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Ask Liss

Vacuum Sealers Seem to be a hot topic following the holidays. People want to know if its worth the money.. so here are your top questions answered:

Questions

 1. How do you use this for dry items...like cake mixes & MYO convenience foods; Can you use the bags or do you have to invest in jars? view answer
 

2. Will the contents of the bag get sucked up into the well when I try to seal the bag? view answer

3. What can I seal?  view answer

4. The meat I am sealing is quite fresh and the juice keeps getting sucked up, how can I prevent this? view answer

5. What is the best way to clean the Vacuum Bags for Reuse? view answer

6. I have the vacuum sealer with the attachment to seal Mason Jars (both wide mouth and small mouthed). The small mouth jars will not seal. Do I have to do something special to the jars when I seal them, or just put the lid on? view answer

7. I am sealing Jar Mixes and the dry ingredients keep flying into the well.. what can I do?? view answer

 Ready to Go Smoothie Recipes

 

Questions Answered:

 1. How do you use this for dry items...like cake mixes & MYO convenience foods; Can you use the bags or do you have to invest in jars?

Simply measure the ingredients of your recipe into the vacuum sealer bag. (fold the top down about 1 1/2 inches prior to filling so the contents of your bag doesn't get on it. This helps ensure an even seal). I don't use jars, they are bulky, expensive, and I have 2 small children that like to "help" in the kitchen & I don't want them handling glass.

There are plastic "jars" available through Tilia, but I haven't utilized them.

 

2. Will the contents of the bag get sucked up into the well when I try to seal the bag?

No. Prior to using the bag, simply fold the top down about an inch for dry goods, 2 inches for sauces, etc. Fill your bag, then unfold the top prior to sealing. This prevents the contents from being sucked into the well. Do not worry that you are wasting the bag, the bags are washable and reusable.

 

3. What can I seal?

We vacuum seal just about everything, gift mixes, sauces, marinades, homemade condiments,  Meat,  cheese..

**One note about sealing shredded cheese .... it seals so well that it often becomes a solid chunk that you have to break up with your hands before using.

 

4. The meat I am sealing is quite fresh and the juice keeps getting sucked up, how can I prevent this?

 Fold a paper towel the width of the bag your using.  Place it inside the lip of the bag (above the meat), it will absorb the excess juice preventing it from entering the well. This method is similar to the method butchers use. (Butchers often place a pad under meat products prior to packaging.) Simply discard the paper towel upon opening.

 

5. What is the best way to clean the Vacuum Bags for Reuse?

The best way to clean a food saver bag, if using a dishwasher, is to turn it inside out, place a small bowl inside the bag to hold it down on a dishwasher rack, and then run it through the cycle.
 After washing in the dishwasher, remove, rinse well under the faucet and turn right side out. Allow to dry before storing.

 

6. I have the vacuum sealer with the attachment to seal Mason Jars (both wide mouth and small mouthed). The small mouth jars will not seal. Do I have to do something special to the jars when I seal them, or just put the lid on?

To seal your jar, put a second lid on top of the lid you are trying to seal (in other words stack two lids together.) It will seal perfectly.

 

7. I am sealing Jar Mixes and the dry ingredients keep flying into the well.. what can I do??

 One of several things, you can cut a ring of wax paper and place it on the top of your jar to prevent your dry ingredients from being sucked into the well, or you can place a coffee filter down over the top of the jar prior to sealing. Both work well

 

 Recipes for Ready-to-Go Smoothies

Make your own smoothies with your favorite seasonal fresh fruits or choose from our Ready-to Go Smoothie combinations below.

Blue Straw: Blueberries, strawberries and pineapple.

Mango Tango: Mangoes, blueberries, strawberries and pineapple.

Banana Split: Bananas, Strawberries and pineapple.

Berry Banana: Blackberries, banana, pineapple.

For perfect blender smoothies, combine 1-1/2 cups frozen fruit, broken into small chunks, with 3/4 cup of your choice of fruit juice or milk, and 1/2 cup plain or flavored yogurt. Blend until smooth.

Serve immediately.