How to Vacuum Seal Without a Vacuum Sealer

On this page (7 sections)

1. How do you vacuum seal a bag without a machine?
2. Which bags work for water displacement?
3. Can you vacuum seal jars without a countertop sealer?
4. What foods suit this method?
5. When should you avoid water displacement?
6. When is a handheld or countertop sealer more useful?
7. What is the safest way to store food after sealing?

You can vacuum seal without a vacuum sealer by using water displacement to push air out of a zipper bag or by using a jar vacuum attachment for compatible jars. These approaches reduce air around food, but they don't create a substitute for safe refrigeration, freezing, or canning.

For a zipper bag, add food, close it almost all the way, lower the bag slowly into water, and let the water pressure push air toward the opening. Keep the zipper above water, press out the last air, then seal.

How do you vacuum seal a bag without a machine?

Use the water displacement method with a food storage zipper bag. Water presses against the bag and pushes air out through the small gap you leave at the top.

1. Put food in a clean, food-safe zipper bag.
2. Close the zipper most of the way, leaving a small opening at one corner.
3. Lower the bag slowly into a bowl or sink of water.
4. Stop before water reaches the zipper, press out remaining air, and close it fully.
5. Dry the outside of the bag and label it before chilling or freezing.

Use a large bowl or sink so the food can stay below the waterline while the opening remains dry. Don't submerge the zipper or let water enter the bag.

This method removes some air, but it doesn't make a vacuum-tight seal. If you need repeatable seals for meal prep or freezer portions, compare vacuum sealer types and what each one does.

Which bags work for water displacement?

Use a sturdy bag made for food storage, with a zipper that closes cleanly. A split seam, weak zipper, or wet sealing edge can let water in or air back through.

Choose a bag large enough to leave room above the food. Overfilling makes it harder to move air to the opening without pressing on the food.

The water displacement method works best for firm foods that can be held below the waterline without being crushed. For soft bread or delicate produce, leave a little more air and avoid pressing the bag tightly against the food.

Use a compatible zipper bag with this handheld sealer, and follow the device's instructions for its bag connection. It also has a Marinate mode for use in the Marinate Container; its instructions say liquids must stay in that container.

Can you vacuum seal jars without a countertop sealer?

Yes, a jar vacuum sealer can remove air from compatible Mason jars. It doesn't replace tested canning methods, and vacuum-sealed jars should not be treated as shelf stable.

For dry goods, use clean jars and lids, follow the sealer's instructions, and check that the lid holds after sealing. Don't use a vacuum seal alone to preserve meat, vegetables, soup, or other foods that require refrigeration, freezing, or pressure canning.

The LOVE MOMENT electric sealer is designed for wide-mouth and regular-mouth Mason jars. It includes a standard-mouth converter and lids, while the jars are not included.

Keep the jar's rim and lid area clean so crumbs don't interfere with the seal. For dry pantry storage, see how to vacuum seal Mason jars, which covers jar use and the limits of vacuum sealing.

What foods suit this method?

Use water displacement for firm foods that can handle gentle pressure. It can work for portions of meat, firm vegetables, and dry foods when the bag remains intact and the food is stored at a safe temperature.

Keep the method simple: add a portion, remove air, seal, label, and move the bag promptly to the fridge or freezer. Don't leave perishable food sitting at room temperature while you prepare several bags.

Soft foods need a gentler approach. For bread, avoid squeezing the loaf; our guide to vacuum sealing bread without crushing it explains better ways to protect its shape.

For vegetables, blanching may be needed before freezing, depending on the type. See how to vacuum seal vegetables for the freezer for preparation steps and freezer guidance.

When should you avoid water displacement?

Skip water displacement when liquid could reach the zipper or when the food is too delicate to press. Soup, sauces, and wet marinades can contaminate the seal area or leak during handling.

Chill liquid foods before freezing them in a suitable container, leaving room for expansion. For a bag method, freeze the food solid first if the recipe and container allow it, then handle the frozen portion carefully.

Don't use vacuum packaging to preserve food at room temperature. Removing air doesn't kill harmful germs, and some can grow in low-oxygen conditions if food is stored unsafely.

If you're storing soup, follow our guide to vacuum sealing soup without a mess for container choices and spill control. For broader safety advice, consult the USDA guidance on refrigeration and food safety.

When is a handheld or countertop sealer more useful?

Choose a sealer when you need more consistent air removal or plan to package food often. Water displacement is a practical workaround, but it takes a bowl of water and careful handling for each bag.

A handheld sealer can suit zipper bags and small portions. The Chef Preserve Compact Vacuum Sealer comes with reusable bags in small and medium sizes, while the FoodSaver Mini is designed for zipper bags and includes a charging dock.

If you seal regular bags for freezer storage or sous vide, a countertop model may be a better fit. The Anova Slim has separate air-pulse and seal functions, which can help you manage the process with foods that need careful handling.

For a look at pump and bag differences, read how vacuum sealers work. If you already own a machine that isn't removing air, see why a vacuum sealer may not be vacuuming.

What is the safest way to store food after sealing?

Refrigerate or freeze perishable food promptly, even after removing air. A tight-looking bag doesn't make meat, fish, cooked food, or cut produce safe at room temperature.

Label each bag with the food and date, then follow the storage guidance for that food. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat food, and thaw frozen packages safely in the refrigerator or with another approved method.

Use the water displacement method for a quick, low-cost way to remove some air from food bags. Choose a handheld or countertop sealer for frequent packing, and use a jar tool for compatible dry goods.

Frequently asked questions

Can you vacuum seal food with a regular zipper bag?

You can remove much of the air from a regular zipper bag with water displacement, but it won't create the same seal as a vacuum sealer. Keep the zipper above the water, press it closed, and refrigerate or freeze the food as appropriate.

Use a bag made for food storage.

Does the water displacement method make food last longer?

It can reduce air in the bag, but it doesn't sterilize food or make it shelf stable. Keep perishable foods refrigerated or frozen, and follow safe storage times and temperatures.

Don't use reduced air as a reason to store food at room temperature.

Can you use this method for soup?

A partly filled zipper bag can leak or let liquid reach the seal, so water displacement is a poor fit for soup. Chill soup first, leave space at the top of a freezer-safe container, and freeze it upright.

See our soup guide for ways to control spills.

Can you vacuum seal Mason jars without a machine?

A manual or electric jar sealer can remove air from compatible Mason jars, but it doesn't make food safe for room-temperature storage. Use vacuum-sealed jars for suitable dry goods, and follow tested canning directions for foods that need preservation.