LEM MAXVAC PRO 1250 (01) PDF MANUAL

Always ensure that the appliance is properly assembled and safely set up before use.

Product is HEAVY. Do not over-exert yourself while unpacking or moving the product. Get assistance.

Do not touch hot surfaces.

Do not touch the vacuum chamber lid, vacuum chamber or seal bar while the unit is operating.

WARNING: Lid will auto-release upon completion of seal. Keep objects away from lid.

Do not force lid open when sealer is in use. Use STOP button on front of unit to release lid.

WARNING: Keep vents a safe distance from other objects to allow for proper air circulation.

Do not block air hole in the chamber.

Oil must be added to unit prior to initial use. Make sure oil level is maintained at suggested level. Make sure unit is turned off and unplugged when filling.

Do not leave the appliance unattended if it can be switched on and operated.

Do not let this Vacuum Sealer come in direct contact with food. All foods should be placed in chamber vacuum bags and accessories.

Allow foods and liquids to cool before vacuum packaging.

Extreme caution and care must be used when handling any pouches containing hot liquids.

Machine should be stored in an upright position, in a cool dry place.

Do not operate in the presence of electric / gas burner, heated surface, or flammable or explosive fumes.

CAUTION: This appliance is not recommended for use near or by children or persons with certain disabilities. Set up and store the appliance out of reach of children. When not in use, store device in a secure and dry place out of reach of children.

The appliance must be connected to a dedicated 110V AC electric supply only.

Make sure unit is in off position prior to plugging in.

This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug will fit in a polarized outlet one way. If the plug doesn’t fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact qualified electrician. Do not modify the plug in any way.

Do not use an extension cord to operate unit.

Do not operate with a damaged cord or plug, after the unit malfunctions, has been damaged in any way or if appliance has been immersed in water or other liquid. Return unit to LEM Products for assessment and repair.

Always unplug unit when not in use, when changing parts or cleaning.

Never unplug by pulling on the power cord, always pull directly on the plug itself.

Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, contact sharp edges or touch hot surfaces.

Indoor use only. To protect against the risk of electrical shock, never immerse the device in water and do not expose the device to rain or moisture. WARNING: In the event the device should fall into water, remove the plug from the wall socket before attempting to remove the unit from the water. If submergence occurs, have the appliance examined by an authorized technician before use.

To protect against the risk of electrical shock, do not use the appliance if your hands are wet or if you are standing on a wet floor. Do not use the appliance if it is wet or moist. Do not operate this device with wet hands or bare feet. Do not operate near running water.

The appliance is designed exclusively for domestic use and not for commercial purposes.

Use the appliance with the supplied accessories only. WARNING: The use of attachments not recommended or sold by the manufacturer may cause injury, damage to personal property, and may void your warranty.

WARNING: Do not use while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (prescription or non-prescription) as these may impair user’s ability to properly assemble or safely operate the appliance.

Thoroughly wipe unit with warm soapy water prior to use. Do not soak. NOT DISHWASHER SAFE (discoloration may occur).

Use appliance on a level, stable surface to prevent tipping. Never move the appliance while unit is in use.

The manufacturer declines any responsibility in the case of improper use of this product. Improper use of this product voids the warranty.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

Try a different outlet.

Power switch is not on: Press switch to “On” position, power indicator light will illuminate.

Plug is not fully inserted in power cord port: Firmly push power cord into port.

Plug is not fully inserted in electrical outlet: Firmly push power cord into outlet.

A good seal was not made between vacuum lid and the base: Apply light pressure to the lid for 2-3 seconds. This will allow the upper gasket to form an airtight chamber and engage the vacuum.

Open end of bag was not in the vacuum chamber: Open end of bag must be inside of the chamber for vacuum to occur.

Exhaust port was covered: When vacuum and sealing keep bag clear of the exhaust port so air can be pulled from chamber. Covering port will not allow for proper extraction.

Bag may be damaged: Inspect bag looking for damage or small holes, this will allow air to flow back into the bag. Discard bag and start new.

Bag may not be compatible with LEM MaxVac Pro Chamber Sealer: LEM MaxVac Pro Chamber Bags work optimally with the MaxVac Pro Chamber Chamber Sealer. Try LEM MaxVac Pro Bags.

Check for creases, folds or any holes in the vacuum bag.

