Ziploc freezer bags in a Foodsaver/vacuum sealer? 

What also helps is to wrap the sealed bag in newspaper. This gives a great insulation to eliminate any potential freezer burn from long term freezing.

Thank you so much. Nice to know there are people willing to help others in ways to save a few $$. Wait, not just a few $$, those vacuum bags are very expensive

LOVE this video. Compelled me to experiment. I just received my first ever vacuum sealer today. Cheap off Amazon. 26 bucks. I have not yet tried your method exactly, but mostly. Tried to think of faster/easier. I sacrificed ONE legit vacuum seal bag (I received 20 with the machine). I cut the 8' x 11 inch bag into 50 - 3/4 inch by 2 inch strips, using just the "aeration" side of the bag. I sliced ALL of the zipper off an ordinary STORAGE bag (not the thicker freezer bags I will actually use) just under the zipper for a nice straight line. I popped a random object into the bag and placed two strips much like you did into the opening of the bag. I set the temperature of the heating coil to the 2nd lowest setting of 5 to prevent melt. It vacuumed and sealed perfectly. I tried only one strip placed at the center of the bag opening but it was not enough to facilitate vacuuming. I thought using the very thin strips of vacuum bag material might make a more reliable seal, although watching your video again it seams it doesn't matter. Anyway, I have enough "free" strips to seal FIVE HUNDRED legit FREEZER bags I can purchase the Walmart brand gallon bags for 4.8 cents each, and quarts for 3.8 cents each. The cheapest quart size regular bags on Amazon is 9 cents each. HERE IS the MIND BOGGLING cost comparison of 100 quart bags: The "Walmart" method $3.48 for 100. The Amazon Cheapest method $9.00 for 100. The cheapest legit Amazon "vacuum bags" $18.00 for 100. And lastly the Foofsaver brand bags an OBSCENE $45.00 for 100, a GROTESQUE THIRTEEN TIMES THE COST OF THE WALMART METHOD! What a world - what a world!

Thank you my friend for all us old bachelors we appreciate it. Stay safe and God bless 🇨🇦

Thank you. Your video is the best demonstration that I have watched of how to use ziploc bags. Now I finally understand the technique.

I've had a Seal-a-Meal vacuum sealer for a while and had been trying for some time to find a way to vacuum/seal Ziploc freezer bags, with no luck... Then tonight, I just happened to stumble upon your video, followed your instructions... and it worked!! Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time!!

Thank you! Very helpful! I’m going to try this!

Thank you very much. The cost of the food saver bags has put me off about using my food saver. If I save money on food I spend it on bags. This is a very clear video and I will be doing this.

Thank you for this tip. I use the food saver bags for long term storage and the great value freezer bags for week to week food

Thanks for sharing. I’ve watched a few YT videos with different methods and yours is by far the ONLY one that works best. For added security, I do cut the excess zip grooves out and seal the bag again.

Genius. Thank you sir. Just made my next backpacking trip more cost effective.

I make vacuum sealer bags last in three ways. I cut slightly larger bags when sealing, then wash well and reuse for smaller portions. I also use just to store fresh veggies in the fridge without vac sealed. When worn out tie that plastic bag strip from ziploc bag around the plastic bag tight, scrub your pots and pans then discard. I also use mesh bags for scrubbing p. and pans then toss. discard.

We have a word for people like you...HERO. Thank you.

Ray, try this: Cut right above the "zipper" to get rid of the "extra" so that it fits in the machine. Now, open the bag, fill it, shift the front of the bag a quarter inch from the back and zipper it. You will have a zippered bag that has two openings (one on each side). Now you vacuum the bag and seal it. I just did a test bag and it seems to work (I'm leaving the bag overnight to see if the seal holds...if it doesn't, I will do a double-seal). Ray, if it works for you, you have my permission to make a video of it and post it on your channel.

Thank you for this video, my son left his ziplock v 110 sealer at my home, I wasnt interested untill today. I found your video had to watch it three times mostly because I kept walking away and not paying attention. 🙄 Finally sat down to watch full video, its so simple, thank you! Now I can vacuum seal all my bulk buys using regular freezer bags, because yes, the sealing bags are expensive. Thank you again and yes I subscribed.

