FoodSaver FM5400 Series Owner's Manual page 8

Food Preparation and Reheating Tips
When freezing vegetables, it is best to
pre-freeze them for 1-2 hours or until solidly
frozen. To freeze vegetables in individual
servings, first place on a baking sheet and
spread them out so they are not touching.
This prevents them from freezing together
in a block. Once they are frozen, remove
from baking sheet and vacuum seal
vegetables in a FoodSaver Bag. After they
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have been vacuum sealed, return them to
the freezer.
IMPORTANT: Due to the risk of anaerobic
bacteria, Fresh mushrooms, onions and garlic
should never be vacuum sealed.
Preparation Guidelines for Leafy
Vegetables:
For best results, use a canister to store leafy
vegetables. First wash the vegetables,
and then dry with a towel or salad spinner.
After they are dried, put them in a canister
and vacuum seal as normal. Store in
refrigerator.
Preparation Guidelines for Fruits:
When freezing soft fruits or berries, it is best
to pre-freeze them for 1-2 hours or until
solidly frozen. To freeze fruit in individual
servings, first place on a baking sheet and
spread them out so they are not touching.
This prevents them from freezing together
in a block. Once they are frozen, remove
from baking sheet and vacuum seal fruit in
a FoodSaver ® Bag. After they have been
vacuum sealed, return them to the freezer.
You can vacuum seal portions for baking
or in your favorite combinations for easy
fruit salad all year round. If storing in the
refrigerator, we recommend using a
FoodSaver Canister.
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E14 www.FoodSaver.ca
Preparation Guidelines for Baked Goods:
To vacuum seal soft or airy baked goods, we
recommend using a FoodSaver ® Canister
so they will hold their shape. If using a bag,
pre-freeze for 1-2 hours or until solidly frozen.
To save time, make cookie dough, pie shells,
whole pies, or mix dry ingredients in advance
and vacuum seal for
later use.
Preparation Guidelines for Coffee and
Powdery Foods:
To prevent food particles from being drawn
into vacuum pump, place a coffee filter or
paper towel at top of bag or canister before
vacuum sealing. You can also place the
food in its original bag inside a FoodSaver
Bag.
Preparation Guidelines for Liquids:
Before you vacuum seal liquids such as soup
stock, pre-freeze in a casserole dish, loaf
pan or ice cube tray until solid. Remove
frozen liquid from pan and vacuum seal in a
FoodSaver Bag. You can stack these "frozen
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bricks" in your freezer. When you're ready to
use, just cut corner of bag and place in a
dish in microwave or drop into water at a low
simmer, below 170°F (75°C).
To vacuum seal non-carbonated bottled
liquids, you can use a FoodSaver ® Bottle
Stopper with the original container.
Remember to leave at least one inch (2.54
cm) of room between contents and bottom
of Bottle Stopper. You can reseal bottles after
each use.
Food Preparation and Reheating Tips
Preparation Guidelines for Make-ahead
Meals, Leftovers and Sandwiches:
Efficiently store your make-ahead meals,
leftovers and sandwiches in the stackable,
lightweight FoodSaver ® containers. They
are microwaveable, top rack dishwasher
safe and come with a custom adaptor.
The lightweight containers will be ready
to head off to the office, to school or the
great outdoors whenever you are!
Preparation Guidelines for Snack Foods:
Your snack foods will maintain their
freshness longer when you vacuum seal
them. For best results, use a FoodSaver
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Canister for crushable items like crackers.
Vacuum Sealing Non-Food Items
The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System
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also protects non-food items from
oxidation, corrosion and moisture. Simply
follow the directions to vacuum seal items
using FoodSaver Bags, Canisters and
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Accessories.
• To vacuum seal silver, wrap fork tines in
soft cushioning material, such as a paper
towel, to avoid puncturing bag, and seal
as normal. Your silver will be clean, fresh
and untarnished right when you need it
for your next dinner gathering.
• Your FoodSaver Bags are ideal for
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outdoor excursions. For camping and
hiking, keep your matches, maps and
food dry and compact.
• To have fresh water for drinking, simply fill
a FoodSaver Bag with ice, vacuum seal
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it, and when needed, let the ice pack
melt. You can trim the corner off the bag
to make a spout for drinking or pouring.
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• If you're going sailing or boating, you can
vacuum seal your food, extra batteries,
memory cards, cash, identification cards,
boating license and a dry change of
clothes. Just remember to bring scissors
or a knife to open the bags when you
need them!
• To keep emergency kits safe and dry,
vacuum seal flares, batteries, flashlights,
matches, candles, first aid kits, extra food
and other necessities. Your emergency
items will stay dry and organized in your
home, car, boat or RV.
Customer Service: 1.877.804.5383 E15