FoodSaver 4840 2 in 1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System Review

Even though I live by myself, I still make a lot of food. I’ve been strength training for a while now, and when I need to bulk up,

I make a ton of food at once and just eat it for the whole week. Before, I would usually have to cook twice a week, since the meals just wouldn’t last too long in the refrigerator.

However, once I found out about vacuum sealing my food, I tried it out. Suffice to say, I will not be going back to the old way.

Today, I’ll be talking to you about my favorite vacuum sealer, the FoodSaver 4840 2 in 1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System.

I’ve tried multiple sealers so far, but the 4840 is my favorite of all. I’ll be showing you how this machine works, and why vacuum sealing is the best way to go when you want to save time, money, and your food.

What is Vacuum Sealing

We all know that, over time, food spoils. While certain foods may last longer than others, the simple fact remains that oxygen is the worst thing for food preservation, as it is what breaks down the molecules and causes spoilage.

Thus, to eliminate the problem of food going to waste, the answer is vacuum sealing. This process is simply removing all of the air from a container via a vacuum, so it is both airtight and oxygen-free.

The tighter the seal and the less oxygen contained within, the longer your food will last.

Sale

FoodSaver 4800 Series Vacuum Sealer...

Keep food fresh in the freezer up to 5x longer and in the fridge or pantry up to 2x longer, compared to ordinary storage methods.Cord Length (IN): 30
Automatic bag detection and vacuum sealing means two quick and easy steps to seal and save
Handheld sealer seals FoodSaver zipper bags, canisters, and containers, and marinates food in minutes
Pull-out drip tray drawer with patented removable dishwasher-safe drip tray helps keep your counters clean
5 year limited warranty

Factors That Keep In Mind

Benefits of Vacuum Sealing Food

I love to vacuum seal because I hate cooking. Thus, I just try to make as much food as I can at once, so I don’t have to cook every day.

Plus, with my busy schedule, food preparation is just something that I don’t have time for. That being said, here are the top reasons you should be vacuum sealing your food.

Tips for Better Vacuum Sealing

Although vacuum sealing is a pretty straightforward process, there are still some things to consider to get the most out of your sealing system. Here are the most common tips to follow to ensure a proper vacuum seal every time.

Don’t seal hot foods: the heat can disrupt the sealing process or worse, prevent the bag from sealing properly.

Also, hot foods will cause bubbles and air pockets to develop, which can adversely affect the shelf life

Don’t seal sharp objects: as the air is removed, the bag compresses against whatever is inside. If you seal sharp objects, then it can tear the bag and cause you to start over

Leave space at the top: no matter what kind of food you use, leave some space at the top to ensure a proper seal.

If there isn’t room at the top, you may not be able to seal the bag properly, which can let air in

Don’t seal liquids: as the machine sucks the air out, it can start to suck liquid out too. Freeze liquids before sealing to make sure this doesn’t happen

Leave extra space for powdered foods: if you seal things like flour, sugar, or anything else that’s powdered or granulated,

then you want to leave even more space at the top, so particles will not get sucked into the machine

Only use vacuum seal bags: while the device can work on chip bags and Ziploc bags, to get the best vacuum seal possible only use the properly rated bags.

Usually, you can find these on third-party websites to save money, but Ziploc bags will not keep the air out as well as vacuum seal bags

Wait a minute between uses: since the machine heats up to seal the bag, wait about a minute between seals so the device can cool down. Doing this will extend the life of your FoodSaver

Freeze fruits and blanch vegetables: if you plan on canning your fruits and vegetables or sealing them for long-term storage,

You will still need to blanch or freeze them first to ensure that they will stay fresh and edible over time. Vacuum sealing is not a replacement for proper canning techniques

Other Considerations for Vacuum Sealers

When looking at the right vacuum sealer for your kitchen, take these factors into account to ensure that the model you choose has all the right features you need.

Size: if you have limited counter space, don’t get a sealing system that is too large to store effectively. The 4840 is bigger than other models, so make sure you have the space to use it and store it.

Portability: the 4840 is a 2 in 1 sealing system, which means that it comes with a portable sealer as well as a traditional bag sealer. If you want to seal other containers like Ziploc bags or Tupperware, then a portable unit is ideal for that.

Cost: in addition to the expense of the device itself, keep in mind the price of replacement bags as well as any accessories that you may want or need. Bags can be somewhat expensive over time, so make sure that you take that into consideration if you plan on vacuum sealing on a regular basis.

Pros

Heavy Duty Construction
Easy to Use
Comes with all necessary equipment, including bags
Powerful vacuum is more efficient than other models
Variable settings for better sealing
Washable and easy to clean
Comes with portable sealer for convenience
Ideal for all shapes and sizes of containers
Perfect for long-term and short-term storage
Food lasts much longer than in traditional packaging
Automated sealing

Cons

Larger and bulkier than other models
Does not work well on liquids
In some instances, the bags may take a while to seal properly
Sometimes the portable sealer will not retract into the unit
In rare cases, the bag detector may not work
Jar sealer may not function properly on some jars

Features

Durable construction
Large vacuuming system works much faster than other models
Comes with a variety of bags to get you started
Portable sealer included for your convenience
Settings for moist or dry food for better results
Roll storage included
Cutter included so you can customize the bag size
Drip tray drawer comes standard
Drip tray is removable and dishwasher safe
Portable sealer works on all kinds of containers
Automatic sealing

FAQs

Can you seal your bag without vacuuming the air out?

Yes, this model comes with a “seal” button that will just close the bag without vacuuming anything out. Simply put the bag in and before it starts sucking press that button.

Are all of the bags and vacuum parts BPA-free?

Yes, according to the manufacturer, everything that touches food is BPA-free.

Can you use any kind of bag with this machine or just the ones it comes with?

If you just want to seal your bag, then you can use anything, from Ziploc to a chip bag. However, if you want to vacuum seal, you’ll need to use bags that are designed for that.

You can usually find vacuum seal bags on third party websites that will work just as well as the FoodSaver bags.

Final Verdict

When it comes to saving food, no one does it like FoodSaver. Although the size of the 4840 model is much bigger than other vacuum sealers I’ve used in the past, I’ve actually come to like it better.

The reason for that is that it comes with bag storage and the portable sealer, so I’m saving space by having it all consolidated rather than storing everything separately.

I love the portable sealer since I sometimes will cook food for future meals, and I like to store them in Tupperware containers. With the portable sealer, I can keep all my pre-planned meals fresher for much longer.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with the FoodSaver 4840 Food Vacuum Sealer, and I use it all the time.

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