If you’re into watching cooking shows where world-renowned chefs like Gordon Ramsay cook food with state-of-the-art cooking equipment like sous vide machines, and you start wondering whether you can cook sous vide at home with a Ziploc bag, you’re not alone.
Plenty of people wonder if Ziploc bags are safe for boiling, and the short answer is yes, you can cook sous vide with a Ziploc bag, but there are a few things you should know about before you get started.
What Is a Sous Vide?
Sous vide is a French cooking method that involves cooking food in a water bath at a precise temperature, for those of you who don’t know. This cooking method is said to result in the food being cooked evenly through and is very tender.
To cook any kind of food sous vide, you’ll need a sous vide machine and a Ziploc bag (or another type of boilable bag). You’ll also need a large pot or container to hold the water for the bath and something to weigh the bag down so it doesn’t float.
The sous vide device cooks the food by circulating water around the pot at a constant temperature, ensuring that the food cooks evenly. To use this method, you’ll need to first figure out the precise cooking time and temperature for your particular recipe. Once you have that information, you can set the machine and let it do its thing.
How Ziploc Bags Are Used For Cooking Sous Vide
Once you have all of your equipment, you’ll need to choose a recipe and season your food. Then, you’ll vacuum seal the food in the Ziploc bag and add it to the water bath. The Ziploc bag keeps the food and all the ingredients in one place while it’s cooked in boiling water.
Cooking times will vary depending on cooking, but most meats will need to cook for several hours. Putting your food inside a Ziploc bag ensures that your food will be cooked evenly throughout with all the flavours sealed in.
Once you’ve finished cooking, you can remove the food from the water bath and let it cool. The Ziploc bag also lets you store the cooked food in the fridge or freezer for later. If you’re planning on eating it right away, you can just cut open the Ziploc bag and serve.
Are Ziploc Bags Safe for Boiling?
Ziploc bags are made out of polyethylene plastic with a thin layer of aluminum foil. Polyethylene is a type of plastic that is safe for use with food and is heat-resistant. The bags are also BPA-free. So, yes, you can boil Ziploc bags, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you should only use Ziploc bags designed for freezer storage or vacuum sealable bags. These are the sturdiest and less likely to leak or tear when exposed to boiling water. You should also avoid adding any sharp objects to the bag, as they may puncture the bag and cause water to leak in and contaminate the food.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should never let the bag touch the sides or bottom of the pot while it’s cooking, as this can cause the bag to melt. Last but not least, you’ll want to make sure that the water doesn’t boil too vigorously, as this can also cause the bag to leak.
If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be able to cook sous vide with a Ziploc bag safely. So go ahead and give it a try!
What Is Kind Of Ziploc Bag Best For Boiling?
The freezer bag is the best Ziploc bag to use for boiling or a vacuum seal freezer bag, as they are the strongest and least likely to tear or leak. You should also avoid using bags made from recycled materials, as these are more likely to melt when exposed to boiling water.
Finally, make sure that the bag you choose is large enough to fit all of your food without being too full, as this could cause the bag to burst. Ziploc bags come in a variety of sizes, so you should be able to find one that is just right for your needs.
Safety Measures For Cooking With Ziploc Bags
In addition to choosing the right Ziploc bag, you should take a few other safety measures when cooking with boilable bags.
First, you should always double-check that the bag is made of food-grade polyethylene and BPA-free. You should also avoid using Ziploc bags used for other materials for boiling, as these could contain harmful chemicals that could leach into the food.
Last but not least, make sure that the bag you’re using is not made from recycled materials because those are the type that could melt in boiling water. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious sous vide meals without any safety concerns.
Ziploc Back Alternatives For Boiling
If you don’t have a Ziploc bag around, you can always use other food-safe plastic bags for cooking your food sous vide.
Some good alternatives include boilable bags made by other brands and some types of silicone bags. You can also use actual sous vide bags you can buy from most kitchen stores.
If you’re in a pinch, you can even use a regular ziploc bag, though you should be aware that these are not as heat-resistant as boilable bags and are more likely to leak or tear.
No matter what type of bag you use, make sure that it is made of food-grade polyethylene and BPA-free before cooking with it. Then, just make sure that the bag you choose is heat-resistant and can be safely used for boiling.
The Bottom Line
Cooking food sous vide is a great way to get perfectly cooked meals every single time. If you ever run out of vacuum sealer bags for your sous vide machine, always know you can rely on a good old Ziploc bag. Ziploc Bags are safe for sous vide use. However, for best results, it’s recommended to get actual packaging supplies intended for sous vide use.
Looking for sous vide bags for your food? Check out our wide array of restaurant supplies you can use for all your needs. Patek Packaging is a trusted name in modern packaging supplies in Vancouver, serving restaurants, kitchens, and companies in shipping and packaging supplies. You can rely on our high-quality merchandise every day.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it safe to boil food in a Ziploc bag?
Yes, it is safe to boil food in a Ziploc bag, as long as you make sure that you choose a freezer bag, as they are the strongest and less likely to tear or leak when used for boiling.
Are Ziploc bags safe for sous vide?
Yes, Ziploc bags are safe for sous vide as long as you follow the proper safety guidelines, such as using a freezer bag and not letting the bag touch the sides or bottom of the pot.
Are our sous vide bags safe?
Yes, sous vide bags that come with the sous vide machine are designed with food-grade materials to cook all kinds of food.
What temperature do Ziploc bags melt?
Ziploc bags will melt at around 176 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees Celsius).
What Plastic Bags Are Safe To Boil?
In addition to Ziploc bags, a few other plastic bags are safe to boil. These include:
- Sous vide bags
- Cooking bags
- Canning bags
As long as the bag is made of food-grade polyethylene, it should be safe to boil. However, make sure to double-check the manufacturer’s instructions to be specific.
Looking for Ziploc Bags? Check our shop here.