OBH NORDICA 7938 Food Sealer Instruction Manual

: June 3, 2024
: OBH NORDICA

Table of Contents

OBH NORDICA 7938 Food Sealer
Safety instructions
Use
Vacuum packing
Cleaning and maintenance
- Cleaning the appliance
Troubleshooting
Disposing of the appliance
OBH Nordica LIMITED GUARANTEE
Technical Data
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

OBH NORDICA 7938 Food Sealer

OBH-NORDICA-7938-Food-Sealer-PRODUCT-IMAGE

Safety instructions

Read through the instructions carefully before use and save them for future reference.
Connect the appliance to 220-240 V AC only. Use the appliance for its intended purpose only.
Always unplug the appliance when it is not in use.
The appliance must not be immersed in water or other fluids.
This appliance may be used by persons (including children aged 8 and upwards) with limited physical, sensory or mental capacity or who lack knowledge/experience of the product, provided they do so under supervision or after being instructed how to use the product safely by a person responsible for their safety, and they have been made aware of the possible risks.
Children should be kept under supervision to ensure that they do not play with the appliance. Children cannot always perceive and understand the potential risks. Teach children to use electrical appliances responsibly.
Cleaning and maintenance may not be carried out by children unless they are 8 years old and above and being supervised.
Place the appliance and the cord out of reach of children if they are under 8 years of age.
Make sure that the cord does not hang over the edge of the worktop surface.
Never place the appliance on or near a hob, naked flames or equivalent.
Never leave the appliance unattended when in use.
Do not touch the heating element when it is hot.
Make sure that no liquid is sucked into the appliance’s pump system.
Only use original accessories from OBH Nordica.
Always check the appliance, cord and plug before use. If the cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, an authorized service workshop or a qualified person, in order to avoid posing a hazard.
Extra protection is recommended through the installation of a circuit breaker with a nominal current of 30 mA. Contact an authorized electrician.
The appliance is for private use only.
If the product is used for any purpose other than that for which it was intended, or it is used without following the instructions, the user is responsible for any consequences. Any resulting damage to the product is not covered by consumer protection.

Prolong keeping quality and save both time and money
Oxygen is fresh food’s worst enemy and the biggest reason that it loses nutrients, consistency, taste and quality. Oxygen also causes freezer burns on food stored in the freezer and enables the development of micro-organisms. This is why the use of conventional storage methods such as storage in regular plastic bags and containers is not optimal because they actually lock in the air together with the food.
Vacuum packing removes the oxygen, thereby sealing in the taste and the food is kept fresh longer. Removing oxygen and storing food properly in either the refrigerator or freezer can also inhibit the growth of micro-organisms that can later develop into mold, yeast and bacteria.
OBH Nordica Food Sealers let you store food up to 5 times longer than with conventional storage methods. This means that you can:

Save money by buying economy or family size packages and vacuum pack them for later use – no waste.
Save time by preparing large portions and freezing in portion sizes straight in vacuum bags.

*In bags compared to non-vacuum packed storage (internal study on fresh fruit and vegetables, Sept. 2021).

Important!
Vacuum packing is not the same as preserving and cannot prevent food from getting old; however, it can delay the process. Vacuum packing is not a substitute for refrigeration and freezing. Chilled goods must still be stored in a refrigerator or freezer after vacuum packing.

If the temperature in the refrigerator is above +4°C for an extended period of time, it promotes the formation of harmful micro-organisms. The temperature should therefore be below +4°C. Food can advantageously be stored in
the freezer (preferably at -17°C or lower). Even if it does not kill all micro-organisms, it inhibits their growth.

Main components – see image on

SEAL button – this button has two functions:
- for sealing Food Sealer bags.
- during vacuum packing, this button stops the pump immediately and then seals the bag.
VAC&SEAL/CANCEL button – button for starting vacuum packing/sealing and stopping.
PULSE button – press the button to start the vacuum packing process. Repeat until the desired results have been achieved. Then press “SEAL” to seal.
DRY/MOIST button – controls the time for the vacuum packing process
Vacuum channel – place the open end of the bag in the vacuum channel. The air is sucked out of the bag and the vacuum channel captures any fluid from the bag.
Top/Bottom gasket – prevents air leaks.
Rubber strip – smooths out the bag during vacuum packing/sealing
Sealing unit/Teflon tape – seals the vacuum bag.
Air intake
Release buttons – allow air to enter, making it easier to open the lid.
Cord storage – located on the underside (not visible in picture)

NOTE! Press the corner of the lid hard to close it.

Use

Produce a vacuum bag from a plastic roll
Place the appliance on a flat surface and plug it into a wall socket.

