My Favorite Portable Vacuum Sealer for Jars and How To Use It
Sneak Preview: Find out why I’m so excited about this portable vacuum sealer for sealing Mason jars, specifically for my chopped lettuce. It also works for seeds, nuts, candy, flour, spices, etc.
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Thanks to one of my observant readers, I have discovered a new gadget for vacuum-sealing Mason jars full of lettuce, fresh fruit, seeds, flour, nuts, etc. I have included a how-to video because I want all of my readers who use Mason jars for storing food to know about it.
Please Note: Vacuum-sealing a Mason jar is not a heat or pressure canning substitute. It is a simple way to remove oxygen from the inside of a jar. If the contents of a jar are perishable (such as chopped lettuce, salad dressing, or homemade mayonnaise), the sealed jar must be stored in the refrigerator. This cannot be used for canning meat or cooked veggies like tomatoes or green beans.
Over the years, I have tried many portable machines such as this one (paid link) and this one (paid link) to vacuum-seal glass jars. It’s my secret to keeping chopped lettuce fresh for 7-10 days (depending on the freshness of the lettuce going in).
These handy machines seem to come onto the market, go out of stock, and that’s the last I see of them. I hope this one lasts for a while.
Happy Cooks Speak Up
“I’ve used mine almost every day sealing an avocado in a jar. Thank you so much for introducing me to this sealer. It is so very easy to use and I can’t be happier! And the coupon was awesome! “–DONNA
Questions I Ask When Shopping for a Portable Vacuum Sealer
The answers you see here apply only to this particular portable sealer.
1. Can I store it in a drawer?
It’s small, fits in a drawer, and is rechargeable. You don’t have to be close to an outlet to use it. This model won’t take up precious counter space.
2. Does it require batteries, an outlet, or recharging?
No batteries are needed. It’s rechargeable and comes with a plug for the process of recharging. You don’t have to be close to an outlet to use it.
3. How well does it seal?
This is difficult to quantify. The most important thing is that the lid stays sealed for a long time. This gadget seals tighter than any unit I have ever used, including the countertop FoodSaver. I can’t pry off the flat lid with my fingernails for days. Instead, I use a small can opener that some call a “church key.“
4. Will I have to buy any adapters for my jars?
No. This machine comes in two pieces. The biggest piece contains all you need to vacuum-seal wide-mouth jars. The second piece fits inside the main unit for sealing regular-mouth jars.
5. Is it easy to use?
Yes. Place the machine on top of the flat lid and press the “Go” button. You don’t need to hold down the button as it seals or apply pressure to maintain the seal. However, it does not shut off automatically. You need to be there to turn off the machine when the jar is sealed.
This nifty invention is called an Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer (paid link). The brand is OXLIMKEE. The price is quite reasonable, especially compared to all the money you save from not throwing out food that has gone bad.
How to use this Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer
📌Kitchen Tips📌
- Sealing time varies based on jar size and how full it is. Listen for the pitch change, then run the machine for about 10 more seconds for a tighter seal.
- If you don’t hear the pitch change, apply slightly more pressure to the sealer. If that doesn’t work, check for any food particles between the jar’s edge and the lid. Remove the sealer, ensure the jar’s rim is clean, and try again. If there’s a chip or defect in the jar, switch to a different one.
- If the vacuum sealer is hard to remove, rub some vegetable oil on the rubber part that contacts the Mason jar. Next time, don’t push down on the sealer quite as hard.
What Foods are Safe to Vacuum Pack?
- Non-perishables you would normally keep in the pantry
- Oatmeal,
- cereal,
- flour, whole grains
- seeds, nuts
- rice, pasta, quinoa
- cookies, crackers
- coconut
- dry spices, spice mixes, cocoa, loose tea,
- dried fruit like raisins, dates, figs, dried cranberries
- bulk commercial yeast
- dried sourdough starter
- Perishables that must be kept in the refrigerator or freezer;
- How long this will extend the edible life of perishables varies greatly with the type of food, how often it’s opened and resealed, and how fresh it is when vacuum-sealed.
- Cut lettuce (sturdy lettuce like romaine and kale do the best)
- jams and jellies
- pickles
- fresh fruits and veggies, either whole or prepared (results will vary wildly–experimentation is in order)
- How long this will extend the edible life of perishables varies greatly with the type of food, how often it’s opened and resealed, and how fresh it is when vacuum-sealed.
Let me repeat again: Vacuum sealing is never a substitute for heat-processed water bath preservation or pressure cooker canning. Doing this could cause food poisoning.
Parting thoughts: A coupon is often available for this Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer (paid link) on the website. Look for that button on the product page.
If you have questions or suggestions, email me privately for a quick answer: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon!
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.