Weston Vacuum Sealers Review: A Detailed Buyer’s Guide (All the Models Reviewed)

Weston vacuum sealers are geared to a different market than the popular consumer brands (like FoodSaver). Most Weston sealers are heavy-duty and marketed to "serious" food preservationists like hunters, fisherman, and gardeners. They're powerful, durable vacuum sealers. Weston also make a few models to compete with in FoodSaver market.

This comprehensive Weston vacuum sealer review covers all the Weston models. We'll help you understand what you get for a higher initial investment, and why it might be worth it.

Weston Vacuum Sealers at a Glance

Here's a summary table of the Weston vacuum sealers. Scroll down for more detailed reviews. Prices listed are approximate and may change.

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Who Is Weston?

Weston Products LLC was founded in 1997 as a maker of small kitchen appliances marketed to hunters, gardeners, and do-it-yourselfers. Their most popular products include meat grinders, pasta makers, juicers, smokers, sausage making supplies, canning supplies, and vacuum sealers. Their headquarters are located in Cleveland, OH. Most of their products are manufactured in China. 

You can buy Weston vacuum sealers from Amazon and WalMart, and find a few models at Target, Sears. and some other retailers, including the restaurant supply stores we linked to in the table above. You can also purchase straight from Weston's website, but they are usually more expensive.

Amazon is usually the best place to buy. They have the best prices and best customer service, especially if you have an Amazon Prime membership, which guarantees free shipping and free returns. However, you should always shop around to see if you can find special deals or sales going on elsewhere.

Weston also makes vacuum sealers for RealTree, an outdoor lifestyle company. The two Weston RealTree sealers are identical to the Weston Harvest Guard and the Weston Professional Advantage sealers, with the only differences are the logo and the packaging: RealTree sealers come with a camouflage cover and a larger assortment of bags.

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Why Buy a Commercial Grade Vacuum Sealer?

Why buy a vacuum sealer at all?

We make these points in greater detail in other articles, so we'll just summarize them here:

• A vacuum sealer can save you thousands of dollars a year in less food waste and the ability to buy in bulk and preserve food longer in the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Read more about food waste here.
• Vacuum-sealed food lasts 5 times longer than non-vacuum sealed food.
• By removing the air from the storage bag, vacuum sealers eliminate freezer burn.

See also our articles 12 Ways a Vacuum Sealer Can Save You Money and Why Every Kitchen Needs a Food Vacuum Sealer.

Why spend more on a commercial grade vacuum sealer?

• They're built better and more powerful, so they pull a stronger vacuum, which means more air is removed, resulting in longer food preservation.
• They're fan-cooled, so you can do bulk-sealing without cool-down periods.
• They're faster (and usually easier) to use.
• Unlike most consumer grade sealers, they are not a throwaway product. They're built to last years or even decades, and you can buy parts for them if repairs are needed.

Weston makes several commercial-grade vacuum sealers as well as a consumer grade sealer. Their commercial-grade sealers are their most popular, best known, and biggest sellers. The Pro 2300 is Weston's best-selling vacuum sealer, and one of the most popular products we sell on our website.

See Weston Vacuum sealers on amazon Now

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Who Should Buy a Weston Vacuum Sealer?

The typical Weston buyer is someone who has gone through a few consumer-grade sealers and is looking for something more durable. Or it could be someone familiar with vacuum sealer technology who understands how much better a commercial grade sealer is. 

In general, anyone looking for a powerful vacuum sealer that's going to outlast a consumer grade sealer should consider a Weston commercial grade vacuum sealer.

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Features: What to Know Before Buying a Vacuum Sealer

Consumer grade vacuum sealers (like FoodSavers) usually have more special features than more expensive ones. The reason for this is that the people who buy higher end sealers tend to be looking primarily for more vacuum strength and durability. They aren't looking for automated bagging, extra bags, or other features that tend to be add-ons to cheaper vacuum sealers that make them more appealing to buyers for little extra cost to the manufacturer. 

Weston vacuum sealers can have fewer features than other brands marketed to home buyers. They don't offer automatic bagging or an extra handheld sealer, like some comparably priced FoodSaver vacuum sealers. Many Weston models don't even supply any bags with purchase. 

On the other hand, Weston sealers offer more than just bag sealing, depending on the model. You can get one with an accessory port, and/or bag cutter and roll storage. 

But what you will get with the Weston commercial grade sealers is better vacuum strength and a longer lasting, more durable product. 

Here are options to consider on Weston vacuum sealers.

Throwaway Vs. Fixable

One of the best reasons to spend a little more on a vacuum sealer is because the more expensive sealers are generally not throwaway sealers, while the less expensive ones (less than $150 or so, depending on brand and features) are. 

Inexpensive, consumer-grade vacuum sealers are designed to work for a couple of years, then get tossed in the garbage and replaced. You can get replacement seals and gaskets for them (these parts wear out the fastest). But because these sealers are cheap, a lot of people choose to toss and replace them rather than bother fixing them. It's usually the right decision because the cheap plastic pump is too worn out to make a repair worthwhile. 

This is not exclusive to vacuum sealers. Today, a lot of appliances are meant to go into the landfill rather than be fixed. Even most large appliances like stoves, refrigerators, and washing machines are designed for a 10-year life span. Even many cars, believe it or not, are designed to run for 150,000 miles and then go to the scrapyard. 

