We’ve all had the moments of going a little overboard with the family feast, leaving you with piles of leftovers that you’ll never be able to finish. Or perhaps you’re looking to meal prep for next week and can’t figure out how to keep your food fresh. No matter the situation and no matter the food, a constant question in every household is always; how can I keep my food fresher for longer? With just a few thoughtful food storage changes, you can keep your foods full of its original flavours, nutrients and textures so that every meal (defrosted or freshly cooked) will taste as good as the first bite. Whether you’re preserving the full meal as leftovers or meal prep or want to preserve the original ingredients in pocket-size portions, there are certain steps you can follow to avoid the disappointment of opening your fridge, freezer or pantry only to discover food that tastes well past its used by date. With so many easy ways to spoil your food prep, like exposing it to too much air, excess moisture, the wrong temperature or bad odours, we’ll go through everything you need to know so you can stretch your budget further and enjoy fresher food for longer. Why Proper Food Storage Matters With the rising cost of groceries and a never ending to do list, storing your food properly isn’t just about good taste. It’s also about convenience and cost-saving opportunities to free up your wallet and your calendar for the things you love the most. With just a few thoughtful food storage changes, you can keep your foods full of its original flavours, nutrients and textures so that every meal (defrosted or freshly cooked) will taste as good as the first bite. Whether you’re preserving the full meal as leftovers or meal prep or want to preserve the original ingredients in pocket-size portions, there are certain steps you can follow to avoid the disappointment of opening your fridge, freezer or pantry only to discover food that tastes well past its used by date. With so many easy ways to spoil your food prep, like exposing it to too much air, excess moisture, the wrong temperature or bad odours, we’ll go through everything you need to know so you can stretch your budget further and enjoy fresher food for longer. Common Food Storage Mistakes to Avoid Before we dive into what to do, let’s first consider what not to do when storing food. While you may think that you’ve been storing your food correctly, there are some slip ups that can sneak their way into your daily food storage habits. Some common storage habits include: Storing dairy items (such as milk, yoghurt or cheese) in the fridge doors, where temperatures can fluctuate each time the fridge is opened. Keeping fruits and vegetables in sealed plastic bags. This can trap moisture and leads to faster wilting and moulding of leafy vegetables. Overcrowding your fridge and freezer. If you pack too much into your fridge or freezer, this can lead to poor air circulation making it harder to keep foods fresh and temperatures consistent. Don’t underestimate your leftovers. While they may not look their best, leftovers can be the perfect go-to meals when sealed and stored correctly. But, without the right temperatures and air-suctioning, leftovers are susceptible to fast dry out and freezer burn. This is where vacuum sealed containers are key. The Benefits of Vacuum Sealing Food When people hear the term ‘vacuum sealed’ food, the first thing that comes to mind is long-term storage that takes effort and a whole lot of preparation. But what if we told you it’s a whole lot easier than you think! With a portable FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer, simply pack a vacuum sealed bag with your desired foods, and slide the bag through the machine to suction out all the air to keep your foods fresh for longer. How does it work? Vacuum sealers were specifically designed to remove any air within the bag which is the number one reason why your food can spoil so quickly. By removing air, you’re removing space for bacteria to grow and moisture to form, locking out the nasties and keeping your food as fresh as it tasted on day one. So how is this different to typical food storage containers? Vacuum sealed containers go the extra mile to make sure your food is fresh and protected from classic issues like mould and freezer burn. Plus, with a range of portionable sizes, you can create convenient grab and go portions of your favourite foods, so whether you love to bulk buy or meal prep, defrosting frozen food will feel less like a hassle. With so many benefits and more, vacuum sealing your meals starts to feel like a no-brainer! With multiple options to choose from including multi-seal vacuum sealers, cut & seal vacuum sealers, vacuum lock and seal models and more, it’s never been easier to store your food, your way. How to Store Different Types of Food Fruit & Vegetables Fruit and vegetables are notorious for going off as quickly as they came in. From soggy lettuce leaves to mouldy strawberries, without the right food storage you’ll lose the best parts of your fruit and veggies before you even get to enjoy them. Here are just a few tips to consider when storing your fruit and veggies to give them a longer lifespan: Pat your fruit and veggies dry before storage to remove excess moisture. Separate any fruits that produce ethylene, this chemical release will make nearby veggies ripen faster. These types of foods include apples, bananas, avocado, pears, kiwis, tomatoes and more. Use breathable containers for leafy vegetables and herbs to increase ventilation. Know when to refrigerate. Berries, leafy greens and most vegetables are best kept in the fridge. However, tomatoes, potatoes and onions can be kept at room temperature. Use a vacuum sealer for long-term storage. These help to lock in freshness prior to freezing or refrigerating certain fruits and vegetables. Meats & Seafood Raw meats and seafood are among the most notoriously difficult foods to keep fresh. Being susceptible to fast bacteria growth, meats and seafoods are best stored in the freezer in a vacuum sealed container to help to prevent oxidation or freezer burn. Most of this food when store bought will already be in an air-tight container. With vacuum sealed bags, you can portion out your chicken, beef, salmon into more bitesize packets that you can store and label for meal prep on the go, making defrosting and reheating that much easier! Once vacuum