Strawberry vacuum freezing/freezing question

[02ebz06]

Smiths Market (Kroger affiliate) has the best strawberries I have gotten from them in the 10+ years I have been shopping there.
So I bought a bunch to freeze.
The freezing part is easy, but I don't want to use zip-lock bags so I can avoid ice crystals forming.

Normally I freeze soft things on baking sheets, then vacuum seal and start the seal right before the squishing.
Even though frozen beforehand, they still get squashed to some extent if letting sealer go all the way.

So, just wondering if anyone has a better way.

TIA

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

What is a good Strawberry! We dont get them around here and have quit buying them. One of the many things I miss about Michigan! No help on freezing them. Your way sounds good though.

 

[SmokinEdge]

For me, if you place the fruit in a vacuum bag, stand them up and gently press them down to squeeze out air and let natural juices cover the fruit as well as against the bag inside. Then freeze the bags standing up, then once past par froze and towards frozen you can vac seal them.

 

[voyager 663rd]

If you're freezing and don't want squished, freeze them on a cookie sheet first. 6-8 hr "in the open" won't hurt. THEN vac seal.

 

[JckDanls 07]

You got it right Keith... pre freeze and then vac seal... BUT... Set sealer on wet and gentle if you have those two options... THEN ... When comes time to thaw... Cut bag open while still frozen (I cut a little corner and then blow in it real hard (that don't sound right) to release vacumm and free the bag from whatevers inside... If thawed while still under vacuum you have defeated the whole purpose of pre freezing...

If I don't release vacuum and air the bag up when thawing my casein less breakfast sausage links... I end up with patties if thawed while still under vacuum...

 

[chopsaw]

Even though frozen beforehand, they still get squashed to some extent if letting sealer go all the way.

Set to moist as suggested above , or once the bag is vac'd to the point you like , hit the seal button .
My LEM has a pulse function that works great for this stuff .

 

[02ebz06]

If you're freezing and don't want squished, freeze them on a cookie sheet first. 6-8 hr "in the open" won't hurt. THEN vac seal.

I do, but some things will get squished some.

You got it right Keith... pre freeze and then vac seal... BUT... Set sealer on wet and gentle if you have those two options... THEN ... When comes time to thaw... Cut bag open while still frozen (I cut a little corner and then blow in it real hard (that don't sound right) to release vacumm and free the bag from whatevers inside... If thawed while still under vacuum you have defeated the whole purpose of pre freezing...

If I don't release vacuum and air the bag up when thawing my casein less breakfast sausage links... I end up with patties if thawed while still under vacuum...

No wet or gentile options, FoodSavers.
Cutting open while still frozen is a no brainer. Haha

Set to moist as suggested above , or once the bag is vac'd to the point you like , hit the seal button .
My LEM has a pulse function that works great for this stuff .

Pretty much my current process, hit the seal button when getting close.

I might try doing a full vacuum operation on a couple and see how they turn out.
Maybe Strawberries won't squish.

My sealer are FoodSaver - no options. Dang, now I have upgrade.

 

[chopsaw]

My sealer are FoodSaver - no options.

What model is it , do you know .

 

[Fueling Around]

I have a FoodSaver. It has the option to pulse vacuum and seal on demand.

 

[02ebz06]

I have the GameSaver Silver (FSGSSL0300) and the GameSaver Big Game (GM710).
I use the both heavily during Chili season.

 

[texomakid]

I just watch the juice and hit the seal button on my FoodSaver. I tried using it for Asparagus and that didn't work out for us

 

[chopsaw]

I have the GameSaver Silver (FSGSSL0300) and the GameSaver Big Game (GM710).
I use the both heavily during Chili season.

I looked at the manuals for both . Says the auto vac / seal button also works to pause the cycle .
So push it and it stays running and seals , or push it , and push again to stop the vacuum . If it's good manual seal . You say your pretty much doing that .
My Food saver doesn't have pulse , but I do use the auto button to stop the process .

 

[02ebz06]

I just watch the juice and hit the seal button on my FoodSaver. I tried using it for Asparagus and that didn't work out for us

On occasion I have rolled up paper towel and put it in the bag to stop (or minimize) the amount of liquid getting to the seal.

I looked at the manuals for both . Says the auto vac / seal button also works to pause the cycle .
So push it and it stays running and seals , or push it , and push again to stop the vacuum . If it's good manual seal . You say your pretty much doing that .
My Food saver doesn't have pulse , but I do use the auto button to stop the process .

I've been just hitting the Seal button to stop the vacuum and start the seal.

Here are two I just did.
First, stopped/sealed when just a little room for them to still move.
Second is a full seal.
After doing, I suspect I won't see any difference. Strawberries are really hard.

I was originally thinking a cage or something that would allow are out, but no squeeze of berries.
But quickly decided that was stupid. Haha

 

[chopsaw]

After doing, I suspect I won't see any difference. Strawberries are really hard.

I just had my Gamesaver deluxe plus out to do some chicken legs in a canister .
While I had it out I tried the on/off method to seal a bag of lunch meat . Works just like the pulse on my LEM , you just have to push the button twice .