Vacuum sealing is a great way to preserve your food for longer. Before you get started, it’s helpful to take some time to understand the best practices of vacuum sealing so you can yield the best results.
Pick the Right Tools
Your first step is picking the right tools for your intended purpose. Typically, vacuum sealing is done using specialized plastic bags, but you can also vacuum seal jars and other containers. If you are using bags, you need to make sure you get the right sizes. When sealing, you need to leave some space around the item, so bags that are too small will not work. In addition to the bags, you also need to decide what type of vacuum sealer is best for you. A chamber sealer works well if you are a hunter or a professional meat processor or if you are sealing liquids. An external vacuum sealer is best for vacuum sealing for solid foods. Lastly, you can use a handheld vacuum sealer that allows you to easily vacuum seal larger items and it is more convenient.
Prepare Your Food
Next, you need to take some time to prepare your food for vacuum sealing. If you are sealing meat or fish, prepare it so it’s ready to be cooked. You might consider removing any parts of the meat, such as the fat, that you don’t want to cook. For soft foods, the prep doesn’t go beyond this. However, if you are sealing hard food or food that has sharp edges, you will need to wrap the food in something soft, like a paper towel, so the sharp edges don’t poke through your bag. In a suction sealer, if you choose to vacuum seal liquids, you can make things a lot easier for yourself if you freeze the liquids first. A chamber vacuum sealer can vacuum seal liquids without any preparation before you seal, as long as the liquid is at room temperature or cooler.
Fill Your Bag Properly and Vacuum Seal
Now that your food is ready, you can begin filling your bags. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t stuff them full. As mentioned, you need to leave room around the food. About an inch on each side should provide plenty of room. You should also leave 2-3 inches at the top of the bag. This ensures that the seal will hold over time. To vacuum seal your bags, make sure you follow the instructions that go with your specific machine. In general, you want to lay your bags flat while you are sealing them.
By following these steps, you can be better prepared for vacuum sealing a variety of food items. Begin experimenting with different options and explore the many ways you can use your vacuum sealer.
Determine which vacuum sealer is right for you!