The Russell Hobbs Seal Fresh Vacuum Sealer (Model RHVS1) is a household appliance designed to preserve food and other items by removing air from specially designed bags or canisters, thereby extending their shelf life and protecting them from spoilage.
Function Description:
The primary function of the Russell Hobbs Seal Fresh Vacuum Sealer is to create a vacuum seal around food items, which slows down mold and bacteria growth, prevents freezer burn, and enhances flavor, especially for marinated foods. It achieves this by removing up to 90% of the air from the package, reducing the oxygen level to 2-3%, which inhibits the growth of most microorganisms. The device also creates a moisture barrier, keeping moisture in or out as needed.
The appliance offers several operational modes to cater to different types of items:
- Vacuum+Seal / Cancel Button: Initiates automatic vacuuming and sealing. It can also be used to stop the operation or to manually control the amount of suction for delicate items, preventing crushing. After achieving the desired pressure, the Seal button can be pressed to complete the seal.
- Food Button (Dry or Moist): Allows selection of the optimal bag sealing time based on the moisture content of the item. "Dry" setting is for items without moisture, requiring a shorter heat sealing time, while "Moist" setting is for items with moisture, requiring an extended heat sealing time. The default setting is Dry.
- Pump Button (Vacuum Pressure): Enables selection of vacuum pressure. "Normal" is for regular items, and "Turbo" is for items requiring higher vacuum pressure. The default setting is Normal.
- Seal Button: Offers two functions:
- Manually seals the open end of a bag without creating a vacuum, useful for making bags from a roll or packaging items that don't require vacuuming.
- During an automatic "Vacuum+Seal" operation, it stops the vacuum pump and immediately starts sealing the bag, allowing the operator to control vacuum pressure for delicate items.
- Canister Switch: Used in conjunction with vacuum canisters (sold separately, accessory RHVS1CAN) to start vacuum sealing a canister via a hose.
Important Technical Specifications:
While specific power ratings (voltage, wattage) are not provided in the manual, it states that the appliance must be connected to the electrical voltage requirements specified on its ratings label. It is designed for domestic use, with a limited 90-day warranty for industrial or commercial use. The sealing element is Teflon-coated and heats up to seal bags. The appliance provides very high vacuum pressure during sealing.
Usage Features:
The vacuum sealer is versatile and can be used for a wide range of food and non-food items:
- Food Preservation: Ideal for sealing leftovers, nuts, seeds, coffee beans, bulk meat portions, fish, poultry, seafood, vegetables, fruits, eggs, flour, rice, cake mixes, and pancakes. It extends the shelf life of refrigerated and frozen foods significantly.
- Cooking: Can be used for marinating meats quickly (30 minutes in a vacuum-sealed bag), poaching (sous vide), and steam cooking in the microwave.
- Non-Food Uses: Protects camping supplies (matches, first aid kits, clothing), keeps flares ready for auto emergencies, and prevents tarnishing of silver and collectibles (jewelry, photos, documents, stamp collections, comics, medicines, band-aids). For some non-food items, only the "Seal" function should be used.
- Bag Creation: Users can create custom-sized bags from bag rolls (accessory RHVS6R) by cutting the desired length and sealing one end.
- Canister Sealing: Compatible with specific Russell Hobbs vacuum canisters (accessory RHVS1CAN) for delicate items like soft fruits, vegetables, biscuits, crackers, or liquids such as sauces, stocks, and soups.
Operating Procedures:
- Making a bag from a roll: Cut the desired length from the bag roll (item length + 8cm for sealing). Lay one end flat on the sealing strip (not in the vacuum chamber). Lower and lock the lid. Press the "Seal" button. Once the Seal LED indicator goes out, the seal is complete.
- Vacuum Sealing a bag: Place items in the bag, leaving 8-10cm of empty space. Ensure the bag's open end is clean, straight, and free of wrinkles or residue. Position the open end within the vacuum chamber, ensuring it doesn't cover the air intake. Lower and lock the lid. Confirm "Food" and "Pump" settings. Press "Vacuum+Seal" for automatic operation, or "Vacuum+Seal" then "Seal" for manual pressure control.
- Vacuum Sealing in a Canister: Place items in the canister, leaving 2.5cm space from the rim. Ensure the canister rim and gasket are clean. Place the lid on the canister. Connect the larger end of the hose to the air intake on the sealer and the smaller end to the hose port on the canister lid, with the Seal/Open dial turned to "Seal." Press the canister switch to start vacuuming, pressing down on the dial initially to ensure a good seal. The vacuuming stops automatically. To open, turn the Seal/Open dial clockwise to "Open."
