Food vacuum sealer: what it is, how it works and what are the advantages

It means that it is worth using a  food vacuum sealer.

Although (spoiler alert!) we are convinced of the usefulness of such a product, we still encourage you to read this article, written as objectively as possible. You will find essential information about the types of vacuum sealers, important features, but also the main benefits that vacuum-sealing food brings, from preventing food waste or saving money on shopping to improving the taste of marinated meat.

What is a food vacuum sealer and how does it work?

Vacuum-sealing is one of the most effective methods of storing food because it extends its shelf life by removing air and sealing it in airtight bags and/or containers. This prevents oxidation and slows down the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that cause food spoilage.

It is simple to explain and almost correct to say that a food vacuum sealer extracts all the air that surrounds the food from a container. For the sake of accuracy of information, we must mention that the air is not 100% extracted from the vacuum-sealing process, but the minimum amount of air that remains cannot transport moisture into the environment, so it is quite harmless.

How long does vacuum-sealed food last?

Vacuum-sealed food lasts even 5 times longer than traditionally stored food in a vacuum-free environment. Store vacuum-sealed food as you would normally store it: at room temperature, in the refrigerator or freezer.

What foods can you preserve and store with a vacuum sealer?

Vacuum sealing is suitable for almost any food:

• Raw and cooked meat
• Fish and seafood
• Fruit, vegetables, greens, seeds
• Dry foods (flour, beans, oats, coffee, etc.)
• Cold cuts and cheeses
• Cooked dishes
• Cakes
• Bread and pastries
• Sweets
• Chips, savory pancakes, pretzels, biscuits
• Various drinks.

It would be good to avoid vacuum-sealing and storing of soft cheeses (Brie, Camembert, ricotta, etc.), fresh mushrooms, onions and garlic for a long time, due to the risk of developing anaerobic bacteria. These are bacteria that can multiply even in the absence of oxygen.

You can even vacuum-seal non-food items 

It sounds strange, to say the least, but did you know that you can vacuum-seal clothes to save space in the closet or documents to prevent them from getting damaged by moisture? For papers and documents, we recommend storing them in a cardboard folder before vacuum-sealing them to help them retain their shape.

Benefits of using a vacuum sealer 

The vacuum sealer is particularly useful regardless of the size of your family, your eating style or how often you cook. You don't have to take our word for it. We discuss below the most important advantages of a vacuum sealer. 

Food lasts longer

Vacuum-sealing removes air and slows down the growth of bacteria and mold that are responsible for food spoiling. Foods last up to 5 times longer.

Better hygiene and food safety

Vacuum-sealing helps keep foods separate from one another, which prevents contamination - for example, when you store raw and cooked foods in the refrigerator. It also helps prevent odor transfer.

Stop throwing food away and prevent food waste

Vacuum-sealing is a great idea for everyday meals and an excellent solution for leftovers from holidays and family gatherings. Why throw it away, when you can vacuum-seal and freeze any food? You can enjoy these treats days, weeks or even months later.

Removing air allows food to be stored in a more compact way, thus saving space in the pantry, cabinets or refrigerator. Cereals, fruit, pasta, or chips save a lot of space when vacuum-packed.

Shop less often, cook less often

You can do your grocery shopping once a week. This saves you time and money. Even the most perishable foods, such as avocados, retain their freshness, texture, and nutrients.

Meat is marinated faster and the taste of the marinade remains intense

Marinating can be a slow process, sometimes taking several hours or even days for the flavors to fully penetrate the meat. Vacuum-sealing the meat with marinade shortens this process to just a few minutes. Without exposure to air, the volatile compounds in the marinade do not evaporate or oxidize, preserving the entire taste and aroma profile.

Cook foods sous-vide

It is an ingenious technique that offers significant advantages in terms of flavour and texture. The food is vacuum-sealed and then cooked in hot water. Learn more about the benefits of this method in our article: "Sous-vide cooking technique: everything you need to know". If you want to enter the delicious world of sous-vide cooking, you will also need a  sous-vide cooking appliance.

You can even vacuum-seal wine bottles

Once opened, wine begins to oxidize - a process that is initially beneficial. However, opened wine loses its quality after 2-3 days. Manual pump vacuum sealers may come with useful accessories such as   vacuum wine stoppers, which extend freshness of wine for up to several weeks or even months.

2. Vacuum sealing bags

Most vacuum sealers come with a limited number of bags included in the box. Keep in mind that replacing them will be an ongoing expense. Of course, this also depends on the type of device you chose. Whe it comes to vacuum sealing bags with a venting valve, we are talking about more versatility and a long lifespan. They do not need to be cut open with scissors to remove the foods inside; instead, they work with a simple push of a button that opens the vacuum valve.

Valveless bags, used with traditional vacuum csealers are more affordable, but they cannot be reused very many times - sometimes not at all. You can find these bags in pre-cut sizes or you can choose rolls that let you cut the bags to the size you need.

3. Vacuum sealing containers

Perfect for packing snacks and meals to go, as well as for stylish and organized storage in the refrigerator. These handy and versatile containers feature a valve and can be easily vacuum-sealed using a compatible hand pump.

Simply attach the vacuum pump to the container's valve, activate the pump with the push of a button and the air is automatically extracted. You can use them to vacuum-seal cooked meals, meat, fruit, vegetables, sweets, pastries - in fact, almost any food.

4. Waiting time

There are appliances designed from the ground up to recognize that time is of the essence and do not make you wait. Other models, however, require 20 - 60 second wait between vacuum cycles, which can be quite annoying if you are trying to pack several packages.

1. If you are wondering which food vacuum sealer to buy, our first answer will always be: Zwilling Fresh&Save vacuum pump. You can vacuum-seal bags, glass or plastic containers and even wine bottles.

This ingenious and innovative system even allows you to keep track of vacuum-sealed foods with the free mobile app and QR codes printed on products.

2. If you are looking for a classic bag vacuum sealer, that does the job perfectly, we recommend a smart and durable model from Zokura.

3. For wine lovers, who can't bear the thought of wasting a good bottle, we recommend Coravin's premium products. This could also make an inspired gift for a connoisseur of fine wines. 

We could tell you that whether you need a vacuum sealer depends on your lifestyle or cooking habits. But the truth is that vacuum sealers are useful products in any modern kitchen. You will not regret buying one.