Excessive moisture can interfere with the sealing function: When packaging very moist foods like fish and raw steaks it is recommended to freeze the food prior to sealing, or use a paper towel or soaker pad at the top of the bag to keep moisture from entering the sealing area. Always leave 2-3″ head space in the bag.

Powdery items like flour or baking powder can interfere with the sealing function: When vacuum packing powdery items wrap or package prior to placing into vacuum bag.

Bag may be damaged: Discard bag and start over.

Bag may be over filled: Insure 2-3″ at open end.

Gasket/Teflon tape may have dirt or grit buildup: Clean with warm soapy cloth and wipe dry.

A good seal was not made between vacuum lid and the gasket: Apply light pressure to the lid for 2-3 seconds. This will allow the lid gasket to form an airtight chamber and engage the vacuum.

Heating element is broken: Carefully remove the teflon tape and check to be sure the heating element is in one piece, if broken replace heat strip.

Bag may be damaged: Discard bag and start over.

A good seal was not made: Apply light pressure to the lid for 2-3 seconds. This will allow the lid gasket to form an airtight chamber and engage the vacuum.

Check for creases, folds or any holes in the vacuum bag.

Check and make sure there were no sharp edges that may have punctured the bag. Discard bag and start over, cover sharp products with paper towel prior to vacuuming.

Liquid possibly was in the sealing area: Make sure to use a soaker pad or paper towel with moist products or pre-freeze moist products before sealing. Always leave 2-3″ head space in the bag.

Check that food didn’t enter the point of the seal: Open the bag and wipe the sealing area of the bag to dry it, move the food 2-3″ from the sealing area or remove and put food into a larger bag (any food particles that are caught in the sealing point can allow air to seep in).

Bag is not intended for use with chamber vacuum sealer: Use only bags made for chamber vacuum sealers.

Heat strip may be over heating: Set temperature to low.

Before cleaning, assembling or disassembling the Chamber Sealer, make sure the Chamber Sealer is OFF and the PLUG IS REMOVED FROM THE OUTLET/POWER SOURCE! Never immerse in water or other liquid.

Make sure the MaxVac Pro has completely cooled before cleaning and prior to storage.

Wipe clean all surfaces including the Vacuum Chamber and Vacuum Lid, gaskets and teflon tapes with a damp cloth or paper towel.

Most household spray cleaners are safe to use. Avoid spraying directly into the vents on the unit. DO NOT use abrasive cleansers! DO NOT clean with metal scrubbing pads. Pieces can break off the pad and short-circuit electrical parts, creating a possibility of an electrical shock.

Dry all surfaces prior to storage.

Prior to use and after every use wipe chamber with a warm soapy cloth and air dry.

Allow to dry completely prior to closing lid.

Always store appliance with lid down and lid lock in place.

Only use information in the below chart as a guideline! Actual storage lifespans may vary. Check all food for spoilage before use.

FOOD TYPE	STORAGE LOCATION	VACUUM PACKED LIFE
Fresh Beef & Veal	Freezer	1-3 years
Fresh Pork	Freezer	2-3 years
Fresh Fish	Freezer	2 years
Fresh Poultry	Freezer	2-3 years
Smoked Meats	Freezer	3 years
Large Cuts of Meat	Freezer	2-3 years
Ground Meat	Freezer	1 year
Coffee Beans	Freezer	2-3 years
Hard Cheeses	Freezer	6 months
Fresh Produce, Blanched	Freezer	2-3 years
Fresh Fruits	Freezer	2-3 years
Softer Berries	Refrigerator	1 week
Harder Berries	Refrigerator	2 weeks
Pastas, Grains, Dried Beans	Room Temperature	1-1/2 years
Nuts	Room Temperature	2 years
Flour, Rice, Sugar	Room Temperature	1-2 years

Using your chamber vacuum sealer

Select a chamber vacuum seal bag.

Choose a bag that is the proper size for the product that you are packaging. The entire bag must fit inside the chamber. (LEM chamber vacuum sealer will accept bags that are 13″ L x 10″ W).

Allow for 2-3″ of head space at the top of the bag to ensure a quality, air tight seal.

Fill the bag with the product to be vacuum packed.

Place the bag inside the chamber.

Keep bags that contain liquids or wet product below the height of the seal bar.

Lay the pouch flat inside the chamber with the open end of the bag across the seal bar. Tuck the end of the open bag in front of the sealing bar.

Check that the bag is flat and there are no wrinkles in the sealing area.

