Photo: Ron Lach

Will boiling water melt plastic bag?

Will they melt? Well, yeah, if you subject them to high temperatures. Polyethylene plastic, which is typically used to make these bags, will start to soften at about 195 degrees Fahrenheit (90.6 degrees Celsius). If you put them in boiling water (around 212 degrees F or 100 degrees C), they will melt.

cnet.com - Why Ziploc bags are perfectly safe for sous vide cooking - CNET

How can you tell if your body is detoxing?

When detoxing from drugs or alcohol, your body goes through a process that can affect several bodily functions and systems. Some of these signs...

Last updated Jul 6, 2020

What drinks dont spike blood sugar?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends zero-calorie or low-calorie drinks. The main reason is to prevent a spike in blood sugar. ......

Last updated Aug 31, 2019

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

I'm known to go the cheap route whenever possible, so while learning to cook sous vide I used Ziploc bags instead of vacuum sealed bags. I have never had a problem with them. They didn't melt, burn or make me sick. Still, though, I had some lingering questions about their safety.

Too much air?

Some believe that Ziploc bags don't remove all of the air, resulting in less penetration of any marinades and -- worse -- bacteria growth in the food while it's cooking. Is it true?

Probably not. Research has found that it is the temperature you cook and store the food at that prevents bacteria growth, not the vacuum sealing. Plus, if you want to get all of the air out of the bag without a vacuum sealer, you can use the water displacement method to get the best results.

Here's how:

Fill up your sink or a bowl with water. Fill your Ziploc bag with the ingredients up to 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) away from the opening and close the zipper almost all of the way. Submerge the bag in the water, slowly, leaving just the open zipper area exposed. Pressure from the water will force the air out. Zip the bag closed before raising it out of the water.

Taylor Martin/CNET

Will chemicals leach into the food?

Another worry is that the chemicals from the plastic may leach into the food when heated, since a study and some other research got people to suddenly start pitching their plastic containers in the trash. That may be so, but it isn't any more likely than with vacuum bags designed for sous vide cooking -- they are made out of the exact same kind of plastic. The Ziploc website, for example, says that all of its bags are BPA and dioxin-free, which are some of the chemicals that most people are afraid of when using plastic.

Alina Bradford/CNET

To be on the safe side, stay away from any brand name or generic plastic baggie made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A little research on the company's website should tell you what the bags are made of. High-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene and polypropylene are the safest plastics to cook with. Thankfully, that's what Ziploc bags and most other zippered bags are made of.

Will they melt?

Well, yeah, if you subject them to high temperatures. Polyethylene plastic, which is typically used to make these bags, will start to soften at about 195 degrees Fahrenheit (90.6 degrees Celsius). If you put them in boiling water (around 212 degrees F or 100 degrees C), they will melt. Most sous vide cooking temperatures are below 190 degrees F (87.8 degrees C), so you shouldn't need to worry about melting.

Now playing: Watch this: This sous vide machine heats and chills food

First published Nov. 20, 2015 and has been updated.

Update April 6, 2018 at 2:26 p.m. PT: Refreshed article with photos and video. CNET Magazine: Check out a sampling of the stories you'll find in CNET's newsstand edition. The Smartest Stuff: Innovators are thinking up new ways to make you -- and the world around you -- smarter.

Why do dogs eat poop?

If your dog is eating poop, it could be for a number of reasons, including anxiety, attention, isolation, confinement or inappropriate association...

Last updated May 11, 2022

Why has my belly got so big?

If you eat too much and exercise too little, you're likely to carry excess weight — including belly fat. Also, your muscle mass might diminish...

Last updated Apr 27, 2019

Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Does New York City still dump their garbage in the ocean?

Ocean dumping, too, is largely a thing of the past. After protracted quarreling with the state of New Jersey, New York City was forced by the...

Last updated Aug 27, 2020

How do I know if my colon is inflamed?

Inflammation involves the rectum and sigmoid colon — the lower end of the colon. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and...

Last updated Sep 29, 2019

Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Does salt water clean your face?

“Salt acts as a mechanical exfoliant and scrub, removing dead skin cells. This leaves the skin feeling smoother, softer, and brighter. Through...

Last updated Jul 13, 2019

Fizzy juice “eats through” 59lbs of stubborn fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

What exercise burns the most belly fat at home?

Simple yet effective exercises to melt belly fat: Crunches: The most effective exercise to burn stomach fat is crunches. ... Walking: A very simple...

Last updated Jan 11, 2018