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FoodSaver V2240 Vacuum Sealer Instructions (Part 2)

Photo of Susan Gast
Susan Gast, Author and Food Preservation Enthusiast
Susan has been dehydrating and preserving foods for over a decade, sharing practical, tested methods that help readers make healthy, long-lasting meals at home.

These food vacuum sealer instructions cover Part 2 of using the FoodSaver V2240. If you need the initial setup and bag-making instructions, start with Part 1 here.

In this guide, I’ll show you where to place the open edge of the bag, how to vacuum and seal it, and how I use the machine’s Seal function with Mylar bags.

Vacuum sealing helps protect properly dried food from air and moisture, but it does not make moist or perishable foods shelf-stable. Foods that normally require refrigeration or freezing must still be kept refrigerated or frozen after sealing.

✅ Quick Answer: How do you use a FoodSaver vacuum sealer?
Place the bag’s open edge in the vacuum channel, close and lock the lid, and press Vacuum & Seal. When the sealing light turns off, unlock the lid and remove the bag. For the Mylar bags I use, place the open edge over the sealing strip and press Seal only. Vacuum sealing reduces exposure to air and moisture, but perishable foods must still be refrigerated or frozen.

Whether you’re sealing dried green beans, jerky, or dehydrated soup ingredients, these FoodSaver V2240 instructions will help you avoid common mistakes and create a clean, secure seal.

Step 1: Place the Bag in the Vacuum Channel

FoodSaver vacuum sealer bag placement

The photo above shows exactly where to place the open, cut edge of your vacuum-sealer bag: directly in the center of the black oval vacuum channel.

Hold the bag flat against the front edge of the machine, keeping your fingertips clear as you close the lid. (It takes a little practice!)

Press down the lever on the right side of the machine to lock the lid and hold the bag in place. The lid must be locked before the FoodSaver can draw the air out of the bag.

FoodSaver - push the lever down to clamp the bag in place

Step 2: Smooth the Bag Before Vacuum Sealing

While the bag is clamped, I gently spread the contents into a fairly even layer. Make sure the open end of the bag is clean, dry, and lying flat without wrinkles where the seal will be made.

This small step helps reduce punctures because many foods become brittle and develop sharp edges after drying. Smoothing the contents reduces pressure points against the plastic as the air is removed. I can then place the finished vacuum-sealed bag inside a Mylar bag for additional protection from light and punctures.

Next, press the dark Vacuum & Seal button. The machine will begin drawing out the air. On my FoodSaver V2240, this usually takes approximately 6–10 seconds, depending on the bag and its contents.

Step 3: Let the FoodSaver Finish Sealing

The FoodSaver 'seal button' lit

When the vacuuming is finished, the machine automatically switches to Seal mode. The red sealing light will come on, as shown in the photo above.

Let the machine finish sealing before opening the lid. On my FoodSaver V2240, this usually takes approximately six seconds.

When the red light turns off, return the lever to its unlocked position, open the lid, and remove the vacuum-sealed bag. Check that the seal forms a complete, flat line across the bag without gaps or wrinkles.

Important: Use Seal Only for Mylar Bags

When I place an already vacuum-sealed food package inside a Mylar bag, I use the FoodSaver’s Seal function only—not Vacuum & Seal.

Smooth Mylar does not contain the textured air channels that the FoodSaver needs to draw out the air.

How to Heat-Seal Mylar Bags With a FoodSaver

Foodsaver Food Vacuum Sealer V2240 interior

In the open-machine photo above, you can see the dark sealing strip directly in front of the oval vacuum channel. This is where the FoodSaver creates the heat seal.

Lay the open edge of the Mylar bag flat across the sealing strip, allowing approximately one inch of the bag to extend beyond the strip toward the inside of the machine. The edge does not need to sit inside the oval vacuum channel because no air is being removed.

Close and lock the lid, then press Seal rather than Vacuum & Seal. Wait until the sealing light turns off before unlocking the lid and removing the bag.

Check that the seal forms a complete line without gaps or wrinkles. Mylar bags vary in thickness, so test your particular bags before relying on the seal for storage. If the FoodSaver cannot produce a strong, complete seal, use a heat sealer recommended by the bag manufacturer.

I also avoid cutting away unnecessary material from the top of the Mylar bag. Leaving extra room above the contents means I can cut below the old seal and reseal the bag several times.

Pro Tip: Let the Heating Strip Cool Between Seals

Pro Tip:
Let the Heating Strip
Cool Between Seals

When vacuum-sealing plastic bags or heat-sealing Mylar bags, wait at least 20 seconds between sealing cycles to allow the sealing strip to cool.

If the strip is still hot, it may begin sealing the next bag before the machine has finished drawing out the air. A rapidly flashing FoodSaver light means the machine is not ready for another sealing cycle. Wait for it to stop flashing before trying again.


Before and After Vacuum Sealing Dried Green Beans

These photographs show dried green beans before and after vacuum sealing. Notice how the bag tightens around the food as the air is removed.

