How to Properly Freeze Food with Vacuum Seal Bags – Part 1

What is Vacuum Sealing for Freezer Storage anyway?

Vacuum sealing is a simple at-home food preservation technique that extends the shelf life of perishable items by removing air from the packaging. The process involves placing food items in specially designed vacuum sealing bags or pouches. Then using a vacuum sealer machine, extract the air from the package before heat sealing it shut. If you’ve seen those late night info-mmercials about storing nine comforters and 15 sweaters in a bag, this is that. Except mostly for food.

So, vacuum sealing does what we can’t & creates a protective barrier around the food. Shielding it from nasty unseen germs/bugs & halting natural processes of decay to preserve freshness, flavor, even nutritional value for longer periods.

And I LOVE this food preservation technique for the benefit of being able to enjoy more bulk food storage & batch cooking. This method has increased my kitchen efficiency for those 2 reasons alone.

What do you need to start vacuum sealing food?

I haven’t even gotten to the meat of this post but I want to pause here because you might be thinking, ” I would do it if I knew how much it would cost me.” So let me tell you.

To get starting using vacuum sealing for freezer storage you’re going to need:

• a food Vacuum Sealing machine – they come in various models, including handheld sealers for occasional use & countertop sealers for more frequent sealing tasks. I recommend the Food Saver vacuum sealer. THRIFT/SHOP around because I got mine for less than $40 but I’ve seen them much more than that now.
• Vacuum Sealer Bags or Rolls: These specially designed bags (or rolls) are typically made of durable, puncture-resistant material & come in different sizes like the Ziplock bags you might be used to but are now going to think about swapping for this. I like to buy rolls because I cut my own bags to size so I get more bags than buying precut. And I use the 11′ rolls exclusively because making my own bag means I don’t waste too much bag – something I think is inevitable if all you have are gallon sized bags but only 4 chicken wings hello.
• Vacuum Sealer Accessories: Depending on your specific needs, you could also need things like jar sealer attachments for vacuum sealing glass jars, vacuum canisters for storing dry goods or vacuum zipper bags for resealing bags after opening. At a minimum, I suggest you get the jar sealing attachments. I got my jar attachments used for $12. Vacuum sealing foods in glass jars is an incredible way to repurpose lots of your store-bought items too!

Other Factors to Consider (affecting cost)

Those are the basics. This little venture doesn’t need to blow the bank. But also consider food prep & space too. Besides cleaning & drying your food to prevent contamination, you may also need to pre-freeze liquids or delicate items. Or remove excess air from bags containing powdery or fine ingredients. And how much freezer space you have is a factor too since predominantly most of your foods will be stored there once vacuum sealed.

Also think about ongoing expenses for bags or rolls. Factor in the ongoing expenses for vacuum sealer bags or rolls, which are essential consumables here. Costs of bags or rolls varies by length, store, all that. So, anticipate these recurring expenses as part of owning a vacuum sealer machine. Explore different purchasing options and consider buying the bags/rolls in bulk to maximize savings & minimize costs over time.

The Benefits of Vacuum Sealing for Freezer Storage

• Reduces the risk of oxidation & bacterial growth
• Maintaining flavor & texture
• Reduces food waste
• Saves time & money

Reduces Oxidation & Bacterial Growth

By removing air from the packaging, the machine creates an airtight environment around the food. That significantly reduces the risk of oxidation and bacterial growth – two primary factors contributing to food spoilage. Now, oxidation is when the chemicals in food change in response to oxygen. This causes the off-flavor or odor you may notice after a while. It can also lead to changes in color or texture. All the while bacterial growth can accelerate causing decay or possibly food-borne illnesses.

Eliminating air from the packaging by vacuum sealing for freezer storage also reduces the risk of freezer burn. We know all too well this problem. It happens when food is exposed to air in the freezer for extended periods. Freezer burn is the result of moisture in the food evaporating and forming ice crystals on the surface. That’s what those dry, discolored patches are that often affect the taste (or texture) of food.

Maintain Flavor & Texture

But not with vacuum sealing! Using vacuum sealing for freezer storage protects that flavor & texture you love so much. No more wilted produce & all the vibrant flavors you love remain too! Excellently preserved meats, crisp vegetables & tasty fruits like when they first went in. This is what vacuum sealing food has to offer. Maintain the quality for longer so you can actually enjoy food more.

Reduces Food Waste

I bring this up so much because food waste is a growing concern in the world today & I believe the small things we do at home can make a small difference. The more small steps families take at home, the bigger that difference is felt. Vacuum sealing is another road to sustainability. By extending the shelf life of perishable items (AKA food preservation), we can reduce food waste & promote responsible consumption. This is a way to prevent spoiled groceries or wasted leftovers. Just another branch of the self-sufficient kitchen where every ingredient is bought & used to its fullest potential.

Saving Time and Money

Although I sincerely love being in the kitchen, being efficient means I gain more time to do other things. Even other things in the kitchen ahahahaha

So when I discovered that vacuum sealing would save the House time and money, I was sold. It saves time because I can:

• Buy in bulk – meaning less trips to the store or market or depot
• Skip canning, dehydrating or freeze drying to preserve – all methods that take INFINITELY longer than the vacuum sealer (which takes less than a minute per bag you run through.)
• Avoid decoding what’s in my freezer for all the frost in the bag.
  *Cue the music* I can see clearly now the rain is gone…
• Batch prep well in advance now! Whole meals or single ingredients, spices, sauces, all of it. I can prep it in batches & use my vacuum sealer for freezer storage easy peasy. Then you know, 2-3 months later pull something out that will take me no time to prepare other than the defrost period.

I don’t need to list out how vacuum sealing food saves money because all these benefits translate to dollars. Whether that’s gas money, canning supplies money, replacing wasted food money or the cost of making meals money. The ability to preserve foods for extended periods with vacuum sealing is how I make the most of my resources, especially when I’m short-short on time. It’s such a convenience.

Vacuum sealed meat ready for the freezer.
(I’ve vacuum sealed my family-famous burgers too!)