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Tips on Using PulseVac™ Control Feature
(This special feature is not available on all V3800 models)
Use the PulseVac
™
Control feature to manually control the
vacuum process and avoid crushing delicate items.
1. Place item(s) in bag, allowing at least 3 inches of space
between bag contents and top of bag.
2. Press the PulseVac
™
button 8 . PulseVac
™
LED 8 will
flash to indicate PulseVac
™
mode.
3. Press appropriate speed setting button 5 – Normal
or Gentle.
4. Insert open end of bag into Vacuum Channel (J). The clamp
will close to secure the bag.
5. Push and hold the PulseVac
™
Button 8 . The vacuum pump
will run when the PulseVac Button is held down. Release
the Pulse Button to stop the vacuum process. This will allow
you to adjust the contents of the bag for better control of
the vacuum sealing process. Repeat pushing the PulseVac
Button until desired amount of air has been removed.
NOTE: If the vacuum pump stops engaging after several
pushes of the PulseVac Button, it means the maximum
vacuum has been reached. Do not continue to push the
Pulse Button.
6. Press Seal Button (C) to seal the bag and end the
Pulse mode.
7. When the red Seal Light 11 turns off, remove bag.
Refrigerate or freeze if needed.
Tips on Sealing a Bag
Make sure appliance is not in Sleep Mode.
Sleep Mode is indicated by the Sleep Mode Indicator 1 .
To resume normal operation, press any button.
When making a bag from a roll:
Press the Seal Button (C) before placing bag material into the
Vacuum Channel (E). Once bag in inserted the Seal process will
begin immediately.
Note: If you forget to press the Seal Button (C) before inserting
the bag into the Vacuum Channel (E), the vacuum pump will
turn on, this is not a problem, simply press the Seal Button to
prevent the pump from running continuously, and the sealing
process will begin.
How to Prevent moisture or liquid from being pulled into the
Drip Tray (O) or getting trapped in the seal:
Either pre-freeze moist food such as raw meat for 1-2 hours
before vacuum sealing, or place a folded paper towel between
food and end of bag to absorb excess liquids. Be sure to leave
at least 3 inches between paper towel and end of bag so that
bag seals properly with paper towel inside and is not positioned
in between the seal area.
Make sure appliance has time to cool down.
Wait at least 20 seconds between seals. Under very heavy
usage, appliance will stop operating to prevent overheating. If it
does, wait 20 minutes to allow appliance to cool off.
General Tips
Tips for Successful Vacuum Sealing
1. Vacuum sealing is NOT a substitute for the heat process of
canning. Perishables still need to be refrigerated or frozen.
2. For best results, use FoodSaver
®
brand Bags, Canisters and
Accessories.
3. During the vacuum sealing process, small amounts of
liquids, crumbs or food particles can be inadvertently
pulled into Drip Tray (O), clogging the pump and
damaging your appliance.
To prevent this, follow these tips:
a. For moist and juicy foods such as raw meats: Freeze first
and avoid overfilling bags. You can also place a folded paper
towel inside top of bag, and below seal area, before vacuum
sealing.
b. For soups, sauces and liquids: Freeze first and avoid
overfilling bags. Or, use a canister in refrigerator.
c. For powdery or fine-grained foods: Avoid overfilling bags
or use a canister. You can also place a coffee filter or paper
towel inside before vacuum packaging.
d. Empty drip tray (O) after each use.
4. To avoid overfilling, always leave at least 3 inches of bag
material between bag contents and top of bag. Then leave at
least one additional inch of bag material for each time you plan
to reuse bag.
5. Do not create your own side seams for a FoodSaver
®
brand Bag.
Our bags are manufactured with a special side seam, which is
sealed all the way to the outer edge.
6. To prevent wrinkles in a seal when vacuum sealing bulky items,
gently stretch bag flat while inserting into the vacuum channel
and hold until pump begins.
7. If you are unsure your bag was sealed properly, simply reseal
bag about 1⁄4 inch above first seal.
8. When you are vacuum sealing items with sharp edges (dry
spaghetti, silverware, etc.), protect bag from punctures by
wrapping item in soft cushioning material, such as a paper
towel. You may want to use a canister or Mason jar instead
of a bag.
9. When using accessories, remember to leave one inch of space
at top of canister or container.
