Hop Storage (FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer)

Frank99 · Apr 26, 2010

I'm trying to freeze my hops using the FoodSaver brand vacuum sealer and the provided zip lock bags. The vacuum sealer seems to work, but after a day I check and air has reentered the packages. Anyone else have this problem or have a good fix ?

avidhomebrewer · Apr 26, 2010

I guess a good fix would be not to use the FoodSaver tool again.

coffeegod · Apr 27, 2010

This happens from time to time with the food saver. the problem is you have a bad seal. Cut both ends open and reseal

Rick500 · Apr 27, 2010

Try wiping the dust from the hops away from the area of the bag that's going to be sealed, before you seal it. Doesn't happen very often to me, but in the event that I get a bad seal, it's usually hops dust that caused it.

Frank99 · Apr 28, 2010

Ok, I'll try dusting the seals.

nicadrick · Apr 28, 2010

Frank99 said:
I'm trying to freeze my hops using the FoodSaver brand vacuum sealer and the provided zip lock bags. The vacuum sealer seems to work, but after a day I check and air has reentered the packages. Anyone else have this problem or have a good fix ?

As long as the bag is clear of hops where the seal is applied mine has worked like a champ. I have been washing and reusing bags as well without incident.

SumnerH · Apr 28, 2010

I just use mason jars with the foodsaver. Easily reusable, no worries about the seal edges, and no need to buy bags ever. I've had no problems freezing them (I think the freezer issue is only when you're freezing liquids inside them, due to expansion/contraction).

Pat_13 · Apr 28, 2010

You can also try to double seal them, two seal instead of one.

Hoppus_Poppatopolis · Apr 28, 2010

I love my Foodsaver and use it for all kinds of things. Every now and then I get a bag that doesn't like to seal, usually due to moisture in the sealing area.
The solution for me has been to set the sealing knob on 2 instead of 1. That heats the bag a little longer. I have hops in my freezer which have been vac'd for a couple months with no problem.

jja · Apr 28, 2010

+1 on clea[rn]ing the seal area (a few extra inches of bag can help make this easier) and bumping sealing knob to 2 or 3. Is this also my problem with the vacuum never finishing (sealing never starting)? Eventually I get bored and worried about burning out the motor and hit the "instant seal" button to finish the process. Only happens sometimes, and the bag seems well evacuated.

Frank99 · Apr 29, 2010

Thanks for the replies. I just noticed a bunch of hop dust around the seal area. If cleaning doesn't solve the problem I'll have to go the masonry jar route (also, I'm not using the heat sealer - I'm using the vacuum sealer). A little extra $$ for the jar seals, but I definitely don't want my recent 5 lb order from Hops Direct to go bad.

Hop Storage (FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer)

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

Frank99

Well-Known Member

avidhomebrewer

Well-Known Member

coffeegod

Well-Known Member

Rick500

Well-Known Member

Frank99

Well-Known Member

nicadrick

Well-Known Member

SumnerH

Well-Known Member

Pat_13

Well-Known Member

Hoppus_Poppatopolis

Well-Known Member

jja

Well-Known Member

Frank99

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Hop Storage (FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer)

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!