Vacmaster VP215 User manual

v.2015-04.09
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User’s Manual
VP215
Models:
VP215 (110V)
VP215EU (220-240V)

www.MyVacMaster.com • 800-821-7849
Thank you for purchasing the VacMaster®VP215 Chamber Vacuum
Sealer. You are about to use one of the most powerful vacuum sealers
available. With the help of the VP215, you will now be able to keep
food fresh for longer in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry. The VP215
effectively removes air and extends freshness up to five times longer
than traditional methods. Our versatile and convenient machine can also
be used to preserve and organize other items, like keepsakes or small,
easy-to-lose items. Your VP215 will quickly become invaluable to all
your packaging needs; it will never leave your countertop.
The VP215 is a chamber vacuum system, which offers two distinct
advantages over non-chamber, external suction units. First, a much
higher level of vacuum can be achieved, which means a longer shelf life
for foods that you package. Secondly, liquids and liquid-rich foods can
be effectively vacuum packaged. Foods like fresh meats, fish, soups,
stews and marinated vegetables are packaged quickly with ease and no
mess. The VacMaster®VP215 is perfect for sous vide cooking.
For your safety and protection, carefully read and follow this guide. For
more information, please visit us at www.MyVacMaster.com.
Safeguards................................................................................................ 2
Tips ........................................................................................................... 3
Features ................................................................................................. 4-5
How To................................................................................................. 6-10
Troubleshooting....................................................................................... 11
Cleaning and Care................................................................................... 12
Vacuum Packaging Guidelines................................................................. 13
Parts .................................................................................................. 14-17
Warranty and Registration ....................................................................... 18
Table of Contents

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SAFEGUARDS
Important Safeguards
For your safety, always follow these basic precautions when using a
VacMaster®VP215 Chamber Vacuum Sealer:
1. Read all instructions in this User’s Manual before use.
2. Do not use the VP215 near a heat source or on a wet or hot
surface.
3. To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse any part
of the vacuum sealer plug or power cord in water or any other
liquid.
4. Unplug the machine before cleaning or when not in use.
5. To disconnect, unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
Do not disconnect by pulling on the cord.
6. Do not operate the VP215 if it has a damaged cord or plug.
7. Do not operate the VP215 if it malfunctions or is damaged.
Contact Customer Service at 800-821-7849.
8. Use the VP215 only for its intended use.
9. Closely supervise children when using any electrical appliance.
Do not allow the VP215 to be used as a toy.
10. The VP215 (120V appliances only) has a grounded plug. Use
only a grounded electrical outlet. To reduce risk of electrical
shock, do not modify the plug in any way.
11. Do not use an extension cord.
12. The power cord should not drape over a counter or tabletop, as
the cord could be tripped over or pulled on unintentionally.
13. Do not place or operate near an electric/gas burner or a heated
oven.
14. Extreme caution and care must be used when sealing or
handling any pouches containing hot liquids.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
2

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TIPS
Important Tips
• Vacuum packaging is not a substitute for canning. All
perishables still need to be refrigerated or frozen.
• Follow all food safety regulations as outlined by the FDA at
www.FDA.gov.
• Use only VacMaster®Vacuum Chamber Pouches and
accessories.
• Some fruits and vegetables may release gases, known as
outgassing. When packaging these fruits and vegetables,
outgassing can cause the vacuum to be gradually lost over time.
Blanching or freezing before vacuum packaging helps prevent
this from occuring.
• Delicate foods can be frozen prior to packaging to protect them
from getting crushed by the vacuum.
• Use VacMaster®Bone Guards to cover an item’s sharp edges to
prevent pouch punctures.
• Allow foods and liquids to cool before vacuum packaging.
• Avoid overfilling the pouch. Leave a minimum of 3” of space
between the contents and the open end of the pouch. This is
called head space. This will prevent spills during the vacuum
sealing process.
• To prevent wrinkles from forming in the seal, gently stretch the
pouch flat along the seal bar before closing the lid.
• VacMaster®pouches are boilable, freezable, and microwavable.
When microwaving, it is important to pierce or make a small cut
in the pouch.
3

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FEATURES
Features of the VP215
4
1. Seal Pad
2. Lid Gasket
3. Power Switch
4. Vacuum Chamber
5. Filler Plates - Used to occupy space in the chamber. The plates
allow for faster vacuum. When more space is occupied, there is less
air to be removed from the chamber.
6. Seal Bar
7. Lid Lock - This feature is used to keep the lid closed while the
machine is in storage. DO NOT USE while the machine is operating.
8. Control Panel
1
2
4
8
7
5
6
3

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5
Control Panel of the VP215
FEATURES
1. Vacuum Gauge- Indicates the vacuum level inside the chamber.
Function Lights:
Vacuum - Illuminates to adjust vacuum time as well as during the
vacuum process. During set up, adjust the vacuum time using
the UP/DOWN Buttons.
Gas - This model does not offer the gas flush option.
Sealing - Illuminates to adjust vacuum time as well as during the
sealing process. During set up, adjust the sealing time using the
UP/DOWN Buttons.
Cooling - Illuminates to adjust vacuum time as well as during the
cooling process. During set up, adjust the cooling using the UP/
DOWN buttons.
2. Working Indicator Light - Illuminates to indicate the machine is
in use.
3. LED Screen (Time) - Displays current function or cycle time,
measured in seconds.
4. STOP Button - Press to stop the cycle and immediately seal the
pouch. This button will only work when the machine is in the
vacuum process.
5. SET Button - Press to select the vacuum time, sealing time, or
cooling time. Use with the UP/DOWN buttons.
6. UP/DOWN Buttons - Press to increase or decrease vacuum time,
sealing time, or cooling time.
6
1
4
7
5
23

