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Short answer. A built-in vacuum drawer is a chamber sealer in a drawer about 14 cm high: you put the bag in the chamber, the pump removes the air and a sealing bar closes the bag. It prepares food for sous-vide, marinating, freezing and storage, but no maker we checked says the drawer cooks anything itself. One model in our range, the Teka VS 152 GS, is a different design (an edge sealer, not a chamber). Before you buy, check the niche, the bag sizes, how it combines with your oven and what you will actually seal.
1. What a vacuum drawer does
Miele describes the intended use of its Miele EVS 7010 as vacuuming and sealing food in vacuum bags, and vacuum-sealing food in vacuum-proof plastic or stainless steel containers. Miele’s datasheet also lists sealing liquids and containers, marinating, portioning and resealing original packaging. The ASKO ODV8128G works on the same principle: Miele and ASKO both use a chamber, so the whole bag goes inside and the pump, the sealing bar and the lid are in the drawer. Both are handleless and push-to-open, and the Miele runs on telescopic runners. Gaggenau and ILVE also use a chamber.
Typical uses, as the makers list them: portioning and storing, marinating, preparing food for sous-vide, freezing, and sealing jars of jam or pesto within the maker’s limits (Miele). A drawer is not a food store: Miele’s manual says not to use the drawer to store food or drinks, because moisture can cause corrosion damage, and says to put suitable food in the fridge or freezer after sealing.
2. Sous-vide: what the drawer does and does not do
The drawer only vacuums and seals the bag. The cooking happens elsewhere, for example in a water bath or a steam oven (see our guide to the steam oven versus conventional oven). Miele lists sous-vide among the uses of its settings 2 and 3, Gaggenau lists “vacuuming for sous-vide cooking”, and ILVE sells sous-vide bags rated up to 121 °C. None of these makers gives cooking times or safe temperatures for the drawer, so use the recipe and the manual of the appliance you cook with.
3. Models compared
All figures are the makers’ own. “Not stated” means the maker documents we read do not give the value. The ASKO dimensions come from the ODV8128G datasheet; the ASKO niche width and depth come from the building-in drawing in ASKO’s operating manual, which covers the whole series. The ASKO ODV8127B and the ILVE VM615SC and VM615SL are also in our range, but we have no verified specifications for them: ask us or check the maker’s datasheet.
Size, niche and chamber
| Model | Appliance H × W × D (mm) | Niche (maker) | Chamber / usable space | Pump |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miele EVS 7010 | 141 × 595 × 570 | height 140+2 mm alone, width 560+8 mm, depth at least 550 mm | 8 l; usable height 80 mm; bags 250–350 mm | 4 m³/h |
| Gaggenau GV451120 | not stated | 14 cm high niche, planned without back wall | net volume 7 l; usable area 210 × 275 mm; height up to 95 mm; bags up to 240 × 350 mm | not stated |
| ASKO ODV8128G | 140 × 597 × 550 | width 560–568 mm, depth at least 550 mm (ASKO manual drawing); for the height, check ASKO’s installation drawing | not stated | 4 m³/h |
| ILVE VM615S | not stated | check ILVE’s installation drawing | chamber 300 × 360 × 100 mm | 4 m³/h |
| Teka VS 152 GS | 140 × 595 × 557 | height 139 mm, depth 535 mm (the drawing also shows 540 mm) | no chamber: edge sealer, bags up to 295 mm wide | 430 mmHg (manual) |
Settings, bags and features
| Model | Vacuum settings | Sealing | Bags in the box | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miele EVS 7010 | 3, plus 3 for external containers | 3 levels | 50 × 180 × 280 mm and 50 × 240 × 350 mm; bag support and container adapter also included | Push2open, telescopic runners, drying cycle for the pump (max 20 min), 230 V, 0.32 kW |
| Gaggenau GV451120 | 3 in the chamber (max 99 %), 3 outside it (max 90 %) | 3 levels | not stated | removable non-stick sealing bar, drying programme for the pump, 0.32 kW |
| ASKO ODV8128G | 3 (Low, Middle, High), plus a 3-level setting for external vacuuming | 3 sealing times (thin, medium, thick bags) | not stated | push-to-open; hose for external vacuuming included; Dry Run Function for the pump; oven can be installed on top (ASKO datasheet); 320 W |
| ILVE VM615S | not stated | 4 levels | not stated; bags sold separately | marinating listed; ILVE sous-vide bags rated up to 121 °C |
| Teka VS 152 GS | not stated | heat sealing, automatic or manual | not stated | built-in kitchen scale, two film-roll holders |
Gaggenau’s “outside the chamber” levels are for containers and bottles. Miele and ASKO both offer an external-container route. The Miele has its own three settings for it; the ASKO comes with a hose, but the fittings for jars and containers are not included and depend on the accessory. Containers are usually bought separately.
