A poorly functioning vacuum food sealer can be an extremely frustrating experience. This can lead to lost time, lost production and unprofessional results. What can really be frustrating is when the sealing problem doesn’t always manifest itself or it is inconsistent. Thanks to excellent technical support from Minipack, we have come up with a solution for one of the most commonly seen vacuum sealing problems.

While Minipack vacuum sealers are some of the most reliable on the market, as with any mechanical device, some problems can arise. If the sealing bar on your MVS vacuum sealer is experiencing issues, you may be having problems with the bellows. The bellows are typically located underneath the sealing bin on a chamber vacuum sealer.

Poorly functioning bellows typically manifest themselves when the sealing bar begins to have issues. Many of these issues include:

• Loss of continuity
• Loss of bag vacuum
• Inconsistent sloppy seal
• Raises unevenly
• Lacks contact with Red Lid Striker

Why are the bellows going bad? This is usually a result of moisture or liquid working its way into the bellows. While Minipack vacuum food sealers can be used with liquid, you are less likely to have issues if you use a liquid tray. Using a flat bin, without any upright bag support, can lead to spills. Contact us at 1-800-658-8788 for information on getting a liquid tray for your Minipack MVS vacuum sealer.

While you can replace the bellows, Minipack recently released a rebuild kit that will save you a lot of money. The rebuild process is simple enough that most people can handle it on their own without the need of a Service Technician or a Service Department. We will be posting rebuilt kit instructions on our blog soon.

You can order a bellow rebuild kit for your Minipack MVS vacuum sealer by calling 1-800-658-8788 x129 by speaking with our Service Technician. You can find our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.

If you own a Minipack vacuum sealer, you’re probably well aware of the excellent quality and renowned Italian design. Simply put, our Minipack products (including shrink wrap machines) have an excellent track record with our customers. We have found that most Minipack issues have simple solutions. One small issue that has come up is that the MVS31X and MVS35X won’t pull a full vacuum of 99.9%. Here are a few tips that may help you.

Minipack vacuum sealers can remove 99.9% of the air in a bag. This produces a remarkably tight seal that is excellent for food and product preservation. Few vacuum sealers are able to achieve this high a mark for air removal. Here is a tip that will help over 90% of you who are experiencing issues achieving the much-desired 99.9% mark.

To begin with, re-calibrating your MVS31X and MVS35X will solve the majority your issues. Here are some step-by-step instructions that should help:

MINIPAC MVS31X / MVS35X CALIBRATION INSTRUCTIONS

When you first receive your Minipack chamber vacuum sealer, it is recommended that you calibrate it. Differences in elevation and atmospheric pressure vary from one place to the next. Calibration will ensure optimal machine operation.

The calibration process will take about 3 minutes of your time. Calibration should be done the first time you operate the machine and after every oil change.

STEP 1 – Connect your chamber vacuum sealer to a power source, leaving the power switch in the OFF position.

STEP 2 – Simultaneously press the down (\/) and up (/\) buttons while switching the power “ON.” The down and up buttons are located under the digital LED display. If done correctly, the LED display will show CAL (calibration). Once you see CAL, release both arrow keys.

STEP 3 – Close the lid to the chamber sealer. The pump will automatically start running. The digital LED display will eventually show up to 3 numbers. These are your calibration numbers. Once these 3 numbers have stopped increasing for about 5 seconds, write down (or otherwise notate) the number on the display and press the (S) button located above the LED display. This will cause the pump to stop and the LED display will return to the last program being used.

STEP 4 – Turn off the power switch and repeat STEP 2.

STEP 5 - You will now close the lid, starting the pump. The LED display will begin displaying numbers that will eventually increase up to 3 total numbers. Once the 3 numbers displayed reach 1-2 numbers below the calibration number you wrote down in STEP 3, press the (S) key. This will stop the pump and again will return the LED display to the last program number being used.

Your Minipack chamber vacuum sealer should now be calibrated to its environment and should now be ready to use.

Is re-calibration not solving your issue? Please contact our Service Department. They are kind, professional and more than happy to help. Our Service Department is fully trained in repairing and servicing Minpack products. You can reach them by calling 1-800-658-8788 x129 or by filling out this form.

You can find our entire selection of Minpack vacuum sealers here and Minipack shrink wrap machines here.

