dktoller
Active Member
Wanted to share a technique for storing hops using a FoodSaver that works for me. I'm using model V2244.
Austin has oxygen-barrier heat seal bags which are about 8 cents apiece. (From the looks of the labeling they seem to be designed to hold electronic components in a static-free bag.) I find these hold about 2.5oz of hops comfortably.
These bags are not generally recommended for use with a FoodSaver. However I thought I would roll the dice and give them a shot. The primary issue seems to be that the bag material is stiff and slick, and once pressed closed in the machine does not allow for any air flow. So no vacuum is pulled and you end up with air in the bags after they are sealed.
I tried sticking a coffee stirrer (and many other items) into the bag to create an air gap. But these attempts either didn't allow airflow, or prevented the bag from heat sealing properly. I pushed my way through 3 lbs of hops with pretty mediocre results and decided to live with it.
After thinking about this some more, I tried one final experiment. I cut a small strip from an official FoodSaver bag that was about 1/2" by 2". The bag material is dimpled to allow airflow, but pliable enough to seal nicely. I slipped the strip into the bag so it stuck out slightly. I got an amazing seal on the first try. So now for every bag I cut and insert a small strip of official bag material and things work very nicely.
This is now my go-to technique for repacking bulk hops. YMMV.
Austin has oxygen-barrier heat seal bags which are about 8 cents apiece. (From the looks of the labeling they seem to be designed to hold electronic components in a static-free bag.) I find these hold about 2.5oz of hops comfortably.
These bags are not generally recommended for use with a FoodSaver. However I thought I would roll the dice and give them a shot. The primary issue seems to be that the bag material is stiff and slick, and once pressed closed in the machine does not allow for any air flow. So no vacuum is pulled and you end up with air in the bags after they are sealed.
I tried sticking a coffee stirrer (and many other items) into the bag to create an air gap. But these attempts either didn't allow airflow, or prevented the bag from heat sealing properly. I pushed my way through 3 lbs of hops with pretty mediocre results and decided to live with it.
After thinking about this some more, I tried one final experiment. I cut a small strip from an official FoodSaver bag that was about 1/2" by 2". The bag material is dimpled to allow airflow, but pliable enough to seal nicely. I slipped the strip into the bag so it stuck out slightly. I got an amazing seal on the first try. So now for every bag I cut and insert a small strip of official bag material and things work very nicely.
This is now my go-to technique for repacking bulk hops. YMMV.