Vacuum sealing food means removing all the oxygen present in the bag. This way the food can last 3-5 days longer. Furthermore, the original appearance is preserved because microorganisms, such as bacteria, grow more slowly with this type of closure. This method also avoids freezing burns, because the food does not come into contact with cold air. If you are used to vacuum packing food, it is probably worth buying the machine that automates the process. Here we will explain both how to use the machine and how to vacuum seal food with a hand tool.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Vacuum sealing with an automatic machine
Step 1. Clean and prepare the food you want to vacuum seal
- Scrub or peel fruit and vegetables to make sure dirt doesn't get trapped in the bag.
- Remove the skin and bones from the flesh.
Step 2. Put the food inside the plastic bag
Many machines are configured only for a specific brand of bag.
Step 3. Put the open side of the bag into the machine
Step 4. If necessary, press the button to start the closing process
Many machines are equipped with an automatic sensor that senses when a bag is inserted, and starts the process automatically.
Step 5. Check that the machine is exposing the air and that the bag shrinks
Step 6. Wait for the machine to finish its process, that is, all the oxygen has been removed from the bag
Step 7. Remove the bag and place it in the pantry, fridge or freezer
Method 2 of 2: Close some vacuum packed food with a hand pump
Step 1. Clean and prepare the food you want to bag
Step 2. Put the food in the bag or container (many manual vacuum sealing pumps work better with containers rather than bags)
Step 3. Put the cap on the container or seal the bag
Step 4. Put the pump spout into the intended hole in the bag or container cap
Step 5. Press the pump several times, until all the oxygen has been removed from the bag or container
Step 6. Remove the nozzle from the hole (many manual pumps have a one-way nozzle, so that the air does not come out once removed)
Step 7. Put the food in the pantry, in the fridge, or in the freezer
Advice
- Use the vacuum seal to package single portions of food. This type of closure, in fact, is more efficient if a single portion of meat or small quantities of product are bagged, rather than trying to fill a bag as much as possible.
- When you are comparing the prices of the machines, remember to also pay attention to the cost of the bags or containers.