The entire bag including the open end, must be inside the chamber for it to be properly vacuum packed.

Close the lid and press down firmly for 2-3 seconds or until the vacuum gauge begins to move. Vacuum cycle gauge should reach the green area for a good vacuum. If the machine begins to seal before the needle of the vacuum gauge reaches the green hit the stop. (This will stop the entire process). Reset vacuum time, adding or decreasing 1 second at a time and begin again.

Sealing cycle

The LCD window will show time countdown to zero.

Cooling cycle

LCD window will show time countdown to zero. Cooling time should be set to 2X seal time.

Inspect the bag

Vacuum confirmation: Check the quality of the vacuum by looking for air pockets or leaks. If you notice that the bag is not vacuum packed tightly then increase the vacuum time by 3-5 seconds and seal again in a new bag.

Seal confirmation: Inspect the bag seal. A good seal will appear with a 1/4″ grid pattern all the way across the bag. If the seal is incomplete increase the seal time by .1 second. If the seal appears white or milky or melted decrease the seal time by .1 second and seal again. When the seal is cooled it will feel textured on one side and when the ends are separated the seal holds tight.

WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH the Teflon Tape and Heat Sealing Bar due to high temperatures. The area where bags are sealed will be HOT! USE CAUTION while inserting and removing bags!

Add oil

Prior to use oil must be added. Before daily use check to make sure oil level is sufficient.

NOTE: Replacement oil is vacuum pump oil.

Remove back of unit by unscrewing 4 corner screws. Oil tank will be clearly visible on the left. Remove the oil cap.

NOTE: Oil level should be 3/4 filled when viewed through the oil window. Do not run the sealer with less than 1/2 full oil tank.

Fill oil. Replace oil cap. Replace back and tighten screws. You are ready to seal.

NOTE: Damage may occur to motor if oil is filled too much or too little. It is very important to check the oil before use.

Unit should be located on a flat, steady surface that can support its weight. Machine should always be stored horizontally. When in use unit should have at least 3-4″ of ventilation around the entire unit including the bottom. Do not obstruct venting.

Attach power cord and plug machine into grounded outlet. Press power button – It will illuminate. Open lid of chamber. Release the lid lock.

First time use you will need to adjust controls to optimize sealing for your bags and the items you are sealing. It is best to always do a few test runs to make sure that the machine settings are set for the bag thickness needed.

Set the sealing bar temperature.

To set the sealing bar temperature simply press the sealing temp button. This will move the light from low, medium and high. Always start temperature at low. “Low” should properly seal bags up to 0.15 mm thick. (LEM chamber sealer bags are .08mm or 3 mil thick). NOTE: Extended use at higher temperatures will shorten the life of the sealing bar/heating element and may also melt through bags. Always use lowest temperature to accomplish a good seal this will extend the life of the heat bar and teflon tape.

Vacuum time

Press Function button. Light will illuminate next to vacuum. Use the up and down buttons to set vacuum time. Set time to 30 seconds as a starting point. Watch the vacuum gauge. Once the needle on the gauge enters the green section a full vacuum should be achieved. It may take less or more time. Adjust as needed. Do not vacuum for excess time.

Sealing time

Press Function button. Light will illuminate next to sealing. Use the up and down buttons to set sealing time. Set sealing time at 1.0 sec as a starting point and move up little by little up to 3.5 sec to achieve proper sealing.

Cooling time

Press Function button. Light will illuminate next to cooling. use the increase & decrease buttons to set cooling time. Set cooling time at 2 sec. as a starting point and adjust as needed.

1. Vacuum gauge – Indicates the vacuum level inside the chamber. (When the needle is in the green maximum vacuum has been achieved. It is not necessary to run the vacuum for extended time, doing this will shorten the life of the pump.)

2. LED screen – Displays current function cycle time measured in seconds.

3. Stop button – Press to stop process. Cycle will end. Bag will not seal.

4. Function – Press, light will illuminate next to vacuum, sealing, or cooling.

5. Increase – Press to increase vacuum, sealing or cooling time.

6. Decrease – Press to decrease vacuum, sealing or cooling time.

7. Sealing temperature – Adjust temperature of sealing bar (high, medium, low).

8. Lights – Illuminates to indicate where process is in the cycle.

9. Start button – Power on/off.

10. Sealing temperature lights – Illuminates to indicate sealing set temperature.

Vacuum packaging is not a substitute for canning or other methods of food preservation. Vacuum packed perishable foods require refrigeration or freezing.

