Food Vacuum Sealer Instructions –
Easy How-To Guide (Part 2)

Welcome to Food Vacuum Sealer Instructions.

This is Part 2 for the FoodSaver V2240

(See part 1 here.)

On this page, Part 2, I show you how to PROPERLY PLACE your vacuum-sealer bags on the FoodSaver!

Start Here: Proper Bag Placement for a Perfect Seal

FoodSaver vacuum sealer bag placement

Step-by-Step Food Vacuum Sealer Instructions (Part 2)

The photo above shows you WHERE TO PLACE the CUT EDGE of your food vacuum sealer bag.

The edge of the bag goes right in the center of the black oval vacuum channel.

Hold the bag in place with your fingertips at the front edge of the machine and try to keep them out of the way when you close the lid. (Takes a bit of practice!)

Press the lever down that's on the right side of the machine. This holds the bag in place (see photo farther down the page) and must be done so it's ready to have the air drawn out.

FoodSaver - push the lever down to clamp the bag in place

Don’t Skip This! Why Smoothing Out the Bag Matters

While the bag is clamped, I smooth out the contents of the bag, making it lie pretty flat.

Doing this small step reduces bag punctures because when most food dries, it becomes brittle, and sharp. Smoothing out the bag before vacuum-sealing it makes it much easier to store it later on in the Mylar bags.

Next, simply press the dark "vacuum and seal" button. You'll now experience the air being drawn out of the bag, and this takes about 6-10 seconds.

Watch the Magic: Auto-Switch to Seal Mode Explained

The FoodSaver 'seal button' lit

When the vacuuming is finished, the machine switches over to the "seal" mode—and the seal button will light up in red - as shown in the photo.

Let the machine seal the bag and be patient! This takes about 6 seconds.

When you see the light go off, raise the handle (the handle you just used to lock the lid down to keep the bag in place). Raise the lid, and remove the vacuumed and sealed bag!

NEXT UP—Important:
For Mylar Bags Only!

NOTE:
Sometimes we do not need to use the vacuum feature—
such as when we are simply sealing the Mylar bags.

Want to Seal Mylar Bags? Here’s the Right Way

Foodsaver Food Vacuum Sealer V2240 interior

Look at the 'open wide' photo above and you'll see the dark rectangular strip on the bottom part of  the machine, just in front of the oval vacuum-sealer channel. This strip works in conjunction with the upper bar/roller.

The lower strip is flush against the Mylar bag's bottom when the lid is closed. Just press the SEAL button this time, and your Mylar bag will be sealed with no vacuuming taking place!

When the lid is down, the top bar heats up and the heated bar works to seal the Mylar bag.

Simply place the edge of your Mylar bag beyond the first dark strip—about an inch is good. There is no need for the bag's edge to be in the center of the oval vacuum chamber when sealing.

Also, don't be tempted to "shorten" your Mylar bags by cutting off the excess at the top. Why? Because when you want to take a vacuum-sealed package out of the Mylar bag, you have to cut off the top of the Mylar bag's seal.

Sealing pretty close to the top of Mylar bags leaves you with "room" to re-seal the Mylar bag over and over.

Hot Tip: Let the Heating Strip Cool Before Next Use

Hot Tip:
Let the Heating Strip
Cool Before Next Use

When you're vacuuming and sealing a few plastic
vacuum-sealer bags or just sealing Mylar bags—
please wait 20 seconds between each sealing
to allow the strip to cool down before re-use!

When you're vacuuming and
sealing a few plastic vacuum-
sealer bags or just sealing
Mylar bags— please wait
20 seconds between
each sealing
to allow the strip to
cool down before re-use!

This is a great feature because if that strip is still hot, it may partially seal the new bag BEFORE you get a chance to draw out the air. In fact, the FoodSaver will flash rapidly letting you know that it's not ready yet to do a new seal, or a vacuum and seal.


