Dcarch, I like the idea of saving money, really I do. But the way my DH roots around in the freezer, I know that those produce bags are way too thin to remain intact. Even without frozen sharp corners or edges, the bags just bumping each other is sure to tear them open. For those who are much gentler, this is a great idea.

I do this too but then I put the produce bag packages into freezer ziplock bags which stay clean and can be reused. Also easier to label with masking tape.

I'm not sure I would want to reuse bags that I brought home produce in. And I would think that grocery stores frown on taking extra bags for personal use.

Donna, I've seen some other recommendations on line using ziplock freezer bags, with the top seal cut off and then vacuumed sealed. Thicker than produce bags and less expensive than the special vacuum sealer bags, and only one step.

~Ann

Thanks for sharing!

You are always so generous with your knowledge,
And we appreciate it.

Rusty

Ann, I can see using the ziplocks minus the ziplocks. I'd be comfortable with that.

donna_loomis, no problem of breaking the bags in the freezer. I move stuff all the time*, and it has not happened. As I said in the video, you can also double bag, if you worry.

Ann_t, when I shop for produce, I first take many bags so that I don't have to look for them later. I always have a few more than I need. I don't worry about re-using the bags because all the food are to be washed and cooked.

And, the Ziplock bags will not work in a vacuum machine.**

Thanks Rusty.

dcarch

* I move all the stuff in the freezer every few days. I put my home-made cold smoked salmon in the back in accordance with safety recommendations to keep than below -4 degrees. So to get to them I have to take everything out.

** Ziplock bags may work in a chamber food sealer, a $4,000 machine.

This post was edited by dcarch on Fri, Mar 29, 13 at 13:23

I was expecting the "water displacement method" which is more trouble than it's worth, so this was a pleasant surprise!

Combined with reusable zipper bags for strength I think this is a viable option. Which produce bags to reuse would depend on what they were originally used for. I'd probably not use a bag that had dirty russets in them!

I tend to be conservative with my use of both Foodsaver bags and freezer bags, so I may well give it a shot.

Posted by foodonastump "I was expecting the "water displacement method" which is more trouble than it's worth, so this was a pleasant surprise!---"

When I first came upon this idea, I exclaimed "Eureka!"

Then I realized Archimedes said that. LOL!

dcarch

There seems to be a number of opinions on using regular freezer bags in a vacuum sealer. Some have had great success, some a little and some none at all. Wonder if success has something to do with technique?

Here is a link that might be useful: Vacuum sealing freezer bags.

Ann_t, I just watched that video.

First I was puzzled by why you need to cut off the zipper, then I realized that he was using the zipper as the vacuum channel for the machine to be able to draw the vacuum.

I don't think it will work.

Yes, the machine can draw the vacuum thru the zipper, but the heating strip will not be able to melt the zipper to seal the vacuum effectively. Slowly the air will re-enter the bag thru the same zipper.

I am at work so I can't test it.

dcarch

Dcarch, I was going to ask you what the purpose was of putting the little piece back into the bag. It wasn't clear.

Air seeping back in, seemed to be a problem for some people.

~Ann

For those who are tempted to try the zip type bag in a FoodSaver machine know that you may void your warranty. I do not know about other brands though.

Personally, I will stick with the FS bags and the thinner produce bags to keep the FS cleaner.

Using a produce bag or not is a choice, not a mandate. Thankfully my stores sell clean produce so I do not worry about re-using the bag. I just flip them inside out.

My favorite produce mart has a greeter at the door that hands you 10 bags as you wander in. Rolls of more are all over if you need extras. And when you check out, the baggers ask if you want the unused ones. Otherwise they just trash them.

AnnT, just curious, what brand /model of vac sealer do you have? I don't recall you ever mentioning you had one.

Thanks for sharing this interesting tip, dcarch. There's always something new to learn around here ;-). I'm going to have to play around with this a bit.

I've been using Ziplock "Perfect Portions" bags for portioning some food items I vacuum-seal, and they may be another option for anyone who doesn't like using the store produce bags. I got a box free (contains 150 bags), or I probably wouldn't have ever tried them, and now I'm sold on them for some uses.

I generally portion or form and quick-freeze foods before sealing, so I'm going to have to figure out if that would work with this method. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as the old saying goes....

-Grainlady

Posted by pkramer "For those who are tempted to try the zip type bag in a FoodSaver machine know that you may void your warranty. ---"

Well, thanks a lot for telling me now.

What is not shown on my video, I have been using this method all along and had no use for the sealing strip. So I re-wired the machine to cut out the heating strip.

Will that also void the warranty? LOL!

dcarch

Grainlady, good suggestion. I have been using the Ziplock Perfect Portions since they came out here. They are perfect especially for packaging boneless chicken breasts. Here they come in boxes of 75 and they are relatively inexpensive.

~Ann

I forgot one thing; Labeling the bags is easy, and can be done the following ways:

1. For labels to go inside the bags, you can use aluminum foil and a Sharpie/marker to label.

2. For labels to go inside the bags, you can use Sharpie/marker to write on wax paper.

3. Or my preferred way is to print out adhesive label to go on the outside of the bags. Very convenient. You can color code the years, so at a glance, you can immediately find the very old packages. Similarly, you can color code the kinds of meat.

dcarch

DC, you not only voided it but massacred it.