Use scissors to cut the plastic to the length you require. Adjust the length so that there is at least 5–7 cm of space between the bag’s contents and the opening of the vacuum bag. Only use Food Sealer rolls from OBH Nordica.
Then place the short end of the plastic over the sealing unit and down into the vacuum channel, make sure the entire short end reaches down into the vacuum channel.
Close the lid. Start the sealing process by pressing the SEAL button and the indicator light will switch on. When the indicator light goes off, the sealing process is complete.
Press the release buttons on both sides of the appliance to open the lid. Remove the finished vacuum bag.

Important vacuum packing tips

Do not overfill the vacuum bag. Leave at least 5-7 cm between the contents of the vacuum bag and the bag opening.
Fold down the edge of the bag when filling to keep the bag opening dry and free of food, as otherwise the bag will not be sealed correctly.
Extend the bag opening before it is placed against the sealing unit to remove any folds and unevenness.
Do not place sharp objects such as fish bones and hard shells in the vacuum bag as they may penetrate the bag.
During the vacuum packing process, liquid and other particles can unintentionally end up in the vacuum pump, which can clog the pump and damage the appliance. To prevent this, liquid contents should be frozen in a freezer-resistant container before being vacuum packed in a vacuum bag. Also refer to the section “Preparation guide for various kinds of produce”.
If you are going to vacuum pack meat or other moist contents, place some paper towels between the contents and the bag opening. Leave at least 7 cm between the contents of the vacuum bag and the bag opening. Stop the vacuum process if liquid or small particles are forced out of the contents and into the bag opening to prevent liquid from getting into the vacuum packer. It is a good idea to use the pulse function to have better control of the vacuum process. Finish manual sealing by pressing the SEAL button once the preferred vacuum pressure is reached.
When vacuum-packing flour, grain and other powdery contents, a coffee filter can be placed between the contents and the bag opening. Make sure the paper/filter is not placed in the seal.
If the bag is to be used for sous vide cooking, use a new bag. Once a bag has been used for sous vide cooking, do not reuse it. NOTE: The sous vide cooking time must not exceed 72 hours.
Keep in mind that food that has a high fat content can spoil if it is stored too warm.
Vacuum packing of fruit and vegetables, such as apples, bananas, potatoes and root vegetables does not extend their shelf life if they are not peeled first.

Vacuum packing

Vacuum packing with a vacuum bag

Place the appliance on a flat surface and plug it into a wall socket.
Place the contents to be vacuum packed in a vacuum bag, leaving at least 5–7 cm between the contents and the opening of the vacuum bag. Only use vacuum bags/Food Sealer rolls from OBH Nordica.
Make sure the opening of the vacuum bag is clean, dry and free from folds.
Place the opening on the vacuum bag over the sealing unit and down into the vacuum channel. Make sure that all of the short end reaches down into the vacuum channel and that it covers the air hose connection and air intake.
Close the lid and push firmly until you hear a click from both the release buttons.
Then press the DRY or MOIST button depending on what is to be vacuum packed. Choose DRY for dry content or MOIST for liquid/moist content. If MOIST is chosen, the sealing time is slightly extended to ensure that the bag is properly sealed.
Press the VAC&SEAL/CANCEL button. The indicator light comes on. A vacuum builds up and after a few seconds you can see how the air is being sucked out of the bag. The entire process is automated and the appliance will seal the bag once vacuum is achieved and the SEAL indicator light comes on. When this indicator light goes out, sealing is complete.
NOTE! You can stop an ongoing process at any time by pressing the VAC&SEAL/CANCEL button.
Press the release buttons on both sides of the appliance to open the lid. Remove the finished vacuum bag.
Allow the appliance to rest for 10 minutes after each 25 processes to avoid overheating and the bag sealing too soon.
Note: This appliance reaches a very high vacuum pressure during the vacuum packing process. To keep delicate contents from being ruined by the high pressure, keep an eye on the vacuum bag and push the VAC&SEAL/CANCEL button if you want to stop the process earlier.
Dry off any liquid and particles in the vacuum channel after each vacuum packing.
Make sure that no liquid is sucked into the appliance, as damage arising from this is not covered by the right of return. See “Important vacuum packing tips”.

Pulse function
This function is mainly used for vacuum packing when you want less
vacuum power, such as with tomatoes, chips or the like. Or when
vacuum packing moist produce or sauces when you want to remove only a little air from the bag and then stop the process before the liquid is compressed.
Push the PULSE button repeatedly until the desired results have been achieved. Then seal the bag by pushing the SEAL button. Once the indicator light goes out, the bag is sealed.
After use, unplug the appliance from the wall socket.
Thawing and heating of vacuum packed contents in vacuum bags
The vacuum bags from OBH Nordica can be used in a microwave oven (thawing up to 70 °C) and can also be simmered in water. Open the bag by cutting off a corner of the bag so that steam can be released if the vacuum bag is to be thawed/warmed in a microwave oven. The bag can be thawed/warmed up by placing it in a pot of simmering water (the water must not be boiling).
NOTE! Never re-use bags that have been used in a microwave oven or have been simmered in water.
NOTE! Do not cook raw food directly in the bag in a microwave oven.
NOTE! Do not cook food that contains a lot of oil in the microwave oven, as the oil gets hot very quickly and can cause the sides of the bag to melt together.

