Even if you are busy with work every day, you want to eat a meal that you have prepared yourself! People who want to cook for themselves, even if they are busy with work every day, often prepare side dishes on their days off or stock up on large quantities of ingredients. And with the coming season of cherry blossom viewing, picnics, and other leisure activities, cooking enthusiasts will be even busier than ever before. Can't we make things a little easier?


That's when we turned to the "Multi Food Keeper VC100," a vacuum storage appliance sold by the American appliance brand BLACK+DECKER. It is said to be useful for keeping food fresh in a vacuum state and for shortening cooking time. Since I have been using this brand's handy cleaner, I decided to try it out in anticipation of its suction power.
◆It's ready to use as soon as you buy it! Set with dedicated container

Multi Food Keeper is also sold with a set of dedicated containers, priced at 20,000 yen (excluding tax). The set includes the main body of the food keeper, large container (1,200 ml, 1 piece), small container (300 ml x 2 pieces), vacuum packing bags (2 large, 2 small), wine stopper (2 pieces), charger, and stand for the unit.


The main body of the keeper is slim enough to be held in one hand. It comes with a stand and takes up little space, so you can stand it where you can reach it.


Various attachments can be attached to the suction outlet to suit the container.


◆Vacuum life start!

We have just opened a baumkuchen, so we will try the vacuum-packed bag first. After putting the food into the bag, press the suction port against the blue circle and turn on the switch. The air inside the bag is gradually released with a buzzing sound, but it may take some getting used to because it is a little tricky to apply it.... The standard is until no more air escapes.

By the way, this baumkuchen was almost as moist as the first baumkuchen even after one week. Vacuum is amazing!

Next, use a container. This one is easy to use even for the first time, as all you have to do is attach a conical attachment to the tip of the keeper, insert it into the hole in the lid, and suction it out.


When you release the yellow lock on the top, you will hear a pleasant "Pushh! You will hear a pleasant sound when the yellow lock on the top is released, indicating that a vacuum has been created.

I usually pickle pickles, so I made them in a large container. Usually, I have to wait until the next day for the flavor to set in, but I was surprised to find that the pickles were ready to eat the day they were pickled, even though they were still very light.


By the way, the large container is quite tall and requires a lot of space in the refrigerator. I wonder if it is an overseas size...? Personally, I would like to have an intermediate size between the large and small containers.

◆Wine that is about to be drunk remains fresh

The set also comes with a wine stopper. It prevents wine from oxidizing when it cannot be drunk in one sitting.


To use it, simply insert it into a wine bottle and suck it out through the hole in the top... but there is no visible change here, so refer to the estimated time in the instruction manual.


In addition, the Multi-Food Keeper is also recommended for making sangria. It speeds up the infiltration process, so it is safe even for a quick party.


◆The optional square container is useful for preparing large quantities of food.

Another optional item sold separately is a 24cm wide square container (3,000 yen). I tried using it for a coleslaw salad, but as one would expect from such a large container, my hands became numb by the time I was able to vacuum it up completely.... It is true that the flavors blend quickly, but it may be tiring to vacuum every time you open it.


◆Items for people who like to cook

It is of course possible to vacuum-preserve ingredients while they are still fresh, but it is also nice that pickles, sangria, and other pickled foods can be prepared in a shorter time. According to the product information, the air pressure inside the container after vacuuming is about half of the atmospheric pressure despite its compact size, and the suction power is impressive!

There are some points of concern, such as the standard for completion of suction and the operating noise, but once you get used to it, you will be able to get the hang of many things. This is a useful item for people who like to cook, so it may be a good gift for them.