Vacuum Sealers

Does food spoil in your fridge or pantry faster than you'd like? Is freezer burn the bane of your existence? Keep food fresher, longer with the help of a food vacuum sealer. It seals your food in a vacuum-tight bag, eliminating oxygen and moisture. If you're considering a food saver, check out these answers to some frequently asked questions.

What are the different types of food vacuum sealers?

There are 2 main types of food sealers: internal and external. In an internal food vacuum sealer, you place the vacuum bag and items to be sealed inside the machine's vacuum chamber, and then close the lid. The vacuum sealing takes place inside the machine to effectively remove a high percentage of oxygen, making it ideal for vacuum sealing large amounts of food. An external vacuum sealer, conversely, removes oxygen from the vacuum bag through the bag's opening. An external sealer doesn't offer as much suction power as an internal one, but is ideal for everyday household applications such as storing leftovers or repackaging bulk food.

What should I look for when buying a food sealer?

When shopping for a food saver, there's more to consider than the type of sealer.

Size

If you'll be using the vacuum sealer often, opt for a size that'll fit nicely on your counter so you won't have to stow it away. Vertically designed sealers are great space-savers.

Manual or automatic operation

An automatic food sealer does most of the work for you; it can dispense the vacuum bag, seal your foods, cut the bag, and turn off the machine at the touch of a button. A manual food sealer, on the other hand, requires more time and handiwork, as you'll need to manually feed the vacuum bag in, turn on the machine, and then turn it off. Consider your budget and how often you'll be using the vacuum sealer when deciding between a manual or automatic model.

Sealing options

Some food sealers offer different settings for moist and dry foods, providing versatility and convenience for sealing everything from meat to dried beans. Others have a feature for protecting delicate foods such as potato chips or cereal from being crushed.

Vacuum bags

Some food savers can seal pre-cut individual vacuum bags, while others hold a roll of bags inside the machine. A stored roll gives you the convenience of cutting bags to different sizes to fit your various needs.

What types of food can you vacuum seal?

The sky's the limit when it comes to vacuum sealing. To preserve freshness, you can vacuum seal everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to marinated meats and fish. Dry foods, such as pasta, rice, beans, and cereal, are also great for vacuum sealing, as they stay fresher with a lack of oxygen. Making pre-made meals for the freezer? Vacuum seal them into individual portions to keep them fresh and free of freezer burn.

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