If you package food on a regular basis, cook food via sous vide, freeze food or sell food in a store, you probably need a solid vacuum food sealer. Finding the best vacuum sealer isn’t always easy. Having used many machines myself, I can vouch for the fact that quality varies as much with vacuum sealers as it does with cars. I have compiled a list of the best vacuum food sealers available for 2011.

To begin with, my list focuses primarily on chamber vacuum food sealers, which are ideal for commercial, industrial and long-lasting vacuum food packaging. This list is based on customer feedback, track records and overall reliability.

The vacuum food sealers listed bellow are commonly used to package fish, poultry, beef, pork, fruits and vegetables. Some of them can even package an entire chicken. Because these are chamber style sealers, they can also be used to package powders and liquids.

Top 5 Best Vacuum Food Sealers 2011

1. Minipack MVS 31 X Chamber-Style Sealer
2. Minipack MVS 45 X Food Packaging Sealer
3. Minipack MVS 35 X Vacuum Food Sealer
4. Minipack MVS 20 Chamber Food Sealer
5. Minipack MVS 26 X Chamber Vacuum Sealer

Let me point out a few things you should keep an eye on when shopping for a vacuum food sealer:

Where is your vacuum sealer made? Our Minipack line, considered to be one of the most reliable brands around, is made in Italy.

Is the metal used in construction heavy gauge? Many “cheap” vacuum food sealers use flimsy sheet metal in construction that can lead to easy denting and even dangerous metal edge cuts. Minipack vacuum food sealers use tough heavy gauge stainless steel.

Is the basin seamless? When packaging food, you don’t want food getting trapped in creases, cracks and seams. This isn’t only gross, it’s also unhealthy. Our Minipack vacuum food sealers utilize a seamless design.

Hopefully these tips and suggestions help you with your vacuum food sealer shopping. Be aware that many of the models listed are on equal ground when it comes to quality, with the only difference being the size of the chamber. As with any domed chamber vacuum sealer, you often end up with an extra 2-4″ in height due to the curvature of the dome.

Please feel free to contact one of our food packaging specialists at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

You can find our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here and chamber vacuum sealing bags here. Our line of vacuum sealers includes industrial chamber sealers designed for high-volume food packaging.

Vacuum sealers are excellent machines for packaging, selling and preserving food. They can also be used to package retail merchandise, clothing, auto parts and much more. There are two primary types of vacuum food sealers. The first type is known as an external sealer (sometimes called a clamp or pouch vacuum sealers) and the other is known as a chamber vacuum sealer. So which style should you use?

External and chamber vacuum sealers both get the job done, albeit in slightly different ways. This is a brief breakdown on how the different systems work:

External “Clamp / Pouch” Vacuum Sealers - These types of vacuum sealers tout the title “external” because the entire vacuum sealing process is conducted outside the machine. Products are placed in a bag, which is then placed into the external sealer. The sealer is then clamped down onto the bag, after which it begins to remove the air. Once air has been removed, the bag is sealed.

Chamber Vacuum Sealers - These types of sealers can be used with most food and most retail merchandise. Once a product has been placed in a bag, the entire bag is placed in the chamber, ensuring the opening of the bag is placed on the sealing bar. The hood of the sealer is brought down, after which air is removed from the chamber. Once air has been removed, the bag is sealed and atmosphere is brought back to normal.

Now that you have a general understanding as to the different technologies used, why would you want to use one over the other?

External “Clamp / Pouch” Vacuum Sealers - External sealers are generally used for light to medium-volume packaging purposes and are generally less expensive than chamber sealers. These types of vacuum sealer are generally used for home and medium-volume grocery-store use, although the MiniPack Cyclone line of external sealers are used for commercial packaging. These sealers are typically slower than chamber sealers.

Chamber Vacuum Sealers – Chamber vacuum sealers are generally used for medium to high-volume packaging, although they can be used for light volume if needed. Chamber sealers are very easy to use and are typically faster than external sealers. They can be used to package fruits, vegetables, meats, liquids, powders and non-edible retail products.

Chamber sealers are typically more efficient than external sealers, with the ability to remove 99.9% of the air from a bag. Chamber sealers often offer the option of being used with inert gas / air kits as well (not an option with external sealers). Inert gas kits are great for packaging delicate food like potato chips.

So basically it all boils down to application. External sealers are great for home use and for light to medium use where chamber sealers are great for commercial higher-volume use.

You can find our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.

