Okay, confession time: I’m a food blogger, which means I should be a whiz at using up every last scrap of food, right? Wrong! The truth is, I wage a daily war against the forces of food waste. You know how it goes – you buy a gorgeous bunch of spinach, blend half into a green smoothie that tastes suspiciously like lawn clippings (my bad!), and then watch the rest slowly turn into a slimy green monster in the back of your fridge. Ugh. So, when the KOIOS Vacuum Sealer showed up, I was seriously hoping it could be my secret weapon.
First impressions? This thing is surprisingly cute. The “X-Black” color is basically just black, but hey, it’s sleek and doesn’t scream “I’m a bulky appliance!” It fits neatly on my counter, which is a win in my cramped kitchen. Plus, they tossed in some starter bags and an extra gasket – always a good sign when a company isn’t stingy.
Now, about those instructions… Let’s just say I’ve assembled furniture from Sweden with clearer directions. Seriously, it took a minute to figure things out. But, to be fair, the machine itself is pretty straightforward. After a bit of poking and prodding, I got the hang of it.
Time to get to work! What really caught my eye was the “Dry/Moist” mode. I’m a big fan of meal prepping, but sealing cooked chicken is totally different than sealing, say, a bag of pretzels. That one-touch operation? Seriously handy. I gave it a whirl with some leftover roasted sweet potatoes (a little on the damp side) and a handful of almonds. The “Moist” mode definitely took its time, just like the product description warned, but it created a super-tight seal. And those almonds? Still crunchy as can be a week later!
But wait, there’s more! I also played around with the “External Manual VAC” thingamajig. I had some homemade chimichurri sauce that was starting to look a little sad. Using the included tube, I sucked the air out of a small mason jar, hoping to slow down the browning. Fingers crossed, this is going to be my go-to for keeping sauces and dips fresh!
Oh, and that built-in cutter? Pure genius. No more hunting for scissors to make bags the right size. It gives a nice, clean edge, too.
Okay, time for a little honesty. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. While the machine isn’t super loud, it’s not exactly whisper-quiet either. The “≤80 dB” claim seems about right, but you’ll definitely hear it working. And yeah, the included bags are a nice starter set, but I quickly realized I’d need to stock up.
So, the big question: is it worth it? For me, the answer is a definite yes. The KOIOS Vacuum Sealer has already helped me rescue leftovers, keep my pantry organized, and (hopefully) cut down on food waste. If you’re on the hunt for a compact, easy-to-use vacuum sealer that won’t empty your wallet, the KOIOS is a solid choice. Just maybe watch a YouTube tutorial instead of relying on the instructions!
The Good Stuff:
- Takes up hardly any counter space
- So easy, even I can use it
- Handles both dry and moist foods like a champ
- That external vacuum thing is pretty darn cool
- Built-in cutter? Yes, please!
- Comes with a few bags to get you started
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- The instructions are… not great
- It makes a little noise
- You’ll need to buy more bags eventually
My Final Take: 4.5 out of 5 stars