10. Pre-freeze fruits and blanch vegetables before vacuum sealing
for best results. See FoodSaver
®
Reference Guide included with
your appliance for more information.
(continued on next page)
Marinating with your FoodSaver
®
Appliance
1. Open appliance door and place roll into Roll Storage
Compartment (H). Note: Bags can be sealed with
appliance door either open or closed.
2. Lift up Bag Cutter Bar (i) and place bag material
beneath the cutter bar (see fig.1).
3. Pull out enough bag material to hold item being
vacuum packed, plus 3 inches. Lower the Cutter Bar
and slide Bag Cutter (i) across the Cutter Bar
(see fig.2).
4. Press Seal Button (C). Red seal light will illuminate.
5. Using two hands, insert open end of bag into
Vacuum Channel (E) until clamp motor starts.
6. When red seal light 11 turns off, sealing is
complete. You may remove bag from the
Vacuum Channel (E).
7. You now have one sealed end.
8. Now you are ready to vacuum seal with your new bag
(see below).
How to Make a Bag from a FoodSaver
®
Vacuum Sealing Roll
Your FoodSaver
®
Vacuum Sealing System has a special
Quick Marinate Cycle which will last about ten minutes.
The vacuum motor will “hold” the vacuum for several
minutes then release the vacuum allowing the food to
“rest” for 30 seconds. This process will then repeat
two more times. This “Pulsing” action of “vacuuming
and resting” will allow for quicker marinating. When the
Quick Marinate Cycle is completed the appliance will
beep to signal marinating is complete.
The FoodSaver
®
Quick Marinator Canister is the perfect
FoodSaver
®
Accessory for marinating foods. Foods will
marinate in minutes when vacuum sealed because
the vacuum process opens the pores of the food and
absorbs the marinade more quickly.
Important Note: Use the FoodSaver
®
Quick Marinating
Canister with clear lid and large white knob. During the
Quick Marinate Cycle, make sure knob on accessory lid
is set to OPEN. Do not set knob to Vacuum. The
Vacuum position on the knob will allow the Quick
Marinating Canister to be used for extending vacuum
storage.
1. Prepare enough of your favorite marinade to fully
cover food inside a marinating canister. Always
leave at least one inch of space between contents
and top of rim.
2. Make sure rubber gasket underneath lids as well as
rim of marinating canister is free from food materials.
3. Make sure Accessory Hose is securely inserted into
port on the FoodSaver
®
Quick Marinator lid.
4. Make sure knob on accessory lid is set to OPEN.
5. Make sure lid is firmly attached to marinator base.
6. Press Marinate button 3 on the control panel.
7. Your FoodSaver
®
Vacuum Sealing System will now
begin the Quick Marinate Cycle. The Marinate
Indicator Light will flash to indicate the marinating
process has begun.
8. During the initial vacuum cycle the Marinate Mode
Indicator will illuminate. While Marinating, the
Vacuum Meter Display will blink during the Vacuum
Hold or Rest Cycle.
9. To preserve food safely, after completing the
marinating cycle, the appliance will signal with
short beeps to indicate your Quick Marinate Cycle is
completed. Press any button to silence the signal.
You may now cook or refrigerate your marinated food.
1. Begin with a FoodSaver
®
Vacuum Sealing System Bag
(or create a bag as described in the “How to Make a
Bag from a Roll” section above.
2. Place item(s) in bag, allowing at least 3 inches of
space between bag contents and top of bag.
3. Using two hands, insert open end of bag into Vacuum
Channel (E) until clamp motor starts. The vacuum
meter lights will illuminate (see fig.4).
4. Continue to hold bag until vacuum pump starts. You
may now release bag. Note: To prevent crushing
delicate items, you may press Seal Button (C) at any
time to begin automatic sealing process.
5. When red Seal Light 11 turns off, remove bag.
Refrigerate or freeze if needed. (See FoodSaver
®
Reference Guide for food safety tips.) Note: Wait at
least 20 seconds between seals to allow appliance
to properly cool.
6. See page 7 for information on the Pre-cut Bag Storage
(shown in fig 3.). This accessory is not included with
all units.
