1. Introduction
1.1 The importance of food storage
Who hasn’t experienced such an embarrassment? Fresh vegetables bought on the weekend wilted and yellowed after two days; the leftovers will smell the next day; Expensive meat will lose its original tenderness after being frozen for a period of time. This is not only a waste of ingredients, but also a loss of money and energy. According to the data, the food waste caused by improper storage in ordinary households accounts for 15%-20% of the total purchase, and the waste is as high as 1,800-2,400 yuan a year based on the monthly purchase of 1,000 yuan of ingredients per household. It can be seen that doing a good job in food storage can not only keep the ingredients fresh, but also help us save a lot of money.
1.2 Advantages of food storage bags
Among the many storage tools, the Food Storage Bag is definitely the king of value for money. Compared with traditional crisper boxes, it is lighter and space-saving, and there is no pressure whether it is stacked or stuffed into the refrigerator gap; The sealing performance is better, which can effectively isolate air, moisture and bacteria, and extend the shelf life of food. Moreover, it is suitable for a wide range of scenarios, and it can be held in refrigeration, freezing, and microwave heating, which is full of practicality.
1.3 Overview of the purpose and structure of this paper
Next, I will combine my years of purchasing and life experience to give you a detailed explanation from the types of Food Storage Bags, selection skills, and usage methods. Whether you are a housewife, an office worker, or a partner who pays attention to the quality of life, you can find dry goods that suit you from here, and really use the right food storage bags to maximize the freshness of the ingredients.
2. Types of food storage bags
Different scenarios require different types of Food Storage Bags, and blindly buying will only be in vain. The following is a summary of common types and applicable scenarios, at a glance:
type | Core features: | Applicable scenarios | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
Disposable food storage bags | Lightweight, low unit price, ready to use | Store fruits and vegetables and leftovers for a short period of time, and take snacks with you when you go out | It cannot be reused, so avoid using it in high-temperature scenarios |
Reusable food storage bags | Durable, washable, and eco-friendly | Long-term recycling to store grains, meat, cooked foods | Clean and dry thoroughly after each use |
Vacuum food storage bags | Sealed vacuum and air isolation are excellent | Long-term freezing of meat and seafood, storage of dry goods to prevent moths | It needs to be used with a vacuum machine, and it cannot be vacuumed after it is damaged |
Special purpose food storage bags | Targeted design (e.g. freezer bags resistant to low temperatures, microwave bags to high temperatures) | freezer bags for ice cream and meat; Microwave bag to heat leftovers | It is used strictly according to the marked scene and cannot be mixed |
For example, when I purchased for a restaurant before, I deliberately chose a vacuum food storage bag to store imported steak, which was stored for 2 months longer than ordinary freezer bags, and the taste was still fresh and tender after thawing; It is enough to pack afternoon tea snacks for employees every day, and use disposable food storage bags, which is more cost-effective.
3. How to choose the right food storage bag
3.1 Material selection (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.)
When choosing a Food Storage Bag, the material is the core, which is directly related to safety and use. There are two common materials: polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). PE material has a soft texture, general high temperature resistance, suitable for refrigeration and freezing, and is the most commonly used material in daily life. PP material has a slightly higher hardness and high temperature resistance of up to 130°C, making it suitable for scenarios that require microwave heating. Here is a reminder that you must choose products marked “food grade” and avoid buying low-quality bags without labels, which may contain harmful plasticizers.
3.2 Consideration of size and capacity
If you don’t choose the right size, no matter how useful the storage bag is, it will be in vain. It is recommended to follow the principle of “choose the size according to your needs, slightly larger than slightly smaller”: store a small amount of seasonings and snacks, and choose a small size (about 10×15cm); Store fruits and vegetables, leftovers, select the medium size (about 20×25cm); Store meat and large ingredients, choose a large size (about 30×40cm). My family used to buy large bags, which would waste space when storing a small amount of ingredients, but later with different sizes, the refrigerator was much neat.