If you’re a restaurant, a grocery store or a food packaging plant, you probably have the need of a high-quality vacuum food sealer. While external sealers are nice for many packaging purposes, chamber sealers mean business. One high-quality chamber sealer you should consider using is the Minipack MVS 26X vacuum food sealer. This is my review.

Chamber vacuum sealers, unlike external sealers, conduct the entire packaging process in a controlled chamber environment. Air is not only removed from the bag, but from the entire chamber. This process allows 99.9% of the air to be removed. It is a very efficient process that is ideal for commercial packaging.

The MVS 26X vacuum sealer is an affordable “first step” into chamber vacuum sealing. A few months ago the least expensive system we offered was the MVS 31 X. We have just added several new machines to our lineup and the MVS 26X is one of those machines. The sealable chamber area is 11″ x 16″ x 4″. Be aware that the lid of the MVS 26X is domed, allowing for a few more inches than the specified 4″ height.

Everything about the MVS 26X shows its quality. The stainless steel construction is designed to be used for packaging foods and liquids and the basin of the chamber is seamless.  The seamless basin is easy to clean and is extremely sanitary, eliminating areas for bacteria to get trapped and grow.  There are no sharp edges on this machine and the gauge of the steel is exceptionally thick.

The MVS 26X uses an extremely durable pump, which only takes a few seconds to achieve maximum vacuum pressure. The aluminum sealing bar produces an extremely tight seal that will not degrade or weaken with time. The Italian build and construction on this machine is exceptionally high.

Unlike many comparable chamber sealers that feature complicated analog controls, dials and gauges, the MVS 26X is completely digital. Calibration is completely automated. The control panel is extremely easy to navigate, allowing you to store up to 10 custom jobs.

The control panel allows you to quickly adjust the sealing time, the amount of air to be removed from the chamber and how quickly to return the atmosphere back to normal. A digital display lets you know exactly what’s going on during the entire process. An optional inert gas injection kit is perfect for packaging more delicate food and products.

Using this sealer is easy. Simply place your product in a bag, place the bag in the sealer, pull the hood down and let the machine do the rest. The Minipack MVS 26X is perfect for packaging food, liquids, powders, parts and other retail merchandise.

As previously mentioned, the build quality is excellent. Our Minipack vacuum food sealers are extremely popular right now and have a great track record. The MVS 26X should easily hold up to daily use and will easily last you for years.

You can find the Minipack MVS 26X vacuum food sealer here and our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.

Vacuum food sealers are great machines. They can be used to package poultry, beef, fish, vegetables, fruit and much more. Many people use vacuum sealers to package merchandise for retail sale. One types of the best vacuum sealers available is the chamber vacuum sealer. One affordable model you may want to look at is the Minipack MVS 20 chamber vacuum sealer. This is my review.

The Minipack MVS line of chamber vacuum sealers is hugely popular with our customers and has a great track record. Unlike many chamber sealers out there that almost appear to be assembled in a garage with sheet metal, the MVS sealers feature a high-quality build. They are all Italian made.

The MVS 20 is Minipack’s smallest and most affordable chamber sealer. It has a chamber area of 8.5″ x 12″ x 3.75″. This is large enough to package many food products for retail sale. It can also be used to package non-food products, liquids and powders.

The build quality on the MVS 20 is exceptional. It features a durable motor and pump, a solid chamber hood and a high-quality stainless steel exterior made from heavy-gauge metal. It is designed to be used every day.

Using the MVS 20 is easy. Take your product, place it in a vacuum sealing bag, insert that back into the MVS 20, place the open end of the bag under the sealing bar and close the hood. A latch, located on the front of the machine, must then be placed over the hood, keeping it in place. Once everything is in place, the machine can be turned on. Air is then removed from the chamber, the bag is sealed and air is returned back to the chamber.

The entire process takes very little time and the end results are extremely professional. The seal created by the MVS 20 holds up well with time and will not allow air to return back into the bag. Food sealed by the MVS 20 can be preserved 3-4 times longer than non-vacuum packaged food.

The control panel, located on the front of the MVS 20 is extremely easy to use. It lets you know, by means of a digital display, exactly what is going on during the vacuum sealing process. This same control panel allows you to select the sealing duration and the amount of air to be removed from the chamber.

You will find the MVS 20 in meat packing plants, grocery stores, merchandise factories and much more. For the price, you get a lot of machine. I would personally recommend this vacuum sealer for most entry to mid-volume vacuum packing projects.

