Vac-pack for hops

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

I know this is hardly an original idea, but I thought I'd get one of those vac-pack machines to reseal my part-used packets of hops.
There are dozens of different machines from the usual online suppliers but I got this one:
JML Food Sealer: Vacuum Heat Sealer Machine (on offer at £32)

Comes with a couple of different width 'rolls' of plastic tubing that you can use to make bags whatever length you like, which seems like a good idea.
It works pretty well: you have to push the lid down quite hard to get it to lock properly and the vacuum pump is a bit noisy, but it seals reliably and securely.
I was hoping it would be able to seal the bags the hops come in but they must need a higher temperature to melt (plus they are 'smooth' bags so you need an external pressure to squeeze the air out).

This earns an @TETB 'recommend' .

 

[LeeH]

I’d double seal, sometimes you get a duff one.

Also make your bags oversize so you trim and reseal.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

I do this too. Got my one from Aldi though. Ambiano or something. I love it!

I tend to weigh my dry hops and throw them in one of these bags, so it's easy when I need them a few days later.

I have these in the freezer at the moment that were left over from my British Golden Ale, which I'm gonna use for a user-upper soon. Already weighed and in Brewfather.

Use them for sous vide too.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

There was a thread about these machines posted a few years ago which i cannot seem to find very popular with those that used them, also handy if you want to try sous vide cooking.


Edit - Found it -

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/recommend-a-vacuum-sealing-machine.68608/

 

[The Baron]

I have one but the bag roll must be of a decent quality as I have had some of the cheaper ones vac and seal but start to release the vacuum part of the process. I wonder if anybody else has found this with some of the bag rolls?

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

There was a thread about these machines posted a few years ago which i cannot seem to find very popular with those that used them, also handy if you want to try sous vide cooking.


Edit - Found it -

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/recommend-a-vacuum-sealing-machine.68608/

Thanks @Chippy_Tea I chose my one after reading that thread

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

I do this too. Got my one from Aldi though. Ambiano or something. I love it!

I tend to weigh my dry hops and throw them in one of these bags, so it's easy when I need them a few days later.

I have these in the freezer at the moment that were left over from my British Golden Ale, which I'm gonna use for a user-upper soon. Already weighed and in Brewfather.

Use them for sous vide too.

View attachment 81227

I've never tried sous-vide, but I've watched enough M@sterChef to feel like I'm an expert already (wink!)
I use whole hops which don't keep half as well as the pelleted ones... I used to seal the bags up with tape but they always go dry anyhow, so I'm telling myself it really won't take too many non-thrown-away packets to start saving me money (who am I trying to kid: I just love a good gizmo)

 

[Braufather]

I’m a regular sous vider so it’s a no brainer for me, as everything on hand. That said , I don’t do it with hops from geterbrewed as they already come in those easy resealable bags so no faff

 

[LeeH]

I do this too. Got my one from Aldi though. Ambiano or something. I love it!

I tend to weigh my dry hops and throw them in one of these bags, so it's easy when I need them a few days later.

I have these in the freezer at the moment that were left over from my British Golden Ale, which I'm gonna use for a user-upper soon. Already weighed and in Brewfather.

Use them for sous vide too.

View attachment 81227

Interesting, I just keep them in their original bag. I find if you don’t reusing the vac bag can be problematic due contaminates.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

I haven't had a problem so far as I thought hops were anti-microbial. Hopefully I'm not wrong

I don't use the vacuum bag more than once. It gets thrown away after the dry hops are used.

 

[LeeH]

I haven't had a problem so far as I thought hops were anti-microbial. Hopefully I'm not wrong

I don't use the vacuum bag more than once. It gets thrown away after the dry hops are used.

I mean compromising the seal.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Once it's open it gets chucked. I don't re-seal it. So no problem.

I wonder if anyone else does this or is it just me?

 

[LeeH]

That’s the point, cut them long do you can reuse them.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

That’s the point, cut them long do you can reuse them.

Sorry Lee I'm confused.

I've found the longer you cut them the less they vacuum.

My machine advises not to cut lengths of more than 30cm I think it was. I've noticed it doesn't vacuum properly if you do, and/or the vacuum comes loose.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Sorry Lee I'm confused.

I've found the longer you cut them the less they vacuum.

My machine advises not to cut lengths of more than 30cm I think it was. I've noticed it doesn't vacuum properly if you do, and/or the vacuum comes loose.

I think it's most likely that the reason the machine recommends not to use especially long bags is probably just because the vacuum pump is just set to run for a certain period of time, and it might not have enough time to fully suck all the air out.
Maybe you can work round it by pushing the 'vacuum and seal' button, then hitting 'cancel' before it starts sealing, and then running 'vacuum and seal' a second time?

 

[LeeH]

Ah, OK. Don’t seem to have that issue. It just pulls the vacuum until it reaches its switch point.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

I think it's most likely that the reason the machine recommends not to use especially long bags is probably just because the vacuum pump is just set to run for a certain period of time, and it might not have enough time to fully suck all the air out.
Maybe you can work round it by pushing the 'vacuum and seal' button, then hitting 'cancel' before it starts sealing, and then running 'vacuum and seal' a second time?

Interesting! Worth a go. Thanks M!

 

[prog99]

I think it's most likely that the reason the machine recommends not to use especially long bags is probably just because the vacuum pump is just set to run for a certain period of time, and it might not have enough time to fully suck all the air out.
Maybe you can work round it by pushing the 'vacuum and seal' button, then hitting 'cancel' before it starts sealing, and then running 'vacuum and seal' a second time?

Thats what I do with whole hops from the garden. Its standard timings aren't setup well for them as theres so much air in the system.

 

[Braufather]

Just to add they also work great for malt

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

I do that too. Even if it's uncrushed. I may be a little OTT