Vacuum sealers and their bags are really expensive. Here is how to seal food without one. Not only do you save money by not buying a sealer, but this method pushes out all the air, which eliminates freezer burn, and lets you store frozen goods longer.
Total Time: 5 minutes
Source: Youtube
Supplies:
Steps:
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I love this. I saw this on a cooking show a few weeks ago and I was super impressed. Thumbs up:)
I have a vacuum sealer that I use only infrequently because of the price. I tried this and it really works well.
This is a neat trick, it does work, and while not new it is good to send it around again for those who don't know about it.
This little trick works well, and is not new, but always good to send it around again for those who don't know about it.
I eat a lot of shredded cheese. I have found the bags to be heavier and stronger. I have also found them to be more air and water tight than regular storage bags.
I do a 2 bag process. The outer zipper bags can be re-used until you have run out of room to change the date of when you froze what's inside, if you choose to keep them. The inner bags are the least expensive plastic food storage bags I can find at the store. They are flimsy, usually gallon sized, and close with a twist-tie. I never use the twist ties though. I get my large pack of meat or whatever I am freezing, my zipper freezer bags, and the storage bags. I label my freezer bag with whatever will be inside and the date, it's easier before you fill it. Then I take however many of my item I want to use at one time (It's me and I take care of my dad so I portion enough for 2 servings for 2 people). I put them into the cheap bag, and spread and flatten them as much as I can. This helps them freeze and thaw more evenly and quickly; you can also just leave the item in its original shape if you wish. Then I lay the bag on the table, smoothing out any air, then fold the bag around the items as many times as it will go (basically rolling the food in plastic). No air inside is important, most foods are easy to force the air from.
It is very good advise. Thanyou
What a fantastic idea - thank you so much for sharing it with all of us out here. Now I am looking forward to trying your idea next time I do the grocery shopping!
Clever idea!
Another method to seal foods in bags that is almost as good as a vacuum sealer, is to : put your food item in a freezer bag and close the zipper or seal-by-hand strip to ALMOST closed...leave just enough open to put a straw in the opening. Then with fingers ready to finish the bag closure, suck out all the air you can, and keep sucking on the straw as you finish sealing the bag while pulling out the straw. It might take a bit of practice to get the bag almost air-free.
I do this too. The only thing I worry about is if it is something like raw meat as I occasionally will get a little bit of the food sucked up through the straw. It works great as long as you use freezer bags.
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