Green beans before vacuum sealing on the Foodsaver machine
Green beans after vacuum sealing on the Foodsaver machine

Label Every Vacuum-Sealed Bag

I use a black permanent marker to write the contents and sealing date at the top of the bag, above the sealed line.

Yes, I know the bags are clear—but once everything is vacuum-packed, green beans can still be mistaken for peas! :-)

Bonus Tip: Double Seal for Extra Peace of Mind

One of our visitors, Paul, shared a practical extra step that I also recommend: create a second seal above the first one.

After vacuum sealing the bag, reposition its open end slightly and press Seal to make a separate second sealing line. This provides a backup if the first seal fails, although it cannot prevent punctures elsewhere in the bag.

Check your stored bags regularly. If a previously tight bag feels soft or loose, inspect it for a failed seal, punctures, or signs of moisture before using the food.

— Thanks for writing in, Paul!

Compare Vacuum Sealers, Bags, and Rolls

The vacuum sealers and supplies below can help protect properly stored food from exposure to air and moisture. Compare the machine features, bag sizes, and roll options to find what works best for the foods you plan to seal.


Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine

Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine

The Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer features a handle-locking design and built-in bag cutter. It also comes with two bag rolls and 100 vacuum bags, giving you the basic supplies needed to start vacuum sealing right away.

FoodSaver 4800 Vacuum Sealing System

FoodSaver 4800 Series

The FoodSaver 4800 Series combines automatic bag vacuum sealing with a built-in handheld sealer for compatible containers and zipper bags. It also has a removable drip tray for easier cleaning, making it a versatile option for everyday food storage and bulk purchases.

FoodSaver GameSaver Bag Rolls

FoodSaver 8" x 20' rolls, 6-pk

These continuous FoodSaver GameSaver rolls let you cut each bag to the length you need. Cut a section from the roll, seal one end, add the food, and then vacuum-seal the open end.

  • Each roll measures 8 inches × 20 feet
  • Six rolls per package
  • BPA-free multilayer material
  • Useful for creating custom-length bags
FoodSaver Precut 1-Quart Size Vacuum Sealer Bags

FoodSaver 1-Quart Food Storage Sealer bags

These precut 1-quart FoodSaver bags eliminate the need to measure and cut sections from a roll. Fill the bag while leaving enough empty space at the top, then place the open end in the vacuum channel and seal it.

  • Precut 1-quart bags
  • 44 bags per package
  • BPA-free multilayer material
  • Designed for refrigerator and freezer storage
  • Convenient for portioning bulk purchases and leftovers
FoodSaver Pre-Cut Pint-Size Vacuum Sealer Bags

FoodSaver Pint-size Food Storage Sealer bags

These precut pint-size FoodSaver bags are useful when you want to seal smaller portions without wasting a larger bag. Leave enough empty space at the top so the open edge can lie flat inside the vacuum channel.

  • Precut 1-pint bags
  • 28 bags per package
  • BPA-free multilayer material
  • Designed for refrigerator and freezer storage
  • Convenient for snacks, individual portions, and small amounts of dried food

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—this does not affect the price you pay. Read full disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Vacuum Sealers

Do I always need to vacuum before sealing?

No. Use Vacuum & Seal with compatible vacuum-sealer bags when you want the machine to remove air before sealing. Use Seal only when making a bag from a roll, adding a second seal, or heat-sealing a Mylar outer bag. Remember that vacuum sealing does not make foods shelf-stable if they normally require refrigeration or freezing.

Why does my vacuum sealer stop between bags?

The FoodSaver may pause or refuse to begin another cycle when the sealing strip is still too hot. Wait at least 20 seconds between bags and allow additional cooling time if the light is flashing. If it still will not operate, check that the bag is positioned inside the vacuum channel, the lid is fully locked, and the gaskets are clean and properly seated.

Can I reseal vacuum-sealer bags after opening them?

Yes, provided the bag is still clean, undamaged, and long enough to make another seal. Cut straight across just below the original seal, keep the new open edge clean and dry, and then vacuum-seal it again. Do not reuse bags that held raw meat, raw fish, eggs, or greasy foods.

What kind of marker works best for labeling?

A black permanent marker works well on vacuum-sealer bags. Write the food name and sealing date above the sealed line, where the ink will not come into contact with the food.

Thanks for following along with my Food Vacuum Sealer Instructions – Part 2. By keeping the bag opening clean and dry, allowing the sealing strip to cool, and checking every finished seal, you’ll be ready to package your properly dried foods with confidence.

If you’d like more tasty ways to use dried food, don’t miss my free 5 Dried Food Recipes That Actually Taste Great PDF below. Inside you’ll find carrot soup, minestrone, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and even banana cinnamon rolls—all proven favorites that make dehydrating fun and delicious!

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

← Get your free copy now!

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

Get your free copy now!

More From Easy Food Dehydrating

More From Easy Food Dehydrating


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Play “Save the Harvest”