaver machine that sits on my counter. I have used it nearly every day for more than eight years. This workhorse has a powerful motor, strong selling action, and has not given me any problems at all. It continues to be going strong.
The FoodSaver 4440 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System removes air, one of the main causes of mold and food spoilage, from bags and creates an airtight seal to lock in freshness. The built-in handheld sealer eliminates the need for additional attachments when sealing zipper bags and containers.
It comes with a large selection of bag rolls and premade rolls.
NOTE: While this machine includes the accessory hose, the jar sealing accessory is a separate purchase.
Best Budget Vacuum Sealer Mason Jar Kit
Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer Kit
If you want the convenience of vacuum-sealed mason jars without juggling cords or pumps, this electric Mason jar vacuum sealer is a winner. It works with both wide-mouth and regular-mouth jars, and the kit comes with a standard mouth converter, five wide-mouth lids, five regular-mouth lids, and a user guide… basically everything you need to get started.
The best part? It’s cordless and hands-free. Just center the sealer on your jar lid, press the button, and let it evacuate the air for about 40 seconds. One click later, your jar is sealed, keeping food fresh a bit longer. No twisting hoses, no pumping by hand. Just simple, effective sealing.
Note: Mason jars themselves are not included, and vacuum-sealed jars with perishable food should be refrigerated. This method is great for short-term storage, but not a substitute for traditional water bath canning.
(Disclosure: This post includes an Amazon Creator Connections product. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through the link, at no additional cost to you.)
Best Inexpensive Vacuum Sealer Accessories
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Mason Jar Accessory Kit
The FoodSaver vacuum sealer mason jar accessory kit is perfect for extending the freshness of sauces, mustards, jams, grains, and nuts by creating an airtight vacuum seal on both regular and wide-mouth mason-type jars. This BPA-free and dishwasher-safe kit ensures your food stays fresh longer, is odor-proof, and stain-resistant. It’s a must-have for anyone looking to preserve homemade goods and pantry staples efficiently and safely.
FoodSaver Preserve & Marinate Vacuum Containers, 2 Pack
Turn the top valve on these FoodSaver containers to “Vacuum” and connect your handheld sealer for an airtight seal that locks in freshness to keep foods fresh longer in the fridge, freezer, or pantry. Or turn the valve to “Marinate” to marinate in minutes instead of hours.
Regular Mouth Mason Jars 32 oz, 4 Pack
These regular mouth mason jars are versatile and durable, ideal for canning high-acid foods like salsas and pickles, as well as low-acid foods like meats. They work well with a vacuum sealer mason jar kit to ensure long-lasting freshness. The airtight lids and bands maintain a tight seal, while the crystal-clear glass offers easy visibility, making them perfect for storing, serving drinks, and even DIY projects.
Kirkland Signature Vacuum Sealer Bags
If there is one thing that will render your vacuum sealer for food useless, it is trying to cut corners with poor-quality vacuum sealer bags that split, tear, or otherwise fail to make a reliable seal. I rely on these Kirkland brand vacuum sealer bags that are compatible with most vacuum sealing systems, including all FoodSaver machines. Contents include 7 cut-to-fit rolls and 50 premade bags. This is a tremendous value for reliable, high-quality replacement bags.
Question: Have you tried vacuum sealing food at home? What’s your favorite thing to vacuum seal?
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I have had the FoodSaver unit like you, for about 2 1/2 years. The only complaint I have is sometimes it will seal & sometimes it won’t. I have tried several different options thinking I can get it to work, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Other than that, I think it is a pretty good unit, but when it doesn’t want to work, ugghhh! I cannot give it the raving complement that you do. I hope it will still work after 8 years like yours…..even if it sometimes doesn’t want to. Thanks!
Contact the manufacturer! Ask to speak with Customer Service. You need a new sealing bar/strip an they should replace that for you!
Thank you for each and every column to send us every day…you have saved us many a dollar. I have a Foodsaver that I use frequently, which is each week. I have not been able to keep it from sucking the liquid out of the meat I am trying to seal. No matter what I do, when I set it on the Vac/Seal setting, it pulls every bit of moisture out of the bag into the little tray in the machine. This keeps me from being able to seal in any marinades and seems to also dry the meat out. I’ve read all instructions and follow them. Am I doing something incorrectly?
I don’t know which model you have, but mine has a “dry/moist” toggle. Even then I don’t trust it. When sealing meat that is raw or still juicey, I either freeze it first then seal, or wrap it in plastic wrap first, then place it in the sealing bag. Hope that helps!
I bought my Food Saver Vacuum Sealer on your recommendation years ago. Your point about keeping it handy is so helpful. If it’s a pain to get to it won’t get used. I buy cheese in large packages then seal it in a bag that has plenty of space above the block of cheese. After I’ve used the cheese I reseal it in the same bag. It certainly saves on bags and my cheese is always fresh. I never dreamed how much I would use it and find it an indispensable item for my kitchen.
have had FoodSaver for years, on my 5th one and have a spare. love these things!
I use them to seal not only food items, dry goods, but make my own packages for snacks to carry, store papers in, i.e. titles, certificates, house deed, etc. keep a copy of all important papers sealed for emergency bug out; pet papers also; any small items need packed long term that fit into bags, all sorts of uses.