How to Vacuum Pack Food

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Vacuum packing food is the perfect way to extend its life, and it can even help prevent freezer burn. We'll show you how easy it is, whether you're using a vacuum sealer or a manual pump.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Vacuum Pack Food With an Automatic Machine

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    • Scrub or peel fruits and vegetables so dirt is not trapped inside the vacuum seal.
    • Trim any skin and bone that you don’t need from meat.
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    Most machines require using a specific brand of bag.
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    Many vacuum pack food machines have an automatic sensor that alerts the machine when a bag has been placed inside and automatically starts the sealing process.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Vacuum Pack Food With a Manual Pump

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    (Many manual vacuum sealing systems use containers rather than bags.) [1]
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    [2]
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    (Many of the manual systems have a one way nozzle so that air won’t escape once the nozzle has been removed.)
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How safe is it to vacuum seal tuna salad and ship it for two to three days for someone to consume?
    Community Answer
    If it is refrigerated, it should be fine. To be on the safe side, include some thermal stickers that will alert the recipient if the food was ever below safe food temperature, and you should be good to go.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 2
  • Question
    Can I vacuum frozen packaged vegetables without taking them out of the bag?
    Community Answer
    The simplest way is to leave the frozen packaged vegetables out for 5 minutes, then you can vacuum pack them.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How long will the food keep?
    Kamilamila22
    Community Answer
    For berries, 5-7 days. For tomatoes, 4-8 months. The refrigerator is a good place to store vacuum-packed food, it can make food last for weeks rather than days. It also allows you to buy food (such as chicken) in bulk without having to eat it all over a few days.
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      Tips

      • When comparing the cost of different vacuum seal systems, also look at the cost of purchasing additional storage bags or containers.
        Thanks
      • Use the vacuum sealer to package individual portions of food. Vacuum sealing is most effective when sealing just one piece of meat or small amounts of produce rather than trying to cram many portions into a single bag.
        Thanks
      • While packaging don't touch the food with your hands even if you have washed them properly.
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      Warnings

      • Be sure to follow the food safety guidelines for vacuum packed food before consumption. While the life of food is greatly extended by the vacuum packing process, the food will still expire or spoil after a certain point.
        Thanks
      • Even with vacuum packed food there is a chance of growing of anaerobic organism that cause threat to the food.
        Thanks
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      Things You'll Need

      • Vacuum sealing system
      • Specialized bags or containers compatible with the vacuum sealing system

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI4MDtEVnvo
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI4MDtEVnvo
      3. http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/publications/uga/vacuum_packaging.html

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