FoodSaver is one of the most popular brands offering vacuum sealer machines, and Vac 550 is one of the most reliable designs.
It weighs around 8.1 pounds and can help prevent freezer burns by sealing food items. The vacuum sealer machines come with a special roll for bagging – there are two-gallon bags and 3-quart bags.
The best thing about this vacuum sealer is that it works with canisters, jars, and bottles as well. Still, the users complain about FoodSaver Vac 550 not sealing, but we are here to share some solutions.
FoodSaver Vac 550 Not Sealing:
- Dry The Vacuum Sealing Bag
Vacuum-sealing doesn’t seem to be a complicated process, but it’s dependent on different conditions, including the vacuum sealing bag’s condition.
To ensure proper sealing performance, the vacuum sealer should only come in contact with a dry surface because the machine’s temperature isn’t sufficient to remove excess moisture.
So, if the FoodSaver Vac 550 has stopped sealing, it’s likely that the bag’s sealing end is wet because of the food that you are trying to seal.
For this purpose, we recommend that you check the sealing end of the vacuum sealer bag and clean it with a paper towel to make sure it’s dry.
Secondly, if you are trying to preserve the meat, it’s recommended that you use a napkin or a disposable kitchen towel to clean the juice or moisture from raw meat.
- Contents In The Bag
If the sealing end of the vacuum sealer bag is already dry, but the vacuum sealer bag is still not sealing, it’s likely that you’ve overfilled the sealing bag.
FoodSaver Vac 550 has a specific volume capacity, and going beyond this capacity can negatively impact the sealing performance.
It’s recommended that you read the instruction manual of your vacuum sealing bag and check the maximum capacity of your bag.
If the bag is overfilled, it’s recommended that you remove food from the bag and clean the seal to make sure it’s dry and clean.
Ideally, you should leave three to four inches of free space on top of the bag to prevent overfilling and effective sealing. If you’ve to preserve more food, just get your hands on a bigger bag.
- The Bag’s Condition
If the bag is adequately filled or is dry, but the vacuum sealer bag is still not sealing, you should check the vacuum sealer bag for tears.
Fortunately, the vacuum sealer bags aren’t very delicate, but they are still prone to tearing. So, if there is a small hole or tear in the bag, the vacuum sealer won’t seal properly, and the food will be exposed to air.
You can cover the tears with duct tape, but a better solution is to use another bag. It’s recommended that you purchase a roll of FoodSaver vacuum sealing bags to save time.
- Check The Gasket
If the gasket is damaged or worn out, the vacuum sealing won’t work properly. A gasket is a rubber part that surrounds the lid’s lower section – it ensures a strong seal and allows effective sealing.
So, if the vacuum sealer is not sealing, it’s likely that the gasket is broken or dirty. The solution is to remove the gasket by pulling it out of the lid (there won’t be any opposition).
If the gasket is dirty, you can use a damp cloth to clean it properly and make sure it’s dry before you install it again.
On the other hand, if the gasket is damaged or torn, you should replace it with a new one. A new gasket can be purchased from a hardware store or FoodSaver’s official website.
- Temperature
Overheating can cause permanent damage to your vacuum sealer machine, and overheating usually indicates an overworked machine.
The vacuum sealer machine utilizes heat to melt the bag’s sealing ends, and if you keep sealing the bags without giving your machine some break, it will overheat.
So, if the vacuum sealer is still not working, it’s recommended that you remove the vacuum sealer bag and turn it off for half an hour – it will ensure that all the components in the unit will be cooled down.
- Heating Bar
A heating bar is responsible for heating up the vacuum sealer bag, and if the heating bar has stopped working, it’s likely that the heating bar is damaged.
A damaged heating bar won’t be able to melt the bag’s sealing ends as it’s responsible for converting electrical energy from the wall outlet into heat.
To check if the heating bar is the problem, you have to follow these instructions;
- Turn off your vacuum sealer and let it cool down
- Look for screws on the bottom of the vacuum sealer machine and take them out with a screwdriver
- Take off the plastic casing to expose the internal machinery
- Access the heating bar, and if it seems damaged, remove it and install a new one
- Lid
FoodSaver Vac 500 can be used to vacuum seal the jars and canisters as well. So, if it’s not sealing, you have to check the lids of the jar or canister.
This is because if the lids are bent, they won’t be sealed properly. The solution is to straighten the lid and try to reseal it again.
In addition to bending, make sure that the lid doesn’t have any chipping or cracking. If that’s the case, you’ve no choice but to discard the lid.
- Attachment
Another solution is to check the attachment’s top, particularly where the air is removed from the jar. If there are foreign particles in the attachment, you’ve to clean it to ensure proper sealing.
- Power Connection
On top of everything, you have to check the power connections. This is because a vacuum sealer machine has to be connected to electricity with the help of a power cord.
The power cord must be tightly connected to the vacuum sealer as well as the power socket. If it’s loose, try to tighten it up, while a damaged cord should be immediately replaced.