You can find the Minipack MVS 20 chamber vacuum sealer here and our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.

Whether you are an avid fisherman or are trying to package fish for retail sale, you can benefit from using a vacuum sealer. Vacuum sealers can dramatically extend the shelf life of fish by as much as 3 times or more and helps to prevent and cut down on freezer burn. There are a lot of machines out there, so which fish vacuum sealer should you buy? Here are a few tips that may help you out.

To begin with, you need to determine how much fish you will be packaging per day. If you are only packaging a few to a few dozen, an external sealer is probably all you need. If you are packaging a few dozen to a few hundred a day, you will probably need what’s known as a chamber vacuum sealer.

We have found that Minipack (made in Italy) produces some of the most reliable, effect and durable vacuum sealers. They make a wide range of vacuum sealers. Their sealers can be used to remove 99.9% of the air from a vacuum-sealing bag and they produce a durable seal that holds up well.

Here are some of the models I would personally recommend to our customers:

Best External Fish Vacuum Sealers

1. Minipack Cyclone 30 Vacuum Sealer – This sealer is extremely reliable, has a good track record and can easily package fish. It has a 13″ maximum sealing width.
2. Minipack Cyclone 40 Vacuum Sealer – This sealer is great for the packaging and sealing of fish. It has a 17″ maximum sealing width.
3. Minipack Cyclone 50 Vacuum Sealer – This sealer, much like the smaller Cyclone 30 and Cyclone 40, is perfect for packaging fish, meat, fruits and more. It has a 21″ sealing width.

Best Chamber Fish Vacuum Sealers

1. Minipack MVS 20 X Chamber Sealer – This sealer is a entry-level chamber sealer, but still features high-quality components and a great build. It isn’t as large as the MVS 31 X, but can still be used to package cut up fish.
2. Minipack MVS 26 X Chamber Sealer – This vacuum sealer features a nice 11″ x 16″ x 4″ chamber sealing area and is extremely easy to set up and use.
3. Minipack MVS 31 X Chamber Sealer – This chamber sealer is perfect for packaging fish. It has a 12.5″ x 9.5″ x 3.75″ chamber dimension that can easily handle a lot of fish.
4. Minipack MVS 35 X Chamber Sealer – This vacuum food sealer has both a great chamber width and height (13″ x 11.75″ x 7.5″). This can be used to package multiple pieces of fish in a bag.
5. Minipack MVS 45 X Chamber Sealer – This vacuum sealer is perfect for commercial packaging of fish and has a nice chamber area of 18.5″ x 16″ x 4.5″.

Each of these vacuum food sealers can be used to efficiently package fish and have been proven to have a great track record. I would personally recommend these sealers for anyone interested in packaging and preserving fish for either personal or retail use.

You can find our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.  Feel free to ask our vacuum sealer specialists questions by calling 1-800-658-8788.

MVS 45 XII Shown

Does your business package poultry, fish, beef, pork, fruits or vegetables on a daily basis? Do you need a solid and reliable way to protect and preserve consumable goods? You should probably be using a vacuum sealer like the Minipack MVS 45 X vacuum food sealer. This is my revue.

Minipack has been in the process recently of upgrading their entire line of vacuum sealing machines. This includes the MVS 31, MVS 45 and many other machines. Minipack has essentially re-designed the look of the machines, while maintaining the same functionality. Overall, they have rounded out the corners a bit and have slightly simplified the user interface.

The newly re-designed MVS 45 now carries the name of the MVS 45 X. If you are already familiar with the standard MVS 45, you will probably notice very little difference in the new model. It still features the same high-quality stainless steel design and incredible vacuum sealing speeds.

The chamber sealing area of the MVS 45 X measures in at 18.5″ x 16″ x 4.5″. This is large enough to package most food products. Simply place your product in a vacuum sealing bag, place it in the vacuum sealer, close the hood and let the machine do the rest.

The front control panel makes it easy to adjust the time duration of the sealing bar and the amount of air that is removed from the chamber. The MVS 45 X can remove up to 99.99% of the air in the chamber. Having used these sealers myself, I can tell you that it is impressive to see the end results. The vacuum seal bag literally collapses around the food (or product), filling in all air pockets. The seal itself is extremely solid and reliable.

Unlike many vacuum sealers out there that require special tuning and adjustments, the MVS 45 X is pretty much calibrated and ready to run out of the box. The basin of this sealer is designed to be sanitary. There are no creases where food can get trapped and cleanup is extremely easy.

