Are you tired of discarding spoiled dehydrated food from your kitchen? If yes, you need to look for the best vacuum sealer for dehydrated food to prolong the shelf-lives of your dehydrated foods.
As you know, 21% of oxygen in the air promotes the breakdown of cells or the so-called oxidation, resulting in food spoilage. Therefore, to increase the shelf-life of dried foods, you need to remove as much air as from their bag or container, which is possible with a vacuum sealer.
The best vacuum sealer for dehydrated food is the Foodsaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine. It features an automatic bag detection feature, making the process of vacuum sealing more convenient. It also comes with a patented detachable dishwasher-safe drip tray that can collect excess fluid.
With a vacuum sealer, a freezer bun will become a thing of the past, dehydrated foods will last much longer, and you can save a few bucks on your bank account.
They are also handy, waterproof, and economical; therefore, investing in a vacuum sealer is necessary. Before you buy, you need to consider some essential features of the best vacuum sealer, which will be discussed later.
Benefits Of Vacuum Sealer For Dehydrated Foods
Below are the reasons why you should invest in a vacuum sealer.
Saves Your Time And Money
You can seal a large volume of dried food items like meat jerky, fruits, and veggies with the help of a vacuum sealer machine.
It will be helpful, especially when you have big gatherings at home, and you lack time to prepare food at the moment.
The sealed dried food can be rehydrated and used in different delicious recipes for lunch or dinner.
You can also buy meat in bulk volume, dehydrate it in a food dehydrator, and sealed inside the bags or containers that can last for up to six months of usage. Therefore, you no longer need to go to the market and buy meat every time.
Extends Food Shelf Life
With the help of a vacuum sealing machine, the shelf-life of dried foods also gets significantly extended.
It prolongs the shelf-life of food up to three to five times longer than the usual food storing processes such as keeping food in containers or plastic bags.
You might be wondering how long can dehydrated food be stored; well, technically, it can last for up to five years or even more, especially if it is appropriately prepared, dehydrated, and stored with the help of a vacuum sealer.
Let’s say in an ordinary bag, food can stay for three to four days, but when you use a vacuum sealer, it can last for two weeks.
The correct shelf-life of food will depend on how you keep it after sealing, such as refrigerating, freezing, or storing them in the pantry.
Preserves Dried Foods
Vacuum sealers help preserve and prolong the shelf-life of dried foods by stopping the growth of bacteria and molds since it removes extra air (oxygen) from the dehydrated food.
Thus, the food is safe from air contact, keeping it fresh and having a long shelf-life.
Promotes Efficient Food Organization
After vacuum sealing, you can store the packaging of the food in a more organized manner. It is because the vacuum-sealed food will consume less space in the kitchen, allowing you to store them easily.
Keeps Food Fresh
Aside from preserving the food, vacuum-sealed food keeps the fat inside from turning it into lousy fat and stops the discoloration of food away from its natural color.
Moreover, the dried food does not get a rancid or unpleasant smell and slimy texture after getting vacuum sealed.
Related Article: Best Slicers For Dehydrating
Keeps The Natural Flavor And Remains Safe
With the help of vacuum sealing, the food will keep its natural flavor, hold its juices and moisture very efficiently. You can feel the difference in the dried food flavor after opening the seal.
The maximum amount of oxygen gets removed from the container or plastic bags, which can cause chemical reactions leading to food spoilage.
However, vacuum sealing stops the growth of bacteria that can spoil the food.
Allows Storage Of Dried Liquids
You can easily preserve liquids in the bags after refrigerating or freezing them for an extended period since liquids can be vacuum-sealed in a jar for safety reasons.
Rest assured that they will remain fresh and full of flavor whenever you open them for sealing.
Allows to Reseal Opened Dried Foods
It is more convenient for resealing the dried potato chips after opening the sealed jar or plastic container.
However, keep in mind not to use vacuum suction as this can crush the chips. Always leave some space at the top of the bag so the machine can still seal that.
What Makes A Good Vacuum Sealer? (Buyers Guide)
Don’t regret your purchase later on. That’s why I am giving you a list of the things that you need to know, so you can make the right choice when buying a vacuum sealer.
