Food Preserver Vacuum Bag Sealer Instruction Booklet VS5200 Please read these instructions carefully and retain for future reference.
Contents Sunbeam’s Safety Precautions 2 Introduction 3 Features of your Food Preserver 4 Using your Food Preserver 8 Vacuum Packing Explained 11 The Food Preserver System explained 12 Handy Hints 14 Guide to food preservation times with Sunbeam Food Preserver™ 15 Care and Cleaning 16 Troubleshooting 17 Important instructions – retain for future use.
Sunbeam’s Safety Precautions • • • • • • • • SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR YOUR SUNBEAM FOOD PRESERVER, VACUUM BAG SEALER. • Always operate on a flat surface. • Do not operate continuously for more than 2 minutes at a time. Sunbeam are very safety conscious when designing and manufacturing consumer products, but it is essential that the product user also exercise care when using an electrical appliance.
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Sunbeam Food Preserver™. Vacuum packing will revolutionise the way in which you buy and keep food. By keeping food under vacuum (i.e. without air), the shelf-life of fresh foods can be greatly extended if properly handled, whether it is kept in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer. The three basic elements which may cause food to spoil are oxygen (air), temperature and time. Minimising any or all of these elements will extend the useful life of foods.
Features of your Food Preserver ON button Starts the vacuum packing cycle. Hose port Accessory hose is connected here, for use with containers and jars. Contact the Sunbeam Consumer Line on 1800 025 059 to confirm availability. Lid The vacuum pump is turned on by pressing the ON button located on the lid and holding it down firmly until a vacuum is achieved. Accessory hose Connects to the hose port and is used in conjunction with containers and jars which are not sold with this appliance at this time.
Vacuum indicator Turns from yellow to green when a vacuum has been achieved. When the sealing process is in its final stages, a light turns on, then turns off when the bag is sealed. Manual Seal button Seals the bag independently of the vacuum process. It can be turned on at any time and is particularly useful when vacuuming delicate foods that are likely to break apart from the full force of the vacuuming process. Non-slip feet Keeps the vacuum bag sealer secure on the bench top during use.
Features of your Food Preserver continued Sealing gasket Presses the bag onto the sealing bar. Vacuum chamber Open end of the bag is positioned over the chamber and air is drawn from the bag. Liquid that is accidentally vacuumed out during use is collected in this chamber. Precut bags and continuous packaging roll The 5 precut bags measure at 20 x 30cm and the packaging roll 20cm x 6m.
Airtight gaskets Guarantees that a vacuum will be maintained in the chamber, therefore allowing air to be removed from bags. Sealing bar It contains a non-stick coated heating plate that seals the bag and prevents it from sticking to the bar.
Using your Food Preserver Vacuum packing using Food Preserver pre-cut bags 1. Position the appliance in a dry place on a level surface, making sure that the work area in front of the appliance itself is clear of obstacles and there is enough room to accommodate the bags with the food to be packed. 7. Close the lid. 2. Plug the power cord into a 230-240 volt power outlet. NOTE: Releasing the ‘ON’ button during this vacuum packing cycle will turn the appliance off. 3.
Using your Food Preserver continued Vacuum packing by using the bag cut from the roll 1. Position the appliance in a dry place on a level surface, making sure that the work area in front of the appliance itself is clear of obstacles and there is enough room to accommodate the bags with the food to be packed. 2. Plug the power cord into a 230-240 volt power outlet. 3. Unroll and cut a bag of suitable length for packaging the food to be preserved.
Using your Food Preserver continued How to use the Manual Seal button The Manual Seal button prevents delicate, fragile foods from being crushed by the vacuum process, such as biscuits and berries. 1. Place the food in the bag without creasing it excessively or stretching the surfaces. NOTE: Eliminate any liquids or food residues from the area inside the bag that will be sealed. This will ensure a perfect seal every time. 2.
