FoodSaver V3200 Series - Vacuum Sealer Manual

Important Safeguards & Tips

Important Safeguards

For your own safety, always follow these basic precautions when using a FoodSaver^® appliance:

1. Read the User Manual carefully for operating instructions. Read all instructions in this manual before use.
2. Do not use appliance on wet surfaces or outdoors.
3. To protect against electric shock, do not immerse any part of appliance, power cord or plug in water or other liquid. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning.
4. To disconnect, unplug power cord from electrical outlet. Do not disconnect by pulling on cord.
5. Do not operate appliance with a damaged power cord or plug. Do not operate appliance if it malfunctions or is in any way damaged. For details, contact Consumer Services at number listed below.
6. Use appliance only for its intended use.
7. Closely supervise children when using any electrical appliance. Do not allow appliance to be used as a toy.
8. 
   A short power cord is provided to reduce risks from entanglement or tripping over a longer cord. An extension cord may be used when marked electrical rating is no less than electrical rating of this appliance. All cords should not drape over counter or tabletop where cords can be tripped over or pulled on unintentionally, especially by children.
9. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or heated oven. Extreme caution must be used when moving products containing hot liquids.
10. Wait 20 seconds between seals to allow appliance to cool.

Important Tips

1. Vacuum packaging is NOT a substitute for the heat process of canning. Perishables still need to be refrigerated or frozen.
2. For best results, use only with FoodSaver^® Bags, Rolls, Containers and Accessories.
3. During the vacuum packaging process, small amounts of liquids, crumbs or food particles can be inadvertently pulled into the Vacuum Channel. Empty the Drip Tray after each use.
4. Avoid overfilling, always leave at least 3 inches of bag material between bag contents and top of bag. This allows room for the bag material to cinch tightly against the food and prevents the bag from pulling out of the vacuum channel during the sealing process. Then leave at least one additional inch of bag material for each time you plan to reuse bag.
5. Do not create your own side seams for a FoodSaver^® Bag. These bags are manufactured with a special side seam, which is sealed all the way to the outer edge.
6. To prevent wrinkles in the seal when vacuum packaging bulky items, gently stretch bag flat while inserting bag into vacuum channel and continue to hold bag until vacuum pump starts.
7. When you are vacuum packaging items with sharp edges (dry spaghetti, silverware, etc.), protect bag from punctures by wrapping item in soft cushioning material, such as a paper towel. You may want to use a canister or Mason jar instead of a bag.
8. When using accessories, remember to leave one inch of space at top of canister or container.
9. Pre-freeze fruits and blanch vegetables before vacuum packaging for best results. See "Guidelines for Vacuum Packaging" section.

This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). As a safety feature, this plug will 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 attempt to defeat this safety feature.

For Household Use Only

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to FoodSaver^® Vacuum Sealing System

Congratulations...

You are about to enjoy the freshness benefits of FoodSaver^®, The #1 Selling Brand of Vacuum Packaging Systems. For years, the FoodSaver^® Vacuum Packaging System has helped millions of households keep food fresh longer in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry. The FoodSaver^® system is designed to remove air and extend freshness up to five times longer than conventional storage methods. Keep your FoodSaver^® appliance on your countertop, and you'll soon discover its convenience and versatility.

Free Gift with Registration!

Register now and you'll receive a free gift. It's our "thanks" to you for being a FoodSaver^® customer.

Register online at www.foodsaver.com/register. You'll have access to special sale items for online registrants only!

Questions?

Contact customer service at 877-777-8042 or visit www.foodsaver.com.

Do not return this product to place of purchase.

FoodSaver^® V3200 Series

Advanced Design Features

The user-friendly control panel makes it easy for you to get the most out of your FoodSaver^® System, and the touchpad design allows you to easily wipe it clean.

To Use: Lower bar to close door, when lights illuminate on control panel, you can select seal or vacuum and seal.

1. Speed Settings
   Select speed to optimize vacuum – Gentle for delicate foods;
   Normal for bags, canisters and all accessories.
2. Adjustable Food Settings
   Select food type to optimize the seal – Dry (normal seal time) for foods without liquid;
   Moist (longer seal time) for juicy foods.
3. CrushFree™ Instant Seal Button
   This button has three uses:
   1. Press to create a seal when making bags from a FoodSaver^® Roll.
   2. Press to immediately stop the vacuum process and begin sealing the bag. This prevents crushing delicate items such as bread, cookies and pastries.
   3. Press to create a seal on multilayer film bags (such as a potato chip bag) to keep food sealed airtight.
4. Vacuum & Seal Button
   This button has two uses:
   1. Press to vacuum package and seal food airtight. Appliance shuts off automatically.
   2. Press to cancel any process at any point.
5. Seal Indicator Light
   This light has two uses:
   1. Constant light indicates sealing process is engaged.
   2. Flashes to indicate error.
6. Progress Lights
   Signal progression of vacuuming and sealing process.
   All three lights extinguish when the full process is finished.
7. Vacuum Indicator Light
   Shows progress of vacuum and seal process. Shuts off when the full process is finished.