Preparation guide for various kinds of produce

Meat and fish:
For the best results, the produce should be pre-frozen for around 1–2 hours before being vacuum packed to retain succulence and texture. If it is not possible to pre-freeze the produce, place a paper towel between the food and the bag opening. Take care not to let the paper not end up in the seal. Use at least a 7 cm margin on the plastic. The pulse function is recommended when vacuum packing moist ingredients. Finish manual sealing by pressing the SEAL button once the preferred vacuum pressure is reached. Note that beef may look darker when it has been vacuum packed as oxygen has been removed during the process.

Vegetables:
Vegetables should be blanched before they are vacuum packed since all vegetables emit gases during storage. When vegetables are to be frozen, they should first be pre-frozen for 1-2 hours. Separate them out on a piece of baking paper or the like to keep them from freezing together in a clump. Then place the frozen vegetables in a vacuum bag and vacuum seal the bag. Then place the vacuum bag in the freezer. NOTE! Fresh mushrooms, onions and garlic should never be vacuum packed due to the risk of anaerobic bacteria.

Fruit:
Fruit with a peel should be peeled before being vacuum packed. Feel free
to pre-freeze fruit for 1-2 hours before being vacuum packed. Spread them out on a piece of baking paper or the like so they do not freeze together in a clump. Then vacuum pack them in a vacuum bag and place in the freezer.

Baked goods:
Freeze the pastry for 1-2 hours beforehand. Of course, pastry dough, pies and cake mixes can be vacuum packed for later use.

Hard cheese:
Take an extra large vacuum bag so that you can re-use the bag if you want to vacuum pack the same cheese again. NOTE! Soft cheese should not be vacuum packed due to the risk of anaerobic bacteria.

Powder and flour:
To keep particles from entering the vacuum pump, a coffee filter or paper towel should be placed between the contents in the vacuum bag and the bag opening. Make sure that the filter/paper does not enter the seal. You can also vacuum pack the contents in their original packaging by putting the original package and its contents in a vacuum bag and then sealing the vacuum bag.

Liquids:
Before you vacuum pack a liquid, such as soup or broth, pre-freeze the liquid in a freezer-resistant container or ice cube form until the liquid is completely frozen. Then remove the frozen liquid from the form and vacuum pack it in a vacuum bag. Then place the vacuum bag in the freezer.

General rules when handling food

Always wash your hands, surfaces and other utensils that will be used when handling and vacuum packing the food.
As soon as you have packed perishables, they should be promptly refrigerated or frozen; do not store them at room temperature.
Produce that has been warmed or thawed should be promptly consumed.
Tinned food or factory vacuum packed food that has been opened can be vacuum packed again. Follow the instructions in the user manual and store the produce as recommended.
Do not eat thawed produce that has been stored at room temperature for more than 5 hours.
Spread the vacuum packs out in the refrigerator or freezer so that they are cooled faster.
Note that vacuum packing is not the same as preservation.

Cleaning and maintenance

Always unplug the appliance prior to cleaning and maintenance. Do not close the lid during storage, as this may cause the seals to deform.

Cleaning the appliance

Do not dip the appliance or its cord into water or other liquids.
Do not use scouring cleaners as the material may be damaged.
Use a moist cloth and some mild washing-up liquid to remove food particles and dust from around the appliance’s components. Wipe dry with a towel or the like.
Clean the appliance’s sealing unit, vacuum channel and gasket by wiping them off with a damp cloth.

Cleaning vacuum bags

Wash the vacuum bags in warm water and a little washing-up liquid.
If the vacuum bags are to be washed in a dishwasher, turn the vacuum bags inside out and place them in the upper basket of the dishwasher so that the entire bag’s surface comes in contact with water.
Let the vacuum bags dry properly after cleaning.

NOTE! Due to the risk of infection, never re-use vacuum bags that have contained raw meat, raw fish or fat. Never re-use bags that have been used in a microwave oven, simmering water or for sous vide cooking.