There are a few reasons for this throwaway mentality. One is that it's cheaper to make throwaway products. This increases the profit margin for the manufacturer. Another is that many people want new design, especially in large appliances and cars. People want to replace these items every few years for the newest and best-looking products. So why should the makers design for longevity, which costs more, reduces their profits, and causes people to buy less often? 

We've become a plastic, throwaway society because that's largely what consumers want. Buy cheap, then buy again in a few years. That way, you always have the newest stuff. 

It's kind of the American way.

Americans are making an effort to be more environmentally conscious, but we haven't addressed our throwaway mentality and our incessant desire for "new" goods very well. Our landfills are brimming with the remains of yesterday's no-longer-fashionable goods. 

Small appliances, large appliances, cars, electronics, cheap furniture, clothing, shoes, toys, and millions of pounds of other products are thrown out annually, usually with hardly a second thought about what it's doing to our environment. The amount of electronics waste alone (cell phones, TVs, laptops, video games, etc.) in the US is 9.4 million tons according to this article.

You can avoid this cycle, or at least reduce it. To do so, you usually have to pay more up front for more durable products. You also have to be willing to live with "outdated" or "old" products, as long as they still work. 

If you buy better products up front, you get stuff that's built better, lasts longer, requires fewer repairs (but one that can be repaired), and a product that is a joy to use rather than a pain.

This is the difference between Weston and a brand like FoodSaver or Seal-a-Meal. While those products have their place in the market (like entry level users who aren't sure if they want to make a commitment to vacuum sealing), Weston makes commercial-grade products designed for the long haul. 

Weston makes a consumer grade sealer, as well, but even these have maintenance kits and replacement parts available.

For more information, see our article Weston Vacuum Sealers: Better Than FoodSaver?

Vacuum Strength

Vacuum strength is the most important feature of a vacuum sealer: a stronger the vacuum means more air is removed, which means food will resist spoilage longer. Stronger vacuum is better for sous vide, too, because air is an insulator, so the more you remove, the more consistent the cook will be.

Vacuum strength is also an indication of how well built a sealer is. Pulling a strong vacuum requires a lot of energy, which requires a powerful, durable pump. 

We love that with Weston, you know exactly what vacuum strength you're getting. Unlike most consumer brands, Weston provides the vacuum strength for every sealer they make. (You can see vacuum strength in the table above and the reviews below.) 

Background: What Do the Numbers Mean?

Vacuum strength is typically measured in inches of mercury ("Hg).

You may not know exactly what this means, so here's some background.

Inches of mercury (" Hg) is a unit of pressure. Essentially, inches of mercury is the amount of mercury displaced by the pressure of the air pushing down on it. It's how early scientists measured atmospheric pressure (or the absence of it). Normal atmospheric pressure is 29.92 "Hg.

There are other units of pressure including pounds per square inch (PSI), bar, and kilopascals (kPa). Inches of mercury is a somewhat arbitrary choice, but it is the most common unit used for vacuum sealers. 

Since vacuum is the absence of pressure, it technically should have a minus sign in front of it, but for the sake of simplicity, the minus sign is implied. (See this Wikipedia article to learn more about inches of mercury if you're interested.) 

What's a Good Vacuum Strength?

The point of all this is, what's a good vacuum strength?

Consumer grade sealers (such as those reviewed in this article) with mostly plastic parts are capable of removing up to about 20" Hg. If 30" Hg is full vacuum, then this is about 70% of the air in the bag. 

Commercial grade vacuum sealers can remove from 28" Hg to 29.5" Hg. This is 93-98% of the air. Thus, the difference between 20" Hg and 28.5" Hg is huge. It's about 4 times more air removed, which results in considerably longer food preservation.

Fan-Cooled Motors 

More expensive vacuum sealers have fan-cooled motors. Fans prevent the motor from overheating, so you can perform several seals in a row. (Think about how important the cooling system is to a car's engine.) Fan-cooled motors are more expensive to make, so you don't usually see them on consumer grade vacuum sealers.

All Weston's commercial grade sealers have fan-cooled motors, including the chamber sealer.

Accessory Port

An accessory port is a great feature on a vacuum sealer. It allows you to attach a hose and use the sealer (with the right accessories) to remove air from mason jars, wine bottles, marinating containers, and more. 

Weston doesn't include any accessory port extras with their vacuum sealers, or to make hoses and accessories anymore. Fortunately, hoses and accessory ports are universal, so most brands of accessories work with a Weston sealer. FoodSaver accessories work and are affordable.

Not all Weston vacuum sealers have an accessory port, so if you want it, be sure to buy a model that has it.

Roll Storage and Bag Cutter

Edge sealer bags are expensive. You can save money by buying in rolls rather than boxes of individual bags. If you buy rolls, you can cut bags to any length you need (so for example, you can seal a whole rack of ribs in one bag). 

You don't need a sealer with roll storage in order to use rolls of bags, but it provides a convenient storage spot as well as a cutter, which is easier to use than a scissors.

There are downsides to bag storage, though: One, it adds size and weight to the vacuum sealer, which makes it harder to move and store. Two, bag storage space usually only fits small rolls, which are more expensive than bigger rolls.

The Weston Pro 1100 and the Weston Pro 3500 are the models with a bag cutter and roll storage. 

Starter Kits

A starter kit is the set of accessories that comes with the purchase of a vacuum sealer. It can be as small as a few bags or as large as assorted bags, a bag roll, and a hose for the accessory port. 

