Bags, Rolls & Accessories
Sizes, savings, containers, and the accessories that actually help
Vacuum Sealer Bag Sizes
Vacuum sealer bags come labeled in familiar sizes — pint, quart, gallon — but those names are approximate. The actual usable space is slightly smaller than the stated size because vacuum bags have a heat-sealed border around all sides that can be up to half an inch wide. Factor that in when choosing a size.
| Size | Also Called | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 6" × 10" | Pint | Snacks, lunch meat, cheese, small portions |
| 8" × 12" | Quart | Leftovers, chicken pieces, steaks, fish fillets |
| 8" × 24" | — | Large fish pieces, salmon sides, long items |
| 11" × 16" | Gallon | Tri-tip, roasts, larger items |
| 15" × 18" | — | Very large items, whole plates (with 15" sealer) |
Rolls
Rolls let you cut bags to exactly the length you need — useful for unusual shapes, long items like ribs or fish, or when you want to minimize waste. Common retail roll sizes are 6"×10', 8"×22', and 11"×18'. Bulk rolls come in 8"×50', 11"×50', and 15"×50' — the 50-foot rolls don't fit in the built-in roll compartment of most discount-store sealers, but you can wind a smaller-diameter portion off a bulk roll and use that in the compartment.
The trade-off with rolls: making bags from a roll takes time and adds wear to the machine. Every custom bag requires two seals instead of one. On a big sealing session — say 16 items — using rolls means 32 heat-seal cycles instead of 16. That adds up and can cause overheating on lighter machines.
The 15"-wide roll is worth keeping on hand if you make homemade sausage. Standard 8"×12" bags can't accommodate a full sausage link. A 6"×15" bag cut from a 15" roll solves the problem neatly.
Using Big Bags with Small Sealers
If your vacuum sealer has a manual seal function, you can seal bags that are wider than your sealing bar by using an angled cut technique. Cut a corner off the larger bag at an angle — the cut section should be shorter than your sealing bar length. Load the item, then use manual seal mode to seal the angled cut. Then vacuum-seal the straight open end of the bag so the two seals intersect. It takes some practice but works.
Beyond Bags: Container Options
Mason Jars (Roger's First Recommendation)
Wide-mouth canning jars with a jar sealer accessory are the best value container option for most users. They're glass (truly dishwasher safe, very sanitary), cost about $0.79 each, replacement lids are $2.79 for 12, and they work for everything from marinating to long-term pantry storage. When a lid wears out, you replace the lid — not the jar.
The jar sealer accessory connects to the vacuum sealer via a hose and draws air from the jar through the lid. Great for shredded cheese, salad greens, spices, stocks, broth, and salsa. Also works for vacuum-marinating: place meat and marinade in a wide-mouth jar, vacuum seal, and the reduced atmospheric pressure inside the jar causes the meat's pores to open, absorbing marinade more quickly.
Vacuum Canisters
Rigid plastic canisters come in sizes from a few cups to 6 quarts. They connect to the sealer via the accessory hose and work well for delicate foods (crackers, chips, soft fruits) that would be crushed in a bag. They're also better for marinating than bags, because a rigid canister doesn't squeeze inward under vacuum — the meat can expand, opening pores for marinade absorption. The downside: plastic canisters are expensive, can crack in the dishwasher, and are harder to clean when used for liquids.
Wine Bottle Stoppers
Vacuum bottle stoppers seal opened wine under vacuum to slow oxidation. They also work for gourmet oils and liqueurs. Simple accessories, inexpensive, and genuinely useful for anything you open once and consume over weeks.
Accessories & DIY Tools
Plastic Cup Funnel
Save a large plastic cup from a fast-food restaurant. Cut out the bottom with a sharp knife. You now have a funnel that fits inside the bag opening, protecting the seal edge from food and liquid while you load the bag. Toss it in the dishwasher when you're done. Faster than folding the bag edge down, and reusable indefinitely.
Coffee Can Bag Stand
An empty 11oz. coffee can makes an improvised stand for 8" bags. Turn the first few inches of the bag inside-out, then place the bag inside the can with the folded-over portion draped over the outside rim. This holds the bag open hands-free while you fill it, and keeps the seal edge away from the contents.
Riser Plate / VAC-SHELF
A riser plate is simply a platform that raises the bag to about half an inch below the sealing strip level. This lets the bag rest flat without hanging, makes positioning easier, reduces creases, and saves about an inch of bag material per seal (the bag isn't resting lower on the counter). Any thick cutting board or stack of books works. Roger designed and sold custom versions — the VAC-SHELF — cut to fit specific sealer models from food-grade plastic cutting board material, with a storage lifespan chart printed on the bottom.
Bone Guard
Sharp bone edges will puncture a bag during vacuuming as the atmospheric pressure squeezes the bag inward. Fold a second piece of vacuum bag material over the bone, or pad it with plastic wrap or butcher paper. Some situations need two bags.
Accessory Hose (DIY)
Standard vacuum sealer accessory hoses cost several dollars from manufacturers. Aquarium air hose from a pet store costs about $0.10 per foot and works the same way. Adapters and splitters are available at auto parts stores.