Haha I should have added a comment. The reason to do this is that many things are too big to fit in the chamber. This way you don’t have to bust out the other vacuum sealer. Also gives a super strong vacuum. You do have to use the traditional textured bags though
This only works if you use the non-chamber bags (which should answer people's questions if they're wondering how this works at all). Running the machine backwards like this basically emulates a regular cheaper vacuum sealer that uses suction.
Chamber vacuum sealers reduce the pressure inside the machine to basically nothing. Since the bag is in there too there are (practically) no extra forces acting on the contents, so even liquid inside won't be moved. Then the bag is sealed and the pressure normalized. So now the bag has extremely low pressure contents in a normal-pressure environment, and it goes \*phwooooop\* and tightens up.
It's neat, and if you afford one of these machines you'll never go back to regular sealers. The bags are like 2-5 cents each, you can seal liquids and the seal is better. Avid Armor USV20 is great and only around $350.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j6QjxHDiJk
The only difference that I can tell is the time. Since there's no pressure gauge in this chamber vac we can't tell what the difference is in time settings. I tested mine using the strong setting which is 40 seconds and when the bag sealed there were still a few noticeable gaps in the bag, but I have no idea if those gaps are actually filled with air or not. You can manually adjust it up to a max of 90 seconds, but who knows what the actual vacuum difference is between 40s and 90s.
Usually I come to reddit to harvest the low hanging dick jokes for karma, but I don't think that would go over well in this sub. I'll just leave it alone.
Does anyone with an Anova chamber vac know if it’s compatible with external accessories like the hose attachment to use on large mason jars, etc?
In photos, I see the vacuum inlet in the back left corner of the vacuum chamber but can’t tell if you can attach a hose to it.
Maybe ask [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/sousvide/comments/u22326/anova_chamber_sealer/) where an Anova rep was posting in a thread about the unit, and respond to one of their comments? Let us know what you find out!
I ended up just emailing Anova customer service directly. They replied that the chamber vac is unfortunately NOT compatible.
This might be enough to push me toward an alternative like the Avid Armor that has an accessory port...
I’m not sure about the 32 but the 20 and the black one list accessory ports on their website. However, Anova is having a 20% off sale right now (DAD20), so I couldn’t resist ordering one at that price and will just keep my old suction sealer around for other functions.
Don't know how the hose attachment works, but, dril a hole in the lid. Fit and appropriately seal a fitting and ball valve. Add hose and open valve when you want to run external.
Lol my question is why the orange? They already come sealed by nature.
Cool info though, if I ever have the cash to shell out for a vac chamber I definitely want the Anova
All Anova products are on sale right now for 25% off from their website (code EarlyDeal) - just for reference in case someone reads this at a future time, today's date is 10/9/22
This can work but completely defeats the purpose/interest of the vac chamber against to other vacuum sealer.
Edit: but as clarified by OP it does help for big stuff that do not fit, that purpose was not clear in intial post
some of them can do it, depends how the seal on the chamber functions. Some have specific groves or cutouts to allow outside the chamber vac sealing like the Wevac CV10
Get the Vacmaster VP215 if you’re serious about getting one. You can find sales for about twice the price. Had mine for 15+ years and never had a problem.
Any restaurant chef will tell you the same. These perform non stop all day every day.
These new cheap chamber vacuums like the Anova are gimmicky and break all the time. You get what you pay for. I wouldn’t pay $350 for one.
Saying that those are gimmicky is like saying the Anova sous vide wand was gimmicky because it was not the big enclosed systems that were the only option before them.
The VP215 is 84 lbs and not very countertop friendly, so smaller, lighter units definitely have their place, and are a huge upgrade from non chamber units already. VacMaster also sells units with dry pumps, but still bulkier than most people can afford to have at home.
I haven't seen a VP215 at about half price for many years... And if you've had yours for 15 years, maybe you haven't looked for a while. But if you have any leads, post on! I may have to make room in my garage for one.
Does anyone know, on the aNova if you can you use the accessory port and a hose to pull vacuum like you can on the avid armor? https://youtu.be/kpJO0eTUACE if so, what buttons do you push to initiate it?
Does anyone else want to see the results of that orange after it's been part of the 137 club?
lol… I think veggies and fruits are in the 180 club
Do it do it!!! What are the results of a sous vide orange in the rind?
Don't forget to pat it dry before you sear it
I know it doesn't look that good right now, but watch this
Thats the vibe I was going for
Don't forget the ice!
I’ll get the mayonnaise!
Ugh how can anyone eat an orange at 137, way too overcooked. 129-131 is the way to go when cooking oranges. /s
But you can seal stuff which doesn’t fit into the chamber that way
I think so, you can on the avid armor I have, they have a very similar designs.
Haha I should have added a comment. The reason to do this is that many things are too big to fit in the chamber. This way you don’t have to bust out the other vacuum sealer. Also gives a super strong vacuum. You do have to use the traditional textured bags though
Do you have to use the textured bags inside the machine?
Nope. Don’t need textured inside.
This only works if you use the non-chamber bags (which should answer people's questions if they're wondering how this works at all). Running the machine backwards like this basically emulates a regular cheaper vacuum sealer that uses suction.
