Using a 12 volt Vacuum Food Sealer for travel has a range of benefits. It is common knowledge that when food is stored and sealed properly, the storage life of the contents is far greater.
Cryovacing meat is often a popular option when you need to store it for a longer period of time and travelling with a 12v Vacuum Food Sealer is a great idea for many reasons.
Sealing your food reduces the amount of storage space that the food takes up in the fridge and freezer, as well as extending the shelf life of your food up to five times longer.
We travelled with the Kickass 12v Vacuum Sealer and loved it. But, that’s not the only option on the market. These days there are a range of companies offering vacuum food sealers which will run off both 12v and 240v power.
Let’s dig into the benefits of travelling with a food sealer, as well as the best 12v vacuum sealer Australia options.
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Benefits of Using a 12v Vacuum Food Sealer

When travelling through rural and outback regions in Australia, it’s essential to stock up on food at the big supermarkets where possible. There are many space saving perks with the use of a 12v vacuum sealer.
We had a 185L Dometic fridge with freezer in the caravan, plus a 40L Engel fridge (which could be used as a freezer) in the back of the Patrol. That’s a pretty standard set-up for most travellers, which makes the potential space for food storage fairy decent if you’re smart with the packaging.
Here are the main benefits of using a 12v vacuum sealer in Australia.
Vacuum Sealers Increase Food Preservation
Storing your food in vacuum sealed bags greatly extends the life of your food. The types of food that you can store this way are so varied – think soups, stews, meat, cheese, bakery items, vegetables, pre-made meals, shelf items and more.
Meat will usually last about 6 months in the freezer, but if you seal it up with a 12 volt vacuum sealer, that life can be extended out to 2 – 3 years.
Vacuum sealed cheese will last 4 – 8 months in the refrigerator, as opposed to the couple of weeks that you’d get from it in its usual packaging.
How Long Does Food Last?
Here is a rough guide showing how long different foods will last, stored in various ways.
STORED IN FREEZER | NORMAL | VACUUM SEALED |
Beef Bread Fish Poultry Soups Stews Vegetables | 6 months 6 – 12 months 6 months 6 months 3 – 6 months 3 – 6 months 8 months | 2 – 3 years 1 – 3 years 2 years 2 – 3 years 1 – 2 years 1 – 2 years 2 – 3 years |
STORED IN FRIDGE | NORMAL | VACUUM SEALED |
Various fruits Cheese Lettuce | 1 – 7 days 1 – 2 weeks 3 – 7 days | 1 – 2 weeks 4 – 8 months 2 weeks |
STORED IN PANTRY | NORMAL | VACUUM SEALED |
Biscuits (open packet) Flour, Sugar, Cocoa.. Rice & Pasta | 1 – 2 weeks 6 months 6 months | 3 – 6 weeks 1 – 2 years 1 – 2 years |
Vacuum Sealers Save Money
Having the ability to seal up your own packets of food while travelling means that you can buy in bulk.
Not only does bulk-buying bring the ‘cost per item’ down, but it also means that you don’t need to buy smaller, individually packaged items, which tend to be more expensive. You may even have a friend or neighbour that could go halves with you when buying certain items in bulk, meaning you both get to save some cash.
For travellers, having a 12v vacuum sealer means being able to stock up on foods while in bigger towns with supermarkets, butchers and green grocers. Vacuum sealing your food gives you the option of going months without needing to replenish supplies (depending on how much storage space you’ve got available)!
In addition, you can also vacuum seal excess food (rather than throwing it out) to be stored in the pantry, fridge or freezer for another day, which reduces your overall grocery costs.
How 12v vacuum sealers save money:
- Ability to buy in bulk
- Stock up on foods from supermarkets & butchers
- Seal up excess food for storage, rather than throwing it out
Vacuum Sealers Reduce Food Wastage