NEVER thaw frozen foods at room temperature. Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave oven.

WARNING: As with any storage container, it is important to inspect food that has been vacuum packaged for spoilage prior to consumption.

WARNING: Never vacuum package garlic or fungi (such as mushrooms). A dangerous chemical reaction takes place when air is removed, causing these foods to be dangerous if ingested.

CAUTION: Always disconnect product from power supply before performing any cleaning, inspection or maintenance.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN!

There is factory installed teflon tape on the MaxVac Pro located on the heat bar of the unit. The teflon tape protects vacuum bags during sealing! DO NOT REMOVE THE TAPE!

NOTE: Additional teflon tape is included with your MaxVac Pro. It is normal for the teflon tape to discolor with time and use. Discoloration does not affect the function of the unit. If tape becomes damaged, follow these instructions for replacement: Ensure unit is turned off and unplugged from outlet. Prior to maintenance.

NOTE: It is always a good idea to take pictures before taking something apart. This way you will have reference to look back on when reassembling.

To replace the Teflon Tape

Remove heat bar from unit by firmly pulling the black ends that are attached to the wires off of the heating bars. Do not pull on wires.

Unscrew the stainless steel piece from the bottom of the heat bar.

Black plastic ends can now be pulled off ends of the heat bar.

Peel off the old tape and replace with new tape.

First, follow the steps to replace the Teflon tape.

Remove 2 screws that the wires are attached to.

Remove 2 brass nuts from bolts.

Lay heating element across bar and over the brass ends on the heating bar.

Place ends of heat element into slots.

Notice brass bolts have slots. Line up the slots on the bolts with the heating element.

Push brass bolt into place. If lined up correctly the heating element will slide into the brass bolts. Turn bolts at both ends equally until heating element is tight across heat bar.

Replace brass nuts.

Replace wires with screws.

Replace Teflon tape.

Replace plastic ends.

Replace stainless steel piece on bottom of heat bar. Secure black plug ends of wire in place in unit.

This unit is equipped with a reset button. If the pump has a current over load the circuit breaker will automatically trip. If this happens, turn off power, unplug unit, wait 5 minutes. Plug in unit. Press the circuit breaker which is located inside the back panel. It’s the button on the bottom right. Turn on power. Resume sealing.

DRY FOODS

When packaging powdery items, do not remove from the original package, place into vacuum bag and seal. Loose powder can get sucked into the pump and cause damage as well as interfere with the sealing function.

VERY MOIST FOODS

(ALWAYS LEAVE 2-3″ OF HEAD SPACE AT THE TOP OF THE BAG FOR EXTRA PROTECTION) Place paper towel or a soaker pad between the contents and the top of the bag before vacuum packaging moist foods. This will absorb any excess liquid and keep it from entering the vacuum chamber. Pre-freezing is also an option.

SOFT FRUITS

Pre-freezing before vacuum packaging is required in order for some foods, such as soft fruits, to retain their shape.

CRUCIFEROUS FOODS

Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips and kale may emit a gas that could possibly fill the sealed bag with air. Blanch or steam these foods prior to sealing.

Vacuum packaging is not a substitution for canning.

Vacuum packaging is not a substitution for refrigeration or freezing.

Use with vacuum sealer chamber pouches only.

Cover sharp bones or edges prior to vacuum sealing.

Allow foods and liquids to cool before vacuum sealing.

Avoid overfilling pouches. Leave a minimum of 2-3″ of space between the contents and the open end of the pouch.

Prevent wrinkles from forming in the seal area.

Pouches are boilable, freezable and microwavable. When microwaving it is important to make a small cut in the pouch.

Follow all food safety regulations as outlined by the FDA.

Some fruits and vegetables may release gases. When packaging these fruits and vegetables it is best to blanch or freeze before vacuum packaging to prevent the gas release.

Soft cheeses, fresh mushrooms, garlic and onions should never be vacuum packaged due to the risk of anaerobic bacteria.

Note: When unit is not in use store lid in the down position by utilizing the lid lock.

Note: Chamber sealer is intended to be used with chamber sealer bags only. For best results, only use recommended chamber sealer bags. DO NOT USE HOUSEHOLD BAGS! Any other uses of the chamber sealer other than the uses described in this booklet could potentially damage the appliance and void the warranty.