Everything You Need to Know About Vacuum Sealers Perhaps it’s a bold claim, but we think purchasing a vacuum sealer is one of of the most lifechanging moves a person can make. You’ll save money, you’ll save space all over your house, you won’t waste food, you’ll save time by having prepared food on hand...really, the perks are endless. But we understand that even those who love the idea of buying a vacuum sealer may still have a few unanswered questions. And for that reason, we’ve compiled some facts that should give you everything you need to know before you get started with your vacuum sealer.
Where vacuum sealer bags can be used Wondering where you can actually put your sealer bags to use? Well, the short answer is: practically everywhere! Vacuum sealer bags are ideal food and can be placed in the freezer for months and even years. The bags prevent freezer burn and keep your food tasting fresh. Bags can also be placed in the microwave for convenient reheating, as long as you cut off a corner of the bag to let steam escape. You can even wash and reuse bags, as long as the contents were not raw meats or unpasteurized eggs or cheese. That way you’ll save even more money by not having to buy new bags as frequently. Bags can be stored in the fridge or on the countertop as well.
What type of foods can be placed in vacuum sealer bags Vacuum sealer bags are excellent for storing fresh produce and vegetables, raw and cooked meats, cheese, eggs, and many more items. However, there are special conditions for storing foods in the most optimal way. Here are some foods to pay special attention to: ● ● ●
Tomatoes should be stored only as a puree, sauce or other processed food, as the texture of fresh tomatoes will not be maintained Soft cheese, mushrooms and garlic will not store well and may produce mold if they are stored on their own. Only mix with other prepared items, ie. lasagna or chili Berries can be stored without crushing them by pre-freezing on a cookie sheet, then placing in the vacuum sealer bag and returning to the freezer
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Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts give off gases when in storage and will not last like other foods will in the sealer bag. Not recommended for storage Fresh white bread is not recommended for storage
Tips when to use vacuum sealer bags After reading this far in the article, we’re sure you have plenty of ideas on how you can be using vacuum sealer bags to your benefit. But the uses are so vast, there may be a few you haven’t thought of yet! We recommend using vacuum sealer bags to store over-ripe bananas that you may want to use for baking later on. Just make sure to peel the bananas before putting the bag, then place in the freezer. Cookie dough is another great item to store in the bags, as long as the dough is rolled into individual portions. And you can even store soup in our bags when you let it cool down to room temperature before sealing off.