Weston typically doesn't provide generous starter kits, which is pretty standard for commercial grade vacuum sealers (you're paying for the durability and vacuum strength, not extras). 

Weston vacuum sealers typically come with a few bags, but don't expect too much else. We recommend that if you buy a vacuum sealer, also buy bags, as well.

About Vacuum Sealer Bags

On the subject of bags, here's what you need to know:

• Buy bags designed for use with the type of sealer you have: edge sealer bags for edge sealers, chamber sealer bags for chamber sealers. This is particularly important for edge sealers, because they won't work with non-edge sealer bags. Edge sealer bags have internal ridges that help push air out. You can seal any type of bag with an edge sealer, but you must use edge sealer bags to pull vacuum.
• Bag rolls are cheaper than boxes of bags, and you can cut them to any length. This is the one advantage an edge sealer has over a chamber sealer, which is limited to bag size by the size of the chamber. 
• You do not have to buy Weston brand bags. Any bags designed for use with an edge sealer will work. Some bags may be higher quality than others, but you can shop around and try different bags until you find the right balance between quality and cost. 
• Ditto for chamber sealer bags: you do not have to buy brand name chamber vac bags and any type designed for chamber vacs will work. However, bags are less of an issue with chamber vacs because they're much cheaper than edge sealer bags. (So while you make a larger initial investment, you save money in the long run with chamber sealer bags.)

For more information, see our article The Best Food Vacuum Sealer Bags (For the Best Prices).

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Vacuum Sealing and Sous Vide

A lot of people wonder which vacuum sealer they should buy to work with sous vide. Here's what you need to know: You can use any vacuum sealer for sous vide. 

There is no special "sous vide sealer" that does a better job than any other sealer. Any vacuum sealer that pulls vacuum and makes a good seal works for sous vide.

There's a bit of a misconception about this because some sealers are sold as "sous vide" vacuum sealers. But this is just marketing. There's no reason that any vacuum sealer would be better than another for use with sous vide (except stronger vacuum strength).

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About Buying on Amazon

Amazon is a great place to buy a vacuum sealer. They offer excellent customer service and a 30-day money back guarantee on any purchase, regardless of the seller's policies. If you have Amazon Prime, you also get free shipping and returns. 

Amazon user reviews are another reason. User reviews can be tricky to sort out, though. You have to read them carefully and try to understand where people are coming from. This is especially true for a technical product like a vacuum sealer, which comes in a huge range of price and quality. Since most buy sealers on the low end of the market, they tend to give 5-star reviews to mediocre products--largely because they've never used anything better. This isn't a criticism, it's just a caution about reviews in general, and technical products in particular. 

If you want to read more, see our article Can You Trust Amazon Reviews?

Other Retailers

We've included other retailers here as well so you can compare prices. Ckitchen.com is a seller of restaurant supply and commercial grade kitchen products. They may have a lower price than Amazon--and they may not--so check both places.

We've also included some links to Weston because it's the only place we could find some of the maintenance kits and bags. Weston is generally going to have higher prices than other retailers, but they're still a good resource for parts and maintenance. 

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Review: Weston 65-3001-W Vacuum Sealer

See 65-3001-W on Amazon (black)

See 65-3001-W at Ckitchen.com

About $95

This is Weston's consumer grade vacuum sealer. It's comparable to FoodSaver, Seal-a-Meal, NutriChef, and other popular vacuum sealers in the $100 or less price range. 

These sealers have everything you could want in a consumer grade sealer, including bag storage and cutter, accessory port for external sealing (hose not included), a Pulse button (great feature!), and a generous starter kit of 10 bags and one 20ft bag roll.  

The High/Low sealing modes are similar to the Moist/Dry you'll see on FoodSavers: you can use the Low mode for soft and wet foods to avoid crushing or pulling liquid into the sealer. (You can't seal liquids, but the Low setting helps with juicy foods.)

The accessory port is a universal feature, so if you have a hose from an old FoodSaver or other brand, it will work with all Weston sealers. 

The Pulse button is a fantastic feature that many sealers don't have: it allows you to start and stop sealing continuously until you get the exact amount of vacuum you want. We also love the built-in bag cutter, which is so much easier than using a scissors. 

Extended sealing mode is great if you're using thicker bags (as you might for long-term storage). 

Our one complaint is that the sealer is hard to latch for sealing: there are two tabs, one on each side of the sealer, that you have to push and lock. It's a little tricky to get the hang of it.

Features/Specifications

• 110W motor
• 22.5" Hg vacuum strength
• 11 inch seal bar
• Accessory Port (hose not included)
• Pulse button
• High/Low vacuum modes 
• Normal/Extended sealing modes
• 2mm seal, lid-mounted to prevent overheating
• 10 bags included, plus 11" x 20ft. bag roll
• Dimensions: 6.2x15.2x4"
• Weight: 7 lbs
• 1 year warranty.

Rather than "Soft" and "Moist" settings, this sealer has an adjustable Vacuum Level, plus High/Low vacuum settings. These settings provide excellent control over sealing. 

See the Weston 65-3001-W (black) vacuum Sealer on Amazon

see the weston 65-3001-w (black) vacuum sealer at ckitchen

These sealers are easy to use. Here's the control panel:

Pros/Cons

Pros:

• Good vacuum strength compared to other consumer grade sealers
• Bag storage and built-in cutter
• Pulse button
• Accessory port
• Good starter kit (6 quart bags, 4 gallon bags, and one 11" x 20ft bag roll)
• Inexpensive compared to commercial grade sealers.

