Is it Safe to Sous Vide in Any Plastic Bag? (2024)

FAQs

Is it Safe to Sous Vide in Any Plastic Bag? ›

You can use some plastic containers for sous vide. Do NOT use basic food storage containers for sous vide, even if they are very large. The plastic will warp or melt at higher temperatures. The keyword is “polycarbonate,” which signifies a durable, heat-resistant plastic that will last for years.

You can use some plastic containers for sous vide. Do NOT use basic food storage containers for sous vide, even if they are very large. The plastic will warp or melt at higher temperatures. The keyword is “polycarbonate,” which signifies a durable, heat-resistant plastic that will last for years.

These bags need to be sealed with a vacuum-sealing system, which FoodSaver also makes. If you don't want to pay for a vacuum sealing system, you can also use sturdy resealable freezer bags, like Ziploc ones made with low-density polyethylene.

You can use glass jars to sous vide anything from beans to pickles, custards, grains, cakes, infused co*cktails and even cold brew coffee? It's endlessly recyclable, meaning you can use it again, and again . . . and again!

Cooking food sous vide is a great way to get perfectly cooked meals every single time. If you ever run out of vacuum sealer bags for your sous vide machine, always know you can rely on a good old Ziploc bag. Ziploc Bags are safe for sous vide use.

Cracks and crazing due to wear and tear increase the rate at which BPA leaches out of polycarbonates. The bottom line is that bags made expressly for cooking sous vide are perfectly safe—as are oven bags, popular brands of zip-top bags, and stretchy plastics such as Saran wrap.

Look for bags made from high-density or low-density polyethylene and/or polypropylene. They can't be boiled, but are food safe (and won't melt) up to about 195F. (You wouldn't sous vide at that high a temperature anyway.) Ziplock and Glad brand bags are made from polyethylene plastic, and are free of BPAs and dioxins.

I went with the Rubbermaid 12-quart container and Everie hinged lid, and they work great for 99 percent of the things I sous vide. I keep it parked next to the sink in my laundry room.

Keeping bags submerged is the only way to guarantee food is heated properly when cooked sous vide.

You can cook sous vide in BPA-free FoodSaver bags by placing them in water at any temperature up to 195°F/90°C. By using your FoodSaver vacuum sealing system, water can't permeate through the bag and mess with your ingredients, so your food stays secure during its water bath. Our bags also resist punctures and tearing.

Is it OK if the bag touches the sous vide? ›

To prevent cold spots on the food, make sure the bag isn't touching the sous vide machine or cooking vessel. If cooking with multiple bags, make sure they aren't pressing up against each other.

You don't need a vacuum sealer to enjoy the incredible results of Sous Vide cooking, here's how to achieve the same, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and taste with a regular zip-lock bag.

You can sous vide in a vacuum sealed bag, a reusable silicone bag, or a jar. Most sous vide bags sold are plastic, but we're partial to food grade platinum silicone Stasher bags because they are reusable, plastic-free, and BPA-free.

In terms of toxins oven bags specifically made for cooking purposes are generally considered safe. They are constructed using FDA approved materials that're free, from chemicals like BPA.

Choose and Fill Your Sous Vide Mason Jar Correctly

Because of this, it's important to leave extra breathing room at the top of jars when canning with sous vide.

You can cook sous vide in BPA-free FoodSaver bags by placing them in water at any temperature up to 195°F/90°C. By using your FoodSaver vacuum sealing system, water can't permeate through the bag and mess with your ingredients, so your food stays secure during its water bath.

If you are sure the store is using high-quality, food-grade plastic rated for high heat, then they should be just fine. Otherwise it's normally best to re-bag the food yourself.

OVEN BAGS SHOULD NEVER BE USED FOR:

Do not use oven bags for broiling, boiling, sous vide, stovetop cooking, a toaster oven, a countertop convection oven, a countertop electric roaster oven, grills, or open flames.