You are brilliant...It worked just like a charm....Thanks you made my day.

Wooohooo now I can vacuum seal everything!!!

This is the best one I’ve seen, of ziplock-to-food-saver bags! Also, this is my same food saver, a true vintage model that works just as it did twenty some years ago. Thank you to a Canadian brother!

I really wanted to buy the FoodSaver but the bags are too expensive so I'm glad I found this video! Thank you!!

Tks justt bought a couple of boxes because they were on Kroger's mark down shelf. Good idea 👍

What i do to use quart ziplock bags is to cut the zip seal from a one gallon bag (using the channel side) and feed it through the rear of the sealer into the quart bag down to the bottom and it leaves enough on the rear of the sealer sticking out to grab. then seal bag as normal but when the light turns from vaccum to seal quickly pull the tab out from the rear and it will seal the bag. you can reuse this over over untill you run out of food to seal or ziplock bags to seal with.

Thank you for sharing ...It's much appreciated.

I can’t wait to try this I plan to try this this weekend.

Thank you very simple and To the point ! 👍🏽

Easier yet. Place your filled zip lock bag inside a larger sealable bag with the center pressed closed - an inch or so of each corner not pressed closed) ..turn it on to remove air - bypassing the sealing process. Once the air is sucked out ( before you remove the baggies inside) press the ziplock seal until it's closed.. remove sealer bag from machine. All the air is now removed from the zip lock bag & it's sealed. The sealer bag is good for however many more uses.

Thx I needed to test one without the bags I was stuck! Ur a life savor!🤗

I hope when I finally inbox my Food Saver I get this right. Thank you for sharing. Blessed be!!!

Wow thank you so much!!! Best and easiest method so far...I've tried with Caso vacuum sealer and it works perfectly using your method. Thanks!

This is great, the cost of the bags what was stoping me from buying a Vac unit. Q: Why the strips of the tops of the bags?

Friggin great tip. I go camping alot and this will be so helpful.

Thanks, because I bought the ones like that in quart and gallon, but it is impossible to get them the mash together. I think I will cut them all off and vacuum seal with them.

Thanks for the info.,but why do you need the blue strip at all? The bag is sealed all across, even where there is no blue strip.

Thanks..!!! I love my FoodSaver but the bags can get expensive.

O tried this with the store brand. The heat strip melted the bag completely and worked half of the time. I will try Ziplock next time to see if I get a better result.

Awesome advice!

Brilliant!

I noticed a water jug. You can fill it with water, invert it into the ground, and water up to 4 tomato plants for about a week (depending on soil, plant size, wind, temperature). Also, to store water in those bags, fill bag with ice cubes and seal. Ice melts into water. You can freeze tea cubes and store that too. Carbonated beverages are not a good idea.

This is great, the cost of the bags is what was stoping me from buying a Vac unit. Q: Why the strips off the tops of the bags?

Yes food saver needs to appear on shark tank so they can get some help on getting the bag prices down!! Defeats the purpose!! So i just bought a new food saver. I had one years ago but never had time to use it. An you please tell me why you need the strips on each side? And not just sealing it like it is with top cut off. Update- I figured out why

cool video. nice DIY. I wonder if dollar brand Ziplocks will work. I'm cheap and like to save money too

Maybe I missed it but why exactly do you have to put the ridge part in the bag?

Thank you for sharing! Just bought a Food Saver and I KNEW there had to be a less expensive way to seal things.

You can also use bubble wrap instead of the zip bag ends

Nice looking sausages

I use three of the channel strips for a gallon bag. It removes air a bit better. I use the Walmart great value freezer bags. They don’t seem as sturdy as the ziplocks here in the video.

I did thank you for taking the time.

Fantastic but what is the purpose of adding the blue strips in your sealed bag?

Thanks, thats a great idea. Im just wondering whats the reason for the blue strips ?

Did you try vacuuming a ziplock bag without cutting off the blue sealer, just inserting the channel strips from the previous bag?

Hi Ray! Love the video! I know this is an older video and you may not see my post. I have watched so many and I'm not getting satisfaction with mine. Can you please help? You show the dark and light side but which side do you use if your bag is clear? I have been trying thus so many times and if I can get it to seal....the air comes back in and its not hard anymore. I would greatly appreciate your help. Have a Blessed Day!!