Cons:

• Hard to latch
• Vacuum strength isn't great compared to other Weston sealers
• Some users complain about early failure. 

Recommendation

This is a good consumer grade vacuum sealer with all the features you need, including bag storage and cutting, an accessory port for external containers (sold separately), and a Pulse button. It comes with 10 bags and one 20-ft bag roll. Compared to other consumer sealers (e.g., FoodSaver, Seal-a-Meal), it pulls good vacuum. If you want a stronger vacuum or a heavier duty model, any of Weston's other models are a better choice (but more expensive).

Our biggest issue with this sealer is that it's hard to latch. Once you get the hang of it (you have to push down the latches on both sides of the sealer simultaneously), it shouldn't be an issue. We love the Pulse button and the built-in bag cutter (don't underestimate how much easier this is than using a scissors).

Buy the Weston 65-3001-w Vacuum Sealer:

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Review: Weston Professional Advantage Vacuum Sealer

See Weston 65-0501-W Professional Advantage Vacuum Sealer

See Weston 65-0501-W Vacuum Sealer with 100ct bag bundle

See Weston 65-0501-W Professional Advantage Vacuum Sealer at Ckitchen.com

About $200

At 210 watts, a vacuum strength of 23" Hg, and a weight of 7.5 lbs, the Professional Advantage sealer barely qualifies as commercial grade. It's closer in strength and weight to the Weston 65-3001-W reviewed above. But it does have a more powerful motor, so it will pull slightly stronger vacuum at a slightly faster rate. And it's fan-cooled, which makes it able to seal many more bags in a row without a cool down.

It's got most of the features you'll want in a vacuum sealer, including an accessory port--any hose and canister set will fit--and a Pulse button, which gives you complete control over the sealing process.

It does not have bag roll storage or a cutter, but this is what keeps it lightweight and easy to store (yet faster and more powerful than the 65-3001-W above). 

Very few vacuum sealers at this price point are fan-cooled, so this is an excellent feature that you rarely see.

The Pro Advantage has a few disadvantages. Like some other Weston vacuum sealers, it's hard to latch: you have to push down really hard in the middle, then on both sides to get it to latch. This will get easier with use, but it may take you awhile to get the hang of it. 

The other disadvantage is that the gaskets wear out, and you have to replace them fairly often (depending on use, of course). Weston sells a maintenance kit for the Pro Advantage for about $25. This isn't really discussed anywhere on Amazon or other selling sites, so buyers don't know this is necessary--and they give the product bad reviews because it "quits sealing" after about 6 months of use. (All vacuum sealers need their gaskets replaced eventually, and most brands sell replacement kits for their sealers, including FoodSaver--so if you have an older sealer that "isn't working" anymore, it may just need new gaskets.)

When you look at the Pro Advantage on Amazon, you may be surprised to see that it gets good, but not great, ratings. This is primarily because of these two issues: people have trouble getting it to seal, and the gaskets wear out and they don't know that they need to be replaced. So don't let the lack of 5-star reviews sway your buying choice: this is a good option at its price point and will provide excellent service.

If you want a lightweight sealer that's going to last longer than a FoodSaver and provide better sealing, this is a good choice. It may take awhile to figure out how to use it correctly, but once you do, you will love this vacuum sealer.

The Pro Advantage was picked by America's Test Kitchen as their favorite sealer. Here's a short video from ATK about the Weston Pro Advantage:

Features/Specifications

• 210W motor
• 23" Hg vac
• 11" seal bar
• Pulse button
• Fan cooled motor
• Accessory Port (hose not included)
• Marinate mode
• Backlit control panel
• Angled chamber opening to help prevent liquids from entering chamber
• RealTree logo and camouflage cover (RealTree model only)
• 15 bags included 
• Dimensions: 10" x 18" x 6"
• Weight: 7 lb
• ETL certified
• 1 year warranty.

The Weston Pro Advantage is easy to use, with a straightforward control panel that's backlit for easy use in the dark (although why you're vacuum sealing in the dark is a mystery):

Its fan-cooled motor should provide continuous sealing without overheating, although at only 23"Hg vacuum strength, bulk jobs are going to take awhile.

See the Weston Pro Advantage Vacuum Sealer on Amazon

see the weston pro advantage vacuum sealer at ckitchen.com

see the weston pro advantage maintenance kit at Amazon

Pros/Cons

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Accessory port
• Pulse button
• Fan-cooled, a feature rare for consumer grade sealers (can seal many bags in a row without overheating)

Cons:

• Hard to latch
• At 23" Hg, not much more powerful than cheaper consumer grade sealers
• Requires gasket changes every 6 months or so (depending on use) for optimal sealing.

Recommendation

The Weston Pro Advantage/RealTree vacuum sealer offers a lot of great features at a reasonable price, including a powerful 210W, fan-cooled motor. It's a little hard to use, and the seals tend to go on it fairly quickly, but you'd be hard pressed to find another sealer of this quality at this price point.

Buy the Weston Pro Advantage Vacuum Sealer:

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Review: Weston Wet and Dry Vacuum Sealer (65-1601-W)

See the Wet and Dry Vacuum Sealer on Amazon

About $160

A channel vacuum sealer that seals liquids? Yes--sort of. The Weston Wet and Dry Vacuum Sealer sits on top of a large storage block--it holds not one, but two rolls, so you can easily select the size bag you want--which elevates the sealing bar, as shown in the image above. In addition to the elevated seal bar, the sealer also has a two-step sealing process in which it seals most of the bag, then pulls additional vacuum through a small opening. This makes it harder for liquids to get up into the sealing area. 

