In Search of a New Vacuum Sealer

My Foodsaver vacuum sealer is on it's last legs. Time to replace it before it dies completely. If you've been reading this blog for a while then you know that I am a 'tool guy'.  Here are the sealers I am currently considering:

Vacmaster VP115

The Vacmaster 115 is the one I really want.  There are two kinds of vacuum sealers:

• Chamber Sealers, where you place the bag inside the machine's internal chamber.
• Suction Sealers, where the bad is outside the machine. The FoodSaver and Seal-a-Meal are suction machines

Chamber sealers are better.  The pull more air out of the bag than suction sealers. They also handle soups and other liquids. Commercial vacuum sealers are chamber sealers.

The Vacmaster VP115 is a chamber sealer. It has only two problems:

• It's big: 19.25 x 16.75 x 9.5 inches
• It's heavy: 58 pounds

I don't want to leave it on the counter top and consume valuable counter space (And Sweet Lady Wife wouldn't allow it anyway). Which means it will need to be put away between uses. 58 pounds is just too dang heavy to be moving around.  And there is only one kitchen cabinet large enough to hold it.

Weston 2300

This is probably the best suction sealer available. It's not heavy (about 18 pounds). Dimensions:

• 22.5 x 12.25 x 6

Plus: It will handle bags up to 15 inches wide

Minus: No accessory port for sealing jars, marinade containers, etc

Its also kinda big. I'll have trouble finding a place to store it.

Vacmaster Pro305

This is the one I'll probably actually buy. It looks and operates just like the Weston 2300 above, except that it is smaller.  It will handle bags up to 12 inches wide. It has an accessory port for sealing jars, marinade containers, etc. And it is compact:

• 15 x 12 x 4 inches

Which means it will fit in the same spot that my old foodsaver currently occupies. I can't find head-to-head reviews between the Weston and the Vacmaster.  The folks over at The Smoking Pit have one, have reviewed it, and seem to like it.