Types of Vacuum Bags and Food Storage Tips
Extend the shelf life of your food products by 3-5 times with vacuum bags. Types of vacuum bags, prices, machine selection, and usage guide.
What is Vacuum Bag? How Does It Work?
Vacuum bag is a special packaging material where the air inside is pumped out, thus preserving the product in an oxygen-free environment. It is a solution for extending shelf life and preserving freshness for meat, poultry, fish, delicatessen, and food businesses in Istanbul.
📊 Scientific Data: The shelf life of foods packaged with vacuum is 3-5 times longer than regular packaging. Meat products can last from 2-3 days in the refrigerator to 7-10 days.
🥩 Types of Vacuum Bags
1. Based on Material Type
| Bag Type | Material | Durability | Usage Area | Price (1000 units) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA/PE Vacuum Bag | Polyamide + Polyethylene | High | Meat, poultry, fish | 400-800 TL |
| EVOH Barrier Bag | Multi-layer barrier | Very High | Extended shelf life, export | 800-1,500 TL |
| Aluminum Coated Bag | PA/AL/PE | Maximum | Coffee, spices, dry food | 1,000-2,000 TL |
| Transparent Standard Bag | PA/PE (single layer) | Medium | Short-term storage | 300-600 TL |
2. Thickness (Micron)
- 70 microns: Light foods, vegetables, fruits - 300-500 TL/1000 units
- 90 microns: Standard meat products - 400-700 TL/1000 units
- 120 microns: Meats with bones, heavy foods - 600-1,000 TL/1000 units
- 150+ microns: Industrial, frozen - 800-1,400 TL/1000 units
3. Size Options
| Size (cm) | Usage Area | Price/1000 Units |
|---|---|---|
| 15x20 cm | Small portions (150-250g) | 250-400 TL |
| 20x30 cm | Medium portions (300-500g) | 350-600 TL |
| 25x35 cm | Standard (500g-1kg) | 450-750 TL |
| 30x40 cm | Large (1-2kg) | 600-950 TL |
| 40x60 cm | Extra-large (3-5kg) | 900-1,500 TL |
🔧 Vacuum Machine Selection
Home Use vs. Professional
| Machine Type | Capacity | Speed | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Use Vacuum Machine | 10-20 packs/day | 20-30 sec/pack | 800-2,500 TL |
| Semi-Professional | 50-100 packs/day | 10-15 sec/pack | 3,000-8,000 TL |
| Single Chamber Vacuum Machine | 200-500 packs/day | 15-25 sec/pack | 8,000-25,000 TL |
| Double Chamber Vacuum Machine | 500-1000 packs/day | 8-12 sec/pack | 25,000-60,000 TL |
| Industrial Belt System | 2000+ packs/day | 3-5 sec/pack | 60,000-200,000 TL |
🥗 Vacuum Packaging by Food Type
Meat and Poultry
- Bag: 90-120 micron PA/PE
- Shelf Life: 7-10 days in the fridge, 12-18 months in the freezer
- Tip: Use 120+ microns for bone-in meats (risk of tearing)
- Cost: 0.40-0.80 TL/pack
Fish and Seafood
- Bag: EVOH barrier (oxygen barrier)
- Shelf Life: 5-7 days in the fridge, 6-12 months in the freezer
- Tip: Vacuum fresh fish with ice (preserves texture)
- Cost: 0.80-1.50 TL/pack
Delicatessen and Sausages
- Bag: 70-90 micron transparent
- Shelf Life: 15-30 days (refrigerated)
- Tip: Use interleaving paper for sliced products
- Cost: 0.30-0.60 TL/pack
Cheese
- Bag: Special cheese packaging (breathable)
- Shelf Life: 30-60 days
- Tip: Opt for 80% vacuum instead of 100% (prevents crushing)
- Cost: 0.50-1 TL/pack
Dry Foods (Coffee, Spices, Nuts)
- Bag: Aluminum coated PA/AL/PE
- Shelf Life: 6-12 months (room temperature)
- Tip: Choose light-blocking bags
- Cost: 1-2 TL/pack
💰 Calculating Vacuum Bag Costs
Example: Butcher Shop (100 Packs Daily)
Scenario: Butcher shop in Istanbul selling 100 packs of meat/poultry daily