Important Usage Notes:
- Allow the appliance to cool for 1 minute between seals to ensure best results and prevent overheating.
- Wipe out any excess liquid or food residue from the vacuum chamber after each use.
- Avoid continuous sealing of many packages in quick succession to prevent overheating of the sealing element.
- The sealing element will not activate if the seal button is pressed within 15 seconds of the last activation.
- Do not touch the hot sealing element.
- Use only specially designed Russell Hobbs vacuum bags/rolls with vacuum channels.
- To open a sealed bag, cut straight across below the seal.
- Pre-freeze moist/juicy foods or place a folded paper towel inside the bag to prevent liquids/crumbs from being pulled into the vacuum chamber.
- Pre-freeze fruits and blanch vegetables for best vacuum packaging results.
- Cool liquids before vacuum sealing in canisters to prevent bubbling over.
- Pad sharp items (bones, dried pasta) with paper towels to prevent bag punctures.
- After use, leave the lid down but not locked to keep foam gaskets in good condition.
Maintenance Features:
- Vacuum Sealer Cleaning: Always unplug before cleaning. Do not immerse in water. Use a mild dishwashing soap and a warm, damp cloth to wipe away food residue. Allow to dry thoroughly. Ensure foam gaskets around the vacuum chamber are thoroughly dried and correctly re-assembled for effective vacuum packaging.
- Vacuum Bags Cleaning: Do not reuse bags after storing raw meats, raw fish, or greasy foods, or if microwaved or boiled. Wash reusable bags in warm water with mild dishwashing soap or turn inside out and spread flat on the top rack of a dishwasher. Dry thoroughly before reusing.
- Accessories Cleaning: Canister bases are top-rack dishwasher safe or can be washed in warm water with mild soap. Canister lids can be wiped with a damp cloth (do not immerse). Wash the canister hose in warm water with mild soap. Ensure all accessories are dried thoroughly before reusing. Canisters are freezer safe.
- Storage: Store the unit in a dry, safe place, out of reach of children. Place the power cord in the storage section underneath the appliance when not in use. Do not wrap the cord around the appliance. Leave the lid down but not locked after use to maintain gasket condition.
Troubleshooting:
- No operation: Check power cord connection, damage, outlet functionality, correct mode settings, and bag placement (not covering air intake).
- Incomplete air removal: Ensure bag end is entirely within the vacuum chamber, check sealing strip and foam gaskets for debris/distortion, test bag for leaks (submerge sealed bag with air in water), use correct Russell Hobbs bags, and check for wrinkles/debris/grease along the sealing area.
- Machine doesn't seal after vacuuming: Check if vacuum pressure reached the predetermined level (sensor issue), inspect sealing strip and foam gaskets for debris/distortion, test bag for leaks, and check for wrinkles/debris/grease along the sealing area.
- Air re-enters bag: Check for leaks along the seal, natural gas release/fermentation from food (discard if spoiled), bag punctures (pad sharp items).
- Bag melts: Sealing strip or element may be overheated; lift lid and allow to cool for a few minutes.
- Canister not vacuuming: Ensure hose adaptor is firmly connected, knob is set to "Seal," check for damage/cracks in canister/lid, verify vacuum sealer function, and ensure canister rim is clean.
Safety Precautions:
- Read all instructions before use.
- Do not immerse cord, plug, or appliance in water or any other liquid.
- Do not use in the bathroom, near water, or outdoors.
- Not for use by children or persons with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities without supervision.
- Not a toy; supervise children.
- Use only recommended accessories, bags, or attachments.
- Avoid skin contact with the hot sealing element.
- Always turn off and unplug when not in use and before cleaning.
- Always unlock the lid when not in use.
- To disconnect, turn controls off, unplug from wall outlet by grasping the plug (never pull by cord).
- Do not operate with a damaged cord/plug or if the appliance malfunctions or is damaged. Contact customer service for repair.
- No user-serviceable parts.
- Do not oil or lubricate.
- Do not use on an inclined or unstable surface.
- Keep appliance and cord away from bench edges and countertops.
- Do not place near heat sources.
- Use for intended purpose only.
- Not intended for operation by external timer or remote control.
- For added safety, connect to a power outlet protected by a residual current device (RCD).
This appliance is for household use only.
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