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TIPS FOR OPTIMAL VACUUMING
1. Do not overfill the bag. Always leave enough empty space at the end of
the bag so that it can be placed in the vacuum chamber without problem and
without wrinkles or creases. Calculate for 8 cm of space between bag contents
and bag end plus 2 cm for the weld and 2,5 cm for every planned opening and
re-vacuuming.
2. The open bag end should not be wet, since wet bags can not be sealed.
If the food contains moisture, or the bag is wet inside, choose the Moist func-
tion, so that the sealing time is increased and the sealing result is better.
3. Clean the open bag end and pull it straight, before you seal it. Make sure
that there is no food residue on the end of the bag and that there are no creases
in the end of the bag. The sealed seam must be completely smooth, otherwise
it will not be airtight.
4. Never leave too much air in the bag. Press on the bag a little to get most of
the air out before vacuuming. Too much air in the bag means more work for
the extraction pump, which could overload the motor. The consequence could
be that not all of the air is vacuumed out of the bag.
5. Please do not vacuum foods with sharp edges, such as e.g. fish bones and
mussels. The sharp edges can cut through the film so that it is no longer airtight.
To vacuum such foods we recommend using a container instead of a plastic
bag. Alternatively you can cover the sharp edges and ends with folded kitchen
paper so that it cannot damage the bag or poke holes in it.
6. You should wait for a minute after every vacuum programme before you
vacuum the next bag, so that the appliance can cool down.
7. If the necessary vacuum pressure has not been reached after one minute,
the appliance will switch off automatically. If this happens, please check if
the bag/container is not airtight or whether the end of the bag is not clean and
straight in the vacuum chamber or whether there is another possible reason.
8. Always make sure that the seals around the vacuum chamber are clean and
without deformations or tears. In the first case, clean and dry the seals (the
lower one can be removed), in the second case replace them with new ones.
9. Small amounts of liquid, crumbs or food particles might get sucked into the
vacuum chamber, block the extraction pump and damage your appliance. To
avoid this, we recommend freezing moist or juicy foods before vacuum
sealing them or placing a folded paper towel in the bag as packing beneath
the weld. Also freeze soups or liquid foods in bags or Solis containers before
vacuum sealing them. When vacuum sealing powdery or finely ground foods,
do not overfill the bag and place a sheet of kitchen paper as a seal in the bag
before vacuuming it.
10. In general fruits should be pre-frozen and vegetables blanched before
vacuuming in order to achieve best results.
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11. Delicate foods such as pastries or berries should be vacuumed in Solis contain-
ers. Alternatively, freeze the food 24 hours before vacuuming in a bag.
12. Fluids must always be cooled before vacuuming. Hot liquids foam or form
bubbles and increase in volume if they are vacuumed. Note: Use only our Solis
containers for vacuuming.
13. Keep perishable foods in the freezer or fridge. Vacuum packing extends
the life of food, but does not turn it into a „preserve“, i.e. a stable product at
ambient temperature.
14. Fill a bag 2/3 full with water, seal the end of the bag (do no vacuum!) and lay the
bag in the freezer. You can use the ice for cooling drinks but also for sporting
injuries.
15. Many foods are already vacuum packed when bought, such as cheese or
ready meals. With our vacuuming-appliance, you can vacuum them again (in
Solis bags!), if the packaging has been opened, so that it stays fresh and retains
it’s full flavour. However, these foods should still only be consumed up until the
date printed on the original packaging.
16. Cereals such as flour, rice and cake mixes stay fresh longer if they are vac-
uum packed. Nuts and spices hold their flavour better and will not go rancid.
Ideal for long journeys.
17. Freshly washed salads can be vacuumed in a Solis container and kept in
the refrigerator for up to a week – so there is always fresh and crispy salad
to hand at meal times. If you line the container with a paper towel it will absorb
excess moisture.
18. Powdered or small grain foods can be vacuumed in Solis containers, if kitchen
paper is placed on top of the food as a barrier so that the powder or grains
can not get into the extraction pump or inside the air extraction hose.
19. Foods with sharp edges and points, such as bones or dry pasta should be
wrapped in kitchen paper so that they can no longer damage the bag or cause
punctures.
20. You can also vacuum pack more than just food. Camping products such as
matches, first aid bandages or clothing stay clean and dry when vacuum packed.
Vacuum packed silverware doesn’t tarnish, a vacuum packed candle is always
advisable.
21. The main use of the vacuum sealer is to conveniently keep many foods
fresh for longer without losing their flavour. In general you could say
that vacuum packing quadruples the shelf life of foods in comparison to
traditional storage methods. Once you have enjoyed the advantages of
this appliance, it will soon become indispensible to you and you will have
to throw much less food away and thereby save money.
