The Key to Fresher Food and Easy Sous Vide Cooking

If you’re like me and you’re always trying to cut back on food waste, a vacuum sealer is one of the best tools you can add to your kitchen. I’ve been using the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine for a while now, and it’s become an essential part of my meal prep routine. Not only does it keep my food fresher for longer, but it’s also perfect for sous vide cooking, which has been a game-changer for making perfectly cooked meals.

Let me walk you through my experience with this model and why it might be worth adding to your kitchen arsenal.

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine and Express Vacuum Seal Bag Maker with Sealer Bags and Roll and Handheld Vacuum Sealer for Airtight Food Storage and Sous Vide

4.5

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First Impressions: Sleek and Functional

When I first unboxed the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer, I was impressed by how sleek the design is. The black finish gives it a modern look that fits well in most kitchens, and it doesn’t take up a ton of counter space, which is important if you’ve got a lot of gadgets lying around. The machine itself is pretty straightforward—no complicated buttons or confusing instructions. This is a vacuum sealer designed to make your life easier, not more complicated.

It comes with a starter kit that includes sealer bags and a roll, which I appreciated because it meant I could start using it right away. Plus, it’s got a built-in roll storage and cutter, which I didn’t realize how much I’d love until I started using it regularly. No more fumbling around with scissors or trying to guess the right bag size!

Sealing Power: Keeping Food Fresher for Longer

One of the main reasons I wanted a vacuum sealer was to keep food fresh for as long as possible. Let’s face it, no one likes throwing out groceries that went bad too soon. This FoodSaver does an excellent job of creating an airtight seal that locks in freshness. Whether it’s meat, vegetables, or even leftovers, I’ve found that vacuum-sealed food stays fresh way longer than it would in a regular ziplock bag or plastic container.

What’s great is that it’s not just about extending the shelf life of your food in the fridge or freezer. I also use it to keep pantry items fresh, like sealing up bags of coffee beans or nuts. It’s been a total game-changer for meal prepping too—being able to vacuum-seal portions of meat or veggies ahead of time makes weeknight dinners so much easier.

The Express Bag Maker makes the whole process even faster, which is perfect if you’re sealing up a lot of food at once. You don’t have to waste time cutting and sealing bags one at a time—the machine does it all for you in one quick step.

Sous Vide Cooking: Restaurant-Quality Meals at Home

If you’ve never tried sous vide cooking before, this vacuum sealer will open up a whole new world for you. I started experimenting with sous vide after getting this machine, and it’s now one of my favorite ways to cook. The airtight seal it creates is perfect for sous vide, ensuring that the food is evenly cooked and stays tender.

Whether I’m making steaks, chicken, or even vegetables, sous vide cooking guarantees restaurant-quality results. The vacuum-sealed bags allow the food to cook in its own juices, which intensifies the flavors. Pair this with a sous vide machine, and you’ll have perfectly cooked meals every time.

I’ve found this method especially useful for meal prep. I’ll vacuum-seal a batch of chicken breasts or steaks, cook them sous vide, and store them in the fridge or freezer for easy reheating later. It’s like having gourmet food ready to go whenever you want it.

Ease of Use: Streamlined for Busy Cooks

One of the things I appreciate most about the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer is how user-friendly it is. I’m not someone who likes gadgets with a million settings or complicated instructions. This machine keeps things simple. The controls are intuitive, so you don’t need to be a tech wizard to figure it out.

There’s a moist/dry setting that adjusts the seal depending on what kind of food you’re sealing. For example, if you’re sealing something with a lot of liquid, like marinated meat, the machine automatically adjusts to create a stronger seal without leaking. This was a huge bonus for me because it meant fewer messy spills.

The handheld vacuum sealer is another cool feature. It’s designed for sealing FoodSaver zipper bags, which are great for snacks or things you don’t need a full vacuum-sealed bag for. It’s a small, portable device that works just as well as the main sealer but in a more compact format. I’ve been using it a lot for smaller items that I want to keep fresh but don’t need a full-sized bag for.

Durability and Build Quality

After using it regularly, I can say that the FoodSaver is a solidly built machine. It feels sturdy, and I haven’t run into any issues with the motor overheating or the sealing function failing, even after multiple uses in a single session. The roll storage and cutter are also well-made and work smoothly, which I appreciate because I’ve had other vacuum sealers in the past where these features would break down over time.

I’ve also noticed that the sealer bags that come with the machine are high-quality. They’re durable and don’t rip or tear easily, even when storing sharp-edged food like bones or frozen items. If you’re planning on using this vacuum sealer frequently, investing in extra rolls or bags would be a good idea because you’ll definitely go through them quickly once you get into the habit of vacuum sealing everything.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Sleek design: Looks good on the counter and doesn’t take up too much space.
• Built-in roll storage and cutter: Makes bag-making quick and easy.
• Express bag maker: Speeds up the process, great for batch sealing.
• Handheld vacuum sealer: Convenient for smaller items and quick sealing.
• Perfect for sous vide cooking: Ensures even cooking and locks in flavor.
• Keeps food fresher longer: Airtight seals preserve food in both the fridge and pantry.

Cons:

• Takes a little time to learn: There’s a bit of a learning curve, especially with the handheld sealer, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward.
• Replacement bags can add up: While the starter kit is helpful, you’ll definitely need to buy more bags and rolls, especially if you’re meal prepping or using it frequently.
• Noisy: It’s not the quietest machine when sealing, but it’s a small price to pay for what it delivers.
  

  FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine and Express Vacuum Seal Bag Maker with Sealer Bags and Roll and Handheld Vacuum Sealer for Airtight Food Storage and Sous Vide

  4.5

  View Price on Amazon

  We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Investment

Overall, I’m really happy with the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine. It’s made a noticeable difference in how I store and prep food. Whether you’re someone who’s trying to cut down on food waste, loves meal prepping, or just wants to try out sous vide cooking, this machine has you covered. The build quality is solid, the features are practical, and it’s versatile enough to handle pretty much any food storage needs you throw at it.

If you’re thinking about adding a vacuum sealer to your kitchen, I’d say this is definitely worth considering. It’s easy to use, delivers on what it promises, and helps keep your food fresher for longer—what more could you want?