To seal mylar bags using a clothing iron, you need the iron, a straightedge, and the bag itself. The process involves pressing the heated iron onto the bag along the edge you want to seal, using the straightedge as a guide to ensure a straight, secure closure.
Sealing Mylar Bags with an Iron: A Step-by-Step Guide
Sealing mylar bags is a crucial step for long-term food storage, protecting contents from moisture, light, and oxygen. While various tools exist, a standard clothing iron is a readily available and effective option.
Here's how to seal your mylar bags using an iron:
- Prepare Your Bag: Fill your mylar bag with the desired contents. Ensure the area to be sealed is clean and free of any debris or food particles that could interfere with the seal. If using oxygen absorbers, place them inside before sealing.
- Position the Straightedge: Lay the mylar bag flat on a heat-resistant surface. Place a metal or heat-resistant straightedge just below the edge of the bag you intend to seal. This provides a firm line to press against and helps create a clean, straight seal.
- Heat the Iron: Set your clothing iron to a medium-high heat setting. Avoid the steam function. Allow the iron to heat up fully. (Note: Optimal temperature can vary depending on the bag's thickness; testing on a corner is recommended).
- Apply the Iron: Once the iron is hot, set the clothing iron right down flat on your straightedge, with the edge of the iron pressing down directly above the straightedge onto the mylar bag.
- Press and Count: Apply firm, even pressure with the iron along the straightedge. According to the reference, a count of "1,002, 1,003, 1,004" while holding the iron in place can indicate sufficient time for the plastic layer of the mylar to melt and fuse together.
- Check the Seal: Carefully lift the iron. A properly sealed section should look fused together and be slightly cooler to the touch. Repeat steps 4 and 5, moving the straightedge along the unsealed portion of the bag's opening until the entire edge is sealed.
- Test the Seal: Once the bag has cooled completely, test the seal by gently trying to pull the edges apart or by applying slight pressure to the bag to check for air leaks. A good seal will be strong and airtight.
Using a straightedge helps ensure your seal is uniform and straight, which is important for creating an airtight barrier. Applying consistent pressure and adequate heat for the right amount of time, as suggested by the counting method in the reference, is key to achieving a reliable seal that "looks like we have a good seal."
