Cleaning plastic bags used for sous vide
I am using this kind of vacuum bag for sous vide. They work perfectly but recently I have been having a problem cleaning them.
I let them sit for a few days after using them without cleaning them, because I was too lazy - no excuses here. Then I got to scrubbing. I scrubbed them thoroughly with dishwashing liquid and even though they were completely clean they still smelled foul. So I scrubbed them again with antibacterial soap, thinking bacteria began to thrive from the decomposing meat and somehow clung to the bag, but they still smell bad.
Before I used to use the same kind of bag but bought from a different seller. The "model" was exactly the same, save that both sides of the bag were smooth. The ones I am currently using have one of the inside sides sort of "ribbed" with tiny horizontal and vertical grooves. I had no problem cleaning my old bags but now I can't seem to be able to get rid of the smell of these ones.
The smell wouldn't be bothering me so much if I knew it was safe to reuse them but I'm thinking it might harm the food if I cook it in them.
Am I correct in assuming so and, in either event, how should I get rid of the smell?
Just to be clear my main point is I am asking how to best clean my bags not if it's safe to reuse them.
Best Answer
I agree with @moscafj's answer to the linked question. As long as they are thoroughly washed and dried, the bags should be safe. However, you are still left with the smell.
Some plastics will absorb odors and it can be quite unpleasant. My go to for any issue with odors in plastic is baking soda. It works well in absorbing these odors and getting them out of the plastic material.
I would suggest placing some baking soda inside the bags and closing them up. Let them sit for a few hours or overnight. Discard the baking soda, then rinse well and dry thoroughly. If there is a small amount of residual odor, you can repeat the process. At the most, twice should definitely take care of it.
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Quick Answer about "Cleaning plastic bags used for sous vide"
One of the most effective ways to sterilize a plastic bag is to wash it with soap and hot water, then create a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water. Fill the bag with the bleach solution, let it soak for 2 minutes, and then empty and rinse the bag.How do you sterilize Ziploc bags?
Simply turn them inside out and wash them with soapy water and allow them to dry before reusing them. You can even put them on the top rack of your dishwasher and clean them that way. Just be sure the water you use isn't scalding hot, because this may increase the odds of BPA from the plastic leaking into your food.Can Ziploc bags be used for sous vide?
Sous vide recipes you can use a ziplock bag to cookSingle-serve sous vide pork chops, sous vide ny steaks, hell, even sous vide frozen steaks \u2013 they're totally fine cooked in individual ziploc bags.What plastic bags can be used for sous vide?
Sous vide manufacturer ChefSteps recommends using food-grade vacuum sealing bags because they're BPA-free and made of polyethylene (we like the ones made by FoodSaver). These bags need to be sealed with a vacuum-sealing system, which FoodSaver also makes.Will sous vide melt plastic bag?
Will they melt? Well, yeah, if you subject them to high temperatures. Polyethylene plastic, which is typically used to make these bags, will start to soften at about 195 degrees Fahrenheit (90.6 degrees Celsius). If you put them in boiling water (around 212 degrees F or 100 degrees C), they will melt.Is Cooking Sous Vide with Plastic Bags Safe? | Joe Rogan
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