How to Use a Food Vacuum Sealer?

According to a study in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, approximately 31.9% of food is wasted in American households. This yearly wastage amounts to a staggering $240 billion, equivalent to $1,866 per household. These findings highlight the significant issue of food waste, and one effective way to address this problem is by using food vacuum sealers. In this article, we will delve into the details of what a food vacuum sealer is, how it is used, and its benefits and drawbacks.

A food vacuum sealer is a machine that removes air from a bag or container and then seals it tightly using heat. Both sides of the bag are sealed so that no air can enter from outside. The purpose of removing air from inside and preventing it from entering from outside is to keep the food inside the bag fresh for a longer time and to maintain its taste. With a food vacuum sealer, you can seal various foods such as meat, vegetables, bread, and fruits to extend their shelf life and preserve flavor.

Step 1: Select the right bags for vacuum sealing

For food vacuum sealing, not every plastic bag can be used because if you use the wrong one, the vacuum sealing won't work correctly. Use a bag specifically designed for vacuum sealing, like embossed vacuum bags, to get the best results.

Step 2: Add food to the bags

Before putting food into vacuum-sealing bags, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure the food you're putting in isn't too sharp, as it could potentially puncture the bag. Second, before placing any food inside, cut it into smaller pieces. For example, if you're putting in meat, cut it into small pieces so that you can store more of it in the bag. Also, when putting food into the bag for vacuum sealing, leave about 2 to 3 inches of space between the top of the bag and the food. This helps with effective vacuum sealing and prevents the seal from breaking easily.

Step 3: Put the bag in the vacuum chamber

Now, after putting your food in the bag, straighten the open part of the bag to make sure there are no wrinkles or folds. Then, place it on the vacuum chamber and tightly close the lid of the vacuum chamber.

Step 4: Check the indicator 

Different brands of machines may have various ways of giving indications about the vacuum sealing process. To know how your vacuum sealing machine gives indications, you can check the instruction paper provided with the machine. Usually, indications come through light or sound. For example, in the vacuum sealing machine we sell on our website, a green light turns on during vacuuming, and a red light during sealing, and when the light turns green again, it means the sealing is done, and you can take the bag out of the machine.

Step 5: Double-check the seal for quality assurance!

After vacuum sealing, when you take the bag out of the machine, double-check it to ensure the seal is secure. If the seal doesn't seem right, vacuum seal the food again because if the seal isn't proper, the food might spoil.

#1 Bonus Tip: Make sure to add a date and label to the vacuum-sealed bags, specifying the contents. This simple step helps you organize your stored food, providing a clear record of when each item was vacuum-sealed.

#2 Bonus Tip: Before vacuum sealing a liquid item, freeze it first so that it doesn't spill during the vacuum sealing process.

Pros

You can buy food in Bulk

If you have a vacuum sealer at home, you can confidently buy food in large quantities without worrying about it going bad. With food vacuum sealing, you can store food for a long time without any concerns. It not only helps in saving your food but also saves you money, especially when you buy food in bulk.

Food tastes better

Unlike storing food without vacuum sealing, the taste of the food isn't as good. However, with vacuum sealing, the taste of your food doesn't change, and it tastes delicious.

Extends the Shelf Life of your food

Vacuum-sealed food can make it last 3 to 5 times longer than regular stored food. This means that the shelf life, or how long the food stays good to eat, is significantly increased when you use vacuum sealing compared to storing it in a normal container.

Vacuum sealers prevent freezer burn

Freezer burn happens when food gets dry and loses its quality in the freezer. Vacuum sealing removes air, which slows down moisture loss and keeps the food fresh, preventing freezer burn.

Food vacuum sealers prevent bacteria

A vacuum-sealed food bag is an airtight bag that doesn't have any oxygen inside or coming in from outside. Because there's no oxygen in the bag, bacteria cannot grow in the food, and they eventually die

Cons

Not all foods can be vacuum-sealed

If you think you can vacuum seal all types of food with a vacuum sealer, it's not true. Many foods, like raw onions, fresh mushrooms, garlic, and soft cheeses, cannot be vacuum sealed.

It can be expensive

Vacuum sealing food can be expensive because you need to buy specific vacuum bags. You can't use regular shopping bags for vacuum sealing. These special bags are often for single use, meaning you have to buy them in larger quantities, making the process more costly.

Vaccum-sealed food is not 100% safe from bacteria

Vacuum-sealed food usually stops bacteria growth since there's no oxygen, but certain bacteria thrive in oxygen-free environments, like inside vacuum-sealed bags, where they can grow rapidly.

Vacuum sealing is not eco-friendly

Because vacuum sealing involves using a lot of plastic bags, it is not considered an environmentally friendly practice.