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Seal and store food air-free with these simple tips
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From meal prep and portion control to preservation and packing, vacuum sealing is a versatile home storage solution. If you don't have a vacuum sealer at home, DIY options like a tub of water or plastic straw can make good substitutes. We'll walk you through everything you need to know, including how to use a traditional vacuum sealer (for food and for home storage).
Steps
Section 2 of 3:
How to Use a Vacuum Sealer
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Blanch veggies before packing and freezing them. You'll better preserve their flavor and nutritional value if you blanch your veggies before packing and freezing them. Place veggies in a large pot of boiling water, cover them, and heat them for three to four minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them from the pot to a bowl of ice water.
- Pat the vegetables dry after their ice bath.
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Pat dry or season meats before vacuum sealing. If you're vacuum sealing a piece of meat without seasoning it, just pat it dry with a paper towel before placing it into the vacuum bag. If you prefer, before packing up your meat, you can infuse it with flavor by mixing seasonings or a marinade. [3] X Research source
- For example, pack up a piece of salmon with salt, pepper, dill, and a slice of lemon to infuse the fish with these flavors. Or you can vacuum seal pre-seasoned meat, like beef or deer jerky , to lock in both flavor and freshness.
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Place the item in a vacuum bag with the top folded. When you've prepared your food for packing, place it into a vacuum bag large enough to fit the item with some room to spare. Fold the edges of the bag's opening over so your food doesn't make a mess as you place it into the bag. [4] X Research source
- Make sure there's one to two inches (three to five centimeters) between the food item and side of the bag that you're sealing. That way, you'll have room to lock the sealer's lid over the bag's opening.
- Some vacuum seal bags have a maximum fill line, so check your product for a line near its opening.
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Use your sealer to make vacuum bags. You can make vacuum bags by placing two equally sized plastic sheets on top of each other. Place one side of the plastic sheets into the vacuum sealer and press the Seal Only button to heat seal the sheets' edges together. Repeat the process to create heat seals on three sides, leaving one side open for you to pack the item you want to vacuum seal.
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Lock the bag into the sealer and press the vacuum seal button. Open the sealer lid, position the bag's opening at the vacuum mouth, then close the sealer lid and listen for a click that indicates it's locked. [5] X Research source Once it's locked, press the Vacuum Seal button to activate the appliance and compress the bag. [6] X Research source
- Sealers usually have one button to vacuum and automatically seal and another just for sealing. Check your user manual for specific information about how your device's controls are labeled.
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Seal bags that contain liquid manually. To seal bags with liquid, watch the bag after you've pressed Vacuum Seal. Press the Seal Only button when you start to see liquid move up the bag. After sucking out the last bit of air, the vacuum will start pulling the liquid out, so you should use the Seal Only option to manually seal the bag. [7] X Research source
- To pack items without liquid, you can just press the Vacuum Seal button and let the device seal your bag automatically.
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Section 3 of 3:
How to Vacuum Seal for Home Storage
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Pack your items into a storage bag without overfilling it. Note the maximum fill line on your vacuum seal storage bags, and avoid overfilling them to keep them in the best shape. Your packed items should be dry, and you should avoid vacuum sealing objects with sharp corners or hard ridges. [8] X Research source
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Use the zip slider to seal the bag. After filling your storage bag, take the zip slider firmly between your thumb and index finger. Run it down the length of the bag's opening at least twice. Then check the ziplock seal with your fingers to ensure the bag is correctly sealed. [9] X Research source
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Close the valve cap after you've finished vacuuming it. Once you've vacuumed out as much air as possible, your clothing, blankets, or other sealed item should have reduced in size by about half. Pop the cap back over the valve, put the vacuum away, and store your vacuum sealed bag in a safe place. [12] X Research source
- Avoid storing a bag in a hot place or just throwing it in the closet. It might get damaged in high temperatures or if it accidentally hits a sharp object.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionMy sealer will not vacuum air out of the bag. What do I do?Community AnswerCheck the manual that came with your vacuum sealer to make sure that you are using it correctly. If it still doesn't work, contact the manufacturer or the store where you bought the vacuum sealer.
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Tips
- Vacuum sealing is a very effective technique when you want to store a large amount of dried goods, like rice or pasta.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/use-this-hack-to-store-foods-without-a-vacuum-sealer/
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/gds/Your-Guide-to-Creating-a-Vacuum-Bag-Sealer-/10000000178571831/g.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsRygk1WKKg&feature=youtu.be&t=5
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsRygk1WKKg&feature=youtu.be&t=31
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsRygk1WKKg&feature=youtu.be&t=54
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsRygk1WKKg&feature=youtu.be&t=67
- ↑ https://www.foodsaver.com/support/Auto-Ship-Program-FAQ?cfid=general-questions-vacuum-faq
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Keep-Your-Vacuum-Bag-Secure-and-Sealed-/10000000178571688/g.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ASIqUWre_c&feature=youtu.be&t=67
About This Article
Article Summary
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To vacuum seal food, place your food in a vacuum bag and fold the top over. Open the sealer’s lid, then place the bag’s fold into the sealer and close the lid. Once you hear the lock, which sounds like a click, press the vacuum seal button. If your sealer doesn’t have a vacuum seal button, press the vacuum button first. Once all the air is sucked out, then press the seal button. For liquids, press the seal button when you start to see liquid move up the bag. To learn more about vacuum sealing, like how to seal home storage items, keep reading!
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