Vacuum Sealing for Camping, Fishing and Outdoor Adventures
When it comes to camping and taking a vacuum sealer with you, there are 2 main things you need to consider. Can I carry the vacuum sealer that I require and can I run the vacuum sealer I require. so lets start with the 4 options you have when it comes to taking a vacuum sealer away with you and if what you do if this option is not viable.
Handheld Manual or Battery Operated Pump Vacuuming
This system has become more and more popular as they are very compact, very light and very affordable. Also easy to run with the handheld pump just requiring hand motion. Initially they do a very good job but unfortunately the zip locks at the top do not make a perfect seal so they eventually let go which may take a few days or it may let go in an hour or so. They promote the bags as being able to be used 100's of times but no also un true as they get damaged either on the sides, the zip lock from opening and closing or the valve becomes contaminated and leaks.
The portability factor is undeniably attractive for outdoor enthusiasts. You can slip a handheld pump sealer into your backpack without noticing the weight, making it ideal for minimalist campers or those with limited storage space in a caravan or boat. The initial investment is also budget-friendly, which appeals to those testing the waters before committing to a larger system.
However, the limitations become apparent quickly. The valve-equipped bags are expensive to replace, and you're often locked into purchasing from the original manufacturer to ensure compatibility. Over time, repeated use degrades the bags, the valve mechanism, and the zip-lock seal. If you're planning a week-long fishing trip or extended camping adventure, you may find yourself with compromised seals partway through your journey, leaving your food exposed to air and potential spoilage.
So to sum it up if you have new bags for the unit and don't expect the vacuum sealing to be a long term thing then this is a great option. For short weekend trips or as a backup system, handheld pumps work well. Just budget for frequent bag replacements and accept that long-term food preservation may not be reliable.
An External Bag Vacuum Sealer That Runs Off 12V
This is actually are really viable option and Food vacuum sealers Australia did sell one for a while called the ZeroPak DualVac. It ran of 12v or 240. There are currently a few on the market and they are actually also not bad units. But and yes there is a But. The first thing that you must realise is that a 12v unit is only ever going to be equivalent to a 100w - 120w domestic vacuum sealer and only ever suitable for light to medium use. No matter what they call it or what the tell you a 12v vacuum sealer is a domestic vacuum sealer.
The appeal of a 12V system is obvious for caravan and boat owners—you're tapping into existing power infrastructure without needing additional equipment. Many modern campervans and fishing vessels already have robust 12V electrical systems, so theoretically, you're ready to go.
Secondly the biggest thing that lets the 12v vacuum sealers down is the user. Here are some facts about running a 12v vacuum sealer off your 12v system. The AGM battery must be at least half full or more, a half full battery is 12.5v or above. If it is reading 12v then it is almost empty. So it is best to do your vacuum sealing when the sun is on the solar panels or start the car to run current into the system then the battery will be sitting on 13.2v which is a full battery.
Plug the 12v cord of the vacuum sealer straight into the control panel or as near to the battery as possible. If you use long extension leads to run the 12v to your vacuum sealer or use too smaller gauge wire you will get to much voltage drop and it will not matter how much charge is in your battery the vacuum sealer will not perform.
The last two problems is the main reason food vacuum sealers Australia stopped selling our 12v vacuum sealer. We now recommend that you run an inverter off your 12v system and the plug a 240v vacuum sealer into it. This solves so many problems in one hit which I will explain later in the article.
An External Bag Vacuum Sealer With an Internal Rechargeable Lithium Battery
These self powered battery units are becoming more and more popular these days and I will confess I have not had a lot to do with them, and here is why. Firstly the internal battery is lithium. Lithium batteries are ok as long as they are stabilised but in these units, a bit like the e-scooters, you don't know what quality lithium battery is in them, you are just taking some ones word for it.
Battery-powered sealers sound convenient on paper—no cords, no external power source needed, just grab and go. However, there are several practical concerns that make them less suitable for serious outdoor food preservation. The quality and safety standards of lithium batteries vary widely across manufacturers, and you're relying on the supplier's claims about stability and longevity.
Secondly what happens if you are half way through your job and it needs recharging, yep you leave food sitting around for an hour or 2 while the unit gets recharged. That would annoy the hell out of me. Thirdly, same as a 12v plug in a battery run vacuum sealer is only ever going to be a domestic vacuum sealer that is suitable for light to medium use.
Imagine you're on a fishing trip and you've just caught enough fish to fill several bags. You start sealing them, and halfway through, the battery indicator flashes red. Now your fresh catch is sitting exposed while you wait for the unit to recharge. This scenario defeats the purpose of vacuum sealing, which is to preserve food quickly and effectively. Additionally, battery capacity degrades over time, so a unit that works well in year one may struggle by year three.
Using a 240V External Domestic Vacuum Sealer or Professional Unit
OK, so now were talking and this is what I consider the only viable way to take a vacuum sealer away with you and do the job right. You don't want to come home and re-do everything you did while you were away on a fishing or hunting trip.
This approach combines portability with performance. If you go out and buy say a 600w inverter you can then plug in any vacuum sealer that draws up to about 400w safely. So lets say you have a mid range professional vacuum sealer, The Preservac VacMate which is double the wattage 220w of a domestic or 12v vacuum sealer and not really much bigger than a small domestic vacuum sealer. 0.7kg heavier and 5cm deeper 1cm higher same width.
The beauty of this setup is flexibility and reliability. A 600W inverter is compact, affordable, and draws minimal power from your 12V system when not in use. Professional-grade sealers like the VacMate deliver consistent, strong vacuum pressure that handles everything from delicate fish fillets to bulk game meat. You're not compromising on performance, and you're not gambling with battery life or voltage drops.
So now, as long as your 12v system is running your 600w inverter then you can run a professional vacuum sealer that while go to a good strong vacuum and handle a fair bet of vacuum sealing in one sitting. And if you have the room you could even take a light commercial vacuum sealer like the Preservac VacBro at 360w.
This scenario makes so much more sense to me rather than mucking around trying to get a 12v, domestic vacuum sealer running properly and doing half the job and half the work. For serious outdoor enthusiasts—whether you're camping for a week, on an extended fishing expedition, or running a small mobile catering operation—investing in a proper inverter and professional sealer is the smart choice. You'll preserve your food effectively, avoid frustration, and return home knowing your catch or supplies are in perfect condition.