Sous vide bags: which criteria count?
A sous vide bag must be rated for food and vacuum cooking, withstand the cooking temperature, seal tightly and be sturdy. Our PA/PE sealed edge bag (90 µm) is food-safe, BPA-free and designed for −40 °C to +85 °C according to the data sheet. Ordinary freezer bags are not intended for this.
As of: 18.10.2026 · Reviewed by: Editorial team Elke Plastic GmbH · Information provided without guarantee.
The five criteria
- Food suitability: expressly rated for food contact and vacuum cooking, free of BPA.
- Temperature resistance: the cooking temperature and time must stay below the bag’s limit.
- Vacuum suitability: the material and the sealed seam must stay airtight.
- Strength: multi-layer film made of polyamide (PA) and polyethylene (PE) protects against punctures from bones or edges.
- Suitable size: the food should lie flat and be surrounded by water.
Our vacuum bag: data sheet extract
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | PA 20 / PE 70, 2-layer coextruded film (PA outside, PE as the sealing layer) |
| Thickness | 90 µm |
| Temperature range | −40 °C to +85 °C |
| Suitability | vacuum cooking, food-safe, BPA-free |
| Seam | three-side seal 8 mm, transparent, unprinted |
| Sizes | 21 sizes from 135 × 180 mm to 400 × 600 mm |
To the item: sealed edge bags.
What is not suitable
- Ordinary freezer bags, zip bags and flat bags without information on heat resistance.
- Bags without marking for food contact.
- Temperatures above the manufacturer’s specification: for our bag, +85 °C.
Frequently asked questions
Which bag is suitable for sous vide?
A bag that is expressly rated for vacuum cooking and food contact and withstands the cooking temperature. Multi-layer PA/PE bags are typical.
What temperature does the PA/PE vacuum bag withstand?
According to the item data, the bag is designed for −40 °C to +85 °C. That covers typical sous vide temperatures, but not boiling at 100 °C.
Can I use ordinary freezer bags for sous vide?
We advise against it. Freezer bags are not rated for cooking in warm water and may leak.
How thick should a sous vide bag be?
Our PA/PE bag is 90 µm thick. Multi-layer films of this thickness are common for vacuum packing and cooking.