Cost
The most crucial factor to consider is cost. While you would love to get the most expensive vacuum sealer that you can find, in reality, there’s a limited budget to work with.
Therefore, the vacuum sealer’s price needs to be in the price range that you can afford without going broke.
When considering the cost, many people forget to consider the cost of the bags. Please make sure not to make mistakes, or it will cost you more in the long run.
Bags can be expensive if you are not careful in selecting the vacuum sealer.
Power
The next thing to look for is how much power it has.
You might be looking for a vacuum sealer with the most power you can afford. Having more power means it is built with a well-constructed motor that is capable of producing more power.
Seal
The seal is another essential feature to look for when shopping for a food vacuum sealer. Of course, you want to get the best seal possible, the one that will last for years.
A bad seal will destroy the shelf-life of the food you worked so hard to dehydrate. There are different types of seal:
- A large sealing bar
- A stronger sealing bar
- Multiple sealing wires
A large sealing bar will produce a more extensive and much more robust seal. Having a stronger seal will lessen the odds of failing it before you are ready to take it out.
It helps you avoid having wasted or spoiled food because the seal failed.
A vacuum sealing that is built with multiple sealing wires will make multiple seals at once. If the unit had two sealing wires, it could make two seals on a bag each time you seal it.
Having two or more seals is excellent because if one fails, you still have the other to keep your food vacuumed and sealed.
Ease of use
Though most vacuum sealers are not hard to use, the ease of use is still worth considering. You want all the controls to be easily accessible and labeled, so you know which button is necessary for this function.
You also want the unit to have its auto-lock mechanism, wherein it immediately locks down by itself.
Having this nifty little feature will save you from the hassle of pushing down on the unit until it is done. Another thing to look for is the pulse control, specifically whether it is automatic, manual, or both.
Automatic pulse control will automatically vacuum and seal the food item based on the preset setting you press.
In contrast, the manual control will allow you to choose precisely when to stop and when to seal the bag or the container.
Having the option of both automatic and manual control is the best. However, if you cannot find one that will match your budget, featuring automatic and manual pulse control, then look for manual control.
Durability
Whenever you buy something, you want to make sure that it will last, right?
Finding something that is durable and will last longer gives value to your money.
You always want to make the most of the money you spend on things; that’s why looking for a durable vacuum sealer should be on your top list.
To get a general idea of how durable a vacuum sealer is, take a closer look at what it is made of. Of course, if it is made from plastic parts, it will not last as long as something is made out of steel.
Another great way to check for durability is to dig all through the buyers’ reviews.
You can spend hours reading reviews, but you no longer need to do this since I have already taken the hassle out of this process. You may read on below to see my review of the best vacuum sealers for dehydrated food.
Warranty
Warranty is something where most buyers forget to look at when shopping. Neglecting to look at the warranty is a big mistake, especially if you buy a higher-priced item.
Imagine paying for an expensive vacuum sealer, only to know that it will stop working after a year of use or just a couple of months passed by.
Therefore, when buying a product, check on the warranty policy since most of the manufacturers offer a 1-year warranty period.
Five Best Vacuum Sealers For Dehydrated Food
Looking for the best vacuum sealer machine for dehydrated food is quite a tough job. Therefore, here is a review post of the best vacuum sealer to help you choose the one for your needs.
Foodsaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine
Dimensions: 11 x 20 x 12 inches
With the help of this vacuum sealer, you can preserve your dried foods for one in the pantry and still be assured that it will have the juice, natural flavor, and fresh taste of the food.
Moreover, you can also store leftovers, prep-ahead meals, and other food items for a few more weeks without getting spoiled.
The best feature of this machine is that it comes with an automatic bag detection feature, making vacuum sealing more convenient and more comfortable.
You need to place the bag inside the vacuum machine’s chamber and leave the rest to keep your food flavorful and fresh.
The patented detachable drip tray that comes with it can collect any excess liquid that falls from the food being sealed. Moreover, you can wash it since it is dishwasher-safe to remain clean and fresh whenever you use it.