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HOW TO
Set Up - Adding Oil to the VP215
Please read all instructions before operating the VP215.
IMPORTANT: Oil must be added to machine prior to use. Make
sure the VP215 is turned OFF and unplugged before adding oil.
Required Supplies:
½ quart of VACMASTER®machine oil
Empty oil bottle with spout
Phillips head screwdriver
Adjustable wrench (not included)
1. Prepare the oil - The VP215 includes a maintenance kit that
contains a ½ quart of oil and an empty oil bottle with spout. Fill
the empty oil bottle with oil.
2. Remove the back panel - Using the enclosed Phillips head
screwdriver, remove the four screws from the back panel and
take the panel off the machine.
3. Remove the oil fill bolt - Locate the oil fill bolt on the vacuum
pump and remove it using an adjustable wrench or similar tool.
4. Fill the pump with oil - Insert the spout into the open hole (oil
fill bolt opening) and begin pouring the oil into the pump. Fill
the pump until the oil level is at ½ to ¾ in the site glass. This is
approximately 3 - 3½ ounces of oil.
5. Replace the oil fill bolt and back panel - Once the pump is
filled with oil, screw the oil fill bolt back in place and put the back
panel on the machine.
The VP215 Chamber Vacuum Sealer is now ready for use.
Back of
Housing
Cabinet
Oil Fill Bolt
Oil Site
Glass

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7
HOW TO
Set Up - Starting the VP215
1. Attach the power cord and plug the machine into a
grounded electrical outlet - Properly insert the electrical cord
into the power outlet on the back of the machine and then plug
the cord into the wall outlet.
2. Open the machine lid - Release the lid lock, located on the
right side of the machine, and allow the lid to lift and remain
open.
3. Turn the power switch on - Turn
the red switch on the left side of the
machine toward the front, switching
from the “0” to the “1” position. The
LED Screen on the control panel will
illuminate showing a symbol.
Set Up - Adjusting the VP215 Timing Controls
Note: All timing adjustments must be made with the lid lock off and the lid open.
To adjust/set the timing controls, press the SET button on the
control panel until the required label (Vacuum, Sealing or Cooling) is
illuminated. For each selection, the current time setting will show on
the LED Screen. All time settings are displayed in seconds.
For initial testing, the time settings should be:
Vacuum Time - 40 seconds
Sealing Time - 1.2 seconds
Cooling Time - 2 seconds
To change the settings, please read the instructions for each control
on Page 8.
IMPORTANT: Do not turn the machine on until the lid lock has
been released. The lid lock feature is used ONLY to keep the lid
closed while the machine is in storage.

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HOW TO
Set Up - Adjusting the VP215 Timing Controls
Vacuum Time: To increase or decrease the vacuum time, press the
SET button until VACUUM is illuminated and then use the UP/DOWN
buttons to adjust the vacuum time accordingly. The time setting will
display on the LED Screen on the control panel.
Note: Filler plates can be used to reduce the vacuum time required. Place the
filler plates inside the chamber as desired. Filler plates occupy space, leaving
less air to be removed from the chamber. If you require more space inside the
chamber, remove the filler plates to accommodate your product.
Sealing Time: To increase or decrease the sealing time, press the
SET button until SEALING is illuminated and then use the UP/DOWN
buttons to adjust the sealing time to accommodate your application.
It is recommended that you make adjustments in 0.1 second
increments to avoid melting the pouch.
Note: For thicker pouches, you should increase the seal time in 0.1 second
increments until the pouch seals completely. In addition, for thinner pouches, you
should decrease the seal time in 0.1 second increments to avoid over-sealing the
pouch.
Cooling Time: To increase or decrease the cooling time, press
the SET button until COOLING is illuminated and then use the UP/
DOWN buttons to adjust the cooling time accordingly.
Note: The VP215 settings will always default to the most recently used settings on
the machine.
To prolong the life of your seal bar, set the cooling time to twice
the sealing time.
TIP:

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HOW TO
Use the VP215 Chamber Vacuum Sealer
Note: After setting the timing controls, press the SET button until the function lights
on the control panel are no longer illuminated. The machine will not start until all
function lights are off.
1. Select a vacuum chamber pouch
Select the proper size of vacuum chamber pouch for the prod-
uct that you are packaging. Make sure that the mouth of the
pouch does not exceed the length of the seal bar and make sure
the entire pouch fits inside the chamber. Allow 1” to 2” of extra
headspace at the top of the pouch to ensure a quality, air-tight
seal. The VP215 accepts vacuum chamber pouches up to
10”W x 13”L in size.
2. Fill the pouch and place inside the chamber
Fill the pouch with the product to be vacuum packaged and
place the pouch inside the chamber. Keep pouches that contain
liquids or wet product below the height of the seal bar. Lay the
pouch flat inside the chamber, with the opening of the pouch
across the seal bar. Make sure that the pouch lies flat across
the seal bar and is free of wrinkles.
Note: The entire pouch, including the opening, must remain inside the
chamber.
3. Close the machine lid to vacuum and seal
Close the lid and press down firmly for 2-3 seconds or until the
vacuum gauge begins to move.
9
Vacuum Cycle
Runs for a set time - counting down to zero
Sealing Cycle
Runs for a set time - counting down to zero
Cooling Cycle
Runs for a set time - counting down to zero
Lid Release
Indicates the end of the process.