Vacuum Sealer Bags 101: Can I Reuse Them & What Bags Work with My Machine? (Vacuum Sealer

Vacuum Sealer Bags 101: Can I Reuse Them & What Bags Work with My Machine? (Vacuum Sealer Bags, Consumables)

The bags you use are the most important consumables for your vacuum sealer. Understanding the different types and reuse rules can save you money and ensure a perfect seal every time.

Can I Reuse Vacuum Sealer Bags?

The short answer is yes, sometimes, but with a big safety caveat.

When to Reuse: If the bag contained clean, low-odor, cooked, or dry foods (like baked goods, nuts, or leftover pasta), you can often wash, dry, and reuse the bag. Just make sure to cut the original seal cleanly and ensure the bag is completely dry before re-sealing.

When NOT to Reuse (Safety First): Never reuse bags that have contained raw meat, poultry, fish, or greasy/oily foods. Even after washing, there is a risk of cross-contamination and the residue may compromise the next seal. When in doubt, use a new bag.

Which Bag Type Do You Need?

The type of bag you buy depends entirely on the type of vacuum sealer you own:

Vacuum sealer embossed and channel bags (For non-nozzle type vacuum sealer):

non-nozzle type vacuum sealer (the most common type, where the bag sits outside the machine) require bags with a special texture or channels inside. This texture allows the air to be successfully drawn out of the bag and past the sealing area.

Smooth Bags (For Nozzle Type Vacuum Sealer and Chamber Vacuum Sealers):

Chamber vacuum sealers work by removing all air from a chamber where the bag is fully enclosed. Because of this, they can use more economical smooth bags that lack the internal texture.

Make sure you are purchasing the correct vacuum sealer bags for your machine, as using a smooth bag in a non-nozzle type vacuum sealer will result in a complete vacuum failure.