If you're like me and trying to reduce your single-use plastic consumption, you may have switched from plastic bags to glass jars for storing your food. However, it can be frustrating to find a way to keep your food fresh and protected from freezer burn without using disposable bags or containers. But fear not, there is a solution - using a vacuum sealer to vacuum seal your food in a glass jar!
Materials:
- Glass Mason Jar with a regular mouth
- Vacuum Sealer with a wide-mouth jar sealer attachment
- Food to be stored (in this example: cut carrots)
Instructions:
1. Wash and dry your glass mason jar and ensure that it is completely dry before vacuum sealing.
2. Cut your food into small pieces that will fit inside the jar. In this example, carrots were cut into small rounds.
3. Place the wide-mouth jar sealer attachment on your vacuum sealer.
4. Place the food into the glass jar, leaving around an inch of space at the top.
5. Place the lid on the jar, twisting it until it is tightly secured.
6. Place the jar onto the wide-mouth jar sealer attachment and ensure it is centered.
7. Turn on your vacuum sealer and select the "Vacuum and Seal" option.
8. The vacuum sealer will remove the air from the jar, creating a tight vacuum seal around your food.
9. Once the vacuum is complete, the sealer will automatically seal the jar closed.
10. Label the jar with the contents and date, and place it in the freezer (if applicable) or in your pantry.
Vacuum sealing your food this way has multiple advantages:
1. Your food will be protected from freezer burn or spoiling in the pantry.
2. You can reuse the glass jar, reducing your single-use plastic consumption.
3. You'll save money by buying food in bulk and vacuum sealing it in smaller portions.
4. You won't have to worry about any nasty chemicals leaching from plastic bags or containers into your food.
In conclusion, using a vacuum sealer to seal your food in a glass jar is a great way to reduce your plastic consumption, save money, and protect your food from spoiling. Just make sure to use a regular-mouth jar if you plan on using a vacuum sealer attachment, and always double-check that the jar is dry before using it. Happy vacuum sealing!