Storage
Store the appliance on a level surface out of reach of children.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause/solution
Nothing happens when I try to vacuum seal the bag.	Check that the appliance

is plugged in to a wall socket.
Check if there is any damage to the cord.
Check that the vacuum bag is correctly placed in the appliance (see earlier instructions).
The rubber strip comes off.| Push it back in place by gently running your finger over it from one side to the other. If the strip is too long, run your finger over it in the opposite direction. If the strip breaks, it must be replaced with a new one (which can be ordered from OBH Nordica at +46 8-629 25 00).
The appliance will not seal the vacuum bag after the vacuum process.| There is a built-in vacuum sensor in the appliance. The appliance will not switch over to sealing if sufficient pressure has not been achieved in the vacuum process.
Check the rubber strip and remove any dirt.
Check the gasket. If it is damaged, it needs to be replaced with a new one.
The vacuum bag may leak. Check the bag by sealing it with a little air and then lowering it into water. If bubbles come from the bag, it is leaking. Reseal the bag or use a new one.
Dirt or liquids in the bag opening can make it difficult to seal the bag. Open the bag and wipe off around the opening before it is placed level over the sealing unit.
There is air left after the vacuum packing process.| Leaks along the seal may be due to folds, liquid or particles. Wipe off the bag opening/lid before sealing is begun. Dirt or liquids in the bag opening can make it difficult to seal the bag. Open the bag and wipe around the opening before placing it level over the sealing unit.
Make sure the bag opening is over the sealing unit and in the vacuum channel. Check that the gaskets are whole, clean and positioned correctly.
The vacuum bag may leak. Check the bag by sealing it with a little air and then lowering it into water. If bubbles come from the bag, it is leaking. Reseal the bag or use a new one. Only use vacuum bags from OBH Nordica.
Check if there are holes in the vacuum bag. Do not vacuum pack contents that can damage the bag (such as fish bones, hard shells, etc.).
It is recommended to leave around 5–7 cm between the produce and the bag opening. But if there is too much air between the produce and the bag opening, it may be difficult to get all the air out of the bag during the vacuum process. If so, a piece of the bag can be cut off to make it shorter.
---|---
Air enters the bag after sealing.| Leaks along the bag edge can be caused by folds, crumbs, food, etc. Open the bag again and wipe the inside of the bag opening clean. Extend the opening before it is placed over the sealing unit.
Natural gases can be released from fruit and vegetables. Dispose of the bag with the contents if you suspect that the produce is spoiled.
Check if there are holes in the bag. Do not vacuum pack hard produce with sharp edges (such as nutshells), but if so, wrap them in paper towels before they are vacuum packed.
The vacuum bag melts.| Open the cover of the appliance and let the sealing unit cool a few minutes.
Only use bags and Food Sealer rolls from OBH Nordica.

Disposing of the appliance

By law, electrical and electronic equipment must be collected for the recycling of components. Electrical and electronic equipment marked with the waste management symbol must be disposed of at a municipal recycling point.

OBH Nordica LIMITED GUARANTEE

The Guarantee
OBH Nordica guarantees this product against any manufacturing defect in materials or workmanship during 2 years within Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, starting from the initial date of purchase or delivery date.
This manufacturer’s commercial guarantee covers all costs related to restoring the proven defective product so that it conforms to its original specifications, through the repair or replacement of any defective part and the necessary labor. At OBH Nordica’s choice, a replacement product may be provided instead of repairing a defective product. OBH Nordica’s sole obligation and your exclusive resolution under this guarantee are limited to such repair or replacement.

Conditions & Exclusions
OBH Nordica shall not be obliged to repair or replace any product which is not accompanied by a valid proof of purchase. The defective product may be returned to the store of purchase.
This guarantee applies only for products purchased and used for domestic purposes and will not cover any damage which occurs as a result of misuse, negligence, failure to follow OBH Nordica instructions, or a modification or unauthorized repair of the product, faulty packaging by the owner or mishandling by any carrier. It also does not cover normal wear and tear, maintenance or replacement of consumable parts, or the following:

using the wrong type of water or consumable
mechanical damages, overloading
damages or poor results specifically due to wrong voltage or frequency as stamped on the product ID or specification
ingress of water, dust or insects into the product
scaling (any de-scaling must be carried out according to the instructions for use)
damage as a result of lightning or power surges
damage to any glass or porcelain ware in the product
accidents including fire, flood, etc
professional or commercial use

Consumer Statutory Rights
OBH Nordica’s commercial guarantee does not affect the Statutory Rights a consumer may have or those rights that cannot be excluded or limited, nor rights against the retailer from which the consumer purchased the product. This guarantee gives a consumer specific legal rights, and the consumer may also have other legal rights which vary from Country to Country. The consumer may assert any such rights at his sole discretion.

These instructions are also available on our website www.obhnordica.com.

TEFAL – OBH Nordica Group AB
Löfströms Allé 5
SE-172 66 Sundbyberg
Phone: +46 08-629 25 00
www.obhnordica.com