Heading Vacuum Packing Explained The deterioration of food is caused by chemical reactions that occur in food which is exposed to air, temperature, moisture, the action of enzymes, the growth of microorganisms or contamination by insects. Vacuum packing reduces the absolute pressure of the air inside the bag by removing the oxygen. The oxygen in the air causes food to deteriorate through a process of oxidation, which causes the loss of nutritional values, flavour and all the food’s qualities.
The Heading Food Preserver System explained becomes solid, vacuum pack it and replace in your freezer. To vacuum pack vegetables, peel them and then blanche them briefly in boiling water or a microwave oven until they are warm but still firm. Refresh in iced water to stop the cooking process and drain thorougly. Then vacuum pack them in convenient portions.
The Food Preserver System explained continued Heading DEFROSTING FOODS IN FOOD PRESERVER BAGS HEATING FOODS IN THE FOOD PRESERVER BAGS Refrigerator Defrosting in the refrigerator is considered the best way to defrost whether it is raw meats or frozen meals. Place Food Preserver bags on the lowest shelf in the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Do not re-freeze. Liquid foods such as soups and sauces can be placed still frozen into a saucepan of boiling water until defrosted.
Handy Hints • The original quality of the food must be of the very highest quality, in terms of freshness and environmental hygiene, when you decide to vacuum pack it. There are in fact no preservation methods which will transform a poor product into a good one. • Do not vacuum seal hot food. Allow to cool sufficiently, then vacuum seal. • Vacuum packing red meat may cause discolouration, however this is a normal process and the colour will return to the meat once the seal is broken.
Guide to food preservation times with Sunbeam Food Preserver™ Refrigerated foods ( 5± 2ºC) TRADITIONAL STORAGE TIMES STORAGE TIMES WITH FOOD PRESERVER Red meat White meat Whole fish Game Sliced cured meats Soft cheese Hard and semi-hard cheese Vegetables Fruit 3-4 days 2-3 days 1-3 days 2-3 days 4-6 days 5-7 days 15-20 days 1-3 days 5-7 days 8-9 days 6-9 days 4-5 days 5-7 days 20-25 days 14-20 days 25-60 days 7-10 days 14-20 days 2-3 days 2-3 days 3-5 days 8-10 days 6-8 days 10-15 days 4-6 months 3-
Care and Cleaning • Always turn the power off and remove the plug from the power outlet after use and before cleaning. • Both before and after use, clean the exposed surfaces of the Food Preserver using a non-abrasive sponge moistened with a gentle dishwashing detergent. • Any liquid which is accidentally vacuumed into the Vacuum Chamber during use should be soaked up and removed using a non-abrasive sponge. • Airtight and Sealing Gaskets may be cleaned by dusting with a dry cloth to remove dirt particles.
Heading Troubleshooting PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE WHAT TO DO The vacuum cycle will not start. There is a lack of pressure being applied to the lid in the closed position. In case the unit does not start when pressing the 'ON' button, press simultaneously the right hand corner of the lid marked with the word 'PUSH', until the unit starts functioning. The Food Preserver does not perform the first seal on the bag cut from the roll. Bag has been incorrectly positioned.
‘Sunbeam’, is a registered trademark of Sunbeam Corporation. 'Food Preserver' is a trademark of Sunbeam Corporation. Made in Italy. Due to minor changes in design or otherwise, the product may differ from the one shown in this leaflet. Backed by Sunbeam‘s 12 Month Replacement Guarantee and National Service Network. © Copyright. SUNBEAM CORPORATION LIMITED 2004. (INCORPORATED IN N.S.W.) A.C.N. 000 006 771 Sunbeam Corporation is a division of GUD Holdings Ltd.
Consumer Hotline Australia 1800 025 059 New Zealand 0800 786 232 www.sunbeam.com.au is a registered Trademark of Sunbeam Corporation Limited. ACN 000 006 771. © Sunbeam Corporation Limited 2004.
