This review is covers the VacMaster Pro 170 and the
Vacuum Sealers Unlimited services. I originally
owned a FoodSaver and was looking for a better bag.
I stumbled on Vacuum Sealers Unlimited and thought
I'd try their bags. I placed an order with Lisa
Bilotta and discussed the products and services she
provides. Lisa sent me a VacMaster Pro 260 to test
and review. I fell in love with the unit. It did
everything I wanted and more. I also found the bags
to be superior to the FoodSaver bags and at a better
price. I have been using the VacMaster Pro 260 for a
year now and I have put allot of work it's way and
it has never let me down. When Lisa offered to send
my the VacMaster Pro 170 with a 15" bar and Dual
Sealing capability I couldn't say no.
First Glance
At first glance the unit was packaged very well.
During the un-boxing I first noticed the weight.
This is a well built stainless steel vacuum sealer
with a commercial look and feel to it as it weighs
in at 19 lbs. The digital display was easy to read
and straight forward. The User's guide is also easy
to read and simple to follow. I really don't see any
way anyone would have an issue getting started out
of the gate. In the box was the vacuum sealer, power
cord, accessory vacuum hose, user's guide and 32 15"
wide vacuum bags.
15” seal bar with two seal wires -
Competition is $200 more
Digital technology with LED panel display
Accessory port for storage canisters
Wide, easy-to-clean spill trough
Powerful dual piston pump
Built-in cooling fan for continuous use
Marinate & Pulse Modes
Meets commercial-grade quality standards
allowing it to withstand frequent use
Specifications
Overall Dimensions: 17" x 10" x 6"
Seal Bars: 1 @ 15" with dual sealing strips
Pump: Dual piston pump
Cooling: Integral fan for cooling the vacuum
pump
Cycle Time: Adjustable
Electrical Specifications: 110V, 60Hz, 2Amps
Weight: 19 lbs
Controls
On/Off: Power unit on or off.
Start: Initiate vacuum and seal process.
Seal: Initiate Seal only process (Used for
sealing bags open at both ends.
Accessory: Used to Vacuum and seal using the
optional storage containers.
Marinate: Used to marinate meats using the
optional storage containers.
Seal Time + : Used to increase the
seal time.
Seal Time -: Used to decrease the seal
time.
Operation
The unit is very straight forward to use.
Standard Sealing: Simply place your meats, fish or
left over's into a bag. Lay the bag with the
corrugated side of the bag on the bottom. Place the
bag over the seal bar half way into the trough area.
close the lid and press down slightly. Press start
and the unit will begin pulling air from the bag.
Once it starts drawing air out of the bag you no
longer need to press down on the lid. Once maximum
vacuum is reached the unit will seal the bag with a
primary seal and secondary seal. These seals are
done simultaneously eliminating a second seal
process for a second seal known as a safety seal.
Other sealers force you to go through the vacuum and
seal process twice. This time can add up if you are
packaging allot of product.
Accessory Sealing: This unit has a
accessory vacuum line that is used in marinating or
sealing using the optional plastic containers. These
containers have a lid with a twist valve on top.
There are three settings.
Open: Used for marinating or releasing
vacuum.
Vacuum: Used to apply vacuum when sealing
for storage.
Lock: Used to lock the container for storage
so the hose can be removed.
Sealing for storage is easy. Place your leftovers
in the container and install the lid. Move the valve
to vacuum. On the controls press the accessory
button and the unit will begin to draw air. Press
firmly down on the lid until the vacuum starts. Once
the lid is pulled down into place you no longer have
to apply pressure. When the unit beeps move the
valve into the locked position and remove the vacuum
hose. You may now place your container into your
fridge.
Marinating: The marinating mode is a great
feature. You place your meat into a optional
marinating container. Install the lid and move the
valve to the open position. insert the vacuum hose.
Press the marinate button on the control panel. A 1
will display which is mode 1 for 17 minute marinade.
Press marinate button a second time to move to mode
2 which is a 27 minute marinade. Now press on the
lid and press the start button. The pump will cycle
applying vacuum and then turn off. After a few
minutes it will release and allow air to enter the
container then the pump will come on and apply
vacuum again. This cycle will repeat throughout the
marinating process.
You have just read my introduction and operational
information on the VacMaster Pro 170 vacuum sealer.
To date this is the best designed vacuum sealer I
have had my hands on. The unit weighs in at 19 lbs.
and is extremely well constructed. The price ranges
from $254 to $300 and so far in my opinion it's
worth the money. I'm not stopping here. I do allot
of cooking and allot of sealing and storing. I plan
on putting this unit through the paces over time. I
will follow this page and video up with more
information and videos along the way.
