Hamilton Beach 78220 Vacuum Sealer Reviews

The Hamilton Beach 78220 is mid-range Vacuum Sealer that gives you many of the features found in more expensive models at a better price. It was a nice surprise to discover this Hamilton Beach model came with on board bag storage and cutter, this is usually a feature found only in more expensive FoodSaver Vacuum Sealers. Once the bag is cut, you place it on the sealing bar, close the cover until you hear a click, which lets you know it's locked in place. You then seal the bottom of the bag. After you've placed your food in the bag, you have few different food mode options to choose from. High vacuum seal tries to take out as much air as possible, be careful using this setting as it may damage delicate foods. The other option is extended seal, which makes a thicker seal on the bag, preventing any leaks during long term food storage. It works with both wet and dry foods, there is a drip tray but it's not removable, so make sure you properly clean it after each use to prevent cross contamination. If you are trying to vacuum seal delicate items there is a pulse function. The controls are easy to use and read once you understand what they do, and there's a convenient LED status light letting you know what the machine is doing.

There are a few negatives to be aware of before you decide to purchase this model. Our biggest concern was with the overall quality and workmanship of this appliance. The quality was higher than all of the low end models we reviewed, but it didn't feel as durable and well made as the FoodSaver models. The NutriChef PKVS18SL which is one of our favorite models felt like it was more durable than this model. Secondly while this does have on-board bag roll storage it only holds a 20' long roll, compared to the longer rolls you can use with the FoodSaver models. Lastly while there is an accessory hose for sealing containers and canisters there's no place to store the hose or post to wrap those hose around, it just dangles awkwardly off the back of the unit. This model has many of the features of higher priced models, but even at half the price we're not sure we'd choose it over our top rated model the FoodSaver FM5200 . Looking at models that are similarly priced the NutriChef PKVS18SL may not have as many features, but it feels like it's much more durable and is going to last a lot longer.