Vacuum Sealer, $24.99! (retail $59)
- code 501FTMDX
Fighting Food Waste Smarter: Testing the Feature-Packed Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer
I've been trying to get better about reducing food waste and taking advantage of bulk buys, which inevitably led me down the path of needing a vacuum sealer. I've used basic models before, but juggling separate bag rolls and scissors always felt a bit cumbersome. When I saw this Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine on Amazon, the built-in cutter and bag storage immediately caught my eye. It seemed like a step up in convenience, promising "high-speed continuous working" too. I decided to order it and see if these extra features really make a difference in the kitchen workflow.
Unboxing & Appearance: Sleek and All-in-One
The vacuum sealer arrived well-packaged. Lifting it out, it felt a bit more substantial than the entry-level sealers I've handled, which makes sense given the integrated features. The black finish looks quite sleek and modern on the countertop. What's immediately noticeable is the integrated design – the roll storage compartment is right there under the lid, and the cutter bar is neatly built-in. It presents a cleaner, more organized look than having separate components. The control panel on top seems clearly labeled with different functions (Dry, Moist, Seal Only, Vac Seal). The plastic construction feels solid and durable enough for regular kitchen use.
Specs & Key Features That Actually Matter
This isn't just a basic sealer. Here’s what I found most useful:
Built-in Bag Roll Storage & Cutter: This is the star feature, in my opinion. You store your vacuum bag roll inside the machine and use the integrated sliding cutter to make custom-sized bags easily. No more hunting for scissors or the bag roll! This is a massive convenience boost.
Multi-Functional (Dry & Moist Modes): Essential versatility. Allows you to effectively seal everything from dry goods like beans and nuts to slightly moist items like marinated meats or steamed veggies, selecting the appropriate setting for the best seal.
"Globefish Technology" (Continuous Sealing): This sounds fancy, but the practical benefit mentioned is the ability to perform multiple sealing jobs continuously without needing long cool-down periods. Great if you're doing a big batch of meal prep or sealing multiple bulk purchases at once.
Generous Starter Kit: It comes with 50 pre-cut bags and a roll bag, which is fantastic. You can start sealing right away and get a feel for both pre-cut and custom-sized bags.
Automatic Vacuum & Seal: Like most modern sealers, it offers one-touch vacuuming and sealing, making the process pretty straightforward.
My Simulated User Experience: Putting It Through Its Paces
Getting started was intuitive. I plugged it in, popped open the lid, placed the included roll into the storage compartment, and fed the edge under the cutter bar. Pulling out the desired length of bag material and sliding the cutter across gave a nice, clean cut – much neater than my often-jagged scissor cuts!
First, I made a bag by sealing one end using the "Seal Only" function. Quick and easy. Then, I filled the bag with some coffee beans (a classic dry item). I placed the open end into the vacuum channel, making sure it was positioned correctly, closed the lid firmly until it clicked. I selected "Dry" and then hit "VAC Seal." The machine kicked in with the familiar vacuum pump sound – noticeable, but not overly disruptive. It efficiently sucked the air out, creating a tight pack around the beans, and then automatically sealed the bag. The seal looked wide and secure.
Next, I tried sealing some chicken thighs with a light teriyaki marinade (the moist food test!). I patted them down a bit to avoid excess liquid right at the opening. Placed the bag, closed the lid, selected "Moist" mode, and hit "VAC Seal." It seemed to adjust its timing, successfully vacuuming and sealing without pulling too much marinade into the seal area itself. A quick wipe of the vacuum channel afterwards was all that was needed.
The real test of the "continuous working" claim came when I simulated sealing three bags of portioned ground beef one after another. The machine handled it without any noticeable slowdown or indication of overheating, sealing each bag efficiently. This would be a huge time-saver compared to older models that need a break after just a couple of seals.
Pros (What I Liked):
The All-in-One Convenience: Having the bag roll storage and cutter built-in is genuinely fantastic. It streamlines the whole process.
Efficient Continuous Sealing: The ability to seal multiple bags back-to-back without long waits is a major plus for bulk food prep.
Effective Sealing (Dry & Moist): Handled both types of food well in my simulated tests, creating strong seals.
Excellent Starter Pack: The inclusion of 50 bags plus a roll is very generous and lets you hit the ground running.
Cons (What Could Be Better):
Countertop Footprint: Due to the integrated storage and cutter, it's naturally a bit larger than the most basic, compact sealers. Make sure you have the counter space.
Noise Level: It's a vacuum pump; it makes noise. It's not silent, but comparable to similar appliances.
Moist Food Handling: While the Moist mode helps, you still need to be mindful not to overwhelm the machine with excessive liquids near the seal area – standard practice for clamp sealers.
Conclusion & Recommendation:
Overall, I'm very impressed with the Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer. It moves beyond basic functionality and offers genuine convenience features that make the process of vacuum sealing faster and less fiddly. The built-in cutter and roll storage are definite game-changers if you plan to use it regularly or make custom-sized bags often. The ability to seal continuously is also a significant benefit for larger tasks.
I'd highly recommend this vacuum sealer for: Home cooks who frequently buy in bulk, do meal prepping, sous vide cooking, or simply want a more efficient and organized way to preserve food. If the added convenience of the built-in cutter and storage appeals to you, and you anticipate sealing multiple items at once, this model is a fantastic choice and offers great value, especially with the included bags.
My final take: This is a smart, well-designed kitchen tool that makes food preservation significantly easier. Would I buy it again? Absolutely. The convenience features alone make it worth it over more basic models for me.