We love leftovers in our house. Since it’s just the two of us, we tend to make way too much food, resulting in microwavable meals that can last at least a day or two. And although we use our trusty set of food storage containers, there are still foods that are no match against air.
You see, leftovers go bad after a few days due to oxygen, which can slip right into storage containers and plastic bags. The air oxidizes the food, breaking it down and making it more prone to bacterial growth (yuck!). That’s why that leftover half of that fresh, green avocado looks brown and past its prime the next day, even when it’s placed into a storage container. (To solve this problem, check out the Guac Lock.)
Leftovers that go bad before their time unfortunately meet an untimely end in the landfill. Food waste is a bigger problem than you might think. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an estimated 30 to 40% of the U.S. food supply goes to waste each year. That’s not great news for the planet, and isn’t ideal for your wallet, either.
Luckily, the FoodSaver handheld vacuum sealer is a superhero that’s arrived to fight food waste and remove all that oxidizing air in just the nick of time. It’s made by the top-selling brand of home vacuum sealers with over 4,400 ratings on Amazon, resulting in an impressive average of 4.5 out of five stars. It also does more than keep leftovers fresh—it aids in freezer-ready meal prep and even marinating, making this a multi-use small wonder. Here’s how this tiny gizmo can level up your kitchen game.
What is the FoodSaver Handheld Vacuum Sealer?
Unlike traditional food vacuum sealers that tend to look like small printers, this one is handheld, making it super easy and convenient to seal up your food. It comes with a rechargeable dock that fits seamlessly onto even the smallest of kitchen counters, and contains a reservoir that can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
The FoodSaver handheld vacuum sealer has two different functions. There’s one “vacuum” button that seals food, but then there’s another “marinate” button that greatly speeds up the marinating process (when compared to non-vacuum methods, it can marinate a meal in just 12 minutes).
When you buy this FoodSaver, it comes as a starter set, complete with the handheld vacuum sealer itself, a charging dock, two quart-size reusable zipper bags and a 10-cup container.
FoodSaver Handheld Vacuum Sealer specs:
- Easy to use
- Preserves food for the refrigerator and the pantry
- Saves marinating time
- Dishwasher-safe reservoir
- Helps with meal prep
- Cordless
- Comes with a charging dock
- Easily fits on small countertops
- Lightweight
Looking for more food preservation gear? We love this mini bag sealer, herb saver and Bluapple produce preserver. Add ’em to your Amazon cart ASAP!
How to Use the FoodSaver Handheld Vacuum Sealer
This little contraption truly is a cinch to use. The FoodSaver handheld vacuum sealer matches up to easy-to-spot circles seen on the bags and containers. All you have to do is press it against the circle, push the desired button and then it does its vacuum-sealing thing. When you want to access your food, they open just like traditional zip-style bags. Plus, there’s an included label spot, which is a perk for meal preppers.
Want to see it in action? While people have winning things to say about FoodSaver’s larger-scale vacuum sealers (the ones that look a bit like printers), all you have to do is head to the company’s official TikTok page to witness the differences between these machines. Through a video that introduces the handheld vacuum sealer, it’s plain to see that it’s lightweight, small and convenient when compared to its large-scale predecessors.
The Best Amazon User Reviews
Amazon shoppers are singing the praises of the FoodSaver handheld vacuum sealer.
For instance, Sandy, who says that she “flirted with food vacuum sealers for a long time,” finally bought one, but unfortunately, it didn’t work, so she had to donate it. But then she discovered the FoodSaver handheld model, and says, “Then I found this version: compact, rechargeable, bags already made for me—perfect for someone…who wants to stretch the life of hard cheeses, cabbages, bell peppers and blackberries.”
Many reviewers love how much this device combats food waste, like Victoria Baker who says, “Seriously worth the money if you are into cutting back heavily on food waste and food storage.”
In the face of inflation and incredibly expensive groceries, one shopper, named Hina, shares a top reason for giving this handheld vacuum sealer five stars. “I always use this to freeze my meat since food is so expensive these days,” she writes.
Where to Buy the FoodSaver Handheld Vacuum Sealer
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There are plenty of places where you can purchase the handheld vacuum sealer, including Amazon, Walmart and the FoodSaver website, where it retails for around $80. Oh and, if you’re looking for something to help you store liquids, consider a chamber vacuum sealer for minimal mess. Now, get ready to enjoy leftovers again!
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