Ziploc bags cannot be sealed with a vacuum sealer machine
A standard Ziploc bag is not designed to work with a vacuum sealer. When you run a vacuum sealer over a Ziploc bag, the heat and pressure from the machine will damage the bag's plastic and often melt the zipper itself. The bag may tear, leak, or fail to seal properly. Vacuum sealers are built to work with special bags that have a textured surface and thicker plastic—Ziploc bags do not have either.
If you want to use a vacuum sealer, you need to buy vacuum-seal bags made for that purpose. They cost more than Ziploc bags but are designed to handle the heat and suction. If you want to keep using Ziploc bags, you can still remove air by hand, but you will not get the same airtight seal that a vacuum sealer produces.
Key Takeaways
- Vacuum sealers will damage or melt standard Ziploc bags because the heat and pressure are too intense for their thin plastic.
- Vacuum-seal bags have a thicker, textured plastic designed to withstand the sealing process, while Ziploc bags do not.
- You can manually remove air from a Ziploc bag using the water-displacement method, but it will not be as airtight as a vacuum-sealed bag.
- If you own a vacuum sealer, buying the correct bags for it will give you better food storage results than trying to adapt Ziploc bags.
Why vacuum sealers and Ziploc bags are incompatible
Vacuum sealers work by explore heat and pressure to seal a bag shut while removing air. The heating strip inside the machine reaches temperatures around 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Ziploc bags are made from thin, flexible plastic that melts at much lower temperatures. When the hot sealing strip touches a Ziploc bag, the plastic warps, discolors, and often tears.
The zipper on a Ziploc bag is also vulnerable. It is designed to be opened and closed by hand, not to withstand the intense pressure of a vacuum sealer. The machine will often melt the zipper teeth or pull the zipper slider off entirely. Even if the bag does not visibly break, the seal will be weak and air will leak back in.
Vacuum-seal bags, by contrast, are manufactured with a thicker plastic and a special texture that helps them grip the sealing strip. The plastic is formulated to handle heat without melting. The bags also have a reinforced seal area that can withstand the pressure of the vacuum process.
What happens if you try to vacuum seal a Ziploc bag
If you place a Ziploc bag in a vacuum sealer, several things can go wrong. The most common outcome is that the plastic will melt where the sealing strip touches it, creating a weak or broken seal. You may see discoloration, puckering, or small holes in the bag. The zipper may fuse shut or tear away from the bag entirely.
In some cases, the bag will catch inside the machine or stick to the sealing strip, damaging both the bag and potentially the vacuum sealer itself. The food inside may be exposed to air or contaminated by melted plastic. You will have wasted both the bag and the food stored in it.
How to remove air from a Ziploc bag without a vacuum sealer
If you do not have a vacuum sealer or do not want to buy vacuum-seal bags, you can manually remove most of the air from a Ziploc bag. The most effective method is the water-displacement technique. Fill the bag with food, seal it almost all the way, leaving about an inch open. Slowly submerge the bag in water up to the opening. The water pressure will push the air out of the bag. Once the air is gone, quickly seal the final inch.
This method works well for solid foods like meat, vegetables, or cheese. It is less effective for liquids or foods with a lot of surface area, because air pockets can remain trapped inside. The resulting seal is not as airtight as a vacuum-sealed bag, but it is much better than leaving the bag full of air.
Another straightforward option is to use a straw. Seal the bag almost completely, insert a thin straw into the small opening, and suck out the air. Quickly remove the straw and seal the bag the rest of the way. This takes practice and works best with smaller bags.
The difference between vacuum-seal bags and Ziploc bags
Vacuum-seal bags and Ziploc bags serve different purposes and are made differently. A Ziploc bag is designed for short-term storage and straightforward access—you can open and close it as many times as you want. The plastic is thin and flexible, which makes the bag lightweight and affordable. The zipper is straightforward and meant for hand use only.
A vacuum-seal bag is designed for long-term storage and maximum air removal. The plastic is thicker and often has a textured surface that helps the sealing strip grip it evenly. The bag has a heat-seal area at the top that is separate from any zipper. Once sealed, the bag is meant to stay sealed until you are ready to use the food.
Vacuum-seal bags cost more per bag than Ziploc bags, but they keep food fresh longer because they remove nearly all the air. They are better for freezing meat, fish, and other foods you plan to store for weeks or months. Ziploc bags are better for everyday use, leftovers you will eat within a few days, and foods you need to access multiple times.
Vacuum sealer bag options and where to find them
If you own a vacuum sealer, you have several options for bags. Most vacuum sealer manufacturers sell their own branded bags, which are may provide to work with their machines. Common brands include FoodSaver, Seal-a-Meal, and Oster. These bags come in various sizes, from small quart bags to large gallon bags, and some have a textured surface on one side and a smooth side on the other.
You can also buy generic vacuum-seal bags that work with most machines. These are often cheaper than branded bags and are available at grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and online retailers. Look for bags labeled "universal vacuum sealer bags" or "heat-seal bags." Avoid bags labeled "boil-in bags" or "freezer bags"—these are not the same as vacuum-seal bags.
Some vacuum sealers come with a roll of bag material that you can cut to any size you want. This is more economical if you seal large quantities of food regularly, because you only pay for the plastic you use and do not waste bag material.
How long food stays fresh in vacuum-sealed bags versus Ziploc bags
The shelf life of food depends on what you are storing, how cold your freezer is, and how well the bag is sealed. In a vacuum-sealed bag, most frozen meat will stay fresh for six months to two years. In a Ziploc bag, the same meat will typically last three to six months before freezer burn becomes noticeable. Freezer burn does not make food unsafe, but it affects texture and flavor.
Vegetables and fruits last longer in vacuum-sealed bags because the removal of air slows oxidation. Cheese and nuts, which can absorb odors and flavors from the freezer, stay fresher longer when vacuum-sealed. Bread and baked goods also benefit from vacuum sealing, as it prevents them from drying out.
The difference is most noticeable with foods you plan to store for more than a few months. If you only freeze things for a week or two, a Ziploc bag will work fine. If you buy in bulk or want to preserve food for several months, a vacuum sealer is worth the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a vacuum sealer on a Ziploc bag if I use low heat?
No. Even on a low-heat setting, a vacuum sealer will likely damage a Ziploc bag. The sealing strip still reaches temperatures high enough to warp the thin plastic. The pressure from the vacuum process can also tear the bag or damage the zipper. Use vacuum-seal bags instead.
Will a Ziploc bag work if I only vacuum seal it once and do not open it again?
Probably not. The bag may appear sealed at first, but the plastic is likely damaged where the heat touched it. Air will gradually leak back in, defeating the purpose of vacuum sealing. The bag may also fail suddenly if the seal breaks.
Can I vacuum seal a Ziploc bag if I put it inside a vacuum-seal bag first?
Technically yes, but it defeats the purpose and wastes a vacuum-seal bag. You would be paying for two bags to store one item. It is cheaper and more practical to transfer the food to a vacuum-seal bag directly.
Are there any Ziploc bags designed to work with vacuum sealers?
Ziploc does make a product called Ziploc Vacuum Bags, which are designed to work with vacuum sealers. These are different from standard Ziploc bags—they have thicker plastic and a special seal area. Check the packaging to make sure you are buying the vacuum-compatible version, not the regular freezer bags.
What is the cheapest way to vacuum seal food if I do not want to buy special bags?
Use the water-displacement method with regular Ziploc bags. It removes most of the air without any special equipment and costs nothing beyond the bag itself. The seal will not be as good as a vacuum sealer, but it is much better than leaving air in the bag, and it works for short-term storage.