Sunbeam Foodsaver vac440 User manual

Please read these instructions carefully

and retain for future reference.

Home Vacuum Packaging System

VAC440 28cm vacuum packaging system

Instruction Booklet

VS4400

Important Safeguards 4

Important Tips 5

Features of your FoodSaver®VAC440 6

Using your FoodSaver®VAC440 8

How to Vacuum Package using FoodSaver®

Canisters, Bottle Stoppers & Deli Containers 10

Care and Cleaning Instructions 12

Vacuum Packaging Non-Food Items 13

Food Preparation and Storage Guide 14

Guidelines for Vacuum Packaging 15

Preservation Guidelines 17

Troubleshooting 19

Contents

Important instructions – retain for

future use.

Sunbeam’s Safety Precautions

1. Do not use the appliance on wet or hot

surfaces, or near a heat source.

2. Do not immerse any part of the appliance,

supply cord or plug in water or other

liquid.

3. To disconnect, unplug the supply

cord from the electrical outlet. Do not

disconnect by pulling on the cord.

4. Do not operate the appliance with a

damaged supply cord or plug. Do not

operate the appliance if it malfunctions or

is in any way damaged. If the cord or the

machine is damaged, it must be returned

to an authorized service center.

5. Do not use an extension cord with the

appliance.

6. Use only accessories or attachments

recommended by Sunbeam/FoodSaver®

7. Use the appliance only for its intended

use.

8. Closely supervise children when using

any electrical appliance. Do not allow the

appliance to be used as a toy.

9. This appliance is not intended for use by

persons (including children) with reduced

physical, sensory or mental capabilities,

or lack of experience and knowledge,

unless they have been given supervision or

instruction concerning use of the appliance

by a person responsible for their safety.

10. If the supply cord is damaged, it must

be replaced by the manufacturer, or its

service agent or a similarly qualified

person in order to avoid a hazard.

11. This appliance is intended to be used in

household and similar applications such

as: staff kitchen areas in shops, offices and

other working environments; farm houses;

by clients in hotels, motels and other

residential type environments; bed and

breakfast type environments.

 

 

WARNING: To avoid dangers of suffocation,

keep bag away from babies and children.

This is not a toy.

Important Safeguards

Read the Instructions Carefully.

For Your Own Safety, Always Follow These Basic Precautions When Using the FoodSaver®Appliance:

If you have any concerns regarding the performance and use of your appliance,

please visit www.sunbeam.com.au or contact the Sunbeam Consumer Service Line.

Ensure the above safety precautions are understood.

When Vacuum Packaging:

1. Vacuum packaging is NOT a substitute for

refrigeration.

2. Use ONLY bags, rolls and canisters

manufactured by FoodSaver®.

3. Do not allow the Vacuum Channel to

fill up with liquids. This will render the

machine 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

seals 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

2.5 cm of extra bag material for each

time you plan to reuse the bag. To avoid

possible illness, do not reuse bags after

storing meats, fish or greasy foods.

7. If you are not sure whether you have

achieved a complete seal, simply seal

the bag again about 1 cm 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 to avoid any

possibility of puncturing a bag.

10. Avoid drawing powdery or fine-grained

products such as, flour, sugar and coffee

grinds 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.

11. If using the FoodSaver®appliance to

re-seal packets, ensure that these have

been previously commercially heat sealed.

Do not use the sealing strip to re-seal

conventional plastic wrap, sandwich bags

and plastic bags as they may melt over

the sealing strip. Refer to page 15 for

more detail.

Important Tips

SEALING STRIP

VACUUM CHANNEL

VAC440 28cm vacuum

packaging system

Rubber Gasket

Sealing strip

Accessory Hose Port

Attach accessory hose here and use to

vacuum package with FoodSaver®Canisters

and bottle stoppers.

Canister Vacuum Button

Attach accessory hose and use this button

to vacuum package with FoodSaver®

Canisters and bottle stoppers.

SEALING STRIP

VACUUM CHANNEL

Vacuum channel / Removable

easy-clean drip tray

Easy Lock Latches: one on each side

Vacuum Seal Indicator light

Monitors and indicates the vacuum and

sealing process.

