With ordinary food storage options, the shelf life of food is relatively limited. Once frozen, raw meat might last for three to six months in the freezer, but with a Foodsaver vacuum sealer, that same meat could stay fresh for up to six years. The very same gadget can seal other types of food, too: vegetables can stay fresh in the freezer for two to three years and even bread for a year or two. It’s no wonder more than 20 million Foodsaver vacuum sealers have been sold worldwide over the past three decades! Foodsaver bags, rolls and containers But that’s not all: food vacuum sealers have an array of benefits, saving you money and space in the kitchen. And they can keep both raw food and home-cooked or restaurant-bought leftovers fresh for the future, even if that’s weeks or months away. What are the benefits of food vacuum sealers? Countertop models are larger and can generally use both pre-cut and cut-to-size bags. They're more versatile and provide longer-lasting results since there's no port, which could allow air to escape or enter. Most can also re-seal bags, like potato chip and cereal bags.

As a nation, we throw away millions of tonnes of food each year. Leading the fight against food waste is Foodsaver, a top US brand known as the original producer of consumer food vacuum sealers. For over 30 years, Foodsaver has helped people around the world reduce how much food they waste with its innovative food storage system, which is designed to keep food fresher for longer. Though bulkier and less attractive than other models, this machine is about as close to commercial-grade as you can get for sealing large quantities of meat. It's a real workhorse with a 680-watt, fan-cooled motor that prevents overheating even during heavy use. But thanks to an intuitive control panel with one-touch operation, it's simple enough for novices to use. Though we have not tested this model in the Lab, we like that it can even handle 11-inch-wide bags for large hunks of meat — ideal if you like to sous vide brisket or pork butt.Functions: Before buying a vacuum sealer, think about your needs. Do you need something straightforward and intuitive for simple tasks, like freezing occasional cuts of meat or leftovers? If so, a handheld model might be a good choice. Do you need a model that's also designed for sous vide? If so, make sure the bags will stand up to high heat, and consider a model that offers double sealing. If you plan to marinate or store liquid items, choose a machine with a "moist" or "wet" setting (and generally use the longest bag you can find or create a longer bag from the roll to help the machine seal wet foods more easily). If you often store delicate items, look for a "gentle" setting or the ability to select a lower vacuum level. The best vacuum sealers are slim and can seal both dry foods and liquids, as well as pulse and seal. But it's worth considering the following factors when looking to buy: Suitable for all types of food – including cooked or raw meat and fish, vegetables, fruit, herbs and dairy – this compact vacuum machine seals at the touch of a button. And with a handy alignment feature that ensures correct bag placement each time, it couldn’t be easier to use. All you have to do is put your ingredients in a FoodSaver bag, or make a bag to whatever size you need with the BPA-free vacuum seal roll, position in the machine, shut the lid, then select which mode you’d like. Progress indicator lights tell you when the bag is ready to remove for storing in the fridge, freezer or cupboard until you’re ready to cook, reheat or serve. Easy to stow away, it’s slim enough to fit in a cupboard when not in use. With its sleek, modern design, it can also be stored vertically, which will save valuable space in your kitchen.

Offering an incredibly practical and effective alternative to traditional food storage methods such as cling or foil, vacuum sealing prolongs the life of leftovers, freshly cooked food or recently bought groceries so it reduces the amount of food you throw away, saving you money in the long run. Handheld models typically use special zip-top bags that have a small port for air removal, ideal for small jobs and meal prep. They're less effective at keeping air out, and you will be limited to the bag sizes offered for that device.