How to Make a Bag from a FoodSaver^® Vacuum Sealing Roll

1. Open appliance door and place roll into Roll Storage Compartment (Fig. 1).
   
   For Best results, insert roll with material flap down.
   Note: Bags can be sealed with appliance door either open or closed.
2. Lift up Bag Cutter Bar and place bag material beneath the Cutter Bar (Fig. 2).
   
3. Pull out enough bag material to hold item being vacuum packed, plus 3 inches (7.6cm). Lower the Cutter Bar and slide Bag Cutter across the Cutter Bar (Fig. 3).
   
4. Lift Bar, place bag over sealing strip, gently lower bar, press Seal button. Once red light goes off, lift bar and remove bag (Fig. 4).
   
5. You now have one sealed end (Fig. 5).
   
6. Now you are ready to vacuum seal with your new bag.

How to Vacuum Seal with FoodSaver^® Vacuum Sealing Bags

1. Begin with a FoodSaver^® Vacuum Sealing System Bag (or create a bag as described in the "How to Make a Bag from a FoodSaver^® Vacuum Sealing Roll" section).
2. Place item(s) in bag, allowing at least 3 inches (7.62cm) of space between bag contents and top of bag (Fig. 1).
   
3. Using two hands, insert open end of bag, curl down, into Vacuum Channel (Fig. 2).
   
4. Place bag end into Drip Tray (Fig. 3).
   
5. Lower Bar, press Vacuum & Seal button (Fig. 4).
   
6. Once Seal light goes off, lift bar and remove sealed bag (Fig. 5).
   

Guidelines for Vacuum Packaging

Vacuum Packaging and Food Safety

The vacuum packaging process extends the life of foods by removing most of the air from the sealed container, thereby reducing oxidation, which affects nutritional value, flavor and overall quality. Removing air can also inhibit growth of microorganisms, which can cause problems under certain conditions:

Mold – Easily identified by its fuzzy characteristic. Mold cannot grow in a low oxygen environment, therefore vacuum packaging can slow the growth of mold.

Yeast – Results in fermentation, which can be identified by smell and taste. Yeast needs water, sugar and a moderate temperature to grow. It causes also survive with or without air. Slowing the growth of yeast requires refrigeration, while freezing stops it completely.

Bacteria – Results in an unpleasant odor, discoloration and/or soft or slimy texture. Under the right conditions, anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum (the organism that causes Botulism) can grow without air and sometimes cannot be detected by smell or taste. Although it is extremely rare, it can be very dangerous.

To preserve foods safely, it is critical that you maintain low temperatures. You can significantly reduce the growth of microorganisms at temperatures of 40°F (4°C) or below. Freezing at 0°F (-17°C) does not kill microorganisms, but stops them from growing. For long-term storage, always freeze perishable foods that have been vacuum packaged, and keep refrigerated after thawing.

It is important to note that vacuum packaging is NOT a substitute for canning and it cannot reverse the deter io ration of foods. It can only slow down the changes in quality. It is difficult to predict how long foods will retain their top-quality flavor, appearance or texture because it depends on age and condition of the food on the day it was vacuumed packaged.

Vacuum packaging is NOT a substitute for refrigeration or freezing. Any perishable foods that require refrigeration must still be refrigerated or frozen after vacuum packaging.

Food Preparation and Reheating Tips

Thawing and Reheating Vacuum Packaged Foods

Always thaw foods in either refrigerator or microwave — do not thaw perishable foods at room temperature. To reheat foods in a microwave in a FoodSaver^® Bag, always cut corner of the bag before placing it on a microwave-safe dish. However, to avoid hot spots, do not reheat bone-in meat or greasy foods in microwave within a FoodSaver^® Bag. You can also reheat foods in FoodSaver^® Bags by placing them in water at a low simmer below 170°F (75°C).

Preparation Guidelines for Meat and Fish:

For best results, pre-freeze meat and fish for 1-2 hours before vacuum packaging in a FoodSaver^® Bag. This helps retain the juice and shape, and guarantees a better seal.

If it's not possible to pre-freeze, place a folded paper towel between meat or fish and top of bag, but below seal area. Leave paper towel in bag to absorb excess moisture and juices d uring vacuum packaging process.

Note: Beef may appear darker after vacuum packaging due to the removal of oxygen. This is not an indication of spoilage.

Preparation Guidelines for Hard Cheeses:

To keep cheese fresh, vacuum package it after each use. Make your FoodSaver^® Bag extra long, allowing one inch of bag material for each time you plan to open and reseal in addition to the 3-inch room you normally leave between contents and seal. Simply cut sealed edge and remove cheese. When you're ready to repackage the cheese, just drop it in bag and reseal.

Due to the risk of anaerobic bacteria, soft cheeses should never be vacuum packaged.

Preparation Guidelines for Vegetables:

Vegetables need to be blanched before vacuum pack agi ng. This process stops the enzyme action that could lead to loss of flavor, color and texture.

