To properly seal your FoodSaver bag, you should place the open end of the bag onto the sealing strip with the embossed (rough) side facing down. This ensures optimal contact for the vacuum sealing and heat-sealing process.
Understanding Bag Placement for Optimal Sealing
Correct bag placement is crucial for achieving an airtight seal and extending the freshness of your food. The FoodSaver appliance is designed to work efficiently when the bag is positioned properly over the internal components.
Key Placement Guidelines:
- Embossed Side Down: Always ensure the embossed, textured, or rough side of the bag is placed face down over the sealing strip. This textured surface is designed to create tiny air channels that allow air to be efficiently removed during the vacuum process.
- Over the Seal Bar: The open end of your bag needs to rest directly over the appliance's sealing strip, often referred to as the "seal bar" or "heating element." This is the component that heats up to create the final airtight seal.
- Flat and Smooth: Make sure the bag's opening is as flat and smooth as possible across the sealing strip, without wrinkles or creases, which can prevent a complete seal.
Handling Common Bag Placement Scenarios
Sometimes, bags might not cooperate perfectly. Here's how to address common issues:
- Curling Bags: If you're using a bag from the end of a roll, it might curl. In this situation, place the curled side down over the seal bar. This helps flatten the bag sufficiently for sealing.
- Excess Moisture: When sealing items with moisture (like marinated meats), ensure the bag's opening is clean and dry. Moisture can interfere with the seal. Consider using the FoodSaver's drip tray or pre-freezing moist items slightly.
- Too Much Bag: Avoid overfilling the bag. Leave at least three inches of space between the food and the top of the bag for proper vacuuming and sealing.
Troubleshooting Sealing Issues
If you encounter problems during the sealing process, improper bag placement or an overheated seal bar could be the cause.
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Bag Not Sealing | Incorrect bag placement | Ensure the embossed side is down and the bag is flat over the seal bar. |
| Wrinkles or creases | Smooth out the bag opening before closing the lid. | |
| Moisture on seal area | Wipe the inside of the bag opening dry. | |
| Bag Melts or Burns | Sealing Strip too hot | If your bag melts, the Sealing Strip may have become too hot. Allow the appliance to cool down for 20 minutes between seals, especially after multiple consecutive seals, to prevent overheating of the heating element. |
| Vacuum Not Working | Bag not properly engaged | Ensure the bag is inserted far enough into the drip tray/vacuum channel for the vacuuming process to initiate. |
| Lid not latched correctly | Make sure both sides of the lid are securely latched (if applicable to your model). |
For further guidance on operating your specific FoodSaver model, always refer to your device's user manual or visit the official FoodSaver support page.
Properly positioning your FoodSaver bag is a small but critical step that guarantees airtight freshness, protecting your food from freezer burn and spoilage.
