Introduction
Vacuum seal containers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to preserve and store food. These airtight containers are designed to remove air from the container before sealing, helping to keep food fresh for longer. But are vacuum seal containers really worth the investment? In this article, we’ll examine the pros and cons of vacuum seal containers to help you decide if they are right for your needs.
How Do Vacuum Seal Containers Work?
Vacuum seal containers work by removing air from the container before sealing. This process, known as vacuum sealing, helps prevent oxidation and aerobic bacteria growth which can cause food to spoil more quickly.
Here’s a quick overview of how vacuum seal containers work:
- Food is placed inside the vacuum seal container.
- The lid is closed and the vacuum sealing process begins, removing air from the container.
- Once air has been removed, the container is sealed shut, keeping food in an airtight, oxygen-free environment.
- A valve or pump is used to vacuum out the air prior to sealing.
- The lack of oxygen helps prevent bacteria growth, mold, and oxidation which can cause early food spoilage.
By removing air and oxygen, food can stay preserved for much longer than in traditional plastic or glass storage containers. Vacuum sealing creates an anaerobic environment that limits food degradation.
Benefits of Vacuum Seal Containers
So why might you want to use vacuum seal containers? Here are some of the main benefits:
Preserves Food Freshness
The lack of oxygen in vacuum seal containers slows down food spoilage. This allows food to stay fresher for longer periods of time. Aerobic bacteria require oxygen to grow, so removing oxygen can prevent this excess bacteria growth.
One study found that vacuum sealing was able to extend the shelf life of trout fillets by over 20 days compared to traditional containers. Vacuum sealing has been shown to prolong the shelf life of cheese, raw meat, coffee beans, nuts, dried fruit, baked goods, and more.
Saves Money by Reducing Food Waste
Because vacuum sealed food stays fresh longer, you may have to throw away less spoiled produce or leftovers. This can save money by reducing wasted food. One estimate found that vacuum seal containers can save a household $2,200 per year on average by reducing wasted fruits, vegetables, and leftovers.
Supports Sous Vide Cooking
Vacuum sealing is an integral part of sous vide cooking. Sous vide involves cooking foods at precise temperatures in vacuum sealed plastic pouches submerged in water. Vacuum seal bags create the oxygen-free environment needed for sous vide cooking.
For Storage and Organization
In addition to food preservation, vacuum seal containers are great for general storage and organization. The airtight seal keeps items protected from spills, leaks, moisture, and dust. You can use vacuum seal containers to organize photos, important documents, camping gear, electronics, and more.
Makes Food Portable for Outdoors, Lunch, Travel
Since vacuum sealed foods retain freshness longer, it makes them more portable for lunches, outdoor activities like camping and hiking, and travel. Vacuum sealers create portable snacks and meals that will hold up better when on the go.
Potential Drawbacks
While vacuum seal containers provide many benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:
Upfront Costs
Vacuum sealers and accompanying bags/containers require an upfront investment. Prices vary based on features and capacity, but expect to spend $80 or more for a basic countertop vacuum sealer and additional costs for replacement bags.
Learning Curve
There is a bit of a learning curve when first using a vacuum sealer. It may take some trial and error to find the right bag sizes, get the right seal, and understand the machine’s features.
Seal Can Be Imperfect
If the vacuum seal is not completely airtight, oxygen can still permeate the container and reduce freshness retention. Pay close attention to the seal quality when using these machines.
Not Suitable for All Foods
Vacuum sealing works best with solid, non-porous foods. Soft foods may get crushed or damaged. Liquids and very juicy foods are also challenging to vacuum seal effectively.
Additional Plastic Waste
The bags and material required for vacuum sealers generate more single-use plastic waste. Look for reusable models or recyclable bag options to reduce environmental impact.
