<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hi, listmates,

I started a summary (of sorts) last night on vacuum sealers, and found that 
only one listmate was at all encouraging about using a vacuum sealer for 
fresh bread.  I wrote to her for more information and below is her note in 
entirety.  I will send along the other responses in a second 
message.  There was a lot of interest out there, and I'm sorry it  took me 
so long to get these "summaries" together.  I was sick for a long time in 
between and then had a lot of catching to do when I got back into 
circulation.

The gist of it all seems to be that not all vacuum sealers are created 
equally, so bear that in mind when you read the second set of 
messages.  Not knowing what brand and model the respondents were using 
makes it difficult to draw conclusions.  The instant seal feature seems to 
be a "must" and variable settings are probably helpful as well.

Merry Christmas to all!

Mary


>Subject: Re: Vacuum sealers)
>
>I love my Foodsaver 1200! It has an instant seal feature, which allows you 
>to press a button to stop the vaccum and begin the bag sealing process. 
>Luckily live in an area with many gluten free options so I rarely bother 
>to bake anymore. I have vacuum-sealed fresh baked breads before. It has 
>been a while and I couldn't recall any problems with instant sealing the 
>breads so I checked with my sister who is also gluten-free. She has a 
>cheap foodsaver (no instant seal button) and she did run into problem with 
>stuff getting squished. Until she learned that there is a TRICK to it. She 
>frequently seals fresh baked bread & goodies but has learned from 
>experience that THE TRICK to prevent squishy bread from becoming flat 
>bricks IS TO LEAVE SOME AIR IN THE BAG! When she has removed some of the 
>air, she gently pulls the bag out slightly (1-2 cm) to stop the vacuum 
>process and start the sealing process.
>
>At the foodsaver web site http://foodsaver.jardendirect.com There are 
>multiple locations to look for bargains My favorite is the 
>Products>Foodsaver Outlet Store where you "Save up to 55% on seconds, 
>discontinued and reconditioned products at our FoodSaver© Outlet Store! 
>And check back often as we'll be adding new items regularly." Other places 
>in the web site you can also look for more price options are: 
>Products>Foodsaver appliances; Products>Web Specials; Products> As Seen on 
>TV; or Products>Healthy Eating. Personally I have bought both new and 
>reconditioned 1200's. Just be sure to look for the instant seal button!
>
>If you purchase a foodsaver with the Instant (Manual) Seal Button you have 
>greater control on the amount of air left in the bag. The name of the 
>button changes depending on which series foodsaver you are looking at. 
>They have the same description: Instant Seal stops the vacuum process to 
>prevent crushing delicate items. New CrushFreeT Instant Seal - Immediately 
>stops the vacuum process to prevent crushing. Manual Seal Button stops the 
>vacuum process so you can control the amount of air removed
>
>A word of caution any freshly baked breads you would still need to be 
>refrigerated since you aren't putting preservatives in.
>
>I have an extra tip too -- I put the oxygen absorber packets from Ener-G 
>bread; beef jerky; or pill bottles in the bag too to further reduce the 
>oxygen in the remaining air within the sealed bag.
>
>As I said in the beginning I rarely bake anymore. While I have access to 
>Whole foods, Enjoy Life, and Kinninicks bread locally, I really like 
>Ener-g's NEW LIGHT Tapioca Bread best. To me it tastes like store brand 
>white bread. I have begun ordering it directly by the 6 loaf case 
>($16+$6shipping /$32+$6 for twice as much). It is shelf stable for a year 
>and I do reseal the original bags 2-3 times after opening.
>

* Please remember some posters may be WHEAT-FREE, but not GLUTEN-FREE *