sealed, add a label with the meat type and date of storage to keep it fresh and organised for many meals to come. Dairy & Eggs In the hot Australian climate, dairy and eggs are another quick spoiler. While many cultures, love to keep theirs at room temperature, this has a slightly different definition under the Australian sun. That’s why it’s best to keep your eggs and dairy products (including milk, cheese and yoghurt) in a consistently cool climate...AKA the fridge. While they are a common perishable that gets used most days, there are a few tips you can consider to help eggs and dairy-products last a little bit longer. For the cheese fans, using a vacuum sealer to store your cheese block will help to slow down mould growth helping to preserve the freshness for your next charcuterie board. Eggs should also be kept in their original carton to prevent the absorption of any odours and other strong-smelling foods. Dry Goods & Pantry Storage While they aren’t typically the first type of food that comes to mind when it comes to food preservation, your pantry foods are equally important to keep fresh for every mealtime. When exposed to air, any dry goods like nuts, grains, cereal, dried fruit and more can quickly go stale and lose their crunch, making them a lot less appetising. That’s why airtight containers are a must-have for every pantry. From your baking essentials like flour, sugar and baking powder to rice and other grains, keeping your dry foods moisture and pest free will keep them fresh for their full shelf life. For those larger items like nuts and dried fruits, vacuum sealed bags are the ultimate way to help extend their shelf life even further! By storing your pantry in a ‘first in, first out’ system, you can have a constant rotation of snackable containers at the front and long-term sealed storage containers at the back, so you’ll never run out of the good stuff. Simple Ways to Keep Your Food Fresher for Longer Keeping your food fresher for longer doesn’t have to be complicated, with just a few small daily habits and changes in your routine, you can help your pantry last a whole lot longer. Take a look at our top tips that you can start working on right now, helping you get one step closer to reducing your food waste and eating fresh: If you’re preserving hot food, allow it to cool before you store it in the fridge. Why? If you add any hot dishes in the fridge too soon, it can raise the internal fridge temperature which can put any surrounding foods at risk. Use paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. Just a simple extra dab of your fresh produce with a paper towel goes a long way to prevent moisture and sogginess from ruining the fresh crunch and textures. Create separate zones in your fridge and pantry. Not only is this great for organisation, it’s also a great way to avoid cross-contamination and will allow you to easily spot what food you have and what needs using first. Vacuum seal snacks and bulk shopping. When you shop in bulk, it’s easy to go overboard with great deals and delicious foods on the shelf, but this is a common mistake that results in consistent food waste. Instead, vacuum seal smaller portions to have an on-the-go treat or meal prep without the expensive food waste. A little bit can go a long way, and when you learn how to master the vacuum sealer, you’ll learn just how far your food can go! Explore FoodSaver® Vacuum Sealers at Betta Today! If you’re in the market for keeping your food as fresh and delicious as day one, Betta’s range of FoodSaver® Vacuum Sealers are an essential for your kitchen! Whether you’re a busy parent, love a Sunday meal prep or simply like to shop in bulk, the convenience of a vacuum sealer goes beyond just saving money on food waste. It’s about saving yourself time on cooking multiple meals in the kitchen, so you can get back to doing the things you love. Explore the full vacuum sealer range online or in-store at Betta today and discover FoodSaver machines, vacuum sealer bags and so much more. So you can enjoy an organised and waste-free kitchen during every mealtime. FoodSaver® FAQs How long does vacuum sealed food last? As a general rule, when kept in fridge, vacuum sealed food can last 2 to 3 times longer than when stored in a traditional container. In the freezer, however, vacuum sealed can keep your food fresh for up to several months and even years with popular items including meats, fruits and vegetables. Always follow the food safety guidelines on the food label for best practice. What type of food can I vacuum seal? Vacuum sealers are the perfect food storage option for many popular types of foods including meats, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, grains, leftovers, and any classic pantry staples. This is a popular way to pre-portion your meals, snacks, or fun leftovers whilst preserving all your fresh flavours and nutrients. Does vacuum sealing food prevent freezer burn? Yes, vacuum sealing your food can help to prevent your food from air exposure which is a common cause of freezer burn. This means by removing the oxygen and creating an airtight seal, you can keep your food fresher for longer in the freezer with all the textures and flavours you love. Can I reuse FoodSaver® bags or containers? Yes, certain FoodSaver® bags can be washed and reused, however, this depends on the previous contents of the bag. If the bag previously contained any fruits, vegetables, breads or dry goods, these can typically be washed and reused. However, if the bags contained any traces of raw meats, fish, eggs or un-pasteurised cheese, they should be discarded to avoid any invisible bacteria and contaminants. FoodSaver® bags are designed to be washed by hand, and once completely dry, can be re-vacuumed. Do I need to freeze my vacuum sealed food? No, vacuum sealed food isn't just for the freezer. While the freezer is a popular storage option to help preserve your food for longer, you can also keep your food in the fridge or pantry. It ultimately depends on the type of food you are storing and how long you are planning on storing it for. Can vacuum sealed food be microwaved or reheated? Yes, some vacuum sealed containers can be microwaved, but only if they are labelled as 'microwave safe'. FoodSaver® bags are known to be BPA-free and safe to reheat. Always follow the instructions on the label to avoid melting plastic into your food and creating unnecessary food hazards.
