Sunbeam VS5200 manual Food Preserver System explained, Vacuum packing for the freezer

The Food Preserver System explained

By placing a bag inside the vacuum chamber, air is quickly drawn and expelled via the

air release valve on the piston pump and bag sealed using a non-stick coated heating plate.

HOW TO PRESERVE FOOD IN FOOD PRESERVER BAGS

Vacuum packing for the freezer

First of all, use the freshest possible food. The Food Preserver system will allow you to retain all the freshness of the food only if it is properly preserved. Some foods have a soft consistency which could be damaged by vacuum packing the product when fresh. To prepare delicate foods like fish, berries, bread, etc, it is advisable to pre-freeze them first. In the first twenty-four hours there is no risk of freezer burns, so you can vacuum pack the products frozen the previous day in Food Preserver bags, and then keep them in the freezer for long periods so as to preserve all the nutritional values and flavour of the product you have packed.

When vacuum packing soups, stews or other liquid food, pre-freeze it in a pan or temperature resistant dish. When the food

becomes solid, vacuum pack it and replace in your freezer. To vacuum pack vegetables, peel them and then blanche them briefly in boiling water or a microwave oven until they are warm but still firm. Refresh in iced water to stop the cooking process and drain thorougly. Then vacuum pack them in convenient portions.

If the food is not pre-frozen, leave an extra 5 cm in the length to the bag, to allow for expansion due to freezing. With regard to meat and fish, it is advisable to place the food on a paper towel and vacuum pack it with the towel in the bag. This will absorb any moisture in the food.

To preserve food like focaccia, crêpes and small hamburger patties, stack them on top of each other, placing greaseproof paper or film between each piece. This will make it easier to remove some of the food, re-vacuum seal the rest and replace it immediately in the freezer.

Vacuum packing for the fridge

For busy households, food can be prepared in advance, then vacuum packed and kept in the fridge for use at different times, ready to be heated as and when necessary.

Vacuum packing for the pantry

Even foods that can keep at room temperature (for example, coffee, flour, pasta, sugar, etc.) can benefit from vacuum packing. If these food items are to remain unused for several days, it is advisable to protect them by vacuum packing. They will keep better and moisture, mould and insects will not attack and ruin them.

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