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Green beans vacuum sealed in a smooth, clear G-Vac bag

Guides · Bags

Which Bags Can You Vacuum Seal? Embossed, Smooth, Zip and Foil

Why an ordinary freezer bag doesn't work in a vacuum sealer, which bags do, and which ones need a chamber sealer.

GuidesBy LAVA AustraliaPublished Updated 4 min read

The short answer

  • Sealers like the LAVA V-models need bags with an embossed side; the channels let the air out.
  • Smooth bags are made for chamber sealers; in a LAVA they work only with a trick: folded lengthwise before going into the sealer.
  • Zip-lock freezer bags don't work: no channels, and too thin to keep oxygen out.
  • LAVA bags also work in other brands' sealers, and in chamber sealers.

Why the bag matters

A sealer like the LAVA V-models (an external or suction sealer) only reaches the open end of the bag. It draws the air out through that end, so the air from the far corners has to travel along the bag. Embossed film keeps fine channels open on one side for exactly that. A smooth bag collapses onto the food and closes the path, leaving air pockets.

A chamber sealer works differently: it takes the air out of the whole chamber, inside and outside the bag, then seals. That's why smooth bags work there.

Which bag in which sealer

BagLAVA V-models (external)Chamber sealer
Embossed: R-Vac, RS-Vac, E-Vac, ES-Vac, B-Vac, Z-VacYesYes
Metallised, gusseted: K-VacYesYes
Smooth: G-VacFolded lengthwise first, takes practiceYes
Dry aging: A-VacYes, with Vac-Aid strips and a short sealing time–
Zip-lock freezer bagsNoNo

From the LAVA bag specifications.

Special cases

Zipper bags that do work

Z-Vac bags have the embossed side of a vacuum bag and a double zipper: seal them under vacuum, then open and close them again without cutting.

Helps: Z-Vac zipper bags

Foil bags for coffee

K-Vac bags are metallised, so they keep out light and hold the aroma, and gusseted, so they stand up like a coffee bag.

Helps: K-Vac bags

Thin film: shorter sealing time

Very thin film, such as dry-aging membrane or a chip packet you only want to close again, needs a short sealing time, or it melts through. LAVA sealers let you adjust the sealing time, and in manual mode you start the seal yourself.

Dry pasta vacuum sealed in a Z-Vac zipper bag
Z-Vac: vacuum sealed, then opened and closed by zipper. Photo: LAVA.
Coffee vacuum sealed in silver K-Vac metallised bags
K-Vac: metallised film keeps light out and the aroma in. Photo: LAVA.

LAVA AustraliaOfficial LAVA distributor and vacuum-packaging specialists since 2018.

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Bags for every sealer

Common questions

Can I use Ziploc bags in a vacuum sealer?

No. They have no channels for the air, and the thin film lets oxygen through over time. Embossed zipper bags such as Z-Vac do work.

Do smooth bags work in my LAVA?

They're made for chamber sealers. In a LAVA they work if you fold the bag lengthwise before putting it into the sealer: the fold makes a temporary channel for the air. It takes practice; embossed bags are easier.

Will other brands' bags work in a LAVA?

Embossed vacuum bags generally do. Check that the bag is no wider than your seal bar.

Can I reseal a chip packet?

Yes, with a short sealing time so the thin film doesn't melt through; in manual mode you start the seal yourself.

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