Melting bags

I got my two joules two weeks ago, and in my last two cooks, the bags have melted.

Last night, I think that it was from the hot bottom of the pot (145F). It looked like it didn't open until I pulled it out. It was vacuum-packed.

Tonight, in a ziploc to reheat it, it melted open in just 10 minutes -- I think it was from direct contact with the Joule.

Is anyone else having this problem? I had done a few cooks using other methods but hadn't had this problem.

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Comments

wolfiegirl

Are you using freezer bags or storage bags? Higher density freezer Zips shouldn't melt. FYI, I prefer using 3 mil vac bags....no worries of them melting sjnce they are made for sous vide cooking. A tad more expensive...a tad...but they are washable and reusable.

brian_martin2001

Did the bags melt, or just along the seams?

fisher23

More information please. Are these Ziploc Freezer bags? Never had a problem when I used them at or below the recommendation of 158°F. Even if it was at 145° on the bottom of the pot it's still 145°, freezer bags won't melt at that temperature. You said it was vacuum packed, did you vacuum pack a Ziploc? Please check the temperature of your water with a thermometer. This is confusing because if you used a vacuum bag the can handle boiling water and not melt.

hairyotter_273859

"-- I think it was from direct contact with the Joule."

Hmmm... very interesting.

I always get a little concerned when I see my pouches slowly swim towards the heater.

AngelArs_240456

I'd be willing to bet the bags that were used are not designed for Sous Vide...

fisher23

I've had a thermometer next to Joule while heating and never saw the temperature get anywhere near a temperature that would melt even a Ziploc. Barely a few degrees warmer than the water. Very curious and would really like all the details.

Jeremy_131558

Never had this issue with Joule or other devices using ziploc freezer bags or foodsaver bags/rolls. But I HAVE seen seams fail multiple times on ziplocs and once on a pre-formed vac bag. Do you have some pics by chance?

nico.beemster

Use proper bags. Problem solved.

hairyotter_273859

Maybe his water heater is kaput or werkt niet goed.

Just saw that you live in the Netherlands, I love Amsterdam. Been there many times and I'm always looking forward to returning. I first stared going there in the 1990's to smoke weed in a civilized manner, now (I never thought it would happen in my life time) we have some very nice legal weed here.

nico.beemster

Haha, nice. Kudo's for the bike!

Too bad most people who come to our beautiful small country visit Amsterdam only. Amsterdam is like the Las Vegas of The Netherlands. That is why I don't like it there.

The best thing coming from Amsterdam? The train back to Rotterdam. (there is a lot of rivalry going on between these two cities, because of this silly game called soccer)

Anyway, next time you come to the Netherlands please visit Rotterdam. Tons of cool stuff happening here right now! Pro-tip: you'll need a local to be able to find it.

Gave up smoking weed 15 years ago, but I'm glad you guys can get decent weed now.

Cheers!

Tom_Watson_36654

This. I think you might've nailed it. The Foodsaverbag, I think, was a preformed one, and when I thought about it, it seemed to have separated on the seam. Still, it was fine for three hours. I didn't even know I had them.

As for the ziploc gallon freezer bag, the water displacement worked fine, but I think it's possible it had a small, small hole in it and that's what the problem was.

Turkey turned out great though!

pd3ski_278514

Thanks for getting back! I just ran out of popcorn waiting for the resolve! I had a couple of freezer bags pin hole on me, nothing super serious but looking in there was a little disconcerting. It worked out thankfully. I've never experienced complete failure... knock on wood!

Cool.. glad the bird turned out! Please post some pics of what you're up to!

Martin_411586

Here in the Netherlands you've basically got three options (in my experience)

- Ziploc Freezer bags (imported and rather expensive)

- Toppits ziploc freezer bags (groothandel, kan ik je wel mee helpen)

- Cooking bags that don't (zip)loc (groothandel, kan ik je wel mee helpen)

The rest will quite reliably spring leaks on the sides/seam I find

Tom_Watson_36654

24 hour Asian or Korean brine in soy sauce, sesame oil, onion and garlic (this is really a no-risk brine that always works, usually with pork). Finished by brushing with more roasted sesame oil and broiling.

invictusman_1237564

What oven do you cook in? Gas or electric? Perhaps you are having problems with the oven, as a result of which you have this problem. I think you should check if your oven is defective! Also, maybe the problem is not so serious and you just put this bag very close to the walls of the oven because of which it melted. Or, air has entered it or liquid has leaked out. In fact, there are a lot of reasons! Maybe he was just defective. The last reason that comes to my mind is that your oven is dirty. When I bought kratom near me, I hid it from my wife in the oven (I thought it was a good idea then, since she rarely cooks anything in the oven). But then she decided to cook a duck and the irreparable happened ... You can imagine what happened next