It works--but there are a few drawbacks, the biggest one being that the sealer requires about 3 inches of bag to make a seal. That's a pretty large percentage of a vacuum bag, and is going to reduce how much you can store in one.

You can remove the sealer from the storage base so the seal bar is closer to the food, but it only reduces the amount of bag required by a small amount. 

So if you really want to seal liquids, consider a chamber sealer, which is much more efficient (and the bags are cheaper, too).

Other features include a date stamp, which is a new, never-before-seen feature on any vacuum sealer we've reviewed. It's cool, but the bad news is it's small and kind of hard to read--so we recommend that you keep using that Sharpie to I.D. your sealed bags.

The build quality is just okay, much more like a consumer-grade sealer than a commercial grade, with plastic parts and a very loud motor that is not fan-cooled. The Wet and Dry vacuum sealer requires about 20-30 seconds of wait time between seals, so it's not a great choice for bulk sealing. The vacuum pull is similar to what you see on Weston's consumer grade sealers: good, but nothing like a commercial sealer.

The big storage box adds bulk to the unit, but being able to store two bag rolls may be worth it to you.

The Wet and Dry Vacuum Sealer has a built-in bag cutter, a Pulse button for control over delicate foods, an accessory hose (which some reviewers thought was too short), and the kind-of-cool date stamp.

We think $160 is a little high for the build quality, but if you want a cheap way to (sort of) seal liquids, then this is probably the best choice on the market. 

Features/Specifications

• 170W motor
• App. 23"Hg vacuum
• Can seal wet and dry foods
• Removable storage base
• Progress bar shows when sealing is done
• Holds 2 bag rolls
• Pulse button
• Date stamp
• Accessory port, hose included (no containers)
• Starter kit incl. 2 bag rolls and 6 quart bags
• 5 yr. limited warranty
• Dimensions: 6x12x16"
• Weight: 5.8lb
• About $160.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Can seal liquids (sort of)
• Pulse button
• Fast sealing
• Holds 2 bag rolls
• Built-in cutter
• Date stamp
• Accessory hose included
• Generous starter kit (2 bag rolls plus 6 quart-sized bags).

Cons:

• Mediocre build quality
• Requires about 3 inches of bag to make a seal
• Loud motor
• Long cool-down period between seals
• Date stamp can be hard to read.

Recommendation

In theory, the Weston Wet and Dry Vacuum Sealer is a great idea, but the execution could be better. It can seal liquids fairly well, but uses too much of the bag to do so. And it's not fan-cooled, so the sealer needs to cool down for 20-30 seconds between sealing. The build quality isn't great, so we're concerned it won't last--even though it has a 5 year limited warranty.

If you really want a cheap way to seal liquids, it may be worth a try, but if you want a heavy duty or bulk sealer, go with a Weston commercial grade model, or consider a chamber sealer.

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Review: Pro 1100 Vacuum Sealer (65-0601)

See the Weston Pro 1100 Vacuum Sealer on Amazon 

See the Weston Pro 1100 at ckitchen.com

The Pro 1100 is more than a Pro Advantage with bag storage and cutter: it has significantly more power and about 4 times more vacuum strength. It's 28" Hg suction places it firmly in the commercial vacuum sealer category. Its 20 pounds also makes considerably heftier than the 7.5 lb Pro Advantage.

Its bag cutter and roll storage, accessory port, and fully adjustable sealing time make this one of the most versatile 11-inch sealers on the market. The Pulse button gives you complete control over the sealing process.

Finally, the Pro 1100 has two digital readouts that show sealing time and vacuum progress, along with a simple control panel:

With a fairly low percentage of 4- and 5-star reviews and a high percentage of 1 star reviews, we have to take the quality issues users complain about seriously. We had no problems during testing and thought this was a great, powerful vacuum sealer. 

But a lot of reviewers had issues with the sealer not working, and then with Weston's customer service. If the sealer does break down, you have to pay your own shipping costs to have them repair it, even if it's within the 2-year warranty period. 

We're just not sure what to say here; we never recommend products with this many 1-star reviews. However, it seems like a great vacuum sealer, and people either loved it or hated it. Be sure to read the Amazon reviews before you decide to buy. 

Features/Specifications

• 680W double piston motor
• 28" Hg vac
• 11" seal bar
• Dimensions: 15 x 15.25 x 6 inches
• Weight: 15 lbs
• Fan-cooled motor
• Automatic and Manual sealing modes
• Fully adjustable sealing time
• Accessory Port (side-mounted)
• Digital display for easy monitoring of sealing process
• Detachable power cord (for easy storage)
• Bag cutter and roll storage
• One-11" bag roll included
• 2 yr. warranty.

See the Weston Pro 1100 on Amazon now

See the weston pro 1100 at ckitchen.com

Pros/Cons

Pros:

• Powerful sealer with excellent suction
• Has roll storage and bag cutter
• Pulse button
• Accessory port.

Cons:

• Difficult to latch
• Lots of complaints about quality issues and bad customer service.

