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Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

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Discussions > Coffee > General > Anybody use the...

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headchange4u
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Posted Tue Jun 10, 2008, 6:48pm Subject: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

I have been thinking about getting one of these little, cheapo vacuum sealers to store my roasted coffee, the Reynolds Handi-Vac. You can see it here: Click Here (www.reynoldspkg.com) I 've read several reviews and comments on the web and it seems that it actually works pretty well. The vacuum pump and three bags run about $10 at Wal Mart. You can get a box of extra bags for about 3 bucks. I did read that you will occasionally get bags that leak over time, but most of the time they work very well. I rarely roast more than a weeks worth of coffee at a time, but I think these bags would help keep the beans fresh. I'm using plastic freezer bags to store extra beans right now. I leave my bags open for about a day to vent gases. I bet you would you the vacuum unit to pull the gases out of the bag every day or so. I was wondering if anyone else have used these bags to store coffee for short periods of time with success? You think it would be better than what I am using right now?

Jeff_K
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Posted Tue Jun 10, 2008, 6:55pm Subject: Re: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

I noticed that system when it first came out, but haven't heard about anyone using it for coffee so I'd be interested in hearing any feedback as well. Can't be all that bad for the price and sometimes they have a few dollars off with a manufacturer's coupon.

headchange4u
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Posted Tue Jun 10, 2008, 7:14pm Subject: Re: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

You can get a coupon on the Reynolds website.

greeneye
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Posted Tue Jun 10, 2008, 10:54pm Subject: Re: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

Using vacuum containers to store roasted beans is not good, you suck out all of the good aromatic oils and the beans will lose their flavour a lot faster, the best method is a one-way valve zip-lock bag, just squeeze out the air when you close it and it keeps the beans nice and fresh.

headchange4u
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Posted Wed Jun 11, 2008, 4:40am
Subject: Re: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

greeneye Said:

Using vacuum containers to store roasted beans is not good, you suck out all of the good aromatic oils and the beans will lose their flavour a lot faster, the best method is a one-way valve zip-lock bag, just squeeze out the air when you close it and it keeps the beans nice and fresh.

Posted June 10, 2008 link

I have read about many people, including several from this site, who use the vacuum canisters to store coffee. In fact Vacu-Vin make containers specific to storing coffee. I don't really see how a $10 WalMart vacuum sealer is going to pull the oils out of the coffee. Mark Prince talked about vacuum sealing green beans with a Food Saver and then storing them in a deep freeze. I have heard nothing but good things concerning storing beans by using some sort of vacuum method.

GC7
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Posted Wed Jun 11, 2008, 8:49am Subject: Re: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

I have been using my foodsaver canisters to store my fresh roasted coffees after overnight degassing. I really should do the experiment where I split a batch and store them in vacuum or just sealed containers and taste test. In fact, given this thread I will do so!!! As per Mark, I have also stored away some Ethiopian Misty Valley and Guatamela Huehuetenago green beans in the foodsaver vacuum bags but unlike Mark I'm keeping them in my 57* wine cabinet. I can not imagine losing oils in a vacuum environment. They are not at all THAT aromatic as to escape in the 10 seconds it takes the foodsave to evacuate all gas from the canister. I will be very curious to read more responses.

DavecUK
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Posted Wed Jun 11, 2008, 1:49pm Subject: Re: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

I and some others use this method http://coffeetime.wikidot.com/vacuum-packing-coffee The Vacu Seal is a lot more expensive, the Reynolds unit seems a real bargain, although the valves on the bags of the vacu seal unit are really good quality and have a positive closing action, so even if pressure increases in the bag, they won't let by easily. One thing I tend to do is decant a days worth of coffee into a normal storage jar, then lightly re-vacuum bag. I find the coffee extracts better, otherwise the exposure to Oxygen can cause it to be a bit "fizzy" for a while. People keep saying to me, "ahh but if you home roast, just roast on demand".....I'm not doing this to extend the keeping time of the coffee, but for 2 reasons. The flavour is greatly improved The duration in days of the sweet spot is also increased. Sure the coffee keeps a while longer, but that's not the main reason.

Jeff_K
Senior Member

Posted Wed Jun 11, 2008, 2:18pm Subject: Re: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

I wonder if the bags would work by just using a regular household vacuum to suck out the air. If so, that would make it even less expensive to try. Might go buy a few and try it.

headchange4u
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Posted Wed Jun 11, 2008, 4:33pm
Subject: Re: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

DavecUK Said:

I and some others use this method

http://coffeetime.wikidot.com/vacuum-packing-coffee

The Vacu Seal is a lot more expensive, the Reynolds unit seems a real bargain, although the valves on the bags of the vacu seal unit are really good quality and have a positive closing action, so even if pressure increases in the bag, they won't let by easily.

Posted June 11, 2008 link

Thanks for the link.

While researching the Handi-Vac I saw several comments about the ZipLoc vacuum sealer. It seems that the valves on the Ziploc sealer are more prone to leaks and failure than other inexpensive vacuum sealers. From what I have read the Handi-Vac is the cheapest and most reliable ones on the market right now.

I decided that I am going to buy one of the Reynolds Handi-Vacs next time I go to WalMart. The vac and extra quart bags are gonna cost less than $15 so if it doesn't make a difference, I'm not out a lot of money. I have 2 pounds of Kenya on the way from Sweet Marias that I will use to test these bags out and see if there is a difference.

DavecUK
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Joined: 21 Sep 2005
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Posted Thu Jun 12, 2008, 4:34am
Subject: Re: Anybody use the Reynolds Handi-Vac for storing roasted coffee?

headchange4u Said:

I decided that I am going to buy one of the Reynolds Handi-Vacs next time I go to WalMart. The vac and extra quart bags are gonna cost less than $15 so if it doesn't make a difference, I'm not out a lot of money. I have 2 pounds of Kenya on the way from Sweet Marias that I will use to test these bags out and see if there is a difference.

Posted June 11, 2008 link

Unfortunately, you won't get the full benefit of sealing minutes after roasting, I suppose you will get some benefit though. Perhaps your next purchase to complement the vacuum sealing will be a roaster ;-)

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