Being able to reseal food packages means that you end up with less food spoilage.
Got a packet of chips that’s only half eaten? No worries, just reseal it to lock the freshness in for another day (or week).
What about some leftovers in the fridge? Easy, vacuum seal the meal up and put it in the freezer for another night, which is particularly great for busy/ lazy days on the road.
Vacuum Sealers Offer Extra Food Protection
The great thing about vacuum sealing food is that you know your food is being stored in a nice little air-tight bubble. This reduces the risk of freezer burn, plus means that you don’t need to worry about moisture getting into your food and ruining it.
When food is vacuum sealed, it ensures that harmful mould and bacteria don’t have an environment conducive to growth, which equals fresher, healthier food for you.
Vacuum Sealers Enhance Space & Organisation
One of the most alluring reasons that travellers love to carry a 12v Vacuum Food Sealer is the promise of saving space! It gives you the means to store food in a flat, rectangular shape without any excess air in the packet.
When it comes to living out of a freezer the size of a microwave, space is prime real estate! By flat packing your meals, you’re really able to maximise how much you can fit into your space.
Another plus for having your food stored in similar shaped packaging is that your space can be much more effectively organised. When your food is organised, easily seen and accessible, then it’s more likely to actually get eaten – reducing the food wastage.
BONUS 12v Vacuum Sealer Eco Tip!
To save on having to buy so many vacuum sealer bags, you can rinse out and reuse some of your existing food packets. While you won’t be able to use the ‘vacuum’ function with regular plastic packets, you can still push the air out and use the ‘seal’ function.
Food packaging from things like pasta, cereal, rice and chips are the perfect thickness to recycle and seal food in.


Best 12v Vacuum Sealers Australia

Here are the best 12v vacuum sealer Australia options. The best thing about these 12v vacuum sealers is that they all work on both 12v and 240v power, meaning that you can use them at home, when hooked up to power and also while camping off-grid!
5 Best 12v Vacuum Sealers Australia:
- KickAss Food Vacuum Sealer
- Dometic 12v & 240v Vacuum Sealer
- Dune 4WD Power Vacuum Sealer
- Campfire Vacuum Food Sealer
- ZeroPak Dualvac Vacuum Sealer
Best 12v Vacuum Sealers Australia Comparison Table:
BRAND | FEATURES | PRICE |
---|---|---|
KickAss | • 12v + 240v • Wet & Dry • Rechargeable Warranty: 1 year | From $199 AUD |
Dometic | • 12v + 240v • Wet & Dry • Auto and manual • Removable drip tray • 1 x Bag Cutter • 10 x Bags Warranty: 1 year | From $259 AUD |
Dune | • 12v + 240v • Wet & Dry • Auto and manual • 10 x Bags Warranty: 1 year | From $159 AUD |
Campfire | • 12v + 240v • Wet & Dry • Canister hose • 1 x Bag Cutter • 10 x Bags Warranty: 1 year | From $99 AUD |
ZeroPak | • 12v + 240v • Wet & Dry • Canister hose • 1 x Bag Cutter (built in) • 5 x Bags • 2m roll film Warranty: 1 year | From $249 AUD |
Wildtrak | • 12v + 240v • Wet & Dry • Digital Scale • 5 x Bags • Roll of Film Warranty: 1 year | From $229 AUD |
KickAss Lithium Battery Powered Vacuum Sealer (12v + 240v)

The KickAss Food Vacuum Sealer is one of the originals on the market, which is why they’re always on the forefront of the latest technology.
The new KickAss Lithium Battery Powered Vacuum Sealer is the first of its kind. You can expect to get up to 50 seals on one charge making it the ultimate portable unit to seal your food on the go.
This unit includes a dry setting as well as a moist mode for things like fruit and meat. The display lights will show you how much battery life is left in the unit before needing to recharge.
What I love most about the KickAss Lithium Vacuum Sealer is that you can plug it straight into the 240 volt power at home to recharge or in the caravan (using the 12v cigarette socket cable), with plenty of charge for use while camping off-grid.
KICKASS Sealer | |
---|---|
Size | 356 x 141 x 678mm |
Input Voltage | 12v & 240v |
Sealing Length | < 28cm |
Battery Charge Time | 1.5 hrs |
Battery Run Time | Approx. 50 seals |
➤ eBay: From $199 AUD →
KICKASS Vacuum Sealer Features:
- 12v DC/ 240v AC compatible
- Wet and dry functions
- Rechargeable
- Battery life display
- Lock tab
- Warranty – 1 year
Dometic Vacuum Sealer (12v + 240v)

