Manual

17
Warning: Do not use plastic or glass containers that are not suitable since they could implode under the
vacuum pressure of MAGIC VAC
®
and cause injury.
Freezing in containers
To freeze food in plastic containers use only MAGIC VAC
®
containers or, in the case of glass receptacles, used
tempered glass suitable for freezer temperatures.
Vacuum packing food in containers
Vacuum packing in containers is ideal for products that you use frequently. Dried foodstuffs like pasta, rice,
flour, sugar, crisps, savouries or biscuits, and pet food, will maintain all their shape and freshness. Salad foods
and vegetables can be cleaned for the whole week and kept in a MAGIC VAC
®
container. They will remain firm
and fresh. To absorb excess moisture, fold a paper towel and place it on the bottom of the container.
HOW TO PRESERVE FOOD IN MAGIC VAC
®
CONTAINERS
HOW TO PRESERVE FOOD IN MAGIC VAC
®
BAGS
Vacuum packing for the freezer
Some foods have a soft consistency which could be damaged by vacuum packing the product when fresh.
To prepare delicate foods like meat, fish, berries, bread, etc., it is advisable to pre-freeze them first. In the
first twenty-four hours there is no risk of freezer burns, so you can vacuum pack the products frozen the
previous day in MAGIC VAC
®
bags, and then keep them in the freezer for long periods so as to preserve all the
nutritional values and flavour of the product you have packed. When vacuum packing soups, stews or other
liquid food, pre-freeze it in a pan or high-strength dish. When the food becomes solid, vacuum pack it, add
a label and replace in your freezer. To vacuum pack vegetables, peel them and then blanche them briefly in
boiling water or a microwave oven until they are warm but still firm. Then vacuum pack them in convenient
portions.
If the food is not pre-frozen, leave an extra 5 cm in the length of the bag to allow for expansion due to freezing.
With regard to meat and fish, it is advisable to place the food on a paper towel and vacuum pack it with the
towel in the bag. This will absorb any moisture in the food. To preserve food like focaccia, crêpes and small
hamburgers, stack them on top of each other, placing greaseproof paper or film between each piece. This
will make it easier to remove some of the food, repackage the rest and replace it immediately in the freezer.
Vacuum packing for the fridge
For busy households, food can be prepared in advance, then vacuum packed and kept in the fridge for use at
different times, ready to be heated as and when necessary.
Vacuum packing for the larder
Even foods that can keep at room temperature (like, for example, coffee, flour, pasta, sugar, etc.) can benefit
from vacuum packing. If these products are to remain unused for several days, such as when you go away on
holiday, it is advisable to protect all foods by vacuum packing. They will keep better and moisture, mould and
insects will not attack and ruin them.
Defrosting MAGIC VAC
®
bags
To defrost vacuum packed food such as meat, fish, fruit, vegetables or other delicate foodstuffs, place it on
the lowest shelf in the fridge to defrost slowly; bread and focaccia should be left at room temperature, while
soups or other liquid foods should be immersed in hot water still in the vacuum bags until they reach the
right temperature.
When you leave food at room temperature or heat it in a bain-marie, make sure you cut one corner of the
bag to let the steam escape. When the food has been defrosted, it must be consumed immediately. Do not
re-freeze it.
Repackaging pre-packed food
Many foodstuffs, like cheese and meat, are sold prepacked in factory-prepared vacuum bags. To retain the
flavour and freshness of these foods, repackage them in MAGIC VAC
®
bags after the factory package has been
opened.
Pre-packed foods must always be consumed by the use by date shown on the original package. They must also be
handled with the greatest care and hygiene when repackaging.
Useful tips…
- For food with tapered ends or sharp edges, like bones and spaghetti, pad the edges with paper towels to
prevent perforating the bag.
- Fragile and delicate foodstuffs like strawberries, crackers or biscuits should be preserved in MAGIC VAC
®
containers.
- There are many non-food products which can be vacuum packed, such as camping equipment including
matches, first aid kits and clean, dry clothes. You can even preserve the emergency triangle in the car.
Silverware and collections can also be vacuum packed to protect the items against oxidation, etc.