Vacuum & Seal Button

This button has two uses:

1 Press to vacuum package and seal food

airtight with a single touch. Shuts off

automatically.

2 Press to cancel at any point.

Instant Seal Button

This button has three uses:

1 Press to immediately stop the vacuum

process and begin sealing the bag. This is

helpful to prevent crushing delicate items

such as bread, biscuits and pastries.

2 Press to create a seal when making bags

from a FoodSaver®Roll.

3 Press to create a seal on foil based chip

and cereal packets.

How to make a Bag from a FoodSaver®Roll

1 Place appliance on a flat, dry surface

and plug the supply cord into a standard

electrical outlet.

2 Pull out enough bag material to hold item

to be vacuum packaged.

3 Cut Roll to desired length, plus 7.5cm.

4 Open FoodSaver®lid. The lid may be

locked. To release the locks press in the

side locks.

5 Place one open end of the bag material

across the sealing strip and close lid.

(Do not place edge of bag into vacuum

channel when sealing bags)

6 Lock lid by pressing on corners of lid

until each latch clicks.

7 Press the Seal Button. When the seal

indicator light turns off, open lid and

remove bag.

How to Vacuum Package with FoodSaver®Bags

1 Place appliance on a flat, dry surface

and plug the supply cord into a standard

electrical outlet.

2 Place item(s) in bag, allowing at least

7.5cm of space between bag contents

and top of bag.

3 Open appliance lid and place open end of

bag into the Vacuum Channel.

4 Close and lock lid. To lock, press on

corners of lid until each latch clicks.

5 Press 'Vacuum and Seal' button

Wait 20 seconds before vacuuming and / or

sealing again.

SEALING STRIP

Press

Using your FoodSaver®VAC440

SEALING STRIP

VACUUMCHANNEL

SEALING STRIP

VACUUMCHANNEL

SEALING STRIP

Press locks on sides

to unlock

Using your FoodSaver®VAC440 (continued)

Tips on Sealing a Bag

Make sure you've securely latched the

appliance lid. When making a bag from a roll,

place bag material on Sealing Strip, close

lid and ensure both corners of the lid have

locked.

Prevent moisture or liquid from being pulled

into the Vacuum Channel or trapped in the seal.

Either pre-freeze moist food such as raw

meat for 1-2 hours before vacuum packaging,

or place a folded paper towel between food

and end of bag to absorb excess liquids. Just

be sure to leave at least 2.5cm between food

and end of bag so that bag seals properly

with paper towel inside.

Make sure you give appliance time to cool

down. Wait at least 20 seconds between

seals. Under very heavy usage, appliance will

not operate to prevent overheating. If it does,

wait 20 minutes to allow appliance to

cool off.

Tips on Removing Air from a Bag

Make sure you've securely latched the

appliance lid. When vacuuming and sealing a

bag or canister, ensure both corners of the lid

have been locked.

Check for wrinkles in the bag along the Sealing

Strip. Wrinkles in seal may cause leakage and

allow air to come back into bag. Check for

wrinkles in bag along Sealing Strip before

closing lid and vacuum packaging. If you find

wrinkles after sealing bag, simply cut bag

open and vacuum package again.

If motor runs for more than 30 seconds without

stopping, consider the following: You may

need to adjust bag and try again. If you are

making the initial seal on a piece of bag

material with two open ends, make sure bag

is placed on Sealing Strip. If you are vacuum

packaging with a bag, make sure open end

is placed down inside Vacuum Channel and

make sure Accessory Hose is not attached.

1. Always leave 2.5cm of space between

contents and rim.

2. Wipe rim of canister or bottle to ensure

it's clean and dry.

3. Place the appliance on a flat, dry surface

and plug the supply cord into a standard

electrical outlet.

4. Canisters: place the item(s) to be vacuum

packaged inside the canister. Place the

lid on top of the canister.

Bottle Stoppers: insert the Bottle Stopper

into the neck of the bottle.

5. Insert one end of the Accessory Hose

into the Accessory Port on the appliance.

Insert the other end of the hose into the

canister or bottle stopper.

See figure 1 & 2.

6. To begin the vacuum process, press down

firmly on corners of the lid until the side

latches click.

7. Press the Canister Vacuum Button.

8. When the Indicator Lights and motor

turns off, the vacuum process is

complete.

