The Original Home Vacuum Packaging System™
Vac550
User Manual
T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
Welcome
You have just purchased an appliance that will soon have you wondering how you ever got by without it. The FoodSaver Vac 550 is so convenient and versatile, you’ll find yourself using it every day. We guarantee that if you make room for it on your countertop, you will quickly see how indispensable it becomes in your kitchen.
Foods Will Keep Their “Just Bought” Freshness,
Flavor, and Nutritional Value 3 to 5 Times Longer.
Meats, poultry, fish, and produce stay fresh and flavorful in your freezer.
No more freezer burn.
Foods stay fresh longer in your refrigerator.
Dry ingredients stay fresh and insect-free in the pantry.
You’ll Save Money, Time, and Effort.
Buy in bulk to reduce your grocery bills.
Repackage your purchases in portions sized for your family’s needs.
Prepare meals in advance so when you don’t have time to cook, you and your family will still have great-tasting homemade meals.
Take bags right from the freezer or refrigerator and boil or microwave.
Reduce waste and spoilage.
Prepare your own healthy frozen dinners. You control serving portions, calories, and nutritional content.
Make and deliver home-cooked meals to those who can’t get out.
Keep non-food items dry and free of dust and mold.
Stop silver from tarnishing because the metal is not exposed to air.
T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
Table of Contents
Welcome
2 The FoodSaver Vac 550
4FoodSaver Accessories Operating Instructions: How to...
6 Make a Bag with FoodSaver Rolls
8Vacuum Package Using Ready-Made and Custom-Made FoodSaver Bags
10 Vacuum Package Using FoodSaver Designer Canisters
12Vacuum Package Using FoodSaver Bulk Storage and Square Canisters
14 Vacuum Package Using the FoodSaver Jar Sealer with Mason Jars
16 Vacuum Package Using FoodSaver Universal Lids
18 Vacuum Package Using FoodSaver Bottle Stoppers
20Care and Cleaning Instructions
21Food Preparation and Storage Guide
30Important Safeguards
31Troubleshooting
34 Marinating Recipes
39Vacuum Packaging Non-Food Items
40Warranty and Service Information
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T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L |
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The FoodSaver Vac 550 |
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On Button |
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Sealing Light |
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Star |
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Vac 550 |
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Accessory |
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Port |
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Lock: There is |
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a lock on each |
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Sealing Strip |
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Vacuum |
Vac |
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Channel |
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T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
About Vacuum Packaging
Air is left in most food storage containers and plastic bags even when they are sealed tightly. Oxygen is one of the main reasons that food goes bad. It starts a chemical change – robbing food of its nutritional value, texture, color, flavor, and overall quality. The FoodSaver Vac 550 removes the air from our FoodSaver Bags and then seals the bags so that air cannot reenter. The Vac 550 is also designed to be used with a wide range of FoodSaver accessories that will keep a variety of foods fresh longer. Finally, you can maintain the same freshness at home that you get with professionally vacuum-packaged items you purchase at the grocery store.
FoodSaver Bags and Rolls
FoodSaver Bags and Rolls are made from a patented, 3-ply plastic material with special channels that remove the air. The outer layer of nylon seals freshness in, while locking air and moisture out.
Our Patented 3-Layer Design
Patented FoodSaver Bags are designed to remove air and seal in freshness.
FoodSaver Bags and Rolls can go straight from the freezer and refrigerator to the microwave or boiling water. They are reusable, washable (including in the dishwasher), and recyclable.
FoodSaver Bags are ready-made in quart and gallon sizes to offer convenient, one-step storage.
FoodSaver Rolls come in two widths, 8 inches and 11 inches, which allow you to make customsized bags for the items that you are vacuum packaging.
Most FoodSaver users like to keep both bags and rolls handy for the greatest packaging convenience.
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T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
FoodSaver Accessories
FoodSaver Canisters
There are three styles of FoodSaver Canisters – Designer, Square, and Bulk Storage. They are ideal for storing delicate items and liquids, as well as dry goods and cooking staples. The
Canisters come in a variety of sizes and all can be
used in the refrigerator 
and pantry. Canisters are not to be used in the freezer.
FoodSaver
Designer Canisters are especially attractive for
use on your countertop.
Vacuum packaging in the FoodSaver Square Canister is an excellent way to marinate foods because the process opens the pores of the
food and seals in the flavor. The Vac 550
can marinate food in 20 minutes so you don’t have to wait all day or overnight for that special taste. All FoodSaver Canisters work for marinating, but we recommend the Square Canister because less marinade will be needed.
The Bulk Storage Canisters are designed to store pantry items such as cereal, chips, rice, and baking goods.
FoodSaver Regular Jar Sealer
The FoodSaver Regular Jar Sealer allows you to vacuum
package in regular or standard mouth mason jars.
Note: FoodSaver Jar Sealers are designed to fit mason jars manufactured in the U.S., such as Ball® and Kerr® brands.
