Most sealing problems come from a short list of causes: heat, pressure, time, a dirty or damaged rim, or a film that does not suit the container. This guide helps you find the cause quickly and fix it, so you can get back to packing.
Quick troubleshooting table
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Film does not stick | Heat too low, sealing time too short, wet or oily rim, film does not suit the container | Dry and wipe the rim, raise the heat a little, hold the arm down slightly longer, test another film |
| Seal leaks at the corners | Uneven pressure, tray not sitting flat, damaged or bent rim | Seat the tray flat in the mould, check the rim, make sure the arm closes fully |
| Film wrinkles | Film not pulled flat, heat too high, tray moved while sealing | Place the film flat and straight, lower the heat, keep the tray steady |
| Film melts, burns or tears | Heat too high or sealing time too long | Lower the heat and shorten the time |
| Tray warps or softens | Too much heat, or a thin tray | Reduce heat and time, test a sturdier tray |
| Seal opens too easily | Film not strong enough for the job, low heat | Ask about a stronger sealing film, increase heat in small steps |
Change one thing at a time and test on an empty tray first. If you change heat, time and film together, you will not know which one fixed it.
1. The rim must be clean, dry and undamaged
Gravy, oil, tea or water on the rim is the number one reason for a weak seal. Wipe the rim before you seal. Also check the container itself: a rim that is cracked, bent or rough will never seal fully. If a batch of containers has this problem, talk to your container supplier.
2. Check the film and container match
If the seal does not hold even with the right heat and a clean rim, the film may not suit the container material. Read our guide on choosing sealing film for trays and cups, and test a different film.
3. Check the mould and the tray fit
The mould is made for a particular tray or cup size. If you start using a different container, even a slightly different size, the seal can fail. In that case we can make a new mould for the new container. See our buyer's guide for how to measure.
4. Do not overfill
Food that touches the rim stops the film from sealing. Leave a small gap below the rim, particularly for dal, curry, soup and drinks.
Daily care for your machine
- Switch off and unplug the machine, and let it cool, before cleaning.
- Wipe the stainless steel body and the sealing area with a damp cloth. Do not pour water on the machine or spray it near electrical parts.
- Remove any film residue from the sealing area as it builds up.
- Use a properly earthed single-phase socket and keep the cable away from the hot parts.
- The sealing head gets hot. Keep hands and loose clothing away from it while sealing.
When to call us
If you have checked the rim, the film, the fit and the settings and the machine still does not seal properly, call us on +91 85108 13358 or message us on WhatsApp with a short video or photo of the problem. You can also use the enquiry form. If you are comparing machines before you buy, see our full range.
