A vacuum sealer removes air from specially designed bags and then uses heat to melt a seal to keep air out. This oxygen-free environment slows food spoilage, freezer burn, and dehydration. Foods sealed with a vacuum sealer can last between three to five times longer than with other storage methods.
Benefits of Vacuum Sealing
- Preserves food quality for longer storage
- Minimizes freezer burn so food retains flavor and texture
- Lets you buy food in bulk and portion out meals
- Marinates food faster by evenly distributing marinade
- Waterproofs items for camping, boating, hiking
- Protects important documents like photos and paperwork
- Saves money by reducing food waste from spoilage
Types of Vacuum Sealer
There are two main types of countertop vacuum sealers:
- Chamber sealers use a plastic bag inside a rigid chamber to remove oxygen and seal contents. These commercial-grade machines are very effective at removing air but expensive.
- External sealers have an open design with a seal bar that clamps down on the open end of a vacuum bag. Most affordable home models are external sealers.
Now let’s explore clever ways to use vacuum sealers with food and for travel.
Food Preservation Hacks
Vacuum sealing is a simple way to extend shelf life and maximize your grocery budget. Follow these expert tips when preparing food to get the best results from your sealer.
Sealing Leftovers
Preserve leftovers at peak freshness with vacuum sealing. Here’s how:
- Let food cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation inside the bag which can cause mold growth.
- For saucy foods, place paper towels between sauce and seal to soak up excess liquid.
- Use specialty bags safe for sous vide cooking to reheat vacuum-sealed leftovers by simmering bags gently in hot water.
Freezing Foods
Since vacuum sealing protects against freezer burn and oxidation, it’s perfect for freezing fruits, vegetables, meats, baked goods, and more.
- Double seal bulky or very wet foods. First seal most of the bag but leave a small section open. Seal the open section after pressing remaining air out.
- Prevent freezer burn by sealing food with little to no air in bags. Use water displacement method: Submerge bottom corner of open bag in water, add food, then seal above water line.
- Label contents and dates clearly on each vacuum bag before freezing. Use permanent marker rated for freezer use.
Read More: 10 HACKS FOR BETTER FOOD PRESERVATION IN YOUR FREEZER
Sealing Meat and Fish
Vacuum sealers safely extend fresh meat and seafood shelf life while retaining quality in the freezer.
- Pat meat dry before sealing to remove excess surface moisture and ice crystals that hasten freezer burn.
- Use a marinade guard bag insert or small plastic container inside vacuum bags when marinating meats. This keeps excess liquid contained and inhibits freezer burn.
- For fish fillets, line the inside of the bag with clean parchment paper cut larger than the filets before adding fish. The paper protects delicate flesh.
Portioning Ingredients
Save money and eliminate food waste by vacuum sealing bulk items into planned portions.
- Split a 25-pound sack of rice or flour into 1 or 2 cup portions for easy access while cooking or baking.
- Make batches of homemade spice blends in small vacuum bags to keep flavors fresh longer.
- Create ready-to-cook entrée ingredient kits with pre-cut veggies and measured dry goods for fast weeknight meals.
Sous Vide Cooking
Vacuum sealing is integral for sous vide cooking which uses precise temperature-controlled water baths for perfectly cooked meats and more.
- Use designated sous vide bags or mason jars to withstand extended cooking times plus direct water contact.
- Double seal very moist foods in a two-step process with the water displacement method before cooking sous vide.
- Chill food completely in an ice bath before sealing for sous vide to inhibit bacteria growth.
Travel Hacks
Vacuum sealers help maximize packing efficiency for all types of trips. Use these travel tips to streamline luggage and prevent messes on the go with your sealer.
Toiletries and Cosmetics
From shampoo to sunblock, vacuum seal liquid toiletries and minimize the mess of spilled bottles and tubes.
- Wrap each bottle in plastic wrap with absorbent paper towel padding before sealing in a vacuum bag to contain any leaks.
- Utilize travel-size containers of toiletries then vacuum seal to guard against pressure leaks in luggage.
- Make custom cosmetic kits by sealing related items like facial products together according to your routine.
Clothing Compression
Save luggage space and compress clothing volume with vacuum sealing.