Recommendation

If you want a powerful 11" sealer with bag storage, accessory port, and fully adjustable sealing time, this seems like a good choice. It's a bit hard to latch, and a lot of people have trouble with it. But if you want to try a commercial sealer and want an 11" seal bar, this is a good option. People who love it really love it--but people who hate it hate it, and say Weston's customer service is terrible. If you don't want to risk it but want a commercial grade sealer with better reviews, go for the Pro 2300 below. 

Buy the Weston Pro 1100:

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Review: Weston Pro 2300/Pro 2100 (65-0201/65-0101)

Weston Pro 2300 Vacuum Sealer (65-0101):

Weston Pro 2100 Vacuum Sealer (65-0201):

See Weston Pro 2300 (65-0101) at Amazon (stainless)

See Weston Pro 2100 at Amazon (white)

See Weston Pro 2100 at ckitchen.com (white)

See maintenance kit on Amazon

About $430 (the white model is often a little less)

The Pro 2300 is Weston's best-selling vacuum sealer and gets top ratings from Amazon reviewers. People love this sealer.

The Pro 2100 is the same vacuum sealer with a white finish, which makes it look like it belongs in a laboratory circa 1970. This isn't the prettiest vacuum sealer out there, that's for sure. But if you're looking for power and durability, it would be hard to do better than the Pro 2300 or the 2100.

This is a really powerful sealer, with a 935 watt motor and a top vacuum of 28" Hg. It has a super simple interface, with just 3 buttons--Stop, Start, and Manual Seal--and indicator lights to guide you through the sealing process. The "Manual Seal" button is like a Pulse button, allowing you to have full control over sealing:

So it's very easy to use. Note that you can't adjust the seal time as you can on some other Weston vacuum sealers, so if you use a lot of extra-thick bags or want to seal Mylar or some other non-vacuum sealer bag, you can't change the seal time.

The Pro 2100/2300 has a detachable cord and a storage compartment, which makes the 27 lb. sealer a little easier to store when not in use:

The million dollar question is, do you need the 15-inch sealing bar? It's a nice feature to have if you're often sealing large quantities of food. (You can get a whole chicken in a 15-inch bag; you can't get one in an 11-inch bag.)

However, keep in mind that edge sealer bags are expensive, and the bigger they are, the more expensive they are. So while it's a great feature, you may not use it as much as you think you will. 

The longer seal bar also makes this sealer bigger, heavier, and harder to store.

On Amazon, there are a few buying options, including one that comes with 100 bags. This is a great deal, and a great way to get started with the sealer--you won't get any bags if you just buy the sealer option.

Features/Specifications

• 935W motor
• 28" Hg vac
• 15" seal bar
• Dimensions: 24" x 16" x 9"
• Weight: 27 lbs
• LED lights (no digital display)
• Fan-cooled, double piston pump
• Automatic and manual sealing modes
• Detachable cord for easy storage
• Cord storage compartment
• Stainless housing
• See-through lid for easy bag alignment
• 2 year warranty.

See the Weston Pro 2300/Pro 2100 on Amazon

see the weston pro 2100 at ckitchen.com

see maintenance kit on amazon

Pros/Cons

Pros:

• Powerful motor, excellent vacuum strength, rugged build quality
• Extra long 15" sealing bar
• 2 year warranty.

Cons:

• No accessory port
• No bag storage or cutter
• At 27 lbs, a bit bulky.

Recommendation

As Weston's best-selling vacuum sealer, the Pro 2300 is a great choice. If you want the extra long sealing bar, this is the most economical way to get it. This sealer is built like a tank and will last for decades. Highly recommended.

Buy the Weston Pro 2300 or Pro 2100:

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Review: Weston Pro 2600 Vacuum Sealer (65-1301)

See the Weston Pro 2600 on Amazon

See the Weston Pro 2600 at ckitchen.com

The Pro 2600 is identical to the Pro 2300 (reviewed above) but has a 16-inch sealing bar (so, 1 inch longer). It has the same motor and vacuum specs and a very similar, simple-to-use control panel:

Like the 2300, the "Manual Seal" button allows you to stop and start sealing until you get the exact vacuum you want, which is a better solution than "Soft" and "Moist" options, which simply pull a weaker vacuum.

However, there is no setting for seal time, so if you use bags of different thicknesses, you're stuck with the same sealing time for all. 

The clear acrylic lid makes it a little easier to monitor sealing than the tinted lid on the Pro 2300.

The Pro 2600 also has a detachable cord and cord storage. 

This vacuum sealer is extremely sturdy and it gets excellent reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. If  a 15-inch sealing bar isn't long enough for you, this is the sealer to get--for about the same price.

Features/Specifications

• 935W motor
• 28" Hg vac
• 16" seal bar
• Dimensions: 24" x 16" x 10"
• Weight: 27 lbs
• LED lights (no digital display)
• Fan-cooled, double piston pump
• Automatic and manual sealing modes
• Detachable cord for easy storage
• Cord storage compartment
• Stainless housing
• See-through lid for easy bag alignment
• 2 year warranty.

See the Weston Pro 2600 on Amazon

see the weston pro 2600 at ckitchen.com

Pros/Cons

Pros:

• Powerful motor, excellent vacuum strength, rugged build quality
• Extra long 16" sealing bar
• 2 year warranty.

Cons:

• No accessory port
• No bag storage or cutter
• At 27 lbs, a bit bulky.

Recommendation

The Pro 2600 is identical to the best-selling Pro 2300 but with a 16 inch sealing bar (rather than a 15-inch bar). It's a heavy duty vacuum sealer and gets excellent reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. If you want the super long 16-inch seal bar, the Pro 2600 is the vacuum sealer to get.

