FoodSaver Vac800, Vac820 User Manual
Copyright © 2003 Tilia, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed in any
fashion without the express written consent by Tilia, Inc.
FoodSaver, Tilia and The Original Home Vacuum Packaging System are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Tilia Int’l, Inc. in the United States
and other countries. Tilia, Inc. and Tilia Int’l, Inc. are Jarden companies.
This product is protected by one or more of the following Patents:
U.S.RE 34,929; 4,660,355; 4,941,310; 5,655,357; 6,058,998; 6,256,968;
Canada 1,315,746; and their equivalent international patents.
Third Printing: June 2003
Printed in the United States of America
Item #
18-0161 (6/03)
The Original Home Vacuum Packaging System
®
User Manual
Vac 800/Vac820
You have just purchased an appliance that will soon
have you wondering how you ever got by without
it. The FoodSaver vacuum packaging system 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.
Table of Contents
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
1
Welcome
2 The FoodSaver Vac 800/Vac 820
4 FoodSaver Accessories
6 Important Safeguards
7 Important Tips
Operating Instructions: How to...
8 Make a Custom-Made Bag with FoodSaver Rolls
10 Vacuum Package Using Ready-Made and
Custom-Made FoodSaver Bags
12 Use the Sealing Adjustment Switch
13 Vacuum Package Using FoodSaver Designer Canisters
14 Vacuum Package Using FoodSaver Bulk Storage Canisters
and Square Canisters
16 Vacuum Package Using the FoodSaver Jar Sealer with Mason Jars
18 Vacuum Package Using FoodSaver Universal Lids
20 Vacuum Package Using FoodSaver Bottle Stoppers
21 Care and Cleaning Instructions
22 Food Preparation and Storage Guide
30 Vacuum Packaging Non-Food Items
31 Troubleshooting
36 Warranty and Service Information
...to the world of FoodSaver.
Welcome
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
3
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
vacuum packaging system removes
the air from FoodSaver Bags and
then seals the bags so that air cannot
re-enter. It 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 special 5-layer plastic
material with patented channels
that remove the air. The outer
layer of nylon seals freshness in,
while locking air and moisture out.
◗ FoodSaver Bags and Rolls can go
straight from the freezer and
refrigerator to the microwave or
boiling water.
◗ FoodSaver Bags and Rolls are
washable (including in the dishwasher) and reusable.*
◗ FoodSaver Bags come in ready-
made pint, quart and gallon sizes
to offer convenient, one-step storage.
◗ Your Vac 800/Vac 820 also works
with 8-inch and 11-inch wide
FoodSaver Rolls, which allows
you to make custom-sized 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.
Patented 3-Layer Design
Patented FoodSaver Bags are designed to
remove air and seal in freshness.
The FoodSaver Vac 800/Vac 820
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
2
Vacuum Channel
Accessory Port
Sealing Adjustment
Switch
Sealing Strip
Bag Cutter
Rubber Gasket
Roll Storage
Compartment
NOTE: The illustrations throughout this manual represent the Vac 800,
but both the Vac 800 and the Vac 820 operate in the same manner.
*
IMPORTANT: To avoid possible illness,
do not reuse bags after storing raw
meats, fish or greasy foods.
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. With
the FoodSaver vacuum packaging
system you 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 Accessories
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
4
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
5
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, such as
Ball,
®
Kerr®and
Bernardin
®
brands.
FoodSaver Wide-Mouth Jar Sealer
◗ 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 5
1
⁄2 inches in diameter.
FoodSaver Bottle Stoppers
◗ FoodSaver Bottle Stoppers allow
you to vacuum package in bottles
to protect the taste and extend
the life of liquids such as wine,
liquor and cooking oils.
Purchasing FoodSaver Bags,
Rolls and Accessories
◗ To find the nearest retailer,
visit our website at
www.foodsaver.com or call
our Consumer Services
Department at the number
listed at the back of this manual.
Important Tips
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
7
Important Tips When Vacuum Packaging:
1
Vacuum packaging is NOT a substitute for refrigeration.
