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Food Vacuum Sealers – Compare Models & Sealing Tips (Part 1)

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Susan Gast, Author and Food Preservation Enthusiast
Susan has been dehydrating and preserving foods for over a decade, sharing practical, tested methods that help readers make healthy, long-lasting meals at home.

Food vacuum sealers are a must-have if you dehydrate, freeze, or bulk-store your food. They remove air from storage bags, keeping food fresher up to five times longer while protecting against freezer burn, pests, and humidity.

✅ Quick Answer: What does a food vacuum sealer do?
A food vacuum sealer removes air from storage bags to prevent spoilage, extend freshness, and block freezer burn. It’s ideal for dehydrated foods, leftovers, and bulk storage, keeping food safe and tasty up to 3–5 times longer.

Whether you’re sealing soups, jerky, or dried fruit, vacuum sealing makes long-term storage simple and safe.

I've been using the FoodSaver V2240 (shown below) since 2010 and sadly it's not available any more on Amazon... but keep reading to see my top picks for fancy stainless-steel models that look stellar on your kitchen counter!

FoodSaver V2240 food vacuum sealing machine, closed, front

This hardworking vacuum and sealing machine is an integral part of dehydrating food. Why? I need it to safely store my dried food. You see, we need to remove the air from the plastic food vacuum sealer bags. This helps preserve its contents for long-term storage.

Why Food Vacuum Sealers Are Worth Every Penny

Using a food vacuum sealer has many benefits. It helps to keep food fresh for a longer period.

  • Removes oxygen to prevent spoilage - food lasts 3-5 times longer when vacuum-sealed.
  • Locks in flavor, and nutrients.
  • Creates an airtight seal to block moisture and pests.
  • Saves space - vacuum sealing removes air which reduces overall volume when storing.
  • Allows for organized, stackable storage - customized bags easily fit into storage containers such as plastic-lidded bins, and airtight buckets.

Stop Freezer Burn & Moisture Damage With This Trick

When using a FoodSaver purely for leftovers (or storing fresh food for that matter), it helps prevent freezer burn and keeps food from being damaged by humidity.

But if you're going to be storing your dehydrated food for an extended period, vacuum sealing is a great way to keep it fresh.

After dehydrating our fruit, vegetables (and meats!), we store them in plastic vacuum-sealer bags. We don't just seal the bags, we ALSO draw the air OUT of the bags.

Don't forget to add an oxygen absorber into the plastic vacuum-sealer bag before drawing out the air with the Food-Saver vacuum sealer.

IMPORTANT:
For proper vacuum-bag placement,
please click here for Part 2
to see lots more photos and explanations.

The photos show you exactly where to place the open-end
of the bag on the machine for perfect seals every time!


The #1 Step People Skip Before Sealing (Don’t Miss It)

After dehydrating our food, we let them condition; this is a step many people skip - but shouldn't! After conditioning, it's time to place the foods into quart-size or pint-size vacuum sealer bags.

Add the 100cc oxygen absorber along with a 5g desiccant packet and now we're ready to use the FoodSaver® machine to vacuum the air out of our bags.

To preserve foods properly for long-term storage, it is very important to keep out these three elements:

  1. Moisture
  2. Air
  3. Light

Beat the 3 Biggest Enemies of Long-Term Food Storage

  • By dehydrating the food first, that takes care of the 'moisture' issue.
  • By vacuuming the bags, we achieve the 'air' removal.
  • By storing our vacuum-sealed food in Mylar bags and then in bins, preferably in a dark area like a closet, that takes care of the 'light' issue.

Compare Vacuum Sealers, Bags, and Rolls

The vacuum sealers and supplies below can help protect properly stored food from exposure to air and moisture. Compare the machine features, bag sizes, and roll options to find what works best for the foods you plan to seal.


Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine

Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine

The Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer features a handle-locking design and built-in bag cutter. It also comes with two bag rolls and 100 vacuum bags, giving you the basic supplies needed to start vacuum sealing right away.

FoodSaver 4800 Vacuum Sealing System

FoodSaver 4800 Series

The FoodSaver 4800 Series combines automatic bag vacuum sealing with a built-in handheld sealer for compatible containers and zipper bags. It also has a removable drip tray for easier cleaning, making it a versatile option for everyday food storage and bulk purchases.

FoodSaver GameSaver Bag Rolls

FoodSaver 8" x 20' rolls, 6-pk

These continuous FoodSaver GameSaver rolls let you cut each bag to the length you need. Cut a section from the roll, seal one end, add the food, and then vacuum-seal the open end.

