The handy-dandy Handi-Vac
I rarely write about products in this blog, but this is one I can recommend. It's the new Reynolds Handi-Vac, a hand-held vacuum sealer.
First, a bit of back story: Two years ago when we renovated our kitchen, I bought a beautiful but useless...
...refrigerator. OK, that's a little strong; but my frozen food has been getting much worse freezer burn than it did with the ancient GE I used to have.
The Handi-Vac wasn't a freebie because of my job. I actually saw it in the supermarket one day and decided to buy it. You put the food you want to freeze in special plastic bags that have an air valve. Then you suck the air out with the Vac. Its Web site, by the way, is a hoot. Incredibly detailed about an essentially simple process. And I've already spent too much time this morning playing the "Stay Fresh" game to win $50 and another Handi-Vac.
At first I thought my Handi-Vac didn't work, but if you run it longer than the directions suggest, suddenly you can see the bag tighten around the food inside as the air goes out. But be warned: This sucker is stronger than it looks. I was so fascinated the first time I did it I didn't notice my loaf of bread was getting squashed.
I don't get freezer burn anymore, though.
No, you can't use it for sous vide cooking.
Comments
Hint: freeze bread first (in the bag) then vacuum. Those expensive little bags are a great way to keep a loaf of bread (2 - 4 slices per bag) fresh for ever.
If you like this, try its big brother: the Food Saver. My freezer is full of stuff that seems to keep so much better and longer than in regular packaging. (And its another toy in the great toy race.) And brown sugar sealed in a bell/mason jar (special attachment, and another toy) keeps for years, fresh and moist.
Single Robert, you never disappoint.
Posted by: Robert (the single one) | December 28, 2007 8:38 AM
I bought this when it first came out and have loved it ever since. It was especially useful this Christmas when I was putting together a rather extensive meal for a large family reunion. It was so wonderful to prep way ahead and have an easy time (at what is usually a very hectic day) of prepping and cooking.
Posted by: Bill | December 28, 2007 8:58 AM
Is it noticeably better than bleeding the air out of a zipper plastic bag? Seems to work...
Yes, as long as you don't make the bread two-dimensional.
Posted by: chowsearch | December 28, 2007 10:44 AM
Oh...it's a kitchen gadget. My first reaction -after the blushing subsided- was that the new Sun ownership was pushing a salacious angle on this blog in order to boost readership.
Fortunately, my internet filter at work didn't send up any red flags. All I needed was to have to explain to the IT director that I was really looking at a food sealer.
Posted by: Robert from Cross Keys | December 28, 2007 1:57 PM
Robert from Cross Keys -
Please don't do that while I'm drinking...
Posted by: Janet | December 28, 2007 2:50 PM
Based on the recommendation here, I now have yet another gadget in my kitchen.
I tried it out this afternoon by sealing up the remainder of the package of Andouille sausage from making Leftover Turkey Carcass gumbo. It worked great at sealing the bag, but Ella the kitchen cat is really mad at me ‘cause of the noise it made. She was quite freaked out.
Posted by: Hal Laurent | December 28, 2007 4:28 PM
ROFL - I was laughing so heartily at the last two comments that I had to tell some co-workers what was going on. They have become instant E Large Blog Fans!
Happy New Year, all!
Posted by: Single Rob | December 28, 2007 4:47 PM
How much does it cost?
I can't remember exactly, about ten bucks. My guess is it's not the cost of the gadget that will be the killer, but the upkeep (buying the special bags).
Posted by: Federal Hill Jim | December 29, 2007 5:40 PM
Single Robert, thanks for the tip about freezing bread before vacuum sealing it. I turned some lovely artisanal bread into artisanal bricks by vacuuming it fresh--WHAT a mess!
I agree that Food Saver is one of the greats in the pantheon of "kitchen toys." I can keep cheeses for weeks rather than days, and frozen vacuum-saved foods don't get freezer burn. Also, K-Mart sells rolls of bag material, which beats the heck out of mail order!
Happy New Year, y'all!
Posted by: Dottie | January 2, 2008 3:09 PM
I love mine a bunch. I'm a widow on disability, so the HandiVac is a money saver for me. I buy the big packages of foodstuffs at Smart & Final and repackage with the HandiVac. FYI, yes you can wash and reuse the bags. Trust me. I've had my HV several months and I'm still using the original box of bags that came with it. It was on sale and I had a coupon, as well. All in all, I've saved money from the getgo.
Posted by: Susan Bishop | June 23, 2008 12:03 AM
Can someone please explain to me why mine worked for the first 3 bags and now I can't get it to work at all? And to the one comment regarding price of bags...it is way better than paying for a Food Saver and it's bags. If only I could get it to work.
Posted by: Chrissy | July 10, 2008 2:00 PM