You can vacuum seal a Ziploc bag by hand using a straw, a bowl of water, or a vacuum sealer designed for bags
Vacuum sealing a Ziploc bag removes air to keep food fresh longer, but you don't need an expensive vacuum sealer machine to do it. The most common method is the straw technique: you seal the bag almost all the way, insert a drinking straw into the remaining gap, suck out the air by mouth, then quickly pull the straw out and finish sealing. Other methods include the water displacement method (submerging the bag in water to force air out) or using a handheld vacuum sealer designed specifically for Ziploc-style bags. Each method works best for different foods and storage situations.
Key Takeaways
- The straw method works by sealing the bag almost completely, inserting a straw, sucking out air, and quickly removing the straw before sealing the final gap.
- Water displacement works by slowly lowering a sealed bag into water, which pushes air out before you seal the last inch.
- Handheld vacuum sealers designed for Ziploc bags use a small motor to pull air out through a valve and cost between $20 and $60.
- Avoid the straw method with raw meat, fish, or anything with loose particles that could enter your mouth.
- Ziploc bags sealed this way last longer than unsealed bags but not as long as bags sealed with a full vacuum machine.
The Straw Method: Step by Step
This is the fastest hand method and requires only a drinking straw. Place your food in the Ziploc bag and press out as much air as you can with your hands. Seal the bag almost all the way across, leaving about one inch unsealed at the top.
Insert a regular drinking straw (plastic or paper works) into the small gap you left. Take a breath and suck gently on the straw to pull air out of the bag. You will feel the bag collapse slightly as the air leaves. Once you have removed as much air as you can comfortably, quickly remove the straw and when ready press the remaining gap closed to seal it completely.
The key is speed: the moment the straw comes out, air will start to re-enter the bag, so seal that last inch as fast as you can. This method works well for dry foods like crackers, cereal, or baked goods. Do not use it with raw meat, fish, or anything wet that could splash into the straw.
Water Displacement: A Slower but Reliable Option
Water displacement uses water pressure to push air out of the bag instead of your lungs. Fill a bowl or sink with water (room temperature is fine). Place your food in the Ziploc bag and seal it almost completely, leaving about one inch open at the top.
Slowly lower the bag into the water, keeping the open edge above the water line. As the bag sinks, water pressure pushes against the outside and forces air out through the gap. You will see the bag flatten as the air escapes. When the bag is almost fully submerged and most of the air is gone, quickly seal that final inch while the bag is still in the water, then remove it.
This method is slower than the straw technique but safer because nothing enters your mouth. It works especially well for marinating meat or storing wet foods like cooked vegetables. The bag will not be as flat as a machine-sealed bag, but it will still keep food fresher longer than an unsealed bag.
Handheld Vacuum Sealers for Ziploc Bags
If you plan to vacuum seal bags regularly, a handheld vacuum sealer designed for Ziploc bags is worth considering. These devices have a small motor, a valve that fits over the Ziploc seal, and a battery or plug. You place the valve over the bag's opening and press a button; the motor sucks air out through the valve, and you remove it once the bag is flat.
Popular brands include the Ziploc Vacuum Sealer (made by Ziploc itself), the FoodSaver handheld model, and several generic versions sold online. Prices range from about $20 to $60 depending on the brand and whether it is battery-powered or plug-in. Battery models are more portable but need charging; plug-in models are stronger but require an outlet nearby.
These sealers work faster than hand methods and create a more consistent seal. They are quieter and less messy than full vacuum machines. The trade-off is that they do not seal the bag closed for you—you still need to press the Ziploc seal shut by hand after the air is removed.
What Foods Work Best With Hand Sealing
Hand-sealed bags work well for dry goods, baked items, and foods that do not leak. Crackers, cereal, nuts, cookies, and bread stay fresh longer in hand-sealed bags than in open ones. Cooked vegetables, cheese, and deli meat also seal well. These foods do not require a perfect vacuum to stay fresh—removing most of the air is enough.
Avoid hand sealing with raw meat, fish, or anything with liquid that could splash. If you must seal wet foods, use the water displacement method rather than the straw method. Soft foods like berries or bread can get crushed by the pressure of water displacement, so the straw method is gentler for those. Marinating foods benefit from hand sealing because the reduced air allows flavors to penetrate faster.
How Long Hand-Sealed Bags Keep Food Fresh
A hand-sealed Ziploc bag extends shelf life compared to an open bag, but not as long as a machine-sealed bag. Dry goods like crackers or cereal stay fresh for several weeks in a hand-sealed bag versus a few days in an open one. Cooked vegetables last one to two weeks instead of three to five days. Cheese lasts two to three weeks instead of one week.
The difference comes down to how much air remains. A full vacuum machine removes nearly all air; hand methods remove most but not all. Some air always re-enters when you remove the straw or lift the bag from water. This is normal and does not mean the seal failed. The remaining air is still far less than in an unsealed bag, so the food stays fresher longer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is leaving too much air in the bag before you start. Press out as much air as you can with your hands first—this makes the hand sealing method much more effective. Another mistake is sealing the bag too early; if you seal it before removing air, you trap air inside and defeat the purpose.
Do not use the straw method with foods that could enter your mouth, like flour, powdered sugar, or anything that splatters. If you are sealing a bag with a straw and feel any resistance or taste anything unusual, stop when ready and use the water method instead. Finally, do not expect a hand-sealed bag to look as flat as a machine-sealed one—some air will remain, and that is fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse a Ziploc bag after vacuum sealing it?
Yes, you can open and reseal a Ziploc bag multiple times. The seal will weaken slightly each time you open it, but it will still work for several uses. Wash and dry the bag completely before resealing to avoid mold or bacteria growth.
What if I suck too hard on the straw and get food in my mouth?
This is why the straw method is not recommended for raw meat, fish, or powdered foods. If it happens, stop when ready, spit out the straw, and switch to the water displacement method for that bag. For future bags, use water displacement with any food you are uncomfortable putting near your mouth.
Do I need special Ziploc bags for hand sealing, or will regular ones work?
Regular Ziploc bags work fine for hand sealing. You do not need a special product. The seal is the same whether you use a hand method or a machine—the difference is just how the air gets removed.
How do I know if the seal is tight enough?
Squeeze the bag gently after sealing. If you hear air escaping or feel the bag re-inflate, the seal is not tight. Press the seal closed again, making sure the two sides are fully pressed together along the entire length. A good seal should feel solid and not give when you squeeze it.
Can I use a handheld vacuum sealer with bags other than Ziploc?
Most handheld sealers are designed for standard Ziploc-style bags with the same top seal. Some work with other brands of freezer bags, but check the product description first. Specialty bags with different seals may not work with handheld sealers.