  • Each roll measures 8 inches × 20 feet
  • Six rolls per package
  • BPA-free multilayer material
  • Useful for creating custom-length bags
FoodSaver Precut 1-Quart Size Vacuum Sealer Bags

FoodSaver 1-Quart Food Storage Sealer bags

These precut 1-quart FoodSaver bags eliminate the need to measure and cut sections from a roll. Fill the bag while leaving enough empty space at the top, then place the open end in the vacuum channel and seal it.

  • Precut 1-quart bags
  • 44 bags per package
  • BPA-free multilayer material
  • Designed for refrigerator and freezer storage
  • Convenient for portioning bulk purchases and leftovers
FoodSaver Pre-Cut Pint-Size Vacuum Sealer Bags

FoodSaver Pint-size Food Storage Sealer bags

These precut pint-size FoodSaver bags are useful when you want to seal smaller portions without wasting a larger bag. Leave enough empty space at the top so the open edge can lie flat inside the vacuum channel.

  • Precut 1-pint bags
  • 28 bags per package
  • BPA-free multilayer material
  • Designed for refrigerator and freezer storage
  • Convenient for snacks, individual portions, and small amounts of dried food

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—this does not affect the price you pay. Read full disclosure.

Why I Still Trust This Compact Sealer After Years of Use

FoodSaver V2240 food vacuum sealing machine, open, front

I've been using my FoodSaver® for many years now, and it's never let me down.

If you need to store it for a while, use a plastic garbage can liner and twist-tie to keep it clean and dust-free.

Cleaning Secret: The One Spot Everyone Forgets

After using (and before storing) your food vacuum sealer, make sure to clean out the narrow oval-ended tray that sits down below the lower oval vacuum-chamber opening.

I know we are mainly vacuum sealing "dry" ingredients, so most of the "stuff" you'll find in that tray are tiny pieces of dehydrated items that you can just toss out, then wipe the tray out with a clean damp dish cloth.

Of course, if it's really dirty, wash it in warm soapy water, let it air dry, and replace it in the machine.

I DO NOT clamp my handle down when it's in storage—there's no need to do that. I don't see any point in "squooshing" the roller against the strip when not in use - or while in storage.

Bag Placement Secrets for a Perfect Seal (See Part 2)

IMPORTANT:
For proper vacuum-bag placement,
please click here for Part 2
to see lots more photos and explanations.

The photos show you exactly where to place the open-end
of the bag on the machine for perfect seals every time!

Freeze Liquids Before Vacuum Sealing for a Perfect Seal

Food vacuum sealing hack – freeze liquids like soups or stews before sealing to prevent messy seals and extend storage life.

If you try to vacuum seal soups, stews, or sauces while they’re still liquid, the machine can suck juices into the chamber — and trust me, they’re a pain to clean out (if you can even find where they went!).

Yes, most models have a drip tray, but when you’re using accessories like the Pawcute jar sealer, where do those juices end up once they get sucked up the tube? Nobody knows! That’s why freezing your liquids first is such a smart idea. Once solid, they vacuum seal beautifully, giving you a tighter seal, easier cleanup, and longer storage life.

Food Vacuum Sealer FAQs: What Shoppers Always Ask

Do I really need a food vacuum sealer if I already dehydrate food?

Yes. Dehydrating removes moisture, but air exposure can still cause spoilage. A vacuum sealer plus an oxygen absorber keeps food safe for years.

Can I vacuum seal soups or liquids?

Yes, but freeze liquids first so they don’t get sucked into the machine. Once solid, vacuum seal them like any other food.

Are FoodSaver bags reusable?

Some are. You can cut the sealed edge off and reuse the rest of the bag for dry foods. For wet or oily foods, it’s best to use new bags.

How long does food last when vacuum sealed?

Vacuum-sealed dehydrated foods can last 5–10 years if stored with oxygen absorbers and desiccant packets in a cool, dark place. Frozen items last up to 2–3 years without freezer burn.

Vacuum sealing is one of the easiest ways to protect the food you’ve worked hard to dehydrate. From soups to jerky, it locks in freshness and saves space.

And before you go, don’t forget to grab your free 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love PDF below—featuring carrot soup, minestrone, split pea, spicy beef jerky, and banana cinnamon rolls. They’re my personal favorites, and I think you’ll enjoy them too!

Part 2 is here!

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

← Get your free copy now!

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

Get your free copy now!

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Save the Harvest food dehydrating game featuring jars of dried bananas, beets, mushrooms, peas, and corn.

Test Your Food-Dehydrating
Know-How

Choose a food, make the right preparation, drying, and storage decisions—and see how many stars you can earn!

Play “Save the Harvest”

Test Your Food-Dehydrating
Know-How

Save the Harvest food dehydrating game featuring jars of dried bananas, beets, mushrooms, peas, and corn.

Choose a food, make the right preparation, drying, and storage decisions—and see how many stars you can earn!

Play “Save the Harvest”