4. The Teka VS 152 GS is a different design
Teka’s manual shows a lid-type edge sealer: the open end of the bag lies on a sealing strip, and there is no chamber. It has a built-in kitchen scale. Teka’s manual says wet food such as meat and fish must be dried with kitchen paper or wrapped first, because water drawn into the device can damage it. Teka’s manual also states that vacuum packing allows a storage period 2–3 times longer than traditional methods; that is Teka’s statement for its own device. Because it is a different kind of appliance, do not treat it as a like-for-like alternative to a chamber drawer.
5. Bags, liquids and care
- Fill limit (Miele): Miele says to fill the bag at most 2/3 with solid food or 1/3 with liquid, and that frozen liquids can be filled 2/3. Check your model’s manual for other makers.
- Cool first (Miele): Miele says to seal only food that has cooled, because bubbles and steam from warm liquid can make the drawer malfunction. Miele also says never to vacuum-seal live food such as mussels or seafood.
- Vacuum levels (ASKO): ASKO’s manual assigns Low to delicate products such as bread and soft fruit or vegetables, Middle to soft products such as liquids, fish and prepared products, and High to firm products such as firm vegetables, meat and dry products.
- Containers: Miele does not permit vacuum-sealing glass containers and allows single-use and twist-off jars in the chamber only up to 8 cm high. ASKO’s hose is for external vacuuming accessories; which containers fit is not stated by ASKO.
- The pump needs drying: Miele’s oil-filled pump needs a drying cycle of up to 20 minutes when moisture builds up, and the drawer locks if you ignore the warning. ASKO’s manual describes the same issue: moisture collects in the pump oil, and it calls regular use of the Dry Run Function part of normal operation.
6. What to check before you buy
- Niche: compare height, width and depth with the maker’s drawing. Miele gives 140+2 mm height alone and 560+8 mm width; ASKO’s manual drawing gives 560–568 mm width and at least 550 mm depth. ASKO’s manual also says the drawer can tip forward when pulled out unless it is screwed to the cupboard with the 4 supplied screws. Gaggenau asks for a 14 cm niche planned without a back wall.
- Combining with an oven: Miele publishes installation drawings that combine its drawer with Miele ovens and steam ovens. Gaggenau lists its GO, GS, GM and GC appliances directly above the drawer without an intermediate shelf. ASKO’s datasheet says the drawer is suitable for integration with ovens and that an oven can be installed on top; the documents we read give no clearance figure, so check ASKO’s installation drawing. Teka’s manual says no intermediate floor is needed between its drawer and the second appliance, but a fixed shelf must carry the weight of both. See also our oven buying guide.
- Bags: check the maximum bag size (240 × 350 mm for Gaggenau, 350 mm for Miele, bags up to 295 mm wide for the Teka; ASKO does not state one in the documents we read) and what is in the box. Only Miele states included bags.
- Power and ventilation: makers state 0.32 kW (Miele, Gaggenau) and 320 W (ASKO); check the data sheet of your model. Miele’s installation drawing shows a ventilation cut-out of at least 180 cm². Miele’s manual says that if its drawer is installed under a cooktop, you follow the cooktop’s installation instructions.
- What you will seal: if you plan to seal liquids, marinades or sous-vide portions, check which vacuum settings your model offers in its manual (for example Miele settings 1 and 2 for liquid contents, or ASKO’s Middle level).
7. In our range
Our vacuum drawers category brings together the models named in this guide: Miele EVS 7010, Gaggenau GV451120, ASKO ODV8128G, ILVE VM615S, VM615SC and VM615SL, and the Teka VS 152 GS (the edge sealer). Our catalogue also lists the ASKO ODV8127A and ODV8127B as further ASKO vacuum drawers; check each product page for details. Planning a whole kitchen? Our guides on the built-in coffee machine installation and small kitchens and compact appliances are also worth a look. For delivery and installation, see delivery and installation.
FAQ
What is a vacuum drawer?
A vacuum drawer is a built-in chamber vacuum sealer, about 14 cm high, that removes air from a bag in its chamber and heat-seals it. It sits in a cabinet or tall unit; ASKO says an oven can be installed on top of it, and Miele publishes joint installation drawings with its ovens.
Can a vacuum drawer cook sous-vide?
No, the drawer only vacuums and seals the bag for sous-vide cooking. No maker we checked says it cooks; the cooking is done in a water bath or steam oven.
Can I vacuum-seal liquids and marinades?
Yes, within limits. Miele allows 1/3 fill for liquids and asks you to cool them first; ASKO’s manual lists liquids among the foods for its Middle level. The Teka edge sealer is different: Teka says to dry or wrap wet food first. Check your model’s manual.
Can a vacuum drawer be combined with an oven?
Yes, for the combinations the makers describe. Miele publishes joint installation drawings with its ovens and ASKO says an oven can be installed on top; check the maker’s niche drawing for your exact oven.
Is the Teka VS 152 GS a chamber vacuum drawer?
No. Teka’s manual shows a lid-type edge sealer with a built-in kitchen scale, not a chamber. Compare it with the chamber drawers on size and niche, but not on how it handles liquids.
Read next: steam oven versus conventional oven · oven buying guide · built-in coffee machine installation · small kitchens and compact appliances