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23. You can also use vacuum packing for valuable objects: photos, important docu-
ments, stamp collections, credit cards, comics, screws, nails, medicine, plasters
– everything is perfectly preserved and protected from dirt and moisture when
it's vacuum packed.
• Note:
After vacuuming, please store with the lid open, never with the lid locked
shut, otherwise the seals will deform and affect the function of the appli-
ance.
VACUUMING FOR FREEZER STORAGE
1. Always use the freshest possible foods.
2. Delicate products such as meat, fish, berries etc. should be pre-frozen so that
they are not crushed during vacuuming.
Foods can be frozen for up to 24 hours without freezer burn occuring – this
fact is something we will make use of. Idealy food should be split into portions
before freezing. As soon as they are frozen (after about 24 hours) vacuum them
in Solis vacuum bags amd return them to the freezer.
3. If you wish to vacuum pack soups, stews or other liquid dishes, then they must
be pre-frozen, until they have a solid consistency. Idealy this can be done in a
Solis container. After vacuuming the container can be put back in the freezer.
4. The same method applies for products with high fluid content. The infiltration
of fluid into the vacuum system can cause damage to the appliance. This is not
covered by the guarantee.
5. If you wish to vacuum and freeze foods without pre-freezing them, the length
of the bag should be 5 cm longer than would normally be required since food
expands when frozen.
6. Fresh vegetables should should be cleaned or peeled and before freezing they
should be blanched in boiling water (or if necessary a microwave oven can be
used ). This ensures that the vegetables remain fresh. After allowing the food
to cool, it can be split into suitable portions and frozen in Solis vacuum bags.
7. If you wish to vacuum and freeze meat or fish without pre-freezing them then
we recommend that you line the Solis vacuum bag or container with kitchen
roll so that the kitchen rolls will catch any escaped moisture.
DEFROSTING FROZEN SOLIS VACUUM BAGS
Defrosting meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and other delicate foods:
These foods should be defrosted slowly in the refrigerator.
Defrosting bread, soups and stews: these foods can be defrosted at room temper-
ature. If this is the case you should cut open the bag to allow the steam to escape.
Always consume food immediately after defrosting and do not re-freeze.
WHY DO VACUUM PACKED FOODS LAST LONGER?
1. Chemical reactions in food with air, ambient temperature and dampness,
enzym-reactions, the formation of micro-organisms or contamination by insects
can spoil food.
2. The main reason why food nutrients lose their firmness and flavour is the oxygen
in the air. The formation of micro-organisms is usually caused by air, because
this removes the moisture of the foods, on the other hand, it also transports
ambient moisture back into the food if they are not hermetically sealed. Frozen
foods get in the freezer air, often the freezer burn.
3. The vacuum-system removes up to 90% of air from the packaging. Since air is
approximately 21% oxygen, it means that only 2-3% of the oxygen remains in
the packaging. However in an oxygen content of less than 5%, most micro-or-
ganisms cannot multiply.
4. In general, microorganisms can be divided into three categories: mould, yeasts
and bacteria, they are present everywhere, but can only cause damage in
certain conditions.
5. In an environment with little air or moisture,
mould
cannot develop. In mois-
ture, sugar and warmth,
yeast
can spread with or without air, cooling slows
the growth of yeast and freezing stops it altogether.
6.
Bacteria
can spread with or without air.
One of the most dangerous bacteriums is Clostridium botulinum which can,
under certain conditions, spread without air – it only needs a temperature of
between 4°C and 46°C. It spreads in food without acid, in environments with
little acid and in temperatures that are above 4 °C for long periods of time.
7. Frozen, dried or acid rich foods or foods with a high salt or sugar content, can-
not contain the bacterium Botulinum.
The following foods can be lightly infected with Botulinum:
– Foods without acid e.g. meat, seafood, poultry, fish, eggs, mushrooms and
olives in brine
– Foods with little acid like most vegetable
– Foods with moderate acid content such as tomatoes, onions, chilli-peppers,
figs and cucumbers.
8. To store the above at-risk foods, you should keep them in the refrigerator for
short term storage or in the freezer, for long term storage, and after heating
they need to be eaten straight away.