The Dometic Vacuum Sealer is sleek and lightweight. You can use this handy little machine for all of the usual food sealing needs including fruit, meat, cheese, fish, vegetables and loads more. Locking in the freshness is going to give you five times longer than refrigeration alone.
One of the standout features of the Dometic Vacuum Sealer is the ability to take out the drip tray for emptying and cleaning, making it a handy device for both at home and camping.
DOMETIC Sealer | |
---|---|
Size | 373 x 85 x 15mm |
Weight | 1.4 kg |
Input Voltage | 12v & 240v |
Sealing Length | 29cm |
➤ Caravan RV Camping: From $259 AUD →
DOMETIC Vacuum Sealer Features:
- 12v DC/ 240v AC compatible
- Wet and dry functions
- Auto and manual sealing options
- Removable Drip Tray
- 1 x Bag Cutter
- 10 x Bags
- Warranty – 1 year
Dune 4WD Power Vacuum Sealer (12v + 240v)

For food storage on the go, the Dune 4WD Power Vacuum Sealer has got you covered. With both 12 volt and 240 volt power cables, you can organise your camping menu at home, plus seal up extra food along the way.
Ditch the big, bulky food containers and maximise your food storage space with this nifty little 12v vacuum sealer. It doesn’t matter what you’re locking in, with the moist and dry settings, almost any food can be sealed up for later.
DUNE Sealer | |
---|---|
Size | 370 x 120 x 65mm |
Weight | 1.3 kg |
Input Voltage | 12v & 240v |
Sealing Time | 12 secs (seal) 12 – 25 secs (vac + seal) |
➤ eBay: From $159 AUD →
DUNE Vacuum Sealer Features:
- 12v DC/ 240v AC compatible
- Wet and dry functions
- Auto and manual sealing options
- 10 x Bags
- Warranty – 1 year
Campfire Vacuum Food Sealer (12v + 240v)

The Campfire Vacuum Food Sealer offers handy multi-functional food sealing capabilities.
Using the control panel, you’re able to select the right mode based on the food type (dry or moist). The pulse function controls the vacuum time and degree, plus you’re able to select the vacuum speed (from high to low).
CAMPFIRE Sealer | |
---|---|
Size | 375 x 155 x 80mm |
Weight | 1.4 kg |
Input Voltage | 12v & 240v |
Sealing Length | 30cm |
Sealing Speed | 7-8L/ min (12v) 12-14L/ min (240v) |
➤ eBay: From $99 AUD →
CAMPFIRE Vacuum Sealer Features:
- 12v DC/ 240v AC compatible
- Wet and dry functions
- Multi-function control panel
- Canister hose for canisters
- 1 x Bag Cutter
- 10 x Bags
- Warranty – 1 year
ZeroPak Dualvac Vacuum Sealer (12v + 240v)

The ZeroPak Dualvac Vacuum Sealer is perfect for at-home use on 240 volt power, plus when you hit the road with 12 volt power. This unit can be run on automatic or manual modes and is compatible with food sealer canisters (canister hose included).
ZEROPAK Sealer | |
---|---|
Size | 380 x 150 x 78cm |
Weight | 1.4 kg |
Input Voltage | 12v & 240v |
Sealing Length | 28cm |
Sealing Speed | 8L/ min |
➤ eBay: From $249 AUD →
ZEROPAK Vacuum Sealer Features:
- 12v DC/ 240v AC compatible
- Wet and dry functions
- Canister hose for canisters
- 1 x Bag Cutter (built in)
- 5 x Bags
- 2 metres 20cm roll film
- Warranty – 1 year
Wildtrak 12/240V Deluxe Vacuum Sealer with Scale

