include one or more button actuated switches a keypad and screen a touchscreen etc the user i o 404 enables the user to select modes of operation for the vacuum packaging appliance 400 related to vacuum pump and in certain embodiments other operations of the vacuum packaging appliance 400 the vacuum sensor 406 is disposed within the vacuum circuit and is operable to sense a vacuum level of the vacuum circuit in certain embodiments the vacuum sensor 406 can provide vacuum level data along a continuous scale in other embodiments the vacuum sensor 406 provides a discrete output indicating transition from one vacuum phase to another or perhaps several discrete outputs the vacuum pump 408 is coupled to the vacuum circuit and is operable to evacuate gas from the vacuum circuit when actuated by the vacuum controller 402 other i o 410 may include a temperature sensor coupled to a heat sealing mechanism of the vacuum packaging appliance 400 vacuum packaging appliances having vacuum sensors with mechanical user feedback devices will now be described with reference to fig1 12 a vacuum packaging appliance 500 includes a base 502 a lid 504 a vacuum hose 506 coupling a first valve 508 formed in the base 502 to a second valve 570 formed in the lid 504 and a vacuum sensing module 512 circumferentially.