VacMaster VP230 Chamber Vacuum Packaging Machine with 12" Seal Bar

VacMaster VP230 Chamber Vacuum Packaging Machine with 12" Seal Bar

By VacMaster · Vacuum Sealers · Kitchen & Cooking

  • Chamber-type vacuum packaging, seals liquid-rich foods
  • 12-1/4 in. seal bar with double seal wire
  • Countertop stainless steel housing
  • 110V operation
  • Works with chamber vacuum pouches

Lowest price seen
$1,049.99
from $1,049.99 at KaTom Restaurant Supply · Checked Oct 9, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A commercial-grade tabletop chamber vacuum sealer, 89 lb, with a 12 1/4 in seal bar and a 1/2 hp oil pump, meant for small kitchens, delis and hunters who seal liquids and marinades. Check the oil before first use: the pump needs 9 oz but the box includes only a 3 oz bottle.

Strengths

  • Seals liquids, marinades, soups and stews that external sealers cannot handle.
  • A 1/2 hp oil pump pulls a strong, consistent vacuum for a tabletop machine.
  • Stainless steel body and a heavy-duty lid hold up over years of use.
  • Digital panel with a pressure indicator makes cycles easy to repeat.
  • Works for home and small commercial use; owners report reliable sealing over time.

Weaknesses

  • The included 3 oz oil bottle is too small for the 9 oz first fill, so you buy oil before the first cycle.
  • A settings change only takes effect after you run a full cycle.
  • At 89 lb the machine is heavy and awkward to move once it is set down.
  • Aggressive settings can crush soft items such as dinner rolls.
  • The warranty excludes wear parts (Teflon tape, lid gaskets, seal wire) and is void on unauthorized repairs.
  • Replacement parts are listed as “coming soon” on the manufacturer page, so they may be scarce.

Verified specifications

ModelVP230, manufacturer number VP230C.
Typechamber vacuum sealer, not an external one.
Seal bar12 1/4 in with double seal wire.
Pump1/2 hp rotary oil pump; 9 oz of oil required.
Power110 V, 60 Hz, 4 A.
Overall dimensions15.5 × 19 × 15.75 in (spec sheet); a retailer lists 14 1/2 × 18 3/4 × 15 in.
Chamber dimensions12.5 × 15 × 5 in (spec sheet); a retailer lists 11 1/4 × 15 1/4 × 5 in.
Weight89 lb (94.6 lb shipping).
Cycle time20 to 99 seconds adjustable; maximum vacuum ON time 70 seconds with at least 10 seconds off between cycles.
Operating temperature65 to 75°F; let the machine cool after 45 minutes of continuous use.
Maximum pouch size12 × 15 in.
Constructionstainless steel housing, heavy-duty transparent domed lid, digital control panel with pressure indicator.
In the box60 assorted 3-mil chamber pouches, a filler plate, a maintenance kit, a pump oil bottle and the manual.
Warrantyone-year limited from ARY, Inc.
Full research notes and sources

Performance and limits

The chamber design removes air from the whole chamber, which is why it seals liquids and liquid-rich foods that an external sealer would pull into the pump. The pump needs at least 10 seconds off between cycles, has a 70-second maximum vacuum ON time, and should be allowed to cool after 45 minutes of continuous use. No independent lab has tested this exact model, so the evidence comes from the manufacturer’s paperwork and owner reports. The unit is rated for US power only, at 110 V.

Oil, parts and running costs

The pump uses oil, and oil is a recurring cost. The machine needs 9 oz for its first fill but ships with a 3 oz bottle, so you buy more before the first cycle, and owners report spilling oil during that first fill, sometimes enough to reorder. The level is checked through the oil site glass. Chamber pouches (3-mil or 4-mil) and electricity are the other ongoing costs. The one-year warranty from ARY, Inc. does not cover wear items such as Teflon tape, lid gaskets and seal wire, and it is void if anyone other than ARY repairs the machine without prior authorization. WebstaurantStore sells an optional Safeware protection plan starting at $47.87.

What owners report

Owners describe strong vacuum performance, consistent sealing and durability over years of use, and the machine handles liquids, marinades, soups, stews and sous vide preparation well. The recurring complaints are the oil fill, settings that need a full cycle to register, and the weight. One owner received a unit that smelled of smoked meat with grease and oil under the lid; the retailer denied selling refurbished units. Another reported a machine that powered on but would not vacuum or seal, and after the manufacturer sent a switch and a motherboard the seal bar overheated.

Is it worth it?

At $1,499.00 at WebstaurantStore the VP230 is priced as commercial kitchen equipment rather than a home gadget. Gorka Food Equipment lists the same machine at $1,400.00. A comparable chamber sealer with a 12 in seal bar and an oil pump, the VacPak-It VMC12OP, is listed by the same store at $789.00. For a deli, restaurant or hunter processing a lot of wet food, the wide seal bar and oil pump earn their keep; for occasional home use a cheaper chamber sealer covers the same job. Check the price and shipping at the store before you order, and count the oil and filler plates in the box on arrival.

Which model this is

The exact machine is the VacMaster VP230 chamber tabletop vacuum packaging machine with the 12 1/4 in seal bar, manufacturer number VP230C, distributed by ARY, Inc. It is not the VP210, VP215, VP220 or VP320, which have different seal bars and chamber sizes. Chamber sealers use pouches rather than rolls, and the largest pouch the VP230 takes is 12 × 15 in.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

  • No independent lab tests of the VP230 were found.

Stores:

Owner reports:

  • No owner forum threads were located for this model.

Buying guides for this category

Related products