Heat Sealing Question

[ericusrex]

Hi folks! I'm interested in sealing up some of my cellar in an effort to prevent dry-out. I'm being over-run by jars so I'm looking to seal some in plastic/mylar that I can easily stash in large plastic tubs. I'm not interested in vacuum sealing, just heat sealing. Is there an affordable way I can get this started? I see 12" heat sealers on ebay for around $100 and small hand-held jobs for under $10. Anyone tried this cheap one? I'd be completely happy if I could just heat seal Ziplocs. All help appreciated! Thx!

 

[jpmcwjr]

I believe that Ziplock bags are not suitable for long term storage. Maybe if they are really thick walled....

 

[3rdguy]

I use a vacuum sealer but dont always use the vacuum option...like a large Solani tin I just seal them.

 

[loneredtree]

I have used a hand iron used for model airplane fabric installation to seal Mylar bags.
https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXB357&P=0
$20

 

[darwin]

Be sure to use only thick aluminized Mylar bags. Anything else is second rate. I use quart and gallon size 5.5 mil. bags from MylarPro with excellent results. If you get a modeler's heat sealing iron get the one with a pointy tip. I use a dedicated mylar sealer which allows three seals across the top of the bags which allows three usages. The zip seal on MylarPro bags is very good, far better than any kitchen bag no matter how heavy duty.

 

[ericusrex]

Great info. Thanks! I was not aware that you could use a Food Saver without the vacuum. Maybe I can find a used one at a yard sale for cheap. Interesting option, that model hand iron. Thanks again!

 

[panamacharlie]

A friend told me that a regular household clothes iron can be used. The main advantage to the commercial sealers is that they are faster for sealing multiple bags.

 

[torque]

I've also read about people using something along the lines of this thing. Can't vouch for how well it works but might be worth some experimentation.
Hair Straightener

 

[cortezattic]

You will preserve the moisture in your tobacco, but the organic molecules that make tobacco worth smoking will pass through most plastic bags. Use jars, or prepare for disappointment down the road.

 

[woodsroad]

Mylar laminate bags are as good as glass, as far as tobacco storage goes. As long as the seal is intact.

 

[darwin]

Agree with woodsroad wholeheartedly. 5.5 mil aluminized Mylar bags are not most bags. They are an overarchingly superior product that could scarcely be designed more specifically for tobacco storage.

 

[craig61a]

I've been using food-grade 5.5 Mylar for about a year. I can get a lot more tobacco stored in a certain amount of space using the bags as opposed jars. And I can cut the seal at the top with a razor blade, and reseal if I so desire. Bags are so much easier and space saving.

 

[craig61a]

Fat finger...

 

[briarbuck]

Pacific Bag
Small foot sealer and your all set. I sent about 4 pounds split up into 1 oz portions over to Afghanistan. They worked like a charm and will stay fresh for years. These bags are less than 3c per

 

[jpmcwjr]

Nice looking, but scant information as to what they are made of. No mention of mylar, so are they thick plastic?

 

[curl]

I use my mom’s old iron to seal Mylar bags. I don’t think the tobacco will get out without some help.

 

[briarbuck]

Actually they are 4 different layers thick with mylar. Full vapor barrier.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Sounds good. Is that info available on their website? When I looked yesterday, did not say any specs.

 

[woodsroad]

folanator, Pacific Bag has some nice looking stuff (I like the block-bottom bags), but there is no information on the bag material itself. Sorbent Systems has a clunkier web page, but they are chock full of info on the materials that they use in their bags.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Folanator- Where/how did you obtain info about materials used in those bags?