What Is a Chamber Vacuum Sealer?
A chamber vacuum sealer puts the whole open bag inside a sealed chamber, then pulls the air out of the chamber itself. Because the bag sits in the vacuum, liquid in the bag has far less chance of being pulled into the pump.
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What is a chamber vacuum sealer? It's a machine with a sealed box, called the chamber, that holds the whole bag.
You lay the open end of the bag across a seal bar inside the chamber, close the lid, and the machine pulls the air out of the chamber.
The bar then seals the bag while it sits in that vacuum. Most chamber sealers let air back into the chamber before the lid opens.
This guide explains how a chamber sealer works, how it differs from the external sealers most homes use, and when the extra size pays off.
What a chamber vacuum sealer does with the air
A chamber sealer removes air from the whole chamber, so the air inside the bag and the air around it leave at the same time. The bag doesn't need to lie flat against a suction port.
Once the air is out, the seal bar closes the bag shut. The result is a bag with the air removed and a seal that holds.
How it differs from an external sealer
An external sealer pulls air through a small opening in the bag, so the bag has to lie flat against a gasket and a vacuum channel. Liquid near that opening can get pulled toward the pump.
Because the pressure drops inside and outside the bag at the same time, liquid isn't pushed out the open end toward the pump. That's why a chamber sealer handles soups and marinades with less mess.
Chamber models usually take more counter space and cost more than external sealers. The trade is worth it when liquids and wet food are part of your routine.
What a chamber sealer does best
A chamber sealer works best with liquids, marinades, bulk dry goods and food that would leak in an external machine. Those are the jobs it was built for.
Liquids are the clearest case. Beelicious Pro says its CVS101 seals liquids, soups and powders in the upper chamber, and the model includes a liquid-safe marinating mode.
Vacuum marinating is another common use. VEVOR lists canister, marinate and seal-only modes on its 2.2 gallon model, and the chamber is deep enough for large cuts of meat.
Vacuum sealing is not a substitute for refrigeration or freezing. Marinate in the fridge, and keep sealed soups, sauces and brines cold.
Chamber bags and what they cost you
Chamber sealers use bags made for the chamber, and many use pre-cut pouches. Some machines also take rolled bags, so check the manual before you buy.
Avid Armor says its 250-pack of pre-cut chamber pouches is for chamber sealers and heat bag sealers only. It states that the pouches are not for household FoodSaver machines, so don't mix the two.
Pouches are a different supply than rolls. If you already buy rolls for an external sealer, plan for a second set of bags before you move up to a chamber model.
Chamber vacuum sealers for home use
A home chamber sealer is built around the same job as a bigger one, just in a smaller body. The two models below show the range you'll see at this size.
Chamber vacuum sealer for meat and marinades
VEVOR's 2.2 gallon model has a 12-inch seal bar and a chamber of about 14 by 13.4 by 2.9 inches. VEVOR says its 180W oil pump and stainless steel build suit meat, marinades and sous vide bags.
It weighs 62 pounds, so the lift is a two-person job. Set it on a level counter with clear space for the lid.
Chamber vacuum sealer for wet food
Beelicious Pro's CVS101 has an upper chamber of about 6 liters and a removable 12-inch dual seal bar. It also includes a vacuum marinate mode, and the bags it ships with include smooth, textured and roll-packed options.
The company says it seals liquids, soups and powders, so it's a good model to look at if soups and sauces are your main use.
Oil pumps and upkeep
Some chamber sealers use an oil pump, and those need oil changes on the schedule the manual gives. VEVOR lists an oil pump on its 2.2 gallon model, so check the manual before you buy.
Keep the machine level so the pump runs as the maker intends. Wipe the seal bar and the chamber after each batch, since juice and meat fat can build up around the bar.
Who should skip a chamber sealer
A chamber sealer is a poor fit if you seal mostly dry food and have little counter space. It also makes less sense if you rarely seal liquids, since an external sealer covers most dry-food jobs.
An external sealer is the better fit for most small kitchens. It's smaller and uses rolls, so it's easier to store.
Chamber or external: which fits you?
Pick a chamber sealer if you often seal soups, sauces, marinades or bulk dry goods, and you have room for a bigger machine. A chamber model also suits a day of batch packing, when you seal many bags in a row.
Pick an external sealer if most of your sealing is dry food and you want a smaller machine that uses rolls. An external sealer is also the easier choice for a small kitchen or a home with a single freezer.
If you're still comparing the two, chamber vacuum sealer vs vacuum sealer lays out the trade-offs side by side. For wet foods in particular, can you vacuum seal liquids explains which machines handle them.
Once you know you want a chamber model, the best chamber vacuum sealers for home use compare the main options. Our food vacuum sealer guide covers the whole range of machine types.
The short answer
A chamber vacuum sealer seals the whole bag inside a vacuum, so it handles liquids and wet food well. It costs more, takes more room and needs its own bags, so choose it when those jobs are part of your routine.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chamber vacuum sealer used for?
It seals food that would leak or pull into a normal machine, such as soups, sauces, marinades and wet cuts of meat. Many cooks also use one for bulk dry goods and sous vide bags, since the chamber pulls air evenly from the whole bag.
Is a chamber vacuum sealer better than an external one?
It depends on your food: a chamber sealer handles liquids better, while an external sealer is smaller and uses rolls. If most of your sealing is dry food, an external sealer is usually enough.
Can you use regular vacuum sealer bags in a chamber sealer?
Use bags made for chamber machines, and check your manual first. Avid Armor says its pre-cut pouches are for chamber and heat bag sealers only, not household FoodSaver machines.
How big is a chamber vacuum sealer?
The VEVOR 2.2 gallon model measures 17.9 by 16.1 by 16 inches and weighs 62 pounds, so plan on a sturdy counter and two people to move it. Smaller chamber models exist, but most still take more room than an external sealer.
