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Vacuum Sealing Food

Kelly Ann Butterbaugh
July 19, 2007

Vacuum Packing & Food StorageMy newest experiment has been vacuum sealing my food. As one who always loved to "put up" food in glass Mason jars and keep a stocked freezer, the thought of further food preservation intrigued me. Vacuum sealing is a simple way of preserving food. If airborne bacteria can't get to the food, the process of natural breakdown (spoilage) can be avoided. It's the way food is packaged for shipping, so why not try it at home? I'm still on the fence as to whether or not it is saving me money, but I certainly am having fun learning.

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What Is It?

Vacuum sealing is a process of food preservation which utilizes special canisters or plastic bags. Food is placed in the canister or bag which is then attached to a vacuum sealer which removes all the air from the container. This preserves the food for long periods of time. The bags can be opened and resealed (making them smaller each time), and they can be reused, frozen, boiled, and microwaved. Canisters are perpetually reusable, and they allow themselves to be opened and resealed throughout the day.

Less Waste

How many times have you thrown away food because it went stale or was freezer burnt? It's a frustrating task, and although I enjoy buying in bulk I despise wasting food. I'm disappointed when I pull a roast from my freezer that looks like a chunk of ice. Vacuum storage eliminates this problem, allowing me to produce a beautifully colored roast from the freezer months beyond its normal expiration date.
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By packaging a head of lettuce, which is pricey in my area of the country during the winter, in a vacuum canister I can preserve it for more than two weeks. All the while it looks as green as the day I brought it home.

I've even sealed leftover steak rolls in a canister and used them eight days later without noticing a difference in their freshness.

Save on Bulk

Bulk purchases ask for vacuum sealing. After buying a large block of cheese at a discount price, I can cut it into four chunks, seal each one in a vacuum bag, and enjoy it for months. Freezer foods stay fresher, bulk packages of cereals and cookies don't go stale, and fresh fruits can last for over a week.

The Cost

Cost is a priority in our household, but so is avoiding waste. I'm not so upset if it costs a few more pennies as long as I don't waste food. However, I'm convinced that the initial investment in a vacuum sealer will pay off. The sealer systems aren't cheap, and neither are the bags and canisters. While the canisters are the priciest items, they earn their keep in that they're endlessly reusable. I haven't sat to do the math about the cost of the bags versus the savings on my meats and vegetables, but I don't think I'm going to do it.
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Like my canning, I enjoy this method of food preservation. My fridge looks full of fresh produce throughout the week and I'm throwing out very little if anything. Like all preservation methods, there is a cost. Canning requires pressure canners (more costly than the sealer system!), cans, lids, and the energy to boil the water. Freezers also ask for enormous amounts of energy as well as the initial cost of the freezer. In the end is a vacuum sealer any different? You be the judge.

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More Solutions

This page contains the following solutions.

October 11, 2010

Plastic bags in cereal packages are very sturdy. I use them with my vacuum heat sealer for frozen items and keeping other dry items together.

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They are very handy in my quilting and sewing area.

 
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August 31, 2010

Since this is a Waste Nothing Group, for those who have Food Saver vacuum sealers or similar brand, and have the attachment to vacuum seal in canning jars, the lids can be reused over and over again.

 
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July 29, 2009

Wrap gooshy stuff, like salmon steaks, in plastic wrap before packing with a vacuum sealer. No more non-sealing bags or vacuum-sealers full of juice!

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Eliminating waste is well worth the use of the plastic wrap.

 
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January 19, 2012

I like to purchase or prepare items in bulk and then use my vacuum sealer to either divide into smaller portions or just make them last longer in the freezer.

 
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11 Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

August 18, 2012

Can I use my vacuum sealer for my jars of fresh tomatoes?

By G Hay

Answers


Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 472 Feedbacks
August 20, 20120 found this helpful
Best Answer

NO, NO, NO. Tomatoes MUST be processed; bacteria can grow in a sealed jar that isn't heat processed correctly. Vacuum sealing them without heat processing them is literally taking your life into your own hands.

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You will get food poisoning and could possibly die. DO NOT try it!

 
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December 27, 2014

I am using a food storage machine. When using the vacuum what setting do I use, dry or liquid?

By Ginger

Answers


Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 220 Answers
December 28, 20140 found this helpful

You have a fifty-fifty choice here. I vote for liquid as lasagna is definitely wettish.

 
January 3, 20150 found this helpful

I would freeze it first, then then seal it.

 
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May 13, 2016

I have had a good crop of capsicums, how would I prepare the capsicums for freezing?


Answers

May 14, 20160 found this helpful

Thank you so much, I did google it but you gave me more information than I found

 
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Bronze Request Medal for All Time! 65 Requests
August 24, 2012

I want to buy a vacuum storage machine for food. I was wondering if I would need to buy the special food vacuum bags that seem to be advertised with the machines? If so, has anyone got any tips on the best machine to purchase? Thanks.

By Irish Eyes

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July 20, 2022

I have just purchased a food vacuum sealer and I have just tried to seal a heap of sliced fresh onions, but I can't get a good seal on the bag, because it keeps sucking juices from the onions. Does anyone know whether I am doing something wrong here?

June 30, 2019

When a foodsaver fails to seal the bag, it may be that a gasket has dried out or it may be time to replace the whole unit.

A package of vacuum sealed food.

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