Stainless steel flat sealing strip for vacuum packing machines, 6 mm high, 0.3 mm thick. Sold by the metre. It is the flat band that heats up on the bar and seals the vacuum bag.

What it does. As current passes through it, the strip heats up and melts the edge of the bag, creating the airtight seal. It is a wear part: cycle after cycle it oxidises, warps or breaks and the seal loses its hold.

When to replace it. When the bags no longer seal properly or the strip is burnt/broken. Cut it to the length of your sealing bar.

Size. Height 6 mm, thickness 0.3 mm. Also available in 3 mm and 5 mm heights: measure the strip currently fitted before ordering, because the height must match the seat on the bar.