9. To remove accessory hose, gently twist

and remove hose from the appliance and

canister or bottle stopper. Unlock side

latches.

Deli Containers:

1. Place the item(s) to be vacuum packaged

inside the container*. Place the lid firmly

on top of the container.

2. Insert one end of the Accessory Hose into

the Accessory Port on your FoodSaver®

appliance.

3. Insert the other end of the Accessory

Hose into the hole on the top of the

container adaptor. See figure 3. Twist the

grey tip of hose while inserting to ensure

a tight fit.

How to Vacuum Package using FoodSaver®

Canisters, Bottle Stoppers and Deli Containers

Figure 3

SEALING STRIP

Figure 1

SEALING STRIP

Figure 2

How to Vacuum Package using FoodSaver®Canisters,

Bottle Stoppers and Deli Containers - Continued

4. Place the container adaptor over the grey

vacuum valve on the container lid.

See figure 4.

5. To begin the vacuum process, press

down firmly on corners of the lid of your

FoodSaver®appliance until the side

latches click.

6. Press the Canister Vacuum Button.

7. When the Indicator lights and motor turns

off, the vacuum process is complete.

8. To remove accessory hose, gently twist

and remove hose from the appliance and

container. Unlock side latches.

 After vacuum packaging, put deli

container in refrigerator or freezer. Allow hot

foods to cool to room temperature before

vacuum packaging. Otherwise, the contents

may bubble up out the container.

®Canister

To open, press and hold down the grey rubber

button in the centre of the lid. This will

release the vacuum – a hissing sound can be

heard as the air rushes in.

How to Remove the FoodSaver®Bottle Stopper

To remove, simply twist and pull up on the

Bottle Stopper to release the vacuum.

®Deli containers

To open, lift the grey rubber cover in the

centre of the lid. This will release the

vacuum – a hissing sound can be heard as

the air rushes is.

*FoodSaver®Deli containers sold separately.

Remember to remove the

Accessory Hose from the Accessory Port on

the appliance before you vacuum package in

FoodSaver®Bags.

Figure 4

Care and Cleaning Instructions

The FoodSaver®Appliance

1. Always unplug the appliance before

cleaning.

2. Clean using a mild dishwashing soap and

a warm, damp cloth. Do not immerse the

appliance in water. Dry thoroughly before

using.

3. Do not use abrasive products or

materials to clean any of the appliance

components.

Drip Tray

Remove from appliance for easy clean. Clean

drip tray in warm soapy water.

FoodSaver®Bags

Do not reuse bags after storing

meats, fish or greasy foods.

1. Wash bags in warm water using a mild

dishwashing soap.

2. Bags can be washed in the dishwasher

by carefully turning the bags inside out

and spreading them over the top rack of

the dishwasher so that all surfaces are

exposed to the washing water.

3. Allow bags to dry thoroughly before

reusing. To avoid possible illness, do not

reuse bags after storing raw meats, fish or

greasy foods. Do not reuse bags that have

been microwaved or simmered.

FoodSaver®Accessories

1. All FoodSaver®accessories should be

washed in warm water using a mild

dishwashing soap. Dry thoroughly before

using.

2. All FoodSaver®Canister bases (but

not the lids) may be washed in the

dishwasher. FoodSaver®Canister lids

(white) are NOT dishwasher safe.

3. The FoodSaver®Canister base (clear) can

be cleaned in the dishwasher but only in

the top shelf. Items washed in bottom

shelves can distort due to the heat from

the dishwasher element.

 All plastic components

deteriorate through the prolonged use of a

dishwasher for cleaning. Hand washing of

plastic components in warm soapy water is

always recommended.

Your FoodSaver®appliance also protects

non-food items from oxidation, corrosion and

moisture.

Just follow the directions for vacuum

packaging using the FoodSaver®Bags,

Canisters and Accessories.

• Camping and hiking gear stays dry and

compact. Vacuum packaging your clothes

and equipment will help save space in your

bag. Vacuum package matches, maps and

anything you want to stay dry.

• For picnics, fill a FoodSaver®Bag with ice

and seal. When it melts, you’ll have fresh

water for drinking or you can put it back in

the freezer as a reusable ice pack.