Back to Basics: Using Regular Vacuum-Sealer Bags

Shown below are some green beans before and after vacuuming.

Green beans before vacuum sealing on the Foodsaver machine

Label Like a Pro: The Right Way to Mark Your Bags

I use a black felt-tipped pen for writing the bag's contents and the date on the very top of the bag (above the seal) that I've just vacuumed.

Yes, I know you can see through the bag, but sometimes green beans can be mistaken for peas! :-)

Green beans after vacuum sealing on the Foodsaver machine

Thanks for reading our food vacuum sealer instructions; remember, this is part 2.

Click the link to read Part 1 of our food vacuum sealer instructions.

Bonus Tip: Double Seal for Extra Peace of Mind

I'd like to add this that our visitor, Paul, sent in recently. I echo his sentiments.

"When I've vacuum-sealed a bag, I seal it again by moving the bag slightly—and seal again above the first seal—in effect, sealing it twice as a safety measure. Sometimes bags puncture during storage, or the seal may fail. Remember to rotate your stock and check for any 'soft' bags."

— Thanks for writing in Paul!

Compare Top FoodSaver Models—Find the Right One for You

The FoodSaver machines remove air, one of the main causes of mold and food spoilage - and they create an airtight seal to lock in freshness.

NOTE:
The FoodSaver 4800 Series: An all-in-one vacuum sealing system with built-in handheld sealing for bags and containers. Ideal for families and bulk buyers.

FoodSaver V2244 with Bags+Rolls Starter Kit
FoodSaver V2244 with Bags+Rolls Starter Kit

FoodSaver V2244

Helps keep food fresh longer.

Comes complete with a starter kit that includes an 11" x 10' heat seal roll, (3) quart heat seal bags, (2) gallon heat seal bags, and an accessory hose, so you'll soon be on your way to keeping your food fresh, eliminating waste, and saving money.

FoodSaver 4800 Series
FoodSaver 4800 Series

FoodSaver 4800 Series

The 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System helps keep food fresh longer.

One FoodSaver 2-in-1 appliance does it all: automatic bag detection and vacuum sealing mean two quick and easy steps to seal and save, and the built-in handheld sealer eliminates the need for additional attachments when sealing zipper bags and containers.

FoodSaver GameSaver Rolls, 6-pk
FoodSaver GameSaver Rolls, 6-pk

FoodSaver 8" x 20' rolls, 6-pk

FoodSaver GameSaver 8" x 20' Vacuum Seal Long Roll with BPA-Free Multilayer Construction

  • Keep game and fish fresh up to 5x Longer with FoodSaver GameSaver 8-inch rolls.
  • Create custom-sized bags - simply cut a piece to your desired length, seal one end, fill, and then vacuum seal.
  • 8" x 20' rolls
  • BPA-free
  • Pack of six rolls
FoodSaver Quart Bags, 44-pk
FoodSaver Quart Bags, 44-pk

FoodSaver 1-Quart Food Storage Sealer bags

  • Constructed of durable yet pliable material that creates an airtight barrier around foods, extending freshness and locking in flavors
  • Quickly and easily portion food from bulk shopping or when storing leftovers.
  • BPA-FREE MATERIAL: Safe for storing raw and cooked foods, it's also freezer, refrigerator, microwave, and boil-safe
  • 1-quart size precut bags, 44-count
FoodSaver Pint Bags, 28-pk
FoodSaver Pint Bags, 28-pk

FoodSaver Pint-size Food Storage Sealer bags

  • Constructed of durable yet pliable material that creates an airtight barrier around foods, extending freshness and locking in flavors
  • Quickly and easily portion food from bulk shopping or when storing leftovers.
  • BPA-FREE MATERIAL: Safe for storing raw and cooked foods, it's also freezer, refrigerator, microwave, and boil-safe
  • 1-pint size precut bags, 28-count

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Thanks for stopping by Part 2 of my "food vacuum sealer instructions." Visit Part 1 here.

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