3.3 Sealing performance and durability
Sealing performance is the soul of Food Storage Bags. When purchasing, you can test the sealing strip by hand, and the high-quality sealing strip will have a clear “click” sound when pressed, and the closure is tight; Inferior sealing strips are loose and easy to leak liquid and air. In terms of durability, it is recommended to choose a reusable storage bag with a thickness of more than 0.1mm, which is not easy to be pierced by sharp ingredients (such as bones and nails).
3.4 Environmental protection and sustainability factors
Nowadays, everyone pays attention to environmental protection, and you can give priority to degradable disposable food storage bags, or reusable silicone and fabric storage bags when purchasing. Data shows that a reusable storage bag can replace at least 500 disposable storage bags, which is both cost-saving and environmentally friendly.
4. Skills for using food storage bags
4.1 Correct filling and sealing methods
When filling, pay attention to the ingredients should not be too full, it is recommended to reserve 2-3cm of space, especially liquid ingredients, to avoid overflow when sealing; Before sealing, you can squeeze out the excess air in the bag and then press the sealing strip to ensure complete closure. If it is a vacuum storage bag, pay attention to the surface of the ingredients not too much moisture, otherwise it will affect the vacuum effect.
4.2 Storage recommendations for different foods
- Fruits and vegetables: Dry the surface water of green leafy vegetables first, put them in the Food Storage Bag and put a piece of kitchen paper to absorb excess water, which can be stored for 3-5 more days; Roots (such as carrots, potatoes) can be put together with apples, and the ethylene released by apples can delay germination.
- Meat: Pack according to the amount of each consumption, put it in a special freezer storage bag, squeeze out the air and freeze, and take one portion directly when thawing to avoid repeated thawing affecting the taste.
- Cooked food: Cool completely before putting it in a storage bag to avoid water vapor generated by hot air, which can cause food to spoil.
4.3 Cleaning and maintenance of storage bags
Reusable Food Storage Bag, clean with warm water and dish soap after each use, and the inner wall can be cleaned with a soft brush; If it contains heavy oily ingredients, you can wipe it with kitchen paper first and then clean it. After cleaning, it should be thoroughly dried to avoid the moisture of the inner wall and the breeding of bacteria, and it is best to put it upside down in a ventilated place to dry.
4.4 Creative usage methods (e.g. separate storage, portable lunch boxes, etc.)
In addition to regular storage, Food Storage Bags have many creative uses. For example, use small bags to separate snacks for children, which is clean and convenient; The large bag can be used as a temporary “portable lunch box” to hold sandwiches and salads, and it is very worry-free to carry when going out for picnics; It can also be used to store small items, such as headphones and data cables, and you are no longer afraid of losing them.
5. Yigu (purchasing agent) point of view
As a senior purchasing agent, I suggest that when purchasing Food Storage Bags, you should give priority to products with brand qualifications and good reputation, and do not buy inferior goods cheaply, after all, it is related to food safety. When purchasing in bulk, you can compare quotes and samples from different suppliers, focusing on material safety and sealing performance. From the perspective of market trends, reusable and environmentally friendly storage bags are in increasing demand, whether it is for home use or commercial procurement, they are the mainstream choice in the future. Choosing the right food storage bag can effectively reduce the loss of ingredients, and it is very cost-effective in the long run.
6. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Can the food storage bag be put in the microwave?
A: Only food storage bags marked “microwaveable” can be put in the microwave, and the sealing strip should be opened to leave a small opening when heating to avoid excessive internal pressure. Ordinary storage bags made of PE material are not resistant to high temperatures and cannot be used for microwave heating.
Q2: How long do reusable food storage bags last?
A: Under normal use, high-quality reusable storage bags can be used for 6-12 months, and it is recommended to replace them in time when the seal is loose, damaged, or the inner wall is yellow and sticky.
Q3: Can vacuum food storage bags be reused?
A: If the storage is dry, oil-free ingredients, and the bag is not damaged or stained, it can be reused after cleaning and drying; If you store oily or perishable ingredients such as meat and seafood, it is not recommended to reuse them to avoid bacterial residues.