The SilverCrest SV 125 C6 is a vacuum sealer that allows you to tightly seal food in plastic bags. With this device, you can significantly extend the shelf life of food products and preserve their freshness, taste, and nutritional value. The device is available in Lidl stores. I bought it with my own money for 15 EUR. Here is the review and test.
For a long time, I was considering buying a vacuum sealer. I had seen it many times in Lidl but always convinced myself that I didn’t really need it. I changed my mind during another barbecue with friends when I opened marinated meat. The taste was simply outstanding. I also run a culinary blog focusing on curiosities and combining different flavors, so I quickly realized, why not make such marinades myself? What was missing? A device that would help package the prepared meat.
I decided to buy a vacuum sealer. I happened to find a promotion when Lidl released coupons for 10 EUR off such devices. So, I bought the SilverCrest SV 125 C6 along with additional rolls of foil.
First impressions
The set includes the vacuum sealer itself (available in black or white), one pack of wide sealing rolls, and adapters for external vacuum sealing containers and bags with a special vacuum valve. The sealer operates with a power of 125 watts and is primarily designed for use with standard foil rolls with a maximum width of 30 centimeters. The rolls of this width are also included in the set.
How the Vacuum Sealer Works
A vacuum sealer is a device that works by removing air from the packaging and then sealing it tightly, creating a hermetic closure. The process begins by placing the food in a special foil, which is then inserted into the sealer. After starting the device, the air is sucked out, eliminating oxygen and moisture, and then the foil is sealed, creating an airtight barrier. This method of packaging has several benefits. Primarily, it extends the shelf life of stored products since the lack of oxygen inhibits the growth of aerobic bacteria and mold, preventing food spoilage. This way, we can enjoy the freshness of meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and ready-made dishes for longer. Additionally, vacuum sealing protects against the loss of aroma and nutritional values, which is particularly important for delicate products that quickly lose their flavor qualities. Storing food in a vacuum also saves space in the fridge or freezer, as tightly sealed packages are compact and easy to store. Furthermore, vacuum freezing prevents frost and so-called freezer burn, ensuring better quality of stored products.
Applications
A vacuum sealer is also an excellent tool for marinating meat. The hermetic seal of the foil makes the marinating process more effective. Removing air from the package allows the marinade to penetrate the meat better, significantly reducing the time needed for flavoring. The intense interaction of spices and herbs makes the meat juicier and more flavorful.
The vacuum sealer is also used in the sous vide cooking technique, which is gaining popularity among culinary enthusiasts. Sous vide involves cooking ingredients for a long time at precisely controlled temperatures, submerged in water. Vacuum-sealed ingredients are placed in a water bath where, thanks to the hermetic closure, they retain all their juices, aromas, and nutritional values. This method allows for achieving ideal texture and taste of dishes, which are evenly cooked throughout.
SilverCrest SV 125 C6 in practice
The SilverCrest SV 125 C6 offers different operating modes tailored to the specific needs of various food products. The “Wet” function is ideal for particularly moist products such as fresh meat or fish, while the “Soft” function is designed for delicate products that require gentler handling. There are also two separate switches for sealing the foil with or without air removal.
You simply measure the desired length of the foil and cut it. Then, open the sealer cover, insert the foil so that it overlaps the drip tray (not too deep and not too shallow), and close the cover, clamping both sides until you hear a click from both locks. Next, select the sealing function (without air removal) to seal the bag on one side. After activating the button, the control light under it lights up for a few seconds and then starts blinking. This process takes just a few seconds. Once the light goes out, you can release the locks and open the cover. The bag is now ready to be filled with food.
You can put many things in such a bag – fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, bread, fish, meat, or whole dishes. Then repeat all the steps described earlier and select the appropriate mode depending on the ingredients used. For very soft items like strawberries, press the SOFT function. For liquids, meat, or fish, use the WET function. Then press the button for vacuum sealing, and after a moment, you’ll hear the device working to remove excess air, then proceed to sealing. This also takes just a few seconds and it’s done.
Easy to use
What I liked is the simplicity of use. It’s not complicated, and any household member can handle it without problems or needing to study the manual. An interesting feature is the removable drip tray – if the bag contains a lot of liquid, some of it might escape during vacuum sealing. It goes straight into the drip tray, which can be easily removed and cleaned. This is a very convenient solution.
What I didn’t like is the lack of control over the air removal process. The device limits us to selecting (or not selecting) the vacuum packing strength (soft or wet button), but if it detects that liquid starts to escape, it stops air removal and begins sealing. This means that to tightly vacuum pack something, you need to use a small amount of liquid or ensure that the edges of the sealing foil are clean. I wish there was an option to set the duration of this process, for example, by holding down a button. During the tests with marinated meat, I found that the SilverCrest SV 125 C6 removed only part of the air and moved to the next step. After cutting the bag, cleaning the foil, and repeating the process, it was much better.