BUY THE WESTON PRO 2600:

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Review: Weston Pro 3000 Vacuum Sealer (65-0401)

See the Weston Pro 3000 Vacuum Sealer on Amazon 

See the Weston Pro 3000 at ckitchen.com

About $550

The Weston Pro 3000 is the Pro 2300 with a digital display (rather than indicator lights) that guides you through the sealing process with a little more detail. The Pro 3000 has a clear acrylic lid instead of the tinted one on the Pro 2300; this makes aligning the bag and observing the sealing process easier. 

Here's a diagram of the Pro 3000 control panel (from the user manual):

The digital panel allows you to adjust the seal time, but otherwise it's about the same as on the Pro 2300, but with a digital readout of the sealing process. Manual mode lets you stop and start sealing as needed, giving you full control over the sealing process. You can use the Manual Bag Seal button to stop vacuum and seal a bag at any time. 

The Pro 3000 gets some bad reviews on Amazon, with complaints of the product failing and terrible (or non-existent) customer service. This is odd because it's nearly identical to the Pro 2300, but because of the low ratings, we can't recommend this vacuum sealer. 

Features

• 935W motor
• 28" Hg vacuum strength
• 15" seal bar
• Dimensions: 24" x 16" x 9"
• Weight: 27 lbs
• Digital display shows seal time and vacuum progress
• Adjustable seal time
• Fan-cooled double piston motor
• Automatic and manual sealing modes
• Fully adjustable sealing time
• Detachable cord
• Cord storage
• Maintenance kit included
• 2 yr. warranty.

See the Weston Pro 3000 vacuum sealer on amazon

see the weston pro 3000 at ckitchen.com

see maintenance kit on amazon now

Pros/Cons

Pros:

• Powerful motor, excellent vacuum strength, rugged build quality
• Digital display to guide you through sealing process
• 15" sealing bar
• Adjustable sealing time
• 2 year warranty. 

Cons:

• No accessory port or bag storage
• At 27 lbs, a bit bulky and hard to move
• Some reviewer complaints about failures and poor customer service.

Recommendation

The Weston Pro 3000 vacuum sealer is a step up from the Pro 2300 in that it has a digital display and adjustable seal time. The vacuum strength, motor, and build quality are identical. We're not sure this is worth an extra $100-plus dollars, but if you want the digital display, or prefer the looks of the clear acrylic lid, this is your sealer. It gets some poor reviews on Amazon, so we are a little hesitant to recommend it. Be sure to read the reviews before you decide.

Buy the Weston Pro 3000 Vacuum sealer:

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Review: Weston Pro 3500 Vacuum Sealer (65-0901)

See the Weston Pro 3500 Vacuum Sealer on Amazon 

About $550

The Weston Pro 3500 vacuum sealer is a Pro 2300 with roll storage and bag cutter. It has a digital display (like the 3000 above). 

You won't find the Pro 3500 on the Weston website. This was a custom-made sealer designed for one customer. Somehow it got listed on Amazon, but is hard to find anywhere else. Weston says if you buy this sealer, they will provide full customer support.

Features

• 935W motor
• 28" Hg vacuum strength
• 15" seal bar
• Dimensions: 15.3" x 23" x 9"
• Weight: 37.4 lbs
• Digital display
• Fan-cooled double piston motor
• Automatic and manual sealing modes
• Adjustable sealing time
• Detachable cord
• Cord storage
• Bag cutter and roll storage
• 2 yr. warranty.

See the Weston Pro 3500 Vacuum sealer on amazon now

Pros/Cons

Pros:

• Powerful motor, excellent vacuum strength, rugged build quality
• Extra long 15" sealing bar
• Fully adjustable sealing time
• Bag cutter and roll storage compartment
• 2 year warranty.

Cons:

• No accessory port
• At 37.4 lbs, a bit bulky and hard to move
• Not a regular Weston model, but they will support buyers.

Recommendations

The Weston Pro 3500 vacuum sealer is the same as the Pro 2300, but with roll storage, bag cutter and digital display. The motor, vacuum strength, and build quality are the same. If you like the Pro 2300 but wish it had roll storage or a bag cutter (or both), the Pro 3500 is the sealer for you. 

buy the weston pro 3500 on amazon now:

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Review: Weston Pro 2500 Chamber Vacuum Sealer
(65-1201)

See Weston Pro 2500 Chamber Vacuum Sealer on Amazon

About $1000

Weston makes a chamber sealer, definitely worth your consideration if you're in the market for a commercial grade vacuum sealer. 

Why buy a chamber sealer? 

• You can seal liquids (because the pressure is the same in the bag and in the chamber, so the liquid isn't sucked into the vacuum).
• Bags are cheaper, so while chamber sealers cost more initially, you'll save money in the long run.
• The vacuum strength and quality is hard to beat.
• They're easy to use.

Note: For more info on chamber sealers, see our article Chamber Sealers: The Best Deals on Amazon.

Chamber sealers are expensive, so as with a lot of expensive products, there are fewer reviews to go by. We're here to tell you, though, that a chamber sealer is a fabulous machine. If you're looking for top notch quality, superior vacuum strength, and the ability to seal liquids without freezing or using other workarounds (like paper towels in the bag), a chamber sealer is the way to go. If you have the space for one and you do a lot of vacuum sealing, a chamber sealer is an excellent option.

