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For those who enjoy the convenience of a countertop model but want something more heavy-duty in construction and performance, the Avid Armor A100 vacuum sealer offers both.
Housed in tough stainless steel, the A100 also features a high-volume suction rate and a powerful motor that can be used for extended, continuous packaging sessions.
Avid Armor A100 Vacuum Sealer Machine available on Amazon
It has plenty of other features that you’ll like as well, so here’s an in-depth look at the following topics:
Operational Settings
The control panel is centrally located on the top of the unit and features large, soft-touch digital buttons plus a bright LED screen that displays the progress of the current program selection.
To process bags, switch the ‘On/Off’ button to ‘On’, open the lid and set the open end of a filled bag across the heat bar. Close the lid and press ‘Start’, holding the lid down until the vacuum begins.
Once finished, the machine will give an audible tone to indicate completion.
The green ‘Start’ button is used to automatically exhaust air and close bags once the correct amount of vacuum pressure has been reached.
A red ‘Seal’ button is used to promptly stop the vacuum process and immediately close bags. This can also be used to create custom sized bags or to close ones that don’t require any air expulsion.
‘Seal Time’ can be adjusted using the plus and minus buttons to create the perfect closure. If the seal appears to be white or milky in color, reduce the amount of time until a clear closure is achieved. For convenience, the most recent time selection will be stored in memory.
‘Marinate’ mode will quickly infuse foods with flavor and juices with a combination of suction and rest cycles and is used in conjunction with the air hose (included) and canisters (not included).
The ‘Accessory’ button can be used with the air hose to exhaust air and close canisters, wine stoppers, and zipper bags – provided they’re equipped with the appropriate suction port.
‘Pulse’ is used to manually control the amount of air exhausted from bags and is the setting of choice to prevent crushing crumbly or delicate foods. Press the button twice and hold until the desired pressure level has been reached.
‘Impulse Seal’ is used to close bags without any suction. Use it to create custom sized bags or to close bags that don’t require vacuuming.
Construction and Details
The Avid Armor is constructed with a double-piston pump and cooling fan that easily handles continuous use without any overheating – a great feature for processing game, large harvest crops, or any extended processing session.
The framework and housing unit are solid and sturdily made of heavy-gauge stainless steel for superb durability, and cleanup is fast and easy with a damp sponge or cloth.
A clear lid of tough acrylic assists with perfect bag alignment so you can be sure of an airtight closure every time.
It has a wide heat bar of 5 millimeters which produces a secure heat-lock and eliminates the need for a double seal, which is a common issue with narrower bars. And, it even comes with an included replacement heat bar – a nice bonus.
The A100 comes with an air hose, replacement gasket, metal heating element, heat tape, and an assortment of 30 nylon bags.
All of the bags can be boiled, frozen, and simmered and are made of FDA approved, BPA-free plastic.
The Avid Armor measures approximately 13.5 x 8 x 17.75 inches, weighs 14.5 pounds, has a 12-inch heat bar, and comes with a 1-year warranty to be free of defects in materials or workmanship.
Favorite Features
- Comes with a replacement heating element, gasket, and heat tape.
- Uses a double-piston pump for hassle-free, continuous use.
- The wide heat bar makes a solid, secure closure.
- Robust stainless steel construction throughout.
- Includes an assortment of bags.
Foodal’s Rating
With its sturdy construction, high vacuum rate, and powerful pump the Avid Armor is an outstanding, advanced unit that works hard and long to preserve your foods.
- Vac Performance
- Ease of Use
- Construction Quality
- Warranty and Support
Summary
This is a quality appliance; the only downside is the one-year warranty compared to the Weston Pro-2300. Then again, it is quite a bit cheaper than the Weston.
Where to buy? It's available from:
The included replacement parts are a great touch – no need to wait for shipping, your machine will be ready to work when you need it to. And it’s more economical than similar models.
A superior choice for sportspeople, veggie and fruit growers, or anyone who appreciates quality, value, and convenience.
Check prices and read reviews on Amazon now!
And speaking of convenience, have you tried vacuum sealing individual dishes for the freezer? They’re perfect for those busy weeknights when cooking’s too much of a chore.
Any thoughts or questions about the Avid Armor? If so, drop us a line in the comments below.
Still looking at your options? Check out Foodal’s comprehensive vacuum sealer buying guide now.
About Lorna Kring
Recently retired as a costume specialist in the TV and film industry, Lorna now enjoys blogging on contemporary lifestyle themes. A bit daft about the garden, she’s particularly obsessed with organic tomatoes and herbs, and delights in breaking bread with family and friends.
will avid armor a100 sealer work with any vacuum sealer bags
I just bought the A100. I cannot be happier with the quality of construction and performance. This thing will suck the spots off a leopard. The seal bar is wide too… maybe 5mm … a good solid performing machine. 5 stars all the way.
I’ve had my A100 for just over a week and it’s been kept busy with very few glitches. There doesn’t seem to be a way to cancel a vacuum/seal operation once it’s started. When using the impulse function, the first seal or two can be inadequate. This is gotten around by making the first seal using the standard SEAL button and then begin with impulse sealing. You don’t have to worry about the 20 second cool down when using impulse, and the worst that will happen is you have to replace the heat bar and tape using the included parts; you won’t hurt the machine. I’d asked the company about this. You can also use the vacuum and seal function without too much worry. Don’t abuse it and, I don’t want to put words into the Avid’s outbox, so if you use your head you won’t have to worry about overworking it. You certainly don’t have to count off 20 seconds. Having the clear cover really helps save that last inch of a bag, and it’s very easy to, when making bags, have the seal right at the edge of the plastic. I don’t know how much of a vacuum it’s pulling but, unlike my old and still working Foodsaver Vac 1050, I need a spoon to get the lid off a Mason jar when the A100 vacuums it with my old jar attachment. This thing sucks. I don’t work for them. I’d called customer support once and, since they were working from home due to COVID-19 (smart people, they’d started early), a company rep, owner maybe, answered from home and was very helpful. I was leery of buying this little known machine, it’s not cheap, but it’s built like it means business and performs very well. Half of the household wasn’t, shall we say, entirely convinced about this purchase, but after a very short while it proved itself in every way and now skepticism has turned to enthusiasm. Oh, I do recommend.
Haha, it’s not often that someone means “this thing sucks” to be a glowing endorsement! Thanks for your comments, River. 🙂
This is a great machine, but at $300 it’s only $100 less than their USV20 Chamber Vacuum Sealer System.
A much better deal at $55 is their AVS7900. It’s has all the features of the $300 machine (although missing the stainless steel build & having a lesser powerful pump)
Thanks for the review!
Can it seal mylar bags?
Yes, according to Avid Armor, “you can SEAL a mylar bag using the adjustable seal time setting, but you will not be able to vacuum the mylar bag unless the bag has embossed texture.” Smooth mylar can only be heat sealed. The brand provides a video with instructions to do so here.