Points To Remember - Wolfgang Puck Bistro collection BVS0010 Use And Care Manual

Auto1TouchManual 7/13/08 9:10 PM
Tips for Preserving Food
in Packaging System Bags
Vacuum packing for the Pantry
Even foods that can keep at room temperature (coffee, flour, pasta,
sugar, etc.) can benefit from vacuum packing. If these products are to
remain unused for several days, such as when you go away, it is
advisable to protect all foods by vacuum packing to retain freshness.
Defrosting Automatic One-Touch Food Packaging System bags
To defrost vacuum packed food such as meat, fish, fruit, vegetables or
other delicate foods, place it on the lowest shelf in the fridge to defrost
slowly. Bread and focaccia should be left at room temperature, while
soups or other liquid foods should be immersed in hot water still in the
vacuum bags until they reach the right temperature. When you leave
food at room temperature or heat it in a double boiler, make sure you
cut one corner of the bag to let the steam escape. When the food has
been defrosted, it must be consumed immediately. Do not re-freeze it.
Repackaging Pre-Packed Food
Many foods, like cheese and meat, are sold prepacked in factory-
prepared vacuum bags. To retain the flavor and freshness of these foods,
repackage them in Automatic One-Touch Food Packaging System bags
after the factory package has been opened.
Pre-packed foods must always be consumed by the use by date shown
on the original package.
Additional Tips
For food with tapered ends or sharp edges, like bones and spaghetti,
pad the edges with paper towels to prevent perforating the bag.
There are many non-food products that can be vacuum packed,
such as camping equipment, including matches, first aid kits and clean,
dry clothes. Silverware and collectibles can also be vacuum packed
to protect against oxidation, etc.
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Points to Remember

In order to optimize the preservation of foods and ensure food safety,
a number of important rules must be followed:
1 Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and clean all the imple-
ments and surfaces you will be using to cut and vacuum pack the
food.
2 If possible, wear gloves when handling the food.
3 Once perishable food has been packed, place it in the fridge or
freeze it immediately, maintaining a constant temperature. Do not
leave the food for a long time at room temperature.
4 Place the containers of vacuum packed food carefully in the fridge
or freezer so that the food will cool rapidly to a low temperature.
5 After opening canned food or food that has been factory vacuum
packed, it can be vacuum packed again. Follow the instructions to
cool the food after opening and put it away as soon as it has been
vacuum packed.
6 Pre-packed foods must always be consumed by the use-by date
shown on the original package.
7 Once you have warmed up or defrosted perishable food, it must
be eaten. Do not eat perishable food if it has been left at room
temperature for many hours. Always follow basic food safety rules.
8 Do not defrost food in boiling water or by using other heat sources,
unless the food is liquid (soups, juices, etc.).
9 Vacuum packing extends the life of dried food. Foods that have
a high fat content become rancid over time. Vacuum packing
extends the life of foods like nuts, coconuts, or cereal products.
Store in a cool, dark place.
10 Vacuum packing will not extend the life of fruit and vegetables such
as bananas, apples, potatoes and several vegetables, unless it has
been peeled prior to vacuum packing.
11 Soft foods and food with a delicate structure (like fish, berries, etc.)
must be pre-frozen for one night before they can be vacuum packed
and placed in the freezer.
12 Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage give off gas when
they are vacuum packed fresh for storage in the freezer. To prepare
these foods for vacuum packing, heat and freeze them.
13 To ensure correct and safe vacuum packing, use only
original Automatic One-Touch Food Packaging System bags
and accessories.
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