To blanch vegetables, place them in boiling water or in the microwave until they are cooked, but still crisp. Blanching times range from 1 to 2 minutes for leafy greens and peas; 3 to 4 minutes for snap peas, sliced zucchini or broccoli; 5 minutes for carrots; and 7 to 11 minutes for corn on the cob. After blanching, immerse vegetables in cold water to stop the cooking process. Finally, dry vegetables on a towel before vacuum packaging.

Note: All vegetables (including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips) naturally emit gases during storage. Therefore, after blanching, they must be stored in freezer only.

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 p ackage vegetables in a FoodSaver^® Bag. After they have been vacuum packaged, return them to the freezer.

Due to the risk of anaerobic bacteria, fresh mushrooms, onions, & garlic should never be vacuum packaged.

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 package. Store in refrigerator.

Preparation Guidelines for Fruits:

When freezing soft fruits or berries, it is best to prefreeze 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 package fruit in a FoodSaver^® Bag. After they have been vacuum packaged, return them to the freezer.

You can vacuum package 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.

Preparation Guidelines for Baked Goods:

To vacuum package 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 package 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 packaging. You can also place the food in its original bag inside a FoodSaver^® Bag, or use a FoodSaver^® Universal Lid with the original container to vacuum package.

Preparation Guidelines for Liquids:

Before you vacuum package 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 package in a FoodSaver^® Bag. You can stack these "frozen 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 package non-carbonated bottled liquids, you can use a FoodSaver^® Bottle Stopper with the original container. Remember to leave at least one inch of room between contents and bottom of Bottle Stopper. You can re-seal bottles after each use.

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 a nd come with a custom adaptor. The lightweight containers will be ready to head off to the office or school when you are!

Preparation Guidelines for Snack Foods:

Your snack foods will maintain their freshness longer when you vacuum package them. For best results, use a FoodSaver^® Canister for crushable items like crackers.

Vacuum Packaging Non-Food Items

The FoodSaver^® vacuum packaging system also protects non-food items from oxidation, corrosion and moisture. Simply follow the directions to vacuum package items using FoodSaver^® Bags, Canisters and Accessories.

To vacuum package silver, wrap fork tines in soft cushioning material, such as a paper towel, to avoid puncturing bag. Your FoodSaver^® Bags are ideal for 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, seal it and when needed, let the ice pack melt. If you're going sailing or boating, vacuum package your food, film and a dry change of clothes. Just remember to bring scissors or a knife to open the bag.

To keep emergency kits safe and dry, vacuum package flares, batteries, flashlights, matches, candles and other necessities. Your emergency items will stay dry and organized in your home, car or boat.

Storage Guide

Meat, Cheese, Vegetables, Fruits

Baked Goods, Coffee, Snacks and Liquids

How to Vacuum Package with FoodSaver^® Accessories

1. Prepare container according to FoodSaver^® Accessory Guidelines.
2. Insert one end of Accessory Hose into Accessory Port on appliance. Insert other end into port on accessory. Twist tab on Accessory Hose while inserting to ensure a tight fit.
3. Press Vacuum & Seal button.
4. When motor and Indicator Light turn off, vacuum process is complete. Note that the appliance will still go through sealing cycle even when vacuuming an accessory. You will hear Motor shut off and then the sealing cycle will begin.
5. Gently twist and remove Accessory Hose from accessory and appliance.
6. To test vacuum, simply tug on accessory lid. It should not move.

Note: For important tips on using accessories with different foods, please refer to the "FoodSaver^® Reference Guide".

How to Open FoodSaver^® Accessories after Vacuum Packaging

FoodSaver^® Vacuum Packaging Canisters (without large knob on lid)

To release vacuum and open, push gray rubber button on lid.

FoodSaver^® Bulk Canisters and Quick Marinators (with large knob on lid) and Universal Lids.

To release vacuum and open, turn knob on lid to Open.

FoodSaver^® Jar Sealer with Mason Jars

For use with Ball^® and Kerr^® brand Mason jars.

Do NOT use screw bands when vacuum packaging jars. To open, wedge spoon between Mason jar lid and highest part of threaded rim. Twist spoon gently to release vacuum.

FoodSaver^® Bottle Stoppers

To release vacuum and open, twist and pull up on Bottle Stopper.

Care and Cleaning

To Clean Appliance

Remove Power Cord from electrical outlet.

Do not immerse in liquid.

Check Gaskets and around Drip Tray to make sure they are free from food materials. Wipe off gasket with warm soapy cloth if needed. Bottom gasket may be removed for cleaning. Clean with warm, soapy water. The top gasket is not removable.

The Removable Drip Tray makes cleanup easy when small amounts of liquids are inadvertently pulled into the Vacuum Channel during vacuum process.

Empty Drip Tray after each use. Wash in warm soapy water or place in top rack of dishwasher. Dry thoroughly before re-inserting into the appliance.

Always leave lid latch in open or store position, never leave in closed position. When appliance is left in closed position, the gaskets become compressed and the unit may not function properly.

Do not leave appliance outside in the environment while not in use.

www.foodsaver.com 1-877-777-8042