5.4 Guidelines for vacuum packaging
Vacuum packaging for freezer
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A correct preservation will help the device to keep food fresh. Pack the food as fresh
as possible.
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Delicate foods or those which you desire to keep their shape and appearance could be
damaged if packed as fresh products. We recommend pre-freezing delicate products
such as meat, fish, berries, bread, etc.
They can be frozen for a maximum of 24 hours without suffering freezer burns.
Once they have been pre-frozen, air can be suctioned from the bag and they can
remain a long time in the freezer while maintaining their taste and nutritional value.
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To preserve liquids such as soups, flans and stews vacuum packed, first freeze
them in a tray or bowl, and then pack them hermetically and preserve them frozen
in the freezer.
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To preserve fresh vegetables, clean them or peel them and have them parboiled for a
short time in boiling water (or, if necessary, heat them in a microwave oven), to obtain
fresh and cooked vegetables. When they have cooled off, seal the desired portions
vacuum packed.
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To pack products which are not deep-freezed, allow approximately 5 cm more per bag
to guarantee space for expansion of the food to the frozen state. Put meat or fish on a
paper towel, and then seal them hermetically with the paper napkin in a plastic bag.
This will absorb the liquid in the food.
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Before vacuum packaging foods such as tortillas, crepes or hamburgers, place wax
paper between the various pieces. This makes it easier to remove the single pieces
and to reclose the bag kept in the freezer.
Vacuum packaging for the refrigerator
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The food can be cooked in advance, kept in the refrigerator vacuum packed and
heated when necessary.
Vacuum packaging for the pantry
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Some foods can also be preserved at room temperature (coffee, flour, pasta, sugar,
etc.) and this can be facilitated by vacuum packaging. If they are not used for several
days, for example when you are on holiday, they must be protected with vacuum
packaging. This way they will remain fresh at room temperature and will not be
attacked by mould or insects.
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