Use the ziplock bags without cutting the locking strips off, just cut a notch in the middle of the bag, that’s all. air is sucked out & it’s sealed below the ziplock!

It has been 30 months since you posted this video. Are you still doing it the same way? How well has the sealed bag held up in the freezer long term?

very cool

THANKS you for sharing.

What kind of vacuum sealer brand you are recommen ??? Thanks 😊

Just wondering why you need to put the blue strips in before sealing.

Thank you so much!!

I understand adding the strips creates channels to draw out air inside the bag but doesn’t it also allow air back in? Or does it somehow seal across the inserted strips as well?

okay!! I like it that will do.

Ray, What is the reason for the vertical pieces inserted into the bag?

Thank you! You saved me money!

Why do you need the blue strips inside?

This worked thank you very much!!!

What is the purpose of those blue strips that have to be sealed in the bag??

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

wow that’s pretty smart

How long what you seal can last please?

I’ll give it a try👍🏻

How long did the seal last? I have had a problem with some of the food saver type bags not staying sealed.

I was anxious to try using freezer bags but when I did, the top of my zip bag melted in two! My sealer machine does not lift up, it loads from the front, but I was disappointed that it melted the top of the bag in two. Any suggestions?

Does it have to be a Foodsaver vacuum seal? Can I use other brand?

Maybe edit the video description to say that the reason for inserting the strips is to create a channel so that the bags don't collapse before the air is drawn out... (???)

All the plugs of the world are grateful lol

Yea, I did this, and the next morning, the bag didn't hold the Valcum seal.

Thanks, that saves a few bucks.

I have the foodsaver 5400 and it seems difficult using this method. The sealer is much higher than counter and the ziploc tabs keeps sliding down into ziploc bag before it starts vacuuming

Great tip! Thank u!

I just bought a food saver it didn't work maybe it works with some not all?

Thanks for this and I was quite happy to start using zip lock, but everytime I try this, the bag ALWAYS loses vacuum very shortly after sealing. I have tried it over and over with different bags and same result. Does anyone else have this same experience and if so is there a trick to getting it to hold vacuum? Thank you!

Thank you!

What is the purpose of using the blue strips?

Curious, why do you need to place the blue strips in the bag?

Hi, I have tried this but my food saver keeps melting the plastic bag. I’m using Ziploc brand freezer bags. Any suggestions on how to correct it, so I can get a vacuum seal?

Great video, Thank You ! Just Joined........

do they really stay sealed? does it seal through the strips and bag?

I just put My freezer bag in the channel making sure that it was open and it vacuumed it out without all the cutting and what not it’s just a regular bag

i use the cheap ziplock bags as freezer bags? i put the the cheap plastic grocery bags over the cheap ziplock bags i put a note one the bag and knot the bag the regular freezer bags are double the price of the regular bags i freeze my leftover crock pot food in a freezer bag and do the same thing with a note on the bags with the date the the cheap plastic grocery bags to cover my leftover plate of food and knot the bag at the end of the bag. The the cheap plastic grocery bags to cover my cut watermelon or cantaloupe the cheap plastic grocery bags for a broken candy Ziplock bags bags double bag knotted end of bag wheelchair larry

why the blue strips in the bag? are they needed?

Tried every way I could conceive. Never made it work. My machine might suck.... or not. LOL

Thought I was the only one who thought Food Saver bags are too expensive!

HEY THANKS FOR THIS!!!!!!!! : )

I tried it and I'll say it's not 100% some bags sucked air in slowly and its a lot more messing around when you have a pile of meat to seal

Thank you it works

Why do you have to put the strips in the bags?

You’re better-off with the WIDER side of the strip at the AIR-SUCTION tray …

Is it really saving you all that much?

I did this with ziplocks and initially they do seal, but in 24 hours they were no longer vacuumed.

💟💟💟..🇫🇷

I have ziplock vacuum sealer and LOVE IT!!!.. however the bags are not available any more and I have to buy the FoodSaver bags.. they ARE NOT the same quality!!.the Ziplock is much better than Foodsaver!!!.. and for what ever reason Ziploc has stop producing this... shame on them!!!

Freezer bags aren't exactly cheap either