Vacuum Sealing: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
Cutting down on food waste has many advantages: It’s better for both the environment and our budgets. According to a recent study, Americans lose as much as $1,300 on spoiled food, which then makes up a hefty 24 percent of landfill waste.
Along with helpful habits like meal planning and learning the nuances of expiration dates, there’s another simple way to keep food from ending up in the garbage: better storage. Knowing how to store food properly is key to extending its shelf life—there’s good reason why you keep apples away from other produce!
If you already know the ins and outs of basic food storage, consider taking things to the next level with vacuum sealing. Whether you buy in bulk to save money, meal prep ahead of time for convenience, or simply want to eat more fresh food, this food preservation technique can help your groceries last longer.
But First, What Exactly Is Vacuum Sealing?
At its very foundation, vacuum sealing is the act of removing oxygen from bags or containers, creating an airtight seal that protects food from freezer burn and bacteria growth. By limiting exposure to oxygen, which causes spoilage, vacuum sealing helps extend your food’s shelf life, be it vegetables in the crisper drawer, snacks in the pantry, or proteins in the freezer.
Advantages of Vacuum Sealing | Air Out. Freshness In.
There are many benefits of vacuum sealing and each home cook will probably have different reasons for doing so—here are some of the main advantages:
What Foods Can I Vacuum Seal?
The list of foods that can be vacuum sealed goes on and on. Bread? Check. Steak? Check. Wine? Check. Rather than go through the exhaustive lineup of items that can be vacuum sealed, it’s far easier to share what can’t: soft cheese, bananas, mushrooms, whole apples, raw onions and garlic, cabbages and lettuce, and freshly cooked veggies—once they’re cooled.
Two other things to keep in mind: Some vegetables, like cucumbers and potatoes, don’t retain their texture well after defrosting so they aren’t ideal for sealing and freezing, and avoid putting hot food immediately in the fridge as it can increase the temperature inside.
How Long Does Vacuum Sealed Food Last?
Timing differs from item to item, but vacuum sealing with a FoodSaver® machine can keep food fresh up to 5x longer when compared to ordinary storage methods. This applies to products that go into your freezer, fridge, or pantry. For example, when vacuum sealed, beef and poultry can be frozen for up to three years, hard cheese can keep for up to eight months in the fridge, and baking essentials such as flour and sugar are good for up to two years.
What Tools Do I Need to Vacuum Seal?
While the term “vacuum sealer” may conjure up images of bulky, complicated machines, today’s sealers are far less unwieldy and quite easy to use. Here’s a short breakdown of vacuum sealing supplies:
What to Look for When Buying a Vacuum Sealer
Now that you know what you need, there are a few considerations to make when selecting the right vacuum sealer for you. If your primary goal is to bulk buy and meal prep, look for a vacuum sealer with built-in roll storage and a cutter bar, which can speed up the sealing process. If space is a constraint, then a compact model or handheld vacuum sealer may be the way to go. The types of food you plan to seal make a difference, too—for example, meats, which may have some liquid to them, work best when using a sealer with a moist function.