T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
FoodSaver Wide-Mouth Jar Sealer FoodSaver Bottle Stoppers
The FoodSaver Wide-Mouth Jar Sealer allows you to
vacuum package in wide-mouth mason jars.
FoodSaver Universal Lids
With this great kitchen accessory, you don’t have to transfer many
foods out of their original containers. Vacuum package
and extend the life of foods in their original glass jars and metal cans.
Available in two sizes – 4 inches and 51⁄2 inches in diameter.
FoodSaver Bottle Stoppers allow you to vacuum package bottles to protect the taste and
extend the life of liquids such as wine,
liquor, and cooking oils.
Purchasing FoodSaver Bags,
Rolls, and FoodSaver Accessories
Your Vac 550 kit includes FoodSaver Bags and Rolls and may include some accessories. Additional supplies and accessories are available at your local retailer. To find the nearest one, visit our website at
www.foodsaver.com or call our Consumer Services Department at the number listed at the back of this manual.
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T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
How to Make a Custom-Made Bag with FoodSaver Rolls
When using FoodSaver Rolls you first need to make a bag, then vacuum package your food in the bag. (If you are using readymade FoodSaver Bags, go to page 8.)
1Place the Vac 550 on a flat, dry surface and plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet.
2Lay the item(s) you want to vacuum package near the FoodSaver Roll so you can see where to cut the bag material. Leave at least 3 extra inches at one end of the bag and more if you want to reseal or reuse the bag. (One inch per reseal.)
3 Cut the FoodSaver Roll to the
desired length, making sure you cut straight. The marks on the side of the roll are at 3" intervals and will assist you in cutting straight.
4Open the lid of the Vac 550. If the lid is locked, release locks by pressing down firmly on the stars.
5 Place one end of the bag on the sealing strip.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the end does not go over the black foam rubber ring, or into the vacuum channel.
T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
6Close the lid. Lock the lid by pressing in the locks on both sides.
(You may need to press down lightly on the stars while pressing in the locks.)
7Press and hold down the On button. The light will go on as the
Vac 550 seals the bag. Wait until the sound stops and the light turns off before releasing the lid.
8The locks on the sides will release
automatically. Lift up the lid and remove the bag. You now have a custom-sized FoodSaver Bag.
You are now ready to vacuum package. Just follow the instructions on page 8.
NOTE: Let the Vac 550 cool down for at least 20 seconds before using it again.
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T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
How to Vacuum Package Using Ready-Made and Custom-Made FoodSaver Bags
1If you have not already done so, place the Vac 550 on a flat, dry surface and plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet.
2Open the lid of the Vac 550. If the lid is locked, release locks by pressing down firmly on the stars.
3Place the item(s) to be vacuum packaged into the bag.
4Place the open end of
the bag down into the vacuum channel.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the open end of the bag touches the blue label on the bottom of the vacuum channel.
T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
5Close the lid. Lock the lid by pressing in the locks on both sides.
(You may need to press down lightly on the stars while pressing in the locks.)
6Press and hold down the On button. The light will go on as the
Vac 550 seals the bag. Wait until the sound stops and the light turns off before releasing the lid.
7The locks on the sides will release
automatically. Lift up the lid and remove the bag.
8Vacuum packaging is complete.
NOTE: Let the Vac 550 cool down for at least 20 seconds before using it again.
IMPORTANT: You will need to pre-freeze foods that have excess liquid or moisture before vacuum packaging in FoodSaver Bags because the liquid can be drawn up into the vacuum pump.
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T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
How to Vacuum Package Using FoodSaver
Designer Canisters
FoodSaver Designer Canisters are both functional and attractive and an excellent way to store delicate items in the refrigerator, pantry, or on the countertop. FoodSaver Designer Canisters cannot be stored in the freezer, and unlike the Bulk Storage and Square Canisters, cannot be used in the microwave. The bases can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning. However, do not put the lids in the dishwasher.
1Place the Vac 550 on a flat, dry surface and plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet.
2Place the item(s) to be vacuum packaged inside the canister. Leave at least one inch between the contents and the rim of the canister.
3Place the lid on top of the canister. 
4 Insert one end of the accessory hose into the accessory port on the Vac 550.
5Insert the other end of the accessory
hose into the hole on the top of the canister.
T H E F O O D S AV E R U S E R M A N U A L
6Close the lid. Lock the lid by pressing in the locks on both sides.
(You may need to press down lightly on the stars while pressing in the locks.)
7Press and hold down the On button. The light will turn on as
the Vac 550 starts the vacuum cycle and air is removed from the canister. Wait until the sound stops and the light turns off before releasing the lid.
8 Vacuum packaging is complete.
IMPORTANT: Remember to remove the accessory hose from the accessory port on the FoodSaver Vac 550 before you vacuum package in FoodSaver Bags.
How to Open the FoodSaver Designer Canister
To open the FoodSaver Designer Canister, press and hold down the grey rubber button in the center of the lid. This will release the vacuum and you should be able to remove the lid.
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