The Wildtrak Vacuum Sealer is the only one on the market with a built-in digital scale, which can be used for portion control. There are settings for both dry and moist foods and has a nice stainless steel look finish.
Included in the kit are cables for both 240 volt and 12 volt, meaning that you can easily do your meal planning in the kitchen at home, as well as take it on the road with you for the camper or caravan.
WILDTRAK Sealer | |
---|---|
Size | 380 x 150 x 88cm |
Input Voltage | 12v & 240v |
Sealing Speed | 9L/ min |
➤ Caravan RV Camping: From $229 AUD →
WILDTRAK Vacuum Sealer Features:
- 12v DC/ 240v AC compatible
- Digital Scale
- Wet and dry functions
- 5 x Bags
- Roll of vacuum seal film
- Warranty – 1 year
Don’t forget to grab yourself a stash of Vacuum Sealer Bags!


Camping Food Ideas
Being super organised with your camping foods is key to making sure that you’ve got all of the essential ingredients on hand, without accidentally over packing and wasting space.
Here are ten versatile camping food items that will cover many bases:
- Wraps and flatbreads
- Frozen or canned vegetables
- Canned tuna, salmon or chicken
- Instant mashed potato
- Rice and pasta pouches
- Baked beans and tinned spaghetti
- Roast chicken (pre-cooked)
- Popcorn kernels
- Pancake mix
- Crackers

Camping Food Checklist + Menu Planner
- 4 pages
- 12 food item categories
- Checklists pre-filled with 100+ items
- Menus pre-filled with 21 meals, 14 snacks & 3 desserts
- PRINTABLE & DIGITAL
- Download once, use over-and-over again

Tips From the Facebook Community
We use ours all the time – in the van, on the road, at the boat ramp, at home. You can get vacuum containers too, which are perfect for fruit, veggies and bread products.
– Margie
As it’s only my husband and I now, we seal all our food ready for a trip.
– Maz
We use a 12v vacuum sealer in the van all the time. It’s just us two so we can buy bulk and portion up.
– Kim
I have a small hand held 12v food sealer, which is much better than the big one.
– Kerry
Meat lasts so much longer when we vacuum seal it. And when you’re remote and in small towns, the prices are high. This is a saviour!
– Dani

Travels Planning Tools
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✔️ Checklists → 💲 Budget Spreadsheets → ✏️ Planners & Guides → |
I’d love to have one of these dealers. I used zippered plastic bags for everything but food still doesn’t last near as long as your stats for the sealer. What a great way to stock up on food supplies!
Fully sealing the food really does make a huge difference in the lifespan of the food.
This Vaccum Food Sealer has multiple benefits and can be a really useful ally in the kitchen. It is often that we open a packet of food and are not able to finish it, sealing it with the vacuum cleaner is great to keep it fresh. I also like the fact that wastage is reduced and also the reuse of packets is beneficial to the environment.
Definitely amounts to less wastage, which is why we like the Vacuum Sealer as well.
I would never have thought to use a vacuum sealer! it’s pretty genius! Your video for reusing the bags is great too. Looks so simple to use.
And you’ve made me question if I need one for home now! Although, I know this one is specifically for caravans.
Yeah, they’re great little inventions. Very handy for the house as well, although this one is specifically 12 volt.
We just took our first RV trip. We drop around Wisconsin and Michigan. I can completely see how a vacuum sealer would have helped us- especially in this time when we don’t want to have to shop any more than we have to.
It would have been handy for sure.
Not going to lie, I kind of spaced out at first and kept thinking Vacuum sealers are amazing for travelling but how on earth am I ever going to fit a 12v Kickass Vacuum Food Sealer in my backpack & can I get that through TSA?
haha, sorry but if you are taking a rig or campervan you are 100% correct this is genius! I absolutely hate wasting food but in a trailer or campervan there is a challenge with limited space. So this 12v Kickass Vacuum Food Sealer looks like the perfect tool!
Haha definitely not for that type of travel! Perfect for caravan travel though.
Thanks for your review, we’re so stoked you are happy with the KickAss 12V Portable Vacuum Sealer. Just a heads up, we now have vacuum seal rolls for sale as well!
Does it have an adapter for 240v home use ?
James
Hi James,
No it doesn’t have a 240v adapter as it’s designed for caravan/ camping use, so 12v only. Thanks.