Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer Review

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VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer: A Home Cook’s Best Friend?

I've been meal prepping for years, but food waste was always my nemesis until I decided to try out the FoodSaver VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealing System. After a month of using this compact little machine, I think I've found a new kitchen essential. It's changed how I shop, cook, and store food - but it's not without its quirks, which I'll get into.

The system promises to keep food fresh up to 5 times longer than traditional storage methods. While I was skeptical at first (aren't we all with kitchen gadgets?), I've been pleasantly surprised by how well it performs for everyday use. Let me break down my experience...

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Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer, 130 Watts, Kit Bags & Viewing Lid, Compact, Silver

OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE: 130 watt, 25. 1 InHG double vacuum pump for optimal performance. Ensures maximum air extraction when sealing larger food items
VARIABLE SETTINGS: Includes 3 settings - dry, moist and double. Plus, you can choose between normal vacuum pressure, or gentle, to keep soft foods safe
EASY-LOCK HANDLE: The easy-lock handle makes one-handed operation smooth and easy
DOUBLE HEAT SEAL: Optional doubleheat seal provides added strength and security when sealing liquid-based or moist foods
BUILT-IN STORAGE & BAG CUTTER: Conveniently stores any brand of vacuum sealer bags in unit, while the bag cutter helps to create custom bag sizes for your needs

Sleek Space-Saver

The VS-12's design is perhaps its most immediately striking feature. Unlike bulkier models I've seen, this vacuum sealer has a vertical orientation that takes up minimal counter space - a huge plus for my modest kitchen. The metallic silver and black finish gives it a modern look that doesn't feel out of place next to higher-end appliances.

I really appreciate the intuitive control panel with simple, clearly marked buttons. No need to keep the manual handy after the first use! The lid has a nice solid feel when closing, though it sometimes needs an extra push to engage properly. There's also a convenient built-in bag cutter and storage for the roll, which makes creating custom-sized bags pretty effortless.

Powerful, Simple Performance

After using the VS-12 for everything from storing bulk meat purchases to preserving leftovers, I've found it delivers consistently good results. The vacuum function is surprisingly powerful for a unit this size, pulling out virtually all air from bags in about 10-15 seconds. It works quickly and doesn't make an unbearable amount of noise - though it's certainly not silent.

The operation is straightforward - just insert the open end of your filled bag, close the lid, and press the appropriate button. I've had particular success with sealing fresh vegetables from my garden and bulk cuts of meat. For instance, I divided a large package of chicken breasts into individual portions, and after three weeks in the freezer, they showed none of the usual freezer burn I'd typically expect.

The moist/dry food settings are actually useful, not just marketing fluff. When sealing juicier items like marinated meats or freshly washed berries, the moist setting prevents liquid from being pulled into the vacuum channel - something that happened with my old sealer and caused no end of frustration.

By The Numbers

Specification	Details
Dimensions	5.9" W x 10.6" D x 6.3" H
Weight	4.1 pounds
Seal Width	12 inches
Included Accessories	11"x10' vacuum seal roll, (3) 1-quart vacuum seal bags, (2) 1-gallon vacuum seal bags, (3) 1-quart vacuum zipper bags, (2) 1-gallon vacuum zipper bags
Settings	Dry Food, Moist Food, Seal Only, Vacuum & Seal, Vacuum Only
Warranty	Limited 5-year warranty

The Good & The Not-So-Good

Pros:

Space-saving vertical design perfect for smaller kitchens
Intuitive controls that don't require constant manual referencing
Built-in bag cutter and roll storage for convenience
Effective moist/dry food settings that actually make a difference
Pulls a strong vacuum relatively quickly
Comes with a good starter set of bags and rolls
Impressive 5-year warranty coverage

Cons:

Occasional difficulty getting the lid to latch properly
Needs about 20 seconds between seals to prevent overheating
Proprietary bags are somewhat expensive for regular use
No built-in bag holder for hands-free operation
Not ideal for very high-volume use (like hunting season prep)

What Real Users Are Saying

The VS-12 has earned its reputation with an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars from thousands of Amazon reviews. Digging through them, I found most users share my positive experience.

One reviewer noted: "After 6 months of regular use, this machine continues to work flawlessly. I've saved hundreds on groceries by buying in bulk and vacuum sealing portions."

Another mentioned: "Compact design is perfect for my small apartment. Easy to use right out of the box and the bags seal perfectly every time."

Not all feedback is glowing, though. Some users report issues with longevity: "Worked great for about a year, then started having trouble creating a full vacuum. Disappointed given the price point."

Who Should Buy This?

For beginners: The VS-12 is practically perfect. Its straightforward operation, included starter pack of bags, and detailed instructions make it ideal for first-time vacuum sealer users. The compact design also means you're not committing too much space to a device you're still learning to incorporate into your routine.

For intermediate users: You'll find this meets most needs admirably. If you're regularly sealing weekly meal preps, seasonal produce, or bulk purchases, the VS-12 handles these tasks efficiently. The moist/dry settings provide the versatility most home cooks require.

For advanced users: You might find it somewhat limiting. If you process game meat, buy quarter cows, or preserve massive garden harvests, you may want something more industrial. The VS-12 needs cooling time between multiple seals, which can slow down high-volume work.

If you're getting into food preservation, these other vacuum sealing options might interest you:

SaleBestseller No. 1

Vacuum Sealer Machine for Food Preservation, 6-in-1 Food Sealer for Freshness Storage, 75kpa Compact Vacuum Sealing Machine with External Sliding Blade, Digital Countdown Timer Black

$110.00

SaleBestseller No. 2

[Updated 2025] Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine + 40 Vacuum Bags, Fast-Compact/Multi-Functional Food Vacuum Sealer with External Vacuum System, Silver

$39.99

SaleBestseller No. 3

95kpa Vacuum Sealer Machine, Commercial Full Automatic Food Sealer, Food Vacuum Sealing Machine with Cutter, 10 Pre-cut Bags & Bag Rolls and Accessory Hose, Fully Starter Kits, Black

$199.99

Ready to Save Food and Money?

The FoodSaver VS-12 has genuinely changed how I approach grocery shopping and cooking. Despite some minor quirks, its performance, compact design, and ease of use make it a smart investment for anyone looking to reduce food waste and save money in the long run.