All About Vacuum Sealing

Vacuum sealing is a simple process that transforms food storage, organization, and convenience. In this blog post, we’ll explore vacuum sealing at a glance, including scientific principles, different vacuum sealer types, various benefits, use cases, and vacuum sealing tips/tricks. Let’s get started, shall we?

The Science of Vacuum Sealing

The scientific principles of vacuum sealing work to inhibit microbial growth, reduce oxidation, and maintain food quality.

One fundamental is the relationship between atmospheric pressure and gas volume, also known as Boyle's Law. As the volume of a gas lowers, the pressure it exerts increases, and vice versa. Vacuum sealing takes advantage of this principle by reducing the volume of air in a package, which sequentially lowers inside pressure. This change creates a pressure distinction between the interior and exterior. The higher surrounding atmospheric pressure exerts force to tightly compress the package, eliminating excess air to create an airtight seal.  

Air removal significantly inhibits the growth of aerobic bacteria, mold, and yeast, thus preventing oxidation, or the chemical reaction between oxygen and food compounds. Another scientific principle, oxidation leads to the loss of flavors, colors, and nutrients. Vacuum sealing minimizes this reaction to preserve top quality.

Lastly, diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of high concentration to one of low concentration. Creating an airtight seal can slow down continuous diffusion.

Benefits of Vacuum Sealing  

• Flexible Consumption: Vacuum sealing can extend the life of food by up to 5 times longer than traditional storage methods. 
  
  
• Quality and Flavor Preservation: Vacuum sealing sustains the original flavor, aroma, and texture of food while preserving nutrients and preventing freezer burn.
  
  
• Space Efficiency: Vacuum sealing reduces bulk to optimize storage space in your pantry, refrigerator, or freezer and enables quick organization.
  
  
• Freezer Burn Prevention: This occurs when food is exposed to air. Vacuum sealing prevents freezer burn by creating a tight seal that protects the food from air and moisture.
  
  
• Cost Savings: Vacuum sealing allows for bulk purchasing and food preservation, reducing waste and saving money in the long run. With flexible consumption in mind, you can take advantage of discounts and buy larger quantities without the fear of spoilage.
  
  
• Ideal for Sous Vide Cooking: Vacuum sealing food is a perfect match for sous vide cooking. The airtight seal provided by vacuum sealing ensures that no air is present, which prevents oxidation and maintains optimal freshness. Secondly, the absence of air eliminates the risk of water entering the sealed bag, which guarantees precise temperature control and even heat distribution. Additionally, vacuum sealing enhances the marinating process, allowing flavors to enter more effectively. Vacuum sealing also enables long-term storage of sous vide-prepared meals, providing the ultimate convenience and flexibility for meal planning.

Types of Vacuum Sealers 

Vacuum sealer types use either external suction or chamber technology. External vacuum sealers remove air by suctioning it out from a bag, whereas chamber sealers extract oxygen from the entire chamber, resulting in more consistent results. Understanding the different vacuum sealer types goes a long way. With some research, you can choose one that best suits your needs.

• External Vacuum Sealers: Compact machines ideal for vacuum sealing smaller quantities of food. The Anova Precision® Vacuum Sealer combines fast air extraction with a strong reliable seal to create strong vacuum-sealed bags for sous vide cooking and any food storage needs, plus it’s small enough to stash away when not in use. The Anova Precision™ Vacuum Sealer Pro is the more robust, older sibling, featuring a high power vacuum, reliable double sealer, built-in bag storage and cutter, an accessory port for sealing containers, plus the ability to seal wet foods without worry – all with just one hand.
  
  
• Chamber Vacuum Sealers: Designed for heavy-duty use and commonly found in commercial settings, chamber sealers can vacuum seal multiple bags at once. The Anova Precision™ Chamber Vacuum Sealer is a fully operational chamber sealer that’s been sized down and made more intuitive to operate than those typically found in professional kitchens.
  
  
• Handheld Vacuum Sealers: Portable devices useful for vacuum sealing zipper bags and containers for limited storage space. The compact and cordless Anova Precision Port™ Handheld Vacuum Sealer is a simple solution for sous vide, food storage, and  meal prep.
  

Vacuum Sealing Use Cases

From food preservation to sous vide cooking and travel convenience, vacuum sealing provides many diverse applications. 

• Food Preservation: Vacuum sealing is widely used to preserve fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and dairy products. It keeps items fresh for an extended period, proving to be an excellent choice for meal planning, reducing food waste, and seasonal produce storage.
  
  
• Sous Vide Cooking: Vacuum-sealed bags are an essential component of sous vide cooking. By vacuum sealing ingredients and cooking them in a temperature–controlled water bath, you can achieve enhanced flavors and textures.
  
  
• Travel: Vacuum sealing eliminates the need for bulky food containers, helping to keep meals compact, fresh, and easily transportable for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and boating.
  
  
• Non-Food Items: Vacuum sealing is not limited to food preservation. It can also be used to protect and store non-food items, such as important documents, clothing, silverware, and electronics from moisture, dust, and pests.
  

5 Helpful Vacuum Sealing Tips/Tricks

1. Choose High-Quality Bags: Opt for sturdy vacuum sealer bags or rolls that are designed to withstand the vacuum sealing process without leaks or tears.
   
   
2. Proper Food Preparation: Ensure that all food is clean, dry, and free from excess moisture before vacuum sealing to prevent the potential growth of bacteria while maintaining the quality of sealed food.
   
   
3. Allow Adequate Space: When using an external vacuum sealer, leave some extra room at the top of the bag to prevent liquid from being sucked into the vacuum sealing machine and potentially causing damage. A major advantage of chamber vacuum sealers is that they can easily seal liquids and liquid-rich foods without experiencing this issue.
   
   
4. Freeze Before Sealing: For items that are prone to squishing or losing shape like fruits, bread, and cookies, it's beneficial to partially freeze before vacuum sealing. This ensures that the food retains its shape throughout the vacuum sealing process.
   
   
5. Label and Date: Always write the contents and date on bags for easy identification and food inventory management.
   
   

It’s easy to enjoy the benefits of vacuum sealing, from extended freshness to reduced food waste. Why not start today? Check out our best selling solutions for powerful, airtight vacuum sealing. 

Related Posts:

• How Chamber Vacuum Sealers Unlock Modernist Culinary Techniques at Home
• How to Prevent Sous Vide Bag Floating
• Keep Produce Fresher, Longer