Mueller Vacuum Sealer MV-1100 In-depth Review

Mueller is a household name known for a wide range of kitchen tools, from knife sharpeners to toaster ovens. So, it’s not surprising that there’s a vacuum sealer in the mix: the Mueller MV-1100 automated food vacuum sealer.

For a week, we tested the MV-1100 sealer in our lab, carefully evaluating its performance, design, and ease of use. All of our findings can be found in this detailed report!

6.0 Performance

The performance of the Mueller vacuum sealer is underwhelming. It received mediocre scores in both dry and moist food tests. Although it managed to seal bags of dry food without leaving air bubbles and didn’t crush the fresh mango slices in the moist food test, our reviewers still found its performance lacking.

5.8 Dry Food Test

The Mueller achieved a consistent suction power of 46-47 kPa in two test sessions, as measured by our vacuum gauge. However, our timer showed a slight discrepancy in working time, with the first session taking 18 seconds and the second session taking 22 seconds. The time difference is insignificant, but it contributed to the Mueller's lower score in this test.

6.5 Moist Food Test

In this test, the sealer outperformed the dry food test but still has room for improvement. The suction ranged from 29 to 30 kPA, and each cycle lasted between 22 to 25 seconds. While it removed most of the air, some air pockets remained. Although the mango slices were not crushed, there was still some juice leakage. Fortunately, it didn’t affect the sealer.

5.5 Design

The Mueller MV-1100's design matches its affordable price — it's not particularly eye-catching. While the company attempted to add some stylish touches, such as a metallic top lid and touch-sensitive buttons, you can still tell it's a budget-friendly model once you’ve picked it up due to its stiff lid locks and the absence of extra features. Thankfully, we didn't uncover any major design flaws that might impact the unit's long-term durability.

In the Box

In the shipping box of the Mueller vacuum sealer, other than the product itself, you’ll find the following:

• Pre-cut and rolls of plastic bags
• Air hose
• Wine stopper cork adapter
• User manual

Dimensions

Compared to other vacuum sealers in our database, the Mueller sealer is larger and heavier. As such, it may not be the best choice if you’re seeking a compact sealer. However, at just 2.2 pounds, it's relatively lightweight and easy to carry. If size isn't a concern for you, it shouldn't be too inconvenient.

6.0 Build Quality

The Mueller vacuum sealer offers impressive build quality at an affordable price. The lid features a sleek metal component that enhances the overall luxurious look of the sealer. The control panel, comprised of touch-sensitive buttons, is neatly arranged at the top.

One notable feature is the embossed interior, which adds a fascinating texture to the sealer. Although the finishing is generally good, there’s room for improvement in the lid and the locking mechanism. Both felt stiff and difficult to use compared to other models we've tested.

8.5 Control Panel

The Mueller sealer has a control panel with five touch-sensitive buttons.

The first two adjust vacuum and food modes, while the other three control sealing functions.

The mode-changing buttons have corresponding lights, and the “Seal” and “Vac Seal” buttons light up when pressed. However, the touch-sensitive buttons can be occasionally unresponsive, requiring longer presses to register. Overall, the control panel is well-arranged and user-friendly.

4.0 Lid

Our first impression of the lid isn't great. It makes a creaking sound when opened, which raises concerns about its long-term durability.

To secure it, all you need to do is press down on the lid, and there are two latch locks that will click into place. To unlock it, simply press the release buttons on either side of the unit.

In our testing, we noticed that the lid locks can be a bit finicky. They don't always snap into place smoothly when you press down on the lid, and it can be a bit challenging to close the lid securely. This might be a little annoying if you're trying to operate the sealer with just one hand, which is why the Mueller received such a low score in this section.

0.0 Extra Features

The Mueller doesn’t come with any extra features.

6.0 Usability

The Mueller MV-1100's user-friendliness could use some improvement. Firstly, the lid locks are quite problematic as they tend to be unreliable and require a considerable amount of force to securely lock. Additionally, the touch-sensitive buttons are overly sensitive and can sometimes misinterpret commands. However, despite these concerns, the unit performs well in terms of safety, noise level, and indicator light brightness, making it a solid choice overall.

5.0 Ease of Use

The Mueller's handling is poor due to two issues: the lid and the unreliable control panel. As mentioned in the Design section, one side of the lid on our unit doesn't lock in tandem with the other. As a result, we always have to double-check to ensure both locks are engaged when we press down on the lid.

8.0 Safety & Noise

Safety could be improved if the heat bar, which can get very hot after several working cycles, was marked with something more permanent than a peelable warning sticker. Even though the heating bar shouldn't get hot enough to cause injuries, new users who are not yet familiar with how vacuum sealers work could be startled if they accidentally touch it.

While the Mueller is not the noisiest model in the latest batch of vacuum sealers, it is on the louder side at 81 dBA.

9.0 Indicator Lights and Chime

All indicator lights are decently bright and visible even under harsh studio lighting. The Mueller doesn’t come with an audible chime, which is to be expected at this price point.

It comes with a progress bar at the top, which you can use to conveniently track the sealer’s working cycle.