One significant item of note is the build quality. Many chamber sealers out there use cheap and flimsy sheet metal, many of which can even cut you. The MVS 45 is made from heavy-gauge stainless steel. It is designed to hold up and be used continually throughout the day. It is perfect for commercial use and is excellent for packaging meat and other food at grocery stores.

One nice added feature I really like on the Minipack MVS 45 X is it now has an oil change light that lets you know when to change the oil. Oil changes on the MVS 45 X are extremely easy to do.

Overall I give the MVS 45 X high marks. Minipack products are some of the best quality available and the MVS 45 X doesn’t let you down. I give this vacuum food sealer a solid 5 out of 5 stars.

You can find the Minipack MVS 45 X vacuum food sealer here and our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.

Do you still have questions about this machine or about vacuum sealers in general? Feel free to call one of our non-pressuring experts at 1-800-658-8788.

We are also able to offer repairs, parts and servicing on Minipack products. You can reach our Service Department by calling 1-800-658-8788 x129 or by filling out this form.

Do you package fish, fruit, meat, vegetables and other products on a daily basis? If you are using an external sealer, you may need to upgrade to something designed for commercial or continuous-use operation like a chamber sealer. One model you may want to consider using is the Minipack MVS 31 X chamber vacuum food sealer. I have used this vacuum sealer and this is my review.

Minipack is easily one of the best-known manufacturers of packaging equipment. The parent company, Minipack-Torre, is based in Italy. They manufacture a wide variety of products including shrink wrap machines, vacuum food sealers, mail baggers and more. Minipack’s line of products have a great reputation with our customers.

The MVS 31 X is the direct replacement to the extremely popular MVS 31. Other than a few aesthetic changes, the MVS 31 X is very similar to the MVS 31. It utilizes a chamber that measures in at 12.75″ W x 11.75″L  x 4.5″ H. While this isn’t a huge chamber area, it can be used to package most food products.

Using the Minipack MVS 31 X is extremely easy. Simply place your product in a vacuum sealer back, place it in the MVS 31 X and make sure the sealing bar covers the opening of the bag.

Once the process has begun, the entire cycle takes just a few seconds. First the air is removed from the chamber (up to 99.99%), the bag is sealed shut using a sealing bar and then the air is returned back to normal atmosphere. As the air inside the chamber returns to normal, you can literally see the bag collapse around the product being sealed. It produces an extremely professional and tight seal around the product being packaged.

The control panel on the MVS 31 X is extremely easy to use. It allows you to adjust the amount of air being removed, the sealing bar time and much more. The MVS 31 X has up to 10 customizable programs, allowing you to save your settings and adjustments. A display on the control panel will even let you know when the chamber’s oil needs to be changed. An optional inert gas kit is available if you are packaging more delicate products.

Calibration, based on your elevation, is extremely easy to do and simple instructions are included with the machine. It is an easy-to-use and no-nonsense machine.

The MVS 31 X features an excellent build quality. Many things have been built into the MVS 31 X to also make it easy to clean up and keep sanitary. Unlike many cheaper machines, the MVS 31 X has a seamless basin, which prevents food from getting into cracks, bacteria and contamination.

I would HIGHLY recommend the Minipack MVS 31 X chamber sealer for anyone packaging food or other products on a commercial level. This machine is designed to handle the load. Just be sure the chamber dimensions match up with what you’re packaging. I rate this machine a full 5 out of 5 stars.

You can find the Minipack MVS 31 X chamber vacuum food sealer here and our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.

Feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any product questions, for parts requests, repairs and for other information related to vacuum sealers.

Cars aren’t the only pieces of machinery that need their oil changed from time to time. Vacuum food sealers, especially chamber sealers, also need to have their oil changed. This isn’t something that has to be done by a technician or a specialist. It is something you can easily do yourself.

At ABC Office, we have some of the best Service Technicians available. Because we are an authorized dealer of Minipack products, we can provide you with parts, repair services and are able to fix just about any Minipack product.

Our Service Department has come up with a step-by-step guide that can be used to help change the oil on just about any Minipack MVC vacuum sealer. You can find our vacuum sealer oil change guide here.

If you need additional assistance or some replacement parts, you can contact our Service Department by calling 1-800-658-8788 x129 or by filling out this form.

You can find our entire selection of Minpack vacuum sealers here and our entire line of vacuum food sealers here.