The 12-inch sealing bar on this chamber vac is longer than that found on most other chamber vacs in this price range. And since chamber bags are cheap, you'll probably find yourself using the bigger bags more than you would with an edge sealer.

Vacuum sealers also have more adjustable functions, so you can adjust seal time, marinate time, and select how much vacuum you want to pull (High, Medium, Low). The Weston Pro 2500 control panel has all these features, but is still easy to use:

Features/Specifications

• 630W motor
• 29.5" Hg
• 12" sealing bar
• 13" x 11" x 4" chamber (largest bag size 12" x 14")
• Seamless chamber for easy cleanup
• Marinate function
• Fully adjustable seal time
• 3.5mm thick seal
• Dimensions: 14" x 14.2" x 18.5"
• Weight: 62 lbs
• Digital display
• Seal only function to make custom-sized bags
• Comes with 30 bags: 10-6" x 10", 10-8" x 12", 10-12" x 14"
• 2 yr. warranty.

See the Weston Pro 2500 Chamber Sealer on Amazon

Pros/Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional vacuum strength
• 12-inch sealing bar
• Marinate function
• Durable build quality.

Cons:

• Limited to 12" x 14" bags by size of chamber
• Heavy and bulky
• Expensive.

Recommendations

If you want a chamber sealer, the Pro 2500 is a heavy duty one that gets good reviews. The 12-inch sealing bar allows you to seal bigger bags than most other popular chamber sealers. 

If you want a chamber sealer but prefer something lighter, check out some other brands before you decide. There are some lighter models on the market now that work better for most home users. See our articles on VacMaster,  Avid Armor, and The Best Deals on Amazon for more information.

Buy the Weston Pro 2500 chamber vacuum sealer:

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Maintenance Kits and Accessories

One of the best things about Weston vacuum sealers is that you can buy maintenance kits for them. This means that when they start slowing down or don't seal very well, you can fix the problem by replacing inexpensive parts.

Maintenance Kit for Pro Series (Part Kit for 65-0101, 65-0201, 65-0401-W)

Weston Pro 2100/Pro 2300 Maintenance Kit with Rubber Seals and Heat Wire

You can also check for parts on the Weston site:

Weston vacuum sealer parts and accessories.

If you get a model with an accessory port (the Harvest Guard, Pro Advantage, or Pro 1100), you'll have to buy the hose and canisters separately. Weston no longer sells canisters or hoses, but you can buy FoodSaver accessories, which will work with Weston vacuum sealers.

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Weston Vacuum Sealer FAQs

Here are some common questions about Weston vacuum sealers.

Is a Vacuum Sealer Worth It?

A vacuum sealer can help you save hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars worth of food in a year. You will save in two ways: one is that your food is preserved longer, so you throw less out. Another is that you can buy food cheaper in bulk and vacuum seal it for long term storage. If you use it, a vacuum sealer is worth the investment.

Why Are Weston Vacuum Sealers Better than FoodSaver Vacuum Sealers?

Most Weston vacuum sealers are better build and more durable than most FoodSaver vacuum sealers. They pull stronger vacuum, have replaceable parts, and will last longer. However, Weston is only the better choice if you can afford it and if you'll get enough use out of it to justify spending more money.

Can You Use FoodSaver Vacuum Bags with Weston Vacuum Sealers?

Yes, you can use any brand of bag with any brand of vacuum sealer. Just make sure you buy edge sealer bags for an edge sealer and chamber sealer bags for a chamber sealer.

How Much Longer Does Vacuum Sealed Food Last?

It depends on the food, but on average, vacuum-sealed food can last about 5 times longer than non-vacuum-sealed food.

Are There Any Foods that Can't Be Vacuum Sealed?

You shouldn't vacuum seal hot foods, raw mushrooms, raw onions, garlic, and soft foods that can be crushed by the vacuum (bread, chips, and crackers, for example). You also have to be careful sealing liquids with an edge sealer, as they can get sucked into the machine and destroy the motor. If you have a chamber sealer, you can vacuum seal liquids, but be sure they are at room temperature or cooler so as to not make a mess.

Can Mold or Bacteria Grow in a Vacuum Sealed Bag?

Yes, pathogens can still grow in vacuum sealed bags, they just grow more slowly. Most pathogens are carried by air, so the more air you can remove from a bag, the better. This is one reason why more powerful vacuum sealers are better.

How Do You Prevent Botulism When Vacuum Sealing?

Botulism happens in an anaerobic environment (no air), which is why canned food can be an issue. The best way to avoid botulism is to refrigerate vacuum-sealed food that needs refrigeration. Also, don't vacuum seal garlic, raw onions, or raw mushrooms, which can be prone to anaerobic pathogens (although if you keep these vacuum-sealed foods refrigerated or frozen, it should be fine). 

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Final Thoughts on Weston Vacuum Sealers

Weston is a good brand and their products are geared to serious home users as well as commercial users. Their vacuum sealers have a wide range of customer reviews, with some products (like the Pro 2300) getting excellent reviews while others get mediocre or poor reviews. We recommend you read reviews before you decide to buy. 

Having said that, we really like the Weston Pro 2300 vacuum sealer and recommend it for the serious user who wants an extra long sealing bar. If you don't care about extra length, then we recommend the Pro 1100. 

Or, if you want more of a consumer grade sealer that's a step up from FoodSaver--with a more powerful motor and fan cooling for bulk sealing--then go with the Professional Advantage. 

Thanks for reading!

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