Straw or water vacuum sealer

[Kaleva]

This fall, we canned and froze a lot of our garden produce. To get the air out of the freezer quart and gallon bags, I used the method at the link.

http://anoregoncottage.com/frugal-friday-straw-vacuum-sealer/

The only thing different that I do is to bite down gently on the straw as I'm sucking the air out, enough to hold on to the straw with my teeth but not enough to crush it, and pull the straw out with my teeth as I continue to suck and then quickly close the bag when the straw is out. I hold on to the bag with my thumbs and forefingers next to the straw.

A youtube video showing the straw technique:

This person uses a bowl of water to vacuum seal:

[Curmudgeoness]

1. This is the first time I have heard of the water method.

I have used the straw method for years and it seems to work well. I will have to try the water method to see if it is as easy as it looks, because I rather doubt that it will work that well for me. But who knows.

Remember, water your plants with that water when you are done. Don't waste it.