2 Use ONLY bags and rolls manufactured by FoodSaver.
3 Do not allow the Vacuum Channel to fill up with liquids. This
will render the appliance unusable. To prevent it, avoid overfilling
the bags and freeze liquids first.
4 You can prevent liquids from being drawn into the appliance by
placing a folded paper towel at the top of the bag, but below
the seal area, before vacuum packaging.
5 Do not attempt to create your own side seams for a FoodSaver
Bag. These bags are manufactured with special side seams which
are sealed all the way to the outer edge. Creating your own side
seams can actually leave air channels exposed which will cause
leakage and prevent a vacuum from being formed.
6 Always make sure you leave at least one extra inch of bag
material for each time you plan to reuse the bag.
7 If you are not sure whether you have achieved a complete seal,
simply seal the bag again about
1
⁄4 inch above the first seal.
8 Bulky items sometimes make it difficult to achieve a smooth
sealing surface. Gently stretch the bag flat along the Sealing Strip
before closing the lid.
9 When packaging products with sharp edges (dry spaghetti,
silverware, etc.), protect the bag from punctures by wrapping the
products in a cushioning material, such as paper towels, styrofoam,
tissue, etc. Products can also be vacuum packaged in canisters or
Mason jars to avoid any possibility of puncturing a bag.
10 Avoid drawing powdery or fine-grained products into the appliance.
This will inhibit the vacuuming and sealing process and may clog
the unit, preventing it from drawing a good vacuum. To prevent
this from occurring, avoid overfilling the bags.
Important Safeguards
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
6
For Your Own Safety, Always Follow These Basic
Precautions When Using the FoodSaver Vac 800/Vac 820:
1 Read the instructions carefully.
2 Do not use the appliance on wet or hot surfaces, or near a
heat source.
3 Do not immerse any part of the appliance, power cord or plug in
water or other liquid.
4 To disconnect, unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
Do not disconnect by pulling on the cord.
5 Do not operate the appliance with a damaged power cord or plug.
Do not operate the appliance if it malfunctions or is in any
way damaged. If the cord or the appliance is damaged, it must be
returned to an authorized service center.
6 Do not use an extension cord with the appliance.
7 Use only accessories or attachments recommended by Tilia, Inc.
8 Use the appliance only for its intended use.
9 Closely supervise children when using any electrical appliance.
Do not allow the appliance to be used as a toy.
10 120v Machines Only: The Vac 800/Vac 820 has a polarized
plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of
electrical shock, this plug is intended to fit in a polarized outlet
only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse
the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician.
Do not modify the plug in any way.
For Household Use Only • Please Save These Instructions
How to Make a Custom-Made Bag with FoodSaver Rolls
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
9
THE FOODSAVER USER MANUAL
8
6 With the palms of your hands,
press down on the ridges on the
lid and hold. The green light will
turn on indicating the bag is
being sealed.
7 Wait until the green light turns
off before releasing the lid.
When the light turns off, the
sealing process is complete.
8 While applying pressure to the
front indentation of the lid, slide
the bag cutter completely across the sliding channel to cut the
bag. Make sure you return the bag cutter to the extreme left or
right side of the sliding channel.
9 Open the lid and remove the bag.
10 Make sure the extra bag material is rolled back into the roll
storage compartment and is not down in the Vacuum Channel.
NOTE: Let the appliance cool down for at least 20 seconds before
using it again.
When using FoodSaver Rolls you first need to make a bag. If you
are using ready-made FoodSaver Bags, go to page 10.
1 Place the appliance on a flat, dry surface and plug the power cord
into a standard electrical outlet.
2 Set the Sealing Adjustment
Switch to “Seal Only.”
3 Open the lid and place the
FoodSaver Roll into the roll storage
compartment so that the end of the roll comes up from the
back and can be pulled over the top of the roll toward the front
of the appliance. Make sure the roll is centered so that an even
cut will be achieved.
4 Lay the item(s) you want to vacuum package near the appliance
so you can see where to cut the bag material. Pull the end of the
roll out to the desired length. IMPORTANT: 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).
5 Close the lid.
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