All things to know about food vacuum-packing
>> Nov 4, 2018
Vacuum packing has improved and developed through the years
with the emergence of technology and the introduction of newer and better
models of the vacuum sealing system.
While old food preservation methods
employed by the hunters of the past remain applicable, the rush of the present
world calls for fast answers and conveniences, and so we prefer having the best food
saver equipment to use.
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Food preservation prolongs the shelf life
of food by removing the air from the container with the food. It preserves food
up to five times longer as compared when it is not vacuum sealed.
PREPARATION OF
FOODS
Remember, vacuum sealing seals the food
in the condition it was preserved. Meaning, if you vacuum sealed rotten food,
when you open it, it would remain rotten. The vacuum sealing process is not a
magician's tool that will automatically give you fresh food. Therefore, the
most important thing is to ensure the freshness of the food before you vacuum
seal it.
Here are a few tips on preparing food for
vacuum-sealing:
1. Wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly, but
pat dry or air-dry to remove moisture;
2. Meats and fish have to be thoroughly cleaned and
deboned. Removing the bones will also prevent it from tearing the plastic
container;
3. You may use plastic bags or containers or jars.
Whatever you use, make sure you buy the brands that are compatible with your
vacuum-sealer;
4. Fill the bag, but leave at least 3 inches space
on top before sealing. If you want to re-use the bag in the future, leave a
bigger space so you can re-use and re-seal;
5. Wipe the edge of the plastic where you will seal
to remove oil, water or crumbs that may affect the seal.
MAN VS MACHINE
You can vacuum-seal without using fancy
equipment. Although, admittedly, the seal may not be that effective or durable.
For example, put food inside a zipper bag. Before entirely closing the zip,
leave an open part big enough to put a straw in. Then you suck out the air
manually. Do that until you think there is no more air left inside the plastic,
and it would already have a crumpled look to it.
But you don’t have to resort to theatrics
to vacuum seal. There are different kinds of machines out there, and there is
one that would fit your needs and budget.
1. MANUAL VACUUM SYSTEM
This usually works with containers and
jars. Put an attachment to the lid that will be the port to the nozzle of the
manual vacuum machine. Push down the lever to start suction. You would not have
a gauge to tell you if the process is done; you will have to believe that once
the lever is all the way down, all the air is out.
2. AUTOMATIC VACUUM SEALER
This can be a wide range of vacuumsealer
some purely automatic, like it automatically detects when you insert a bag, and
automatically starts or stops operation. Then there are models which are partly
manual, partly automatic. For example, you have to manually put the bag in, but
it takes only one button to start the vacuum sealing which will automatically
stop when done.
There are also models with various
controls that give you choices as to speed, and use for delicate items, like
chips or cookies.
PROCESS OF VACUUM
SEALING
Here are the general steps to follow to
vacuum pack food. The steps can vary, though, depending on the brand and model
of vacuumsealing system you have:
1. Put the foods inside the container, whether a
plastic bag, canister or jar;
2. If you are using a canister or jar, you would
need an attachment for the nozzle to fit on top of the canister or jar;
3. If you are using a plastic bag, for an external
vacuum-sealer, you place the edge of the bag on the mouth of the vacuumsealer,
and then you press a button for the suction and seal process to start;
4. An automatic vacuumsealer will automatically stop
when the suction and seal process is done. For some machines, you may have to
press the button to stop;
5. If you are using a chamber vacuumsealer, and not
an external one, you will have to put the bag with the food inside a chamber. The
whole bag will be inside, unlike in the external vacuumsealer where a big part
of it will be hanging outside.
WORKING WITH
LIQUIDS
Liquids, like soup or sauces, may also be
vacuum sealed. How you go about it depends on the vacuum sealer model you have.
The chamber vacuum sealer will give you the most comfortable time. It can
quickly and successfully do the process without a problem.
However, if you are like the many who own
an external vacuum sealer, the liquid may be sucked out of the bag during the
vacuum sealing. To avoid this from happening, you will have to freeze your
juice into a solid state before you can vacuum seal it.
CHOOSING THE
RIGHT MACHINE
If you intend to do food preservation
right, then you should choose and get the right machine to help you. I have
briefly given you a glimpse of the different options and features you have.
Here are a few more factors to consider
before you make your decision:
1. Consider the size of your machine vs. the size of
your kitchen. Some industrial-type units are enormous and can take up a lot of
counter space. There are also models which are more vertical than horizontal,
and will not take up much counter space, but you have to measure its height to
make sure it fits under hanging cabinets if any;
2. Size of the machine vs. convenience of bringing
it around. Most people leave their vacuum sealer in the kitchen, but if you are
one of the more adventurous ones, perhaps you would like to bring yours when
you go fishing. In that case, you may want a unit that is not so heavy to cart
around. While you're at it, consider a model specifically made for the
outdoors;
3. You have to consider the purpose you are going to
use it for. Some use it for personal purposes like to save left-over's. Some
have businesses which require the machine, like perhaps a restaurant or food
business. If you are thinking of a food retail business, you would need a
vacuum-sealer with a stronger motor that can withstand vacuum-sealing a good
number of bags without the need to cool down;
4. Cleaning and maintenance. In general, most
vacuum-sealers will just require a good wipe down after use. Also, there would
be a drip tray which you can remove and place inside a dishwasher. However, if
you are frequently using your unit, you may have to be more thorough about
cleaning it. In the same way that you
may have to change some parts after frequent usage. This factor is an important
consideration because you have to think about the availability of parts and its
costs;
5. Size of the food or containers you are going to
vacuum seal. The biggest bag is 11 inches wide and can fit a whole turkey. In
this case, you need a vacuum sealer that can seal that wide. Containers and
jars come in two sizes of lids - the usual and the wide.
Vacuum sealing food is done for a variety
of reasons - to save left-over's, to save foods bought wholesale or to preserve
a wild game. It may be for your personal use, or for a business.
Preparing food packs ahead of time
ensures you get your choice meals when you are not home. This is especially
helpful if you are on an individual or restricted diet.
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