Pros:
- Comes with automatic sealing vacuuming and bag detection for stress-free functioning
- Does not use heat seal technique
- Compact and can be used in small-sized kitchens
Cons:
- Produce a little noise while working
NutriChef Vacuum Sealer
Dimensions: 6 x 14.1 x 3 inches
If you are looking for a cheaper vacuum sealer yet of good quality, this vacuum sealer from NutriChef is an excellent option.
Besides dried foods, you can also vacuum seal dried spices and ingredients of different recipes for future use.
In addition, this vacuum sealer is a smart machine designed with a simple and completely automatic electric plug that has control over the top panel.
The digital buttons with led indicator lights are soft to touch. It also comes with two selectable modes, offering you the best ways of preserving food.
You can choose the option of moist indication for cooked, poached, or steamed food, and you can also opt for the dry sign for preserving solid food.
The food preserved through this vacuum sealer can last five times longer than the food stored in zipper bags.
Pros:
- Comes with two options for air sealing system
- It is compact, suitable for small kitchen
- Comes with additional accessories
Cons:
- No bag cutter and storage included
Avid Armor Vacuum Sealer Machine
Dimensions: 13.5 x 8 x 17.8 inches
If you are looking for something heavy-duty, made of tough, stainless steel, this Avid Armor Vacuum Sealer Machine makes it one of the best options.
It is equipped with a clear lid for easy bag loading, a soft-touch digital control panel, and variable settings.
On top of that, it has a smart pulse function that is manually operated to prevent the crushing of some delicate foods such as dried potato chips. It also comes with an impulse mode that closes bags without suction.
Moreover, it comes with an accessory mode available for processing canisters and the marinate mode for quickly tenderizing and infusing foods with flavor.
This model makes a wide, secure closure of 5 millimeters, eliminating the need for double sealing.
It has a heat bar that is extra wide at a full 12-inches, and a built-in cooling fan to keep the temperature cool while processing bulk supplies.
Pros:
- Comes with a maintenance kit
- The user manual is clear and detailed
- It has a complete 12-inch heat bar
Cons:
- Expensive
- Bulky in size
KOIOS Vacuum Sealer Machine
Dimensions: 14.5 x 2.9 x 5.9 inches
The best thing about this vacuum sealer from KOIOS is that it comes with a mice sheet on the heating strip’s bottom pad that can bear a high temperature of around 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its sealing feature can work up to 40 times unceasingly without any harm to the product.
It has an external pumping feature used in canning, food storage bags, wine preservation, and vacuum packing. You may read the product manual for an easy tutorial on how to work on the machine.
The machine’s design is user-friendly, wherein when you want to stop the vacuum packing, then push the “cancel” button during operation.
This vacuum sealer machine draws out the air and seals the bag to preserve the freshness. It comes with additional accessories for quick and efficient sealing.
Pros:
- Stress-free cutting of bags
- It has resistance to heat
- Simple design and controls
Cons:
- Needs a lot of space in the kitchen
Geryon Vacuum Sealer Machine
Dimensions: 2.5 x 5.4 x 14.6 inches
Though this vacuum sealer machine is not as expensive as that the big boys do, it does the one thing you buy it for: vacuum and seal bags for storage.
It can use any of the brands of vacuum-sealer bags up to 12 inches wide.
This vacuum sealer machine is straightforward to use; you need to place the end into the machine and press it down to lock it in place; press the vacuum button.
A sealing indicator will show the progress, or you can manually stop the process at any point before the bag is thoroughly vacuumed, which is best for delicate foods.
You can also work on the sealing function without vacuuming it first. The best thing about this machine is its affordable price and its ease of use.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Lightweight and compact
- Affordable
Cons:
- It does not include a bag cutter
Conclusion
Vacuum sealers for dehydrated foods are such a blessing to all those people who want to preserve food for an extended period.
These machines are equipped to preserve foods, prolonging the extension of food’s shelf-life for a long time.
With food lasting longer, you will save money and won’t have to shop as often since you can preserve food, which is smart and convenient. Sealers are also a great way to preserve your backyard harvest and pack away leftovers.
Related Article: Best Dehydrators For Fruits And Vegetables