ARY Vacmaster VP215 Chamber Vacuum Packaging Machine with 10" Seal Bar

• Rating
• By Steven M.
• Posted on 05/04/13

The vp215 works! I went with the vp215 for several reasons price lowest priced model with a Oil vacuum pump. An oil vacuum pump is quieter and more efficient even if it does require regular oil changes. Weight its heavy but 1 strong person can move it alone if needed. It's set it up and leave it in one place and only move it when necessary for maintenance unit. I would make some minor design changed to the control panel but they are not a deal breaker. A bag clamp on the seal bar and a port to seal jars would be nice additions. The only issue of note I have had so far was when I was learning to use it and experimenting with different settings. I had set the seal time to 0 and the cool time to 0 when testing vacuum times for sealing jars. I accidentally bumped the seal time from zero to max and burned the Teflon tape. Fortunately a spare was included in the maintenance kit. I have no problem with the settings rolling over from max to min but rolling back from min to max not such a good idea. So pay more attention to settings. I have ordered extra tape just in case and a spare seal bar assembly so no need to stop in the middle of something to do a repair. I can just swap out the bar and when finished do the needed repairs. The box arrived in very pour condition torn and gashed. The unit was well packed double boxed, foam packed and unscathed by FedExs rough handling. It will vacuum seal multiple pint mason jars at once. I can seal quart jars but they have to be laid down on the side so only dry contents nothing wet witch was the reason for initially considering the vp320. I did the obligatory soda can test and the next day I found that the bag had lost vacuum. The sharp corners created when the can was crushed had made small pin holes in the bag so watch out for bones when sealing meat. I repeated the test this time wrapping the can in paper towels with excellent results. I have had it only a short time but so far the results have been very good. Planed uses are make ahead meals, sous vide cooking, storage of big box store bulk purchases portion control and left overs. I am getting rid of most of my plastic containers they are going to Good Will. Using Mason jars for fragile items or vac bags means less cleaning and mess. The jars are easier to clean then plastic, universal replacement lids, can be vacuum sealed to hold fragile items and don't stain. Unlike plastic containers no lid problems finding the correct container lid trying to get it to seal warping etc. Vac bags are no cleaning, easier to store freeze, microwaveable and bailable. I am still learning best practices but am very pleased with the unit it really "sucks". The vp215 came with a maintenance kit and sample bags. I also ordered a impulse sealer so I could partition the bags and put an entire meal in one bag and keep it together in the freezer. Seal 2 lines about a 1/3" apart up the middle to divide the bag and put different foods in each side then vacuum it closed. When preparing just separate between the 2 seals and prepare each food as it requires. Make sure you get a sealer that will accommodate the max bag size in the case of the vp215 its 10x15 so I ordered a 16" sealer with a 5mm seal width. The vp215 is a very powerful sealer and in the future I may explore retort pouch canning but that a ways down the line.

• Rating
• By Cynthia S.
• Posted on 04/23/13

great cryovac machine for the price best on the market. Great for sous vide food, or just portioning and saving money at your restaurant. Changing the oil is easy, the only thing is this machine is ver yheavy. The glass top is built to last, love this machine

• Rating
• By Jim A.
• Posted on 04/01/13

We have had our VacMaster now for about 3 years and have used 6 cases (6000) bags and sealed several hundred jars. It has NEVER failed to perform flawlessly. We have suck all sorts of stuff; soup, meats, veggies, grains, clothing, money, and other stuff. The only thing you have to be careful of is that whatever you are sucking does not puncture the bags and you MUST be careful and take your time to place the bags properly to get a good seal. The machine is fairly quiet and VERY easy to use. Changing bag thickness is as easy as adjusting the sealing time, which takes less than 5 seconds. We typically run the unit on a 35 second vacuum cycle, 2.3 second seal time, and a 3 second cool off time. The cool off time gives the bag a chance to "re-solidify" before the vacuum is released in the chamber. If the cool off time is not long enough it will tear the seal some. The unit came with a new sealing heater strip and cover and in the three years we have used it, we have not needed it! Bottom line: If you are going to use a vacuum sealer more than just a few times a year, this is the unit you want. Thousands and thousands of bags sealed flawlessly. What more could you ask for?

• Rating
• By Ray V.
• From TechSource Alliance, Inc
• Posted on 11/24/12

First off the ease of ordering and the promtpness of shipping is second to none with the Webstaurant store. Top notch web site and the ease of ordering is awesome. Your prices are the best also. In our hunting camp I have purchased many "vacuum packaging machines" like the most popular brands available. And we use them very hard. My last one just went out and I did some research. I purchased the VP215C. I did it for 2 reasons. 1. The reviews and the research I did and 2. The cost and availability of the bags for the traditional packaging machine. I have packaged 4 deer with this unit so far and am very impressed. WOW is all I can say. If your gonna buy a high end type of "Foodsaver" I say don't waste your money. Do your research on this unit. I'll post more after this hunting season concludes but so far I am impressed.

• Rating
• By James B.
• Posted on 11/13/12

Buy your meats in bulk and save with this vacuum packer! It is also great in preparing items for sous vide cooking! A little on the pricy side , but it is worth the money!

• Rating
• By Robert S.
• From Florida Live Scan Fingerprint & Background
• Posted on 10/16/12

We recieved the VP215C yesterday and was disapointed by the way Fedex had handled the package. The Tip n Tell device was all blue meaning the package was upside down at one point even though the package was clearly marked. We opened the package and it was double boxed and well padded. After adding the oil we proceded to start packaging. Wow was it quiet and with fantastic vacume. I have used snorkle machines in the past, but this machine blows them away. Maybe a little slower but far superior.

• Rating
• By Charles R.
• From Charlie
• Posted on 09/17/12

I purchased the VP215 which arrived just as I left for a extended salmon fishing trip. Upon my return, I set up the vacuum packer (20 minutes), and started packaging coho. What a difference from the FoodSaver style I had used for years. Clean, fast and flawless performance. I had the fish packaged in no time. I gave the "other one" to my neighbor who was wildly excited until he saw the VP215. It's a bit expensive, but worth every dime. Highly recommended!

• Rating
• By Edward H.
• From hobbs
• Posted on 06/29/12

First of all I can't beleive how fast your survice is. We ordered it at 8AM on a Wednesday and it was at site 10AM next day, wow! Read the book and added oil and went through the 3 step set up and was on my way packing product. The VP215 works better then I thought. Price is great also. Thank you, Ed

• Rating
• By Ron R.
• From K&R Custom Meats
• Posted on 04/20/12

Great value for a small start up business. It was a pleasure doing business with webrestaurant store.Shipping was right on. Evrything was well represented. Getting ready to get another order now. Thank you

• Rating
• By Eric K.
• Posted on 02/28/12

This machine is great for making food last longer! Keeps items fresher longer and prevents freezer burn! Good for compressing fruits and infusing flavor into items!!!