In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Another Vacuum Food Sealer Question...............

Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
I used to have a cheapie years ago but got rid of it.
I am considering getting another high quality one mainly for beef, as we have a farm here that sells grass fed beef, and bison.

Here is the real question for those that would know.
My mother that lives across the county from me loves all kinds of "berries" when they are in season. She will only buy the local, or US grown,.......not the ones from S. America that show up after ours disappear.

Could she stock up in season, vacuum pack them and freeze them?
Would they still resemble fresh after being defrosted?
If so, what would be the best method,........freeze them in their containers as is from the store,..........wash them, and then freeze them,.......or freeze them in water?

Anyone here ever tried this?
Thanks
"Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • agman1999agman1999 Member Posts: 981 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't recall having tried berries, but my grandmother would always vac pack fresh apricots and freeze them. The flavor was excellent, but they lost the texture they had when they were fresh.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    I have been wondering the same thing for stuff like Zucchini and such.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hslaterprycehslaterpryce Member Posts: 927 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My wife vacuum packs squash and berries and freezes them but they aren't the same as fresh when they are thawed - mind you they are good - but they do get a little mushy. I guess that water in them freezes and expands and then when thawed the cell walls are broken down and they lose their "crispness". But it will work.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    Unless you "Flash freeze" or dunk in liquid nitrogen, the formation of ice crystals pierce cell walls and degrade any food you freeze.

    The higher the percentage of water in the food, the worse the damage.

    Berries are high in water content. Freezing them results in "Freezer jam" - same flavor, but mushy consistency.
    They will still taste fresh, but will be kinda juicy and limp.
    Using the vacuum sealer will keep oxidation from happening.
    Using the berries to cook with would still be fine.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trapguy2007trapguy2007 Member Posts: 8,959
    edited November -1
    Have had good luck with berries .
    I have found the best way is to place them on wax paper on a sheet
    pan and freeze.
    Then vacuum pack .
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What do you think of simply putting the little packing flats they come in with the air slots, into the bag and sealing.
    I was thinking it would remove the air, but keep them from being crushed.

    The freezing on a pan first sounds good also.
    Judging by the last thread,......I think I will get a Foodsaver brand.
    The brand I had years ago was a PIA to use.
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by eboydell
    Mark, Cabela's has a pretty good vacuum sealer. I would wash them, seal them, freeze them, and ship them in dry ice to your mother. They should be very good when your mother goes to eat them. I don't know about Florida, but it is hot as Hell in New Orleans.[;)]

    Earl,.......she lives across the COUNTY from me, not the COUNTRY. You added an R in there![:D]
    Hot here also.[xx(]
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    I have had my Black & Decker for several years. It has been working great all this time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well,......just ordered one!
    http://www.foodsaver.com/SmartSeal.aspx
    It is the newest, plus it will match my stainless appliances.

    I like the vertical design,......less counter space wasted.
    Found a 15% off coupon on the web also, that actually worked!
    http://www.stoorz.com/coupon-codes/foodsaver-coupons.aspx?gclid=CLvD6rrugJQCFR6gnAodZFBNXA
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,696 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have frozen a lot of peaches.
    As others have said, it does make them mushy. But the flavor is great.
    When they melt they are mushy, you can put a bunch of peach slices in a bowl and eat them when they are half melted, they taste like ice cream.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rustyhrustyh Member Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by trapguy2007
    Have had good luck with berries .
    I have found the best way is to place them on wax paper on a sheet
    pan and freeze.
    Then vacuum pack .


    +1 - works well. we do this with strawberries and blueberries.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rustyh
    quote:Originally posted by trapguy2007
    Have had good luck with berries .
    I have found the best way is to place them on wax paper on a sheet
    pan and freeze.
    Then vacuum pack .


    +1 - works well. we do this with strawberries and blueberries.

    Think I will try this method first!
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GuvamintCheeseGuvamintCheese Member Posts: 38,932 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by trapguy2007
    Have had good luck with berries .
    I have found the best way is to place them on wax paper on a sheet
    pan and freeze.
    Then vacuum pack .
    bingo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.