Vacuum sealers: Are they worth the price?
- Written by Maria Andreas
Saving money and wasting food are two of my top priorities. Therefore, I am always interested in discovering ways to save both money and food. Considering those are the top advantages of vacuum sealing, you can bet I'll find the most efficient and cost-effective ways to use them.
The vacuum food sealer is a small, compact device, about the size of two sheets of aluminum foil sandwiched together, that removes air from food bags before sealing them. A key player in food spoilage is air, so it is important to remove it from your packaging in order to extend the shelf life.
What are the chances of saving money? For an accurate estimate, you'll have to consider your own food shopping habits, and cooking habits.
I buy a lot of boneless, skinless chicken breasts for my family and it's quite costly. Because of this, I only buy them when they're on sale. How does it work? It is only through big jumbo packs that I can get the deal.
A package or two is picked up and vacuum sealed and frozen individually. The chicken breasts are also packed in threes, which means I usually need two to four for a meal. Don't prepare extra food that'll go to waste. In addition, you can flatten the breasts in the sealed bag so that they're as even as possible before cooking, and prevent the poultry juices from splattering around your kitchen.
The same is true for ground beef. The large sizes can be found at warehouse stores, and then the beef can be sealed and frozen in one-pound or half-pound bags. Also works with poultry or seafood. Seal and freeze the amount your family uses after buying in bulk. The sealer's price is well worth the savings.
No matter, if you don’t buy in bulk, cooking in bulk, will help you save. It is sometimes more economical for me to prepare two casseroles, meatloaves or pot pies - one for dinner and the other to freeze. The worst thing is pulling out a bag of leftover sloppy joe sauce or a bag of macaroni & cheese to find it covered in frozen frost or freezer burn.
With vacuum sealers, your dinners stay airtight and delicious so they won't go to waste.
Hate finding moldy cheese in a half-used block of cheese or shredded cheese bag? It costs you $2 every time. In the refrigerator, vacuum-sealed cheese keeps for weeks, so you don't waste money on garbage.
Is there a food I should vacuum seal right now? Salad greens. This tip comes from my mom. Her three-pack of Romaine lasted for over two weeks in a sealed zipper bag without wilting or turning brown. Every day, you can make a frsh salad by washing, chopping, and sealing.
Here are some practical reasons for choosing vacuum sealers: countertop and handheld. Each of their functions differs slightly from the other.
Countertop sealers
It is not uncommon for countertop sealers to cost hundreds of dollars, depending on their features, brand, etc. Nevertheless, higher prices do not always equate to better products. Find a sealer that is of good quality in the midrange and it will do the job. How do you choose the right sealer for your countertop?
Features
There are some that seal only bags, while others come with attachments for sealing bottles and canisters as well. Make sure you think about your sealer's use before you buy it.
Size/space
Do you know where and how you will store and use the sealer? Unlike some items that need to be kept flat, others can be stacked, taking up less space on your counter.
Bag price
Generally, most bags can be cleaned and re-used, but if you're using them for raw meat, they won't be re-used. Therefore, think about what you will pay for bags. It doesn't matter what brand of bag you use, you just want to make sure the size and style of your bag are the same. Non-branded bags sell for a lower price than branded bags since you can get 100 bags for a low price, but branded bags will only cost you 44 bags at the same price.
Check reviews
You can gain valuable insight into appliances thanks to other consumers in today's Internet-driven world just with checking vacuum sealers reviews. You can find out others' experiences with sealers by simply searching the web.
The countertop sealer is meant to be used once. Even though you can reuse the bags, you need to keep cutting them open, so they get smaller and smaller. Plus, if you do not keep your sealer on the counter, it can be a hassle to drag it out each time.
Handheld sealers
Alternatively, hand-held sealers are perfect for foods that you want to keep fresh for a long time but also use regularly, such as cheese, cut vegetables, and deli foods. The zipper bags allow you to open and close them repeatedly. Even though the bags eventually need replacing, they last a long time. The cost of hand-held sealers is also significantly less.
How should you choose a hand-held sealer?
Power source
Are the batteries going to need replacing every week or is the device rechargeable?
Bags
Which store do you buy them from and what does it cost? In spite of the fact that the bags can be reused, eventually, they must be replaced. In the end, your great new gadget will be useless if you cannot find replacement bags.
Check reviews
See if the bags can be sealed or if they lose their seal. A good, long-lasting seal is vital to food preservation.
Quick tip
Rather than placing the bag on a hard surface, the sealer works best when placed on a dishrag or placemat.
