Vacuum sealers are an essential tool for any home cook. Not only will they save you time and money, but using them to preserve food adds unbelievable flavor, making even the simplest dishes stand out.

“The price of a vacuum sealer will quickly be offset by the money you will save, as it can be used to drastically extend the shelf life of pretty much any foodstuff, be it in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer,” says culinary expert Julie Chernoff, food journalist, dining editor for Better magazine and member of Les Dames d’Escoffier.

They do this by packing in juices and preserving the freshness of food, minimizing its contact with air. Airtight environments prevent juices from escaping, keeping food moist. The airtight environment created by a vacuum sealer can also prevent solid foods from hardening since they won’t be absorbing moisture from the surrounding air. This is ideal when you need a long-term storage solution for fruits, vegetables or other perishable food items.

“Air is the enemy of food storage; it causes foods to go stale, get moldy, oxidize, or become rancid,” Chernoff explains. “By removing all of the air from inside a bag, bottle or jar, your food products will be good for much longer. Meat won’t brown in the bag, items stored in the freezer won’t get freezer burn, and dry goods won’t get buggy. You can even put your polished silver in a vacuum-sealed bag to prevent tarnishing from exposure to air! It’s a great tool for people who are into meal prep.”

These handy machines use suction to remove oxygen from plastic vacuum bags, applying heat to firmly seal them closed. Vacuum bags are typically held separate from the oxygen-sucking sealer, but some brands are beginning to combine the two in the same housing. It comes with a possible downside — a bulkier appliance — but you may decide it’s worth it for your needs.

The vacuum sealing method is often confused with shrinkwrapping, but they are distinctly different. Shrinkwrapping isn’t a viable way to preserve food, though it may have similar results within alternative applications, like storing clothes.

Unlike vacuum-sealed items, shrink-wrapped items are enclosed in film, which is effectively shrunk when heat is applied. The film adheres to the item, taking its shape. It removes most of the air but does not truly vacuum seal its contents.

Vacuum sealers work well when preserving meats and seafood, like fish (hint: add a flavor-boosting marinade before sealing to kick things up a notch). Once you’ve sealed it up, pop it in the freezer. Most quality vacuum sealers will create an airtight package that will keep in the freezer for an incredibly long time while preserving taste and minimizing freezer burn. You can say goodbye to throwing away leftovers and hello to buying in bulk without worrying about how to use it before it goes bad.

You can defrost your vacuum-sealed food while in the vacuum bag, but defrosting must be done in the fridge to allow it to remain at a safe, constant temperature. As such, you’ll need to allow enough time (about 24 hours for every five pounds of meat) for it to comfortably reach the desired temperature before cooking.

If defrosting your sealed food in the fridge is not an option, remove it from its vacuum-sealed bag. The inside of the vacuum bag is not sterile, so leaving perishable items at room temperature should always be avoided as it could result in bacteria growth.

Quality vacuum sealers are essential for adequately preserving products, especially food. That’s why you shouldn’t skimp on quality when choosing your vacuum sealer.

Also, consider what additional features you might want to make vacuum-sealing even easier and more convenient.

“An accessory hose is useful for dry canning and jar sealing,” Chernoff suggests. “Look for a unit with an easily removable/washable drip tray for cleaning up the liquid that sometimes gets sucked into the machine during the sealing process. Bag storage built into the unit is a big plus, as is a built-in cutter. The bigger and better vacuum sealers are likely to have those.”

The good news is there are vacuum sealers that will get the job done well at just about every price point, so you have some excellent options!