A vacuum food sealer is an important part of many homes today. With so much emphasis on freshness, these machines are becoming more commonplace. How do they work? A vacuum sealer draws the air out of a plastic storage bag or container and seals it tightly in order to prevent any air from getting in. However, when storing items that are soft or juicy, it’s a good idea to freeze them for several hours before vacuum sealing them. Failing to freeze these items first could cause them to become crushed or lose their juices during the process of vacuum sealing.
What is a vacuum sealer? A vacuum food sealer is a machine that vacuums and seals. The main function is to preserve food, but it’s possible to use the machine for other products as well. A vacuum is a place with no air, which means there is no oxygen. Food spoilage is the result of the food combining with oxygen. The removal of oxygen from food will allow it to maintain freshness much longer. A vacuum sealer removes the air from a plastic bag in which there is food a person wishes to preserve.
Avoiding spoilage. Food can spoil quickly when individuals don’t take preventive measures. Many microscopic organisms feast on unattended foods. It’s possible to prolong the life of food using modern techniques such as vacuum sealing. Although no method can increase the lifetime of food indefinitely, vacuum sealing allows individuals the chance to preserve the freshness of foods well past their original date of production. The bacteria that consumes foods that are not protected will continue to multiply whenever water and nutrition are available. The foul odor and rotten appearance that shows on spoiled food is caused by the bacterial waste.
How much fresher? According to a study conducted by a University, the average family wastes approximately 9.92 pounds of food each week. Based on the average family’s food budget of $153 weekly, this is approximately $31 a week. This spoilage can be greatly reduced with a vacuum sealer, which uses bags, containers an individual can stack and an attachment for mason jars. A vacuum sealing system removes the air that surrounds the food and allows it to remain fresh for as much as five times longer than traditional storage methods.
Which foods can be sealed? Dried foods, frozen foods and those foods that are refrigerated can be extended using a vacuum sealing machine. However, it is important to avoid developing a false sense of security. Food that is vacuum-sealed and then frozen is safe, but it is best to thaw it in the refrigerator in order to slow the growth of bacteria. Perishable items of food that are vacuum packed should remain in the refrigerator and not be in an area with a temperature above 40 degrees for longer than a total of two hours. This guideline is for safety reasons and should always be followed. Keep in mind that removal of oxygen from food packages does not remove the growth of all bacteria.
Frozen food sealing. When vacuum sealing food to put in the freezer, it’s important to pre-freeze some items such as fruits, vegetables and meatballs on a cookie sheet. Foods that contain liquid should be placed in plastic containers before freezing. This will then allow the user to pop the food out and vacuum seal it in its frozen state. If a food is known to freeze well, double any amount of that item and immediately vacuum seal the extra. Always remember to use the bags specific to the vacuum sealer machine being used. Most of the bags can be cleaned and reused except those used to store raw meats.