• For painting, vacuum package your wet

paint brush between coats rather than

washing out. Particularly useful for

oil based paints that require mineral

turpentine to clean up.

• Vacuum package your food and equipment

for a boating or sailing outing. Food will

stay dry in the cooler/esky. Batteries and

film won’t get damaged by water, and you’ll

appreciate having a dry change of clothes.

• Vacuum package first aid kits and

emergency kits for your house, your boat

and your car. Items will all be in one

package and will stay dry and without

dirt and mold. Include flares, batteries,

flashlight, candles and matches.

• To vacuum package silver, wrap fork prongs

in soft cushioning material, such as a

paper towel, to avoid puncturing bag.

Vacuum Packaging Non-Food

Items

Food Preparation and Storage

Guide

Guidelines for Vacuum Packaging Food

Vacuum packaging is not a substitute for

canning nor can it reverse deteriorating

quality; it can only slow down changes in

quality. It is impossible to predict how long

a specific food will have top-quality flavour,

appearance and texture, because it depends

on the age and condition of the food on the

day it was vacuum packaged. Foods that are

extremely fresh will last longer than foods

that are already deteriorating.

Vacuum packaging extends the life of foods

by removing nearly all the air in a sealed

container, thereby reducing oxidation which

affects nutritional value, flavour and overall

quality. However, most foods contain enough

water to support micro-organisms which

can grow with or without air. While micro-

organisms are present everywhere, only

certain ones cause problems, and only under

certain conditions:

• Mould: Easy to identify because of its

characteristic fuzz. Moulds are virtually

eliminated by vacuum packaging because

they cannot grow in a low oxygen

environment.

• Yeast: Results in fermentation, which can

frequently be identified by smell or taste.

Yeast requires water, sugar and a moderate

temperature to grow, and can grow with or

without air. Refrigeration slows the growth

of yeast, and freezing stops it completely.

• Bacteria: Frequently results in discoloration,

soft or slimy texture, and/or an unpleasant

odor. 'Clostrid ium botulinum' (the organism

that causes Botulism) can grow without

air under the right conditions, cannot be

detected by smell or taste, and although

extremely rare, can be very dangerous.

The combination of vacuum packaging and

freezing will extend food freshness and reduce

the growth of bacteria in perishable foods.

Maintaining low temperatures is a critical

factor in preserving foods safely. Growth of

micro-organisms is significantly reduced at

temperatures of 4°C or below. Freezing at

-17°C does not kill micro-organisms, but

it stops them from growing. For long term

storage, always freeze “perishable” foods that

have been vacuum packaged.

Thawing and Heating Vacuum Packaged Foods

Always thaw foods in either the Refrigerator

or microwave – do not leave “perishable”

foods at room temperature to thaw.

 If food has been thawed in the

microwave they must be cooked immediately.

To microwave in a FoodSaver®Bag, cut a

corner of the bag and place on a microwave-

safe dish. You can always reheat foods in

FoodSaver®Bags by placing them in water at

a low simmer below 75°C.

 Vacuum packaging is NOT a substitute

for refrigeration or freezing. Any “perishable”

foods that require refrigeration prior to

vacuum packaging still must be refrigerated

or frozen after vacuum packaging.

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 during vacuum packaging process.

 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 2.5cm of bag material

for each time you plan to open and reseal

in addition to the 7.5cm 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.

Preparation Guidelines for Vegetables

Vegetables need to be blanched before

vacuum packaging. This process stops the

enzyme action that could lead to loss of

flavour, colour and texture.

To blanch vegetables, place them in boiling

water for 1 to 2 minutes. After blanching,

immerse vegetables in iced cold water to stop

the cooking process. Finally, dry vegetables

on a towel before vacuum packaging.

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 package vegetables

in a FoodSaver®Bag. After they have been

vacuum packaged, return them to the freezer.

 Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli,

Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale,

turnips) naturally emit gases during storage.

Therefore, after blanching, they must be

stored in freezer only.

 Mushrooms and garlic should

never be vacuum packaged.

