While food storage containers cover your needs when you want to pop leftovers in the fridge for a few days, you need a vacuum seal system if you want foods to last in the freezer without freezer burn—or if you plan to use the sous vide method of cooking.

Choosing a food vacuum sealer comes down to identifying the size and price range that will work for you. There are many affordable and compact vacuum sealers that are perfect for occasional use. However, if you are vacuum sealing foods in greater bulk, you may want a higher-end chamber vacuum sealer that can support frequent and heavy use.

A smaller vacuum sealer is great for sous vide—which involves cooking meat in a vacuum-sealed bag in a bath of precisely heated water—or for the occasional deep freezer food prep, but if you hunt, purchase meat in bulk or regularly freeze fruits and veggies at home, you should consider a larger food vacuum sealer.

A food sealer machine is great for preserving foods you want to freeze or chill. It also makes it easy to prep ready-to-eat meals for the cooler on a camping trip. Additionally, you may appreciate a food dehydrator if you want to make your own jerky or dried fruits.

Nowadays, as sous vide gains a wide culinary following, the food vacuum sealer is increasingly popular as a cooking tool, as sous vide cooking ensures meats are tender and heated to perfection. To outfit your kitchen for sous vide cooking, all you need is a vacuum sealer and a pressure cooker, slow cooker or immersion cooking kit.

If a vacuum sealer is part of your method of food preservation, you may benefit from looking over these tips for keeping foods fresh in your fridge at home. Know what temperature will work best for your foods and how to make the best use of your refrigerator’s multiple drawers and storage areas.