Housekeeping and Home Organization

Vacuum Bags Air

By Admin on November 30th, 2006

Vacuum Bags Air

Grocery stores, food manufacturers and many individuals use vacuum sealers to protect and preserve food. In fact, vacuum sealers are the most commonly used piece of equipment for food packaging. The reason they are so commonly used is because vacuum sealers dramatically extend the shelf life of food. This is done by removing life-giving air that many life forms use to flourish. While this doesn't completely eliminate spoilage, it helps a lot.

One of the most common food products to be vacuum-sealed are meats, especially for use in a freezer. Vacuum sealer bags not only decrease bacterial contamination, but also prevent freezer burn. You will commonly see this with halibut and salmon fish fillets & steaks. Vegetables are also commonly vacuum-sealed and frozen. The cold temperature further extends the shelf life of food.

When a store or manufacturer, whether big or small, is in the market for a vacuum sealer, there are a few things to keep in mind. There are two major types of vacuum sealers on the market. These are external and chamber vacuum sealers.

Although useful for low-volume production, external vacuum sealers are not an ideal choice for high-volume packaging. This is because external sealers do not operate, in most situations, at as high a speed as a chamber vacuum sealer. They also cannot be used to replace natural oxygen-based atmosphere in the bags with inert gas such as nitrogen. This is a key factor in packaging products such as potato chips.

Chamber sealers use an entirely different method of packaging versus external vacuum sealers. An external vacuum sealer removes air from within the bag and seals it. A chamber sealer removes air from the entire chamber, including the bag, seals the bag and then returns the vacuumed chamber to a normal atmosphere. Because the bag is sealed within the vacuum, the product is 99.99 percent air free once the process is completed.

Chamber sealers and some high-end external sealers will allow the amount of removed air to be adjusted. This is ideal when packaging delicate food products. When packaging delicate food, a chamber sealer (fitted with an inert gas kit) will remove 99.99 percent of the air within the chamber and then add a set percentage of inert gas (such as nitrogen) back into the chamber before sealing the bag. This way the bag isn't tight against the food, but the air will not sustain most forms of bacteria.

Before choosing a chamber sealer, it is highly recommended to determine the maximum size of product to be packaged. This is because chamber vacuum sealers are available in different sizes. It is financially prohibitive to purchase a machine, only to find out a year later than larger products need to be packaged. A larger chamber can also allow the user to package multiple items at once, thus increasing packaging speeds.

Chamber vacuum sealers are an ideal investment for stores and businesses that package food on a regular basis. Contact Office Zone for more information on vacuum sealers.

Dave Stuart is an industry expert on vacuum sealers.

Can one preserve antique prints w/ frames using those space bags? Would the bags harm the print & wood?

You know what I mean by the "space bags" - the storage bags where you suck the air out of them w/ a vacuum cleaner. My home can get humid at times and I don't want the prints & antique wood frames to get moisture on them. I plan on displaying these antiques in my new home once we move in, but don't want them exposed to the humidity in my old house - we have no AC in our current residence, unfortunately.

I would wrap them in paper and then in plastic and perhaps use the space bags too. I've used ice chests in the attic before (depends on the size of course) But the space bags are supposed to be waterproof so if you wrapp them and then seal them in you could probably slide them under a bed or two for safekeeping.

Maintaining A Thin Air Press

FoodSaver T03-0023-01 Wide-Mouth Jar Sealer $6.99 For those who cook large quantities of food, FoodSaver vacuum packaging systems offer excellent protection against food spoilage and freezer burn. This jar sealer attachment fits on wide-mouth mason jars and is for use with any FoodSaver machine that has an accessory port. The top forms a tight seal on mason jars while the tubing removes air from the jar with the help of a FoodSaver machine. The j...

Rival Vacuum Sealer $39.50 This vacuum sealer from Rival lets you preserve your leftovers, bulk foods, and important documents far more effectively than using zipper-lock bags or plastic wrap. Oxygen and moisture are the mortal enemies of fresh food and other items. This device vacuums oxygen out of the included pre-cut plastic storage bags, then seals the plastic with its bag cutter. Save time, save money, and preserve the...

FoodSaver V3835 Vacuum Food Sealer with SmartSeal Technology, Silver/Black $199.99 Fully Automatic Operation Space-saving Upright Design Auto Liquid Detection Marinate Mode Built-in Retractable Hose LED Meter Progress Lights Convenient Integrated Bag Opener Built-in Roll Storage & Cutter 2 Vacuum Speeds 2 Seal Levels Canister Mode CrushFree Instant Seal Kit Contents Include: One 11 inch Roll 3 Quart Bags 2 Gallon Bags...

Metro Vacuum ED500 DataVac 500-Watt 0.75-HP Electric Duster 120-Volt $44.88 ...

Shop-Vac 9030400 Cartridge Filter $7.98 This filter does what it's supposed to do. It's easy to install and is a convenient and effective alternative to using separate filters for wet and dry jobs. While I've heard some complaints that the old wet filters were easier to clean, I haven't found this to be an issue.Make sure this cartridge will fit your particular Shop-Vac model. According to the manufacturer, it does not fit the following...

Toro 51599 Ultra 12 amp Variable-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum with Metal Impeller $74.97 Powerful and effective, the Toro Ultra 3-in-1 Blower, Vacuum, and Leaf Shredder makes completing yard work fun and easy. With air speeds up to 235 mph, this electric blower nevertheless is lighter, quieter, and cleaner than similar gas blowers. And with a sleek, ergonomical design, it's a tool that is easy to use and will grab your neighbors' attention. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica...

Car on My Head $1.99 ...

Ziploc Vacuum Starter Kit, 3-Quart Bags, 1-Pump $1.59 Vacuum starter kit keeps frozen food fresh longer and prevents freezer burn. Delivers an airtight resealable bag every time. Easy to use. Dishwasher safe. Easy to store. Does not require batteries. Portable. Includes 1 pump and 3 quart size resealable bags....

Xerosox Waterproof Cast Cover - Half Leg - Large, Leg Circumference: 13 in. and up $22.99 Safe: No leaks! With the patented vacuum seal, XeroSox is the only protector that cannot leak. XeroSox fits snugly and comfortably, telling you that it is maintaining an airtight, absolutely waterproof seal before you even get in the water. There are no surprises. You feel this watertight seal while you are showering, bathing, or even swimming and splashing about. It fits so well, you can't even ...

S C Johnson Wax Ziploc Vacuum Pump/Bags Food Storage Bags & Wrap $1.55 Ziploc Vacuum Pump & Bags, For Vacuum Storage To Keep Frozen Food Fresh Longer & Prevent Freezer Burn, Bags Have Built-In Valve For Removing Air, Seal Food In Bag With Zipper, Place Pump Over Valve & Remove Excess Air With A Few Pumps, No Batteries....

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