PRODUCTS

As someone who has used a FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer for several years, I would like to help anyone interested by sharing my experiences and answering questions from those interested in getting started in vacuum sealing, and hearing experiences and tips from current users. 

The basic science behind vacuum sealing food is the removal of oxygen from the surface of the food, the main cause of freezer burn.

The two main advantages to vacuum sealing are:

• Greatly reducing food waste

• Taking advantage of buying food in bulk.

Both of these have a positive impact on your household budget, and I want to show you the large variety of options available for keeping your food fresh longer.

Vacuum Sealing Bags

There are a variety of bags available for vacuum sealing. Some are:

• 8″ wide roll
• 11″ wide roll
• 11″ wide portion pouch roll
• Quart
• Pint
• Gallon
• Zipper (pint, quart and gallon)
• Freeze ‘N Steam (for microwave use)
• Liquid Block

The roll bags are designed to be cut to length and sealed at one end, then filled with your choice and then vacuumed and heat-sealed on the other end.

The pint, quart and gallon bags are pre-sized and sealed on one end.

The zipper bags (think Ziploc) require an attachment specifically designed for vacuuming and sealing those bags. These are standard on some vacuum sealer machines, and optional on others.

The Liquid Block bags are pre-sized and have an absorbent material to prevent liquids from escaping the bag and entering the vacuum chamber.

I have a number of vacuum sealed items in my freezer at this writing. The other day I took a sealed pork chop from the freeze and moved it to the refrigerator to thaw, and last night I grilled it and had it for supper–delicious!!!

Vacuum Sealing Storage Containers

Plastic containers are available in a variety of sizes… FoodSaver offers up to a 10 cup size, and has multiple-piece sets which are not only for use in the refrigerator, but are also freezer and microwave safe. There is also a container specifically designed for marinating.

Vacuum Sealing Canning Jars

Canning jars, such as Mason jars, can be used yo vacuum seal a variety of items for refrigerator storage as well in the pantry. CAUTION–VACUUM SEALING CANNING JARS DOES NOT ELIMINATE BACTERIA THE SAME AS PRESSURE CANNERS, AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE.

The canning jar sizes that I have are:

• Gallon
• Quart
• Pint
• 1/2 Pint

The lid sizes are Regular and Wide Mouth.  I do have difficulty vacuum sealing some of the 1/2 Pint jars–haven’t figured that out yet (it might be the actual mouth of the jar). 

Canning jars can be used in a variety of ways that are safe. The rings can be screwed on after sealing, but should not be tightened, as that might affect the vacuum seal.

I personally used jars more for dry purposes such as flour, oatmeal, sugars, rice, precooked pasta,etc. and store them in the pantry or on shelves.

I do vacuum seal a recipe of salsa in four wide-mouth pint jars and store them in the refrigerator–the last jar as good as the first (maybe a little better).  I also baked corn muffins over two weeks ago and vacuum sealed them in pint jars and am storing them in the refrigerator–had one with butter syrup yesterday–delicious.

Overview

As you can see, there are many, many options available to you for choosing to vacuum sealing bags, containers and jars.

If you are interested in learning more about vacuum sealing, click here to see my review of the vacuum sealer that I use.

My purpose in this post has been to help you an gain an idea of the broad range of items that you can choose from to use for to vacuum sealing. There also are many other uses for vacuum sealing–for example, camping, hiking and picnic supplies to prevent damage from moisture…just try to think outside the box.

I hope I have given you food for thought–pardon the pun–and that you go with added knowledge of vacuum sealing options. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Best wishes,

Joe

NAME: Foodsaver V4400, 2 – In – 1 Food Saver Vacuum Sealer Machine

Website: https://www.foodsaver.com/

Price: $179.99 to $197.70

Capability: 2 – In – 1 Automatic bag sealing plus handheld attachment to seal special zipper bags and containers

My Rating: 5 of 5

OVERVIEW

Food Saver vacuum sealers remove air from bags and containers to keep food fresh longer.  Oxygen is the culprit than causes food to deteriorate, and the vacuum sealer removes than oxygen.  The model V4400 is a 2-in1 system that uses bags and a retractable handheld fixture to seal standard bags, special zipper bags and a variety of containers.

WHAT I LIKE

Food preparation for just one or two presents challenges for keeping leftovers from going to waste.  This system allows me to make a full-size slow cooker sized batch, enjoy it, and then seal the rest for the freezer, keeping it fresh way longer than just storing in a standard freezer container.

PROBLEMS…

OR THINGS THAT KEEP IT FROM BEING PERFECT

The Drawbacks…seems like everything has them, doesn’t it?  No difference here, but no “show-stoppers”.  After all, you have to buy the bags, don’t you?  But that applies to all vacuum sealers, not just this one.

The vast majority of the vacuum seal food bags aren’t reusable, so there is an ongoing expense, but when I compare than against the food I have wasted in the past, it isn’t close.  Then there are the standard “Accessories” which are another additional expense..same thing, though, they save money in the end.  And there are after-market bags and accessories available.

WHO IS “IT” FOR?

Anyone wanting to reduce food waste and save money…and who doesn’t want to do than?  Cooking for one or two, check.  Large families, check.  Anyone can buy in REAL BULK, and save–catch those sales and take advantage when they are available.

Even chips!!!  But not in bags–in canning jars!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is more information on vacuum sealing—check it out.

 

WHAT I REALLY THINK/VERDICT

I really do like it…I think the 2 – In – 1 capability makes it is one of the best of Food Savers vacuum sealers.  Enough said, but I won’t stop there.  There are multiple standard uses for this product, and even more when thinking outside the box…seal leftover chips, flour, sugar, rice, pasta, dried beans or cereal in canning jars, for example.  I have had mine for about 3 years, and will get another 2 – In – 1 when needed.  You would be well served to consider the Food Saver Model V4400 vacuum sealer.

I rate it a 5 of 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope this review has given you the information you need to make a decision on whether to purchase a Food Saver vacuum sealer, and if so, which model.  If you have questions and/or comments, please leave them below, I will do my best to get back with you as quick as I can.

Best wishes,

Joe