Types of Vacuum Seal Containers
If you do want to invest in a vacuum seal system, there are a few main types of vacuum sealers and accompanying bags/containers:
Countertop Vacuum Sealers
These are the most common vacuum sealers for home kitchen use. Countertop models are electric appliances powered by a plug. Simply place food in a bag, seal the open end in the machine, and press go. The machine will vacuum out the air and create an airtight seal.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact size fits easily on counter | Need access to electrical outlet |
| Often dishwasher safe parts | Limited capacity/bag size |
| User friendly controls | Can be loud when vacuuming |
| Relatively affordable prices | Pumps weaker than chamber models |
Chamber Vacuum Sealers
Chamber vacuum sealers use a chamber that you place the entire bag inside rather than feeding an open end through a seal bar. The chamber model can achieve a stronger vacuum suction than standard external suction machines. However, these are more expensive and bulky.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Achieve stronger vacuum suction | More expensive |
| Seal liquids more effectively | Take up more space |
| Faster sealing times | Heavy and not as portable |
| Accommodate larger bag sizes | More complex controls |
Handheld and Battery Powered Models
Handheld vacuum sealers offer a portable sealing option powered by batteries rather than a wall outlet. However, these have lower suction power than electric models. Best for occasional use rather than heavy duty sealing.
Vacuum Seal Bags, Canisters, and Accessories
In additional to the vacuum sealer appliance, you’ll need accompanying bags, canisters, rolls, or other containers to hold the food. Options include:
- Plastic pouches and bags
- Mason jars
- Plastic canisters
- Zipper seal bags
- Bottle stoppers
- Reusable silicone bags
- Bag rolls to cut custom sizes
Look for BPA-free materials that are freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe for maximum convenience.
Tips for Using Vacuum Seal Containers
To get the most out of your vacuum seal containers, keep these tips in mind:
- Use rigid canisters or mason jars for odd shaped items. Pliable bags work better for solid blocks and slabs.
- Pre-freeze juicy meats, berries, and sliced fruits before vacuum sealing to prevent rupture.
- Allow foods to cool before sealing to avoid expansion issues.
- Clean and dry food before sealing for best results.
- Avoid overfilling bags which can obstruct the seal.
- Double seal bags if concerned about puncture and leakage.
- Label all bags with contents and date before freezing.
- Make sure lid edges align properly before sealing.
- Refrigerate or freeze perishable items promptly after sealing.
Taking a few extra steps will ensure you get an airtight, long-lasting seal and maximum food preservation.
Are Vacuum Sealers Worth the Investment?
So are vacuum seal containers worth buying? Here’s a quick recap of the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Make food last 3-5 times longer
- Save money by reducing waste
- Help meal prep and portion control
- Work for sous vide cooking
- Create portable snacks and meals
- Offer airtight storage for non-food items too
Cons:
- Large upfront appliance cost
- Additional costs for replacement bags/containers
- Learning curve
- Not suitable for all foods
- Extra plastic waste created
For most households that do meal prep in batches or like sous vide cooking, a vacuum sealer can be a smart investment. The upfront costs typically pay for themselves over time from food savings. Vacuum sealers are particularly useful for freezing and storing meats, cheese, produce, and leftovers.
Look for models with durable motors, adjustable seal times, and useful features like bag cutters and roll storage. And opt for reusable and recyclable bag materials when possible. With a quality vacuum sealing system and smart use, you can get months more life out of your food.
Conclusion
Vacuum seal containers can extend food freshness by weeks or even months by removing oxygen from sealed containers. This reduced oxygen environment slows down spoilage, bacteria growth, mold, and other degradation processes. Vacuum sealers provide the most benefit for freezer storage of meats, produce, baked goods, coffee, and leftovers. They are also great for sous vide cooking and marinating meats.
While there is an upfront investment for a countertop or chamber vacuum sealer and accompanying bags, containers, and accessories, these costs can pay for themselves over time through food savings. Less wasted food means more money in your pocket.
Carefully research brands and models to choose a durable and easy to use vacuum sealer for your needs. Focus on a quality seal, sufficient suction power, and useful features like roll storage and bag cutters. Follow best practices for vacuum sealing different foods. With the right vacuum seal system and smart usage, you can gain major shelf life extension of foods in the fridge and freezer.
