Chamber vac packer

[paulbshooting]

Evening

Any recommendations for a chamber vac machine?

Been using buffalo (broke once, fixed, now failing), sous vide and other strip sealers. Doing more volume so happy to invest in proper kit but not buffalo!

Thanks

 

[Mr B]

Which buffalo did you have? The flat one or the one with a decent sized chamber? Been looking at the flat one for vac packing venison. You can get parts for them from nisbetts

 

[paulbshooting]

Which buffalo did you have? The flat one or the one with a decent sized chamber? Been looking at the flat one for vac packing venison. You can get parts for them from nisbetts

The flat buffalo one. My experience three times now with nisbets contract repairer has been very poor. Wont be buying any more buffalo kit. Got one of their original mincers that I fixed myself in the end when they quoted me £600. Had buffalo vac packer break twice and dehydrator.

 

[weblyish]

Get a refubed multivac C200 or above

Excellent machines
Bombproof
Everything replaceable or serviceable
Parts easy available

Around 5K new but Often come up second hand or refubed for under a grand. The vacuum pump is worth that alone

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Few options here, I think @Quixote got his from this supplier

SousVideTools® IV3.0 Deep Chamber Vacuum Sealer

The SousVideTools® IV3.0 Deep Chamber Vacuum Sealer is an entry level machine with a 300mm sealing bar which allows you to vacuum seal & package anything - including liquids. It features a 30cm sealing bar, deep chamber and a function for marinating foods.

www.sousvidetools.com

 

[User00056]

Few options here, I think @Quixote got his from this supplier

I did indeed

Couple of points on this one though? It's not the fastest, and can be a bit fiddly if you want to use the bag clasp on the heating element. The rubber feet are also useless on, so it slides about a lot unless you put an anti-slip mat under it. The lid has no damping on the hinges either, so you need to be aware of that when placing and removing bags. For the price it's a great wee unit though, and it should serve the occasional user pretty well.

 

[jthyttin]

You say "doing more volume", so you might want a unit that you can process two bags at once. Of course choice of bags affects how wide the sealer strip should be.

In the few hundred quid segment, buying new, I'd rather look at unbranded Chinese stuff like DZ-260, Z-260, Z 260 (whichever way it's spelled by the seller). They're more robust than the plastic equivalents and have better / larger chamber too. Parts are not specific fit in small "container" so you'd be able to source and replace parts if needed.

To me chamber packer is more quality of packing not quantity. And bags cost about 1/3 of the ribbed ones. Been using a 260 packer for at least 5 years, but low volume. And be aware, there are very different units sold under single name, like everything Chinese...

 

[Freeforester]

Evening

Any recommendations for a chamber vac machine?

Been using buffalo (broke once, fixed, now failing), sous vide and other strip sealers. Doing more volume so happy to invest in proper kit but not buffalo!

Thanks

Multivac. 485mm of sealing bar, so 3 bags at a time no bother, bags available from £12 per thousand. Newer model has 2 sealing bars so can handle 6 x 160mm wide bags per cycle.

Something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156334106251

 

[jthyttin]

bags available from £12 per thousand

Rather per hundred, at least when talking about sizes that are usable with venison?

E.g. 200x300mm bags used to cost 7-8 cents a piece, now I think the price has gone up 50% or so. Personally I avoid the lightest bags at 80my or so, and aim for about 120my.

 

[Freeforester]

Rather per hundred, at least when talking about sizes that are usable with venison?

E.g. 200x300mm bags used to cost 7-8 cents a piece, now I think the price has gone up 50% or so. Personally I avoid the lightest bags at 80my or so, and aim for about 120my.

No, Per thousand. Present cost of 60micron 200/300 are a shade under 3.5p each inclusive 20% VAT.

454g (1lb) of mince, or diced goes easily into a 150/200mm pouch, we use 60-65mu pouches all day long and have done so for twenty years. Max used are 80 micron 160/300 for roe racks, cut bones being sharp.

200/300 are used for whole (plucked and cleaned) pheasants, rabbit and topside roasts etc , from 800g -1,2kg

 

[jthyttin]

200/300 are used for whole (plucked and cleaned) pheasants, rabbit and topside roasts etc , from 800g -1,2kg

If I buy bags, it's 200x300 since they take everything but largest roasts from mature whitetail (on average a bit bigger than fallow?). Mince I put 600 grams per pack, and flatten it.

Sometimes I get a batch of bags in strange sizes, e.g. thin and long, usually put mince in them since then the size and shape matters little. Personal consumption only, and thicker bags to better protect in freezer (handling).