How to Vacuum Seal with FoodSaver
®
Vacuum Sealing Bags
Tips for Successful Vacuum Sealing (continued)
Tips for Successful Vacuum Sealing
11. If appliance does not function, or Seal button (C) flashes to
signal ERROR:
a. Check power cord to see if it is firmly plugged into an
electrical outlet.
b. Examine power cord for any damages.
c. See if electrical outlet is working by plugging in
another appliance.
d. Check to be certain the Bag Detection Tray (P) is
properly inserted.
e. Make sure bag is placed correctly inside Vacuum Channel
(E). (See How to Vacuum Seal with FoodSaver
®
Vacuum
Sealing Bags.)
f. Check to ensure Release Buttons (K) are properly latched.
g. Check Foam Gasket (M) around Drip Tray to make sure
it is free from food material and is properly inserted
into gasket channel.
h. Check Upper Gasket (Q) around Bag Detection Tray (P)
to be sure it is free from food material.
i. If overheated, allow appliance to cool for 20 minutes.
j. For more usage tips and safety information, please refer to
the FoodSaver
®
Reference Guide or visit our website at
www.foodsaver.com.
Tips on Removing Air from a Bag
Avoid wrinkles when inserting the bag into the
Vacuum Channel (E).
Wrinkles in seal may cause leakage and allow air to return into
bag. To eliminate any wrinkles while inserting bag into the
vacuum channel (E), hold bag with two hands gently stretching
bag flat until vacuum pump begins. If you find wrinkles after
sealing bag, simply cut bag open and vacuum seal again.
If motor runs for more than 30 seconds without stopping,
consider the following:
If you are vacuum sealing with a bag, make sure the bag is
properly sealed (see “How to Make a Bag From a Roll”.) Check
foam gasket around Drip Tray to make sure it is free from food
material and is properly inserted into gasket channel.
If vacuum sealing with an accessory, check Accessory Hose
connections to ensure a tight fit.
Tips for Successful Vacuum Sealing
Accessory Hose Reel
1. Prepare container according to FoodSaver
®
Accessory Guidelines.
2. Pull Accessory Hose (F) from appliance and Insert the end
into the port on accessory. Twist tab while inserting to ensure
a tight fit.
3. Push Canister Vacuum Button 4 to begin vacuum process.
Motor will run until vacuum process is complete.
(To Marinate, follow instructions found in Marinate Button
section of this Quick Start Guide).
4. When motor turns off, gently twist and remove Accessory
Hose from accessory.
Note: if you are using a canister with large white knob, rotate
knob clockwise to the “Closed” position, then gently twist and
remove Accessory Hose from accessory.
5. To test vacuum, simply tug on accessory lid. It should
not move.
6. To retract accessory hose, while holding unit, gently pull on
hose end to allow hose to retract into appliance housing.
Do not release freely as it may damage the hose tip.
Note: For important tips on using accessories with different
foods, please refer to the FoodSaver
®
Reference Guide.
Pre-cut bag storage (as shown in FIG. 3, pg.4)
Some models include a storage tray for precut bags. Attach the
precut storage tray to the back of the housing by aligning the
four tabs into the corresponding slots of the back of the
appliance housing. Once aligned, gently press storage tray
downward until the storage tray clicks into place.
For information on how to purchase the pre-cut bag storage,
please visit our website at www.foodsaver.com.
How to Open FoodSaver
®
Vacuum Sealing Accessories
after Vacuum Sealing
FoodSaver
®
Vacuum Sealing Canisters
(without large knob on lid)
To release vacuum and open, push gray rubber button on lid.
Quick Marinators (with large knob on lid) and Universal Lids
To release vacuum and open, turn knob counterclockwise on lid
to open.
FoodSaver
®
Jar Sealer with Mason Jars
For use with Ball
®
and Kerr
®
brand Mason jars.
To release vacuum and open, wedge spoon between Mason
jar lid and highest part of threaded rim. Twist spoon gently to
release vacuum.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT use screw bands when vacuum sealing jars.
FoodSaver
®
Lunch and Leftover and Sandwich and
Snack Containers
Attached the supplied adapter to the accessory hose and place
the adapter over the vacuum valve of the Container lid. While
applying downward pressure to the adaptor, press the Canister
Button. Once the air has been removed from the Container, the
Sealer will automatically turn off.
FoodSaver
®
Bottle Stoppers
To release vacuum and open, simply pull up on Bottle Stopper.
Always unplug appliance before cleaning.
FoodSaver
®
Vacuum Sealing Accessories
fig. 1 fig. 2
fig. 3 fig. 4
4
5 6
7
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