- Only vacuum seal clean, dry clothing free of debris to prevent seal failures or holes from particles.
- For delicate fabrics, use gentle vacuum pressure and place tissue paper between folds while sealing.
- Compress bulky sweaters into thin sealed packets that spring back to size upon opening.
Snack Portions
Vacuum seal snack bags are perfect for reducing mess and keeping food fresh for adventures on the move.
- Make custom snack packs in precise single serve portions – seal a few cookies or small bags of trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, veggie chips, etc.
- For camping or road trips, individually seal powdered drink mix packets to add to water bottles when needed.
- Grab pre-portioned snacks from your luggage without upending the contents of bags to find what you want.
Emergency Kits
Create customized first aid and small emergency kits to tuck efficiently into backpacks, glove compartments, bug out bags, and more.
- Sort supplies like bandages, ointments, safety pins, flashlight, lighter, knife, fire starter, water purification tablets etc. into clear customizable vacuum seal pouches.
- Make a mini emergency roadside kit with an ice scraper, traction pads, flashlight, flares, jumper cables.
- Waterproof and organize camping/hiking first aid essentials like gauze, tweezers, bandages, antibiotics, instant cold pack.
DIY Vacuum Sealing Solutions
With a few household supplies, you can vacuum seal WITHOUT an expensive appliance. These clever hacks create makeshift sealers to extend food storage life.
Mason Jar Sealer
Turn mason jars into vacuum-sealed time capsules with this method using hot water and your kitchen sink.
Supplies Needed:
- Mason jars
- Mason jar lifter
- Paper towel
- Water
Steps:
- Clean and dry mason jar thoroughly. Add clean, dry contents to be sealed. Place clean paper towel on top of jar rim underneath lid. Apply lid and band.
- Fill sink halfway with very hot tap water – not boiling to avoid cracking glass.
- Using jar lifter, fully submerge sealed mason jar under the hot water for 30 seconds.
- Remove jar and immerse top third into ice water bath. The temperature difference causes vacuum seal. Refrigerate after sealing; consume contents within two weeks.
Ziplock and Straw Technique
Use supplies from a kitchen drawer to manually vacuum seal food in zipper bags.
Supplies:
- Ziplock style plastic bags (any size)
- Drinking straw
Steps:
- Place food in plastic bag; zip bag almost closed leaving small air gap.
- Insert straw into gap; suck out air while removing straw and immediately zip bag completely closed. This manually evacuates air and mimics vacuum sealing.
- For liquids, submerge bottom corner in cup of water while removing air through straw.
Troubleshooting Vacuum Sealer Issues
Despite best practices, vacuum sealers can still experience occasional issues. Review these troubleshooting tips before assuming your sealer needs service.
Bag Seal Failure
If vacuum sealed bags won’t seal or don’t hold seal over time:
- Clean heating strip inside appliance to remove debris inhibiting bag melting.
- Ensure both upper and lower seal bars meet evenly without gaps to apply consistent heat pressure.
- Replace worn out or rigid bags meant for single use. Upgrade to higher quality multi-use bags instead.
Food Gets Crushed
Some delicate foods can get flattened or smashed during vacuum sealing. To avoid this:
- Seal gently without completely evacuating all air to leave some protective cushioning.
- Place crushed paper towels or coffee filters inside to shield food.
- Insert cardboard rounds cut larger than interior bag dimensions if sealing soft fruits/veggies.
Liquid Drawback Into Machine
Use caution when vacuum sealing juicy foods or marinades to prevent overflow messes.
- Freeze liquids like soup stock or tomato sauce flat in a bag instead of vertically filling. This gives more surface area for seal bars to fuse bag shut.
- Allow extra space at top of vertical bags so liquids don’t obstruct seal bar contact.
- Use edge guards between very moist contents and seal strip to divert seepage from suction holes.
Conclusion
Vacuum sealers are versatile tools that make preserving foods, packing luggage, and general organization more efficient. Use these handy vacuum sealer tips and tricks to get the most out of vacuum sealing at home and for travel adventures. Experiment with marinating meats faster, saving freezer space, compressing clothing cubes, making customized first aid kits and more with clever vacuum sealer life hacks.