Preparation Guidelines for Leafy Vegetables

For best results, use a canister to store leafy

vegetables. It is recommended that leafy

vegetables be stored unwashed and washed

before consuming. 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 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 favourite combinations

for easy fruit salad all year round. If storing

in the refrigerator, we recommend using a

FoodSaver®Canister.

Guidelines for Vacuum Packaging

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.

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 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 2.5cm of room

between contents and bottom of Bottle

Stopper. You can re-seal bottles after each

use.

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.

Preparation Guidelines for Marinating

Vacuum sealing opens the pores in foods

such as meats, poultry and seafood absorbing

marinades much faster than traditional

marinating methods. Marinating can occur in

either FoodSaver®Bags or Canisters.

Do not overfill bags with marinating liquid.

This ensures that liquid does not enter the

vacuum channel.

 Marinating times will vary depending

on the type of marinade being used. Do not

marinate for more than 5-10 minutes if the

marinade contains acidic ingredients, such as

lemon juice and vinegar.

Re-sealing Chip packets, etc

Whilst we recommend only using FoodSaver®

Bags and Rolls to vacuum package items,

you can also utilise the sealing strip to

re-seal packets that have already undergone a

commercial quality seal.

The heat sealing strip allows half consumed

packets of chips, crackers and cereals to be

resealed by placing on heating sealing strip.

Ensure that the bag does not reach into the

vacuum channel, as it will crush delicate

items. Only re-seal packets, do not vacuum.

 Do not use the sealing strip to seal

conventional plastic wrap, sandwich bags and

plastic bags as the bags may melt over the

sealing strip.

Guidelines for Vacuum Packaging continued

Preservation Guidelines

Foods Where to

Store

Recommended

FoodSaver®Container

Storage

Life with

FoodSaver®

Normal Storage

Life

Meat

Beef, Pork, Lamb Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2-3 years 6 months

Ground Meat Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 1 year 4 months

Poultry Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2-3 years 6 months

Fish Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2 years 6 months

Hard Cheeses

Cheddar, Swiss

Refrigerator FoodSaver

Bag, Canister 4-8 months 1-2 weeks

Parmesan Refrigerator FoodSaver

Bag, Canister 4-8 months 1-2 weeks

Vegetables (Vegetables, excluding leafy types, must be blanched before vacuum sealing.)

Asparagus Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2-3 years 8 months

Broccoli, Cauliflower Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2-3 years 8 months

Cabbage, Brussels

Sprouts

Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2-3 years 8 months

Corn (cob or kernel) Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2-3 years 8 months

Green Beans Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2-3 years 8 months

Lettuce, Spinach Refrigerator FoodSaver

Canister 2 weeks 3-6 days

Snow Peas, Snap Peas Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2-3 years 8 months

Fruits

Apricots, Plums Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 1-3 years 6-12 months

Peaches, Nectarines Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 1-3 years 6-12 months

Softer Berries

Raspberries, Blackberries Refrigerator FoodSaver

Canister 1 week 1-3 days

Strawberries Refrigerator FoodSaver

Canister 1 week 1-3 days

Harder Berries

Blueberries Refrigerator FoodSaver

Canister 2 weeks 3-6 days

Cranberries Refrigerator FoodSaver

Canister 2 weeks 3-6 days

Preservation Guidelines continued

Foods Where to

Store

Recommended

FoodSaver®Container

Storage

Life with

FoodSaver®

Normal Storage

Life

Baked Goods

Bagels, Bread, Pastries Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 1-3 years 6-12 months

Nuts

Almonds, Peanuts Pantry FoodSaver

Bag, Canister 2 years 6 months

Sunflower Seeds Pantry FoodSaver

Bag, Canister 2 years 6 months

Coffee

Coffee Beans Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2-3 years 6 months

Coffee Beans Pantry FoodSaver

Bag, Canister 1 year 3 months

Ground Coffee Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 2 years 6 months

Ground Coffee Pantry FoodSaver

Bag, Canister 5-6 months

Prepared Liquids

Sauces, Soups, Stews Freezer FoodSaver

Bag 1-2 years 3-6 months

Bottled Liquids

Wine Refrigerator FoodSaver

Bottle

Stopper

2-4 months 1-3 weeks

Oils Pantry FoodSaver

Bottle

Stopper

1-1½ years 5-6 months

Dry Foods

Beans, Grains Pantry FoodSaver