Devices for producing vacuum using the Venturi effect are disclosed that have a housing defining a suction chamber, a motive passageway converging toward the suction chamber and in fluid communication therewith, a discharge passageway diverging away from the suction chamber and in fluid communication therewith, and a suction passageway in fluid communication with the suction chamber. Within the suction chamber, a motive exit of the motive passageway is generally aligned with and spaced apart from a discharge entrance of the discharge passageway to define a Venturi gap, and the suction passageway enters the suction chamber at a position that generates about a 180 degree change in the direction of suction flow from the suction passageway to the discharge passageway. Also or alternately, the motive passageway terminates in a spout protruding into the suction chamber disposed spaced apart from all one or more sidewalls of the suction chamber.