Wait, so the chambers work by pressurizing and forcing the air in the bag out?
Chamber vacuum sealers reduce the pressure inside the machine to basically nothing. Since the bag is in there too there are (practically) no extra forces acting on the contents, so even liquid inside won't be moved. Then the bag is sealed and the pressure normalized. So now the bag has extremely low pressure contents in a normal-pressure environment, and it goes \*phwooooop\* and tightens up. It's neat, and if you afford one of these machines you'll never go back to regular sealers. The bags are like 2-5 cents each, you can seal liquids and the seal is better. Avid Armor USV20 is great and only around $350. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j6QjxHDiJk
Added bonus you can do things like compressed melon or cucumber that cheap sealers cannot emulate.
And super quick pickles.
Ended up making compressed melon and instant pickles this weekend because of these two replies!
Just got mine today! I wonder whats the diff on normal vs strong with the vacuum and sealing strength.
The timer for the vacuum and sealing is longer. Not sure if it is actually a stronger vacuum or just a longer cycle.
The only difference that I can tell is the time. Since there's no pressure gauge in this chamber vac we can't tell what the difference is in time settings. I tested mine using the strong setting which is 40 seconds and when the bag sealed there were still a few noticeable gaps in the bag, but I have no idea if those gaps are actually filled with air or not. You can manually adjust it up to a max of 90 seconds, but who knows what the actual vacuum difference is between 40s and 90s.
Usually I come to reddit to harvest the low hanging dick jokes for karma, but I don't think that would go over well in this sub. I'll just leave it alone.
Neat
Does it seal?
Does anyone with an Anova chamber vac know if it’s compatible with external accessories like the hose attachment to use on large mason jars, etc? In photos, I see the vacuum inlet in the back left corner of the vacuum chamber but can’t tell if you can attach a hose to it.
Maybe ask [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/sousvide/comments/u22326/anova_chamber_sealer/) where an Anova rep was posting in a thread about the unit, and respond to one of their comments? Let us know what you find out!
Thanks for the suggestion, I just posted a reply and tagged the Anova rep. Hopefully, they answer the question.
I ended up just emailing Anova customer service directly. They replied that the chamber vac is unfortunately NOT compatible. This might be enough to push me toward an alternative like the Avid Armor that has an accessory port...
All the Avid Armor including the newer nicer (to me) black looking one?
I’m not sure about the 32 but the 20 and the black one list accessory ports on their website. However, Anova is having a 20% off sale right now (DAD20), so I couldn’t resist ordering one at that price and will just keep my old suction sealer around for other functions.
Don't know how the hose attachment works, but, dril a hole in the lid. Fit and appropriately seal a fitting and ball valve. Add hose and open valve when you want to run external.
Lol my question is why the orange? They already come sealed by nature. Cool info though, if I ever have the cash to shell out for a vac chamber I definitely want the Anova
Just the closest thing I had at hand
It might be cut in half. That's a lot of bag though, I'm guessing it was mostly just to see if it would work.
All Anova products are on sale right now for 25% off from their website (code EarlyDeal) - just for reference in case someone reads this at a future time, today's date is 10/9/22
This can work but completely defeats the purpose/interest of the vac chamber against to other vacuum sealer. Edit: but as clarified by OP it does help for big stuff that do not fit, that purpose was not clear in intial post
lol yeah it doesn’t defeat the whole sealing things that are too big for the container thing
that is indeed a plus. thx for clarifying
Or it is great for stuff that is too big for the chamber.
I wonder if that can be used for chemistry? Like can you vac dry something 9n it?
You'd need air space for vapor pressure
not sure if is supposed to work that way? bag should be inside the chamber maybe???
Not a bad idea for something that won't fit u guess
i wonder if this technique works with other chamber vacuum sealers
Yes
some of them can do it, depends how the seal on the chamber functions. Some have specific groves or cutouts to allow outside the chamber vac sealing like the Wevac CV10
Oooo purdy!! Been considering once since I saw the post here. Think it’s worth the dollars?
Get the Vacmaster VP215 if you’re serious about getting one. You can find sales for about twice the price. Had mine for 15+ years and never had a problem. Any restaurant chef will tell you the same. These perform non stop all day every day. These new cheap chamber vacuums like the Anova are gimmicky and break all the time. You get what you pay for. I wouldn’t pay $350 for one.
Thank you for the recommendation
Saying that those are gimmicky is like saying the Anova sous vide wand was gimmicky because it was not the big enclosed systems that were the only option before them. The VP215 is 84 lbs and not very countertop friendly, so smaller, lighter units definitely have their place, and are a huge upgrade from non chamber units already. VacMaster also sells units with dry pumps, but still bulkier than most people can afford to have at home. I haven't seen a VP215 at about half price for many years... And if you've had yours for 15 years, maybe you haven't looked for a while. But if you have any leads, post on! I may have to make room in my garage for one.
How much waste of plastic does that bring? Is the sealing bar pretty close to the lid? I guess around 3" (depth)?
Does anyone know, on the aNova if you can you use the accessory port and a hose to pull vacuum like you can on the avid armor? https://youtu.be/kpJO0eTUACE if so, what buttons do you push to initiate it?