Main Title

Frequently Asked Questions

We suggest applying the shortest cook time for a similar food (i.e., use the cook time for green beans if making sugar snap peas.) If unsure, we recommend beginning with a short cook time; then check for doneness before adding cook times in 30-second increments to avoid overcooking.

Yes. There is no change in the bag's performance if you need to check the food or add an ingredient. As the bag and contents will be hot, wait 1 minute before opening. Then simply reseal the bag and cook until done.

Yes.

Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags combine the taste and nutritional benefits of steam cooking with all the convenience of your microwave. Each bag has patented vents that allow food to be steamed under pressure so that it is cooked thoroughly and evenly for healthy meals in minutes.

For best results:

1. Place food and seasonings in bag and seal firmly. Moisture in food provides sufficient steam. Spread items into an even layer. Do not overlap meats. For best results with vegetables, add one tablespoon of water.

2. Lay bag in microwave with indicated side up and cook using guidelines on bag. Bag will inflate during cooking and a whistling sound may be heard.

3. Let bag stand for one minute, then open bag carefully holding top of bag where indicated. Serve and enjoy!

Bags and contents will become hot during microwaving. Wait at least 1 minute after cooking to handle the bag. Handle with care after cooking because hot steam may escape. When opening the bag, hold the top of the bag and open away from your body.

No. Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags are designed ONLY for use in the microwave. Do not use in a conventional oven, under browning elements, or on the stovetop. Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags are not designed for boiling.

Laying the Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bag flat, with the side indicated "Cook with this side up" actually facing up, creates the optimal positioning of the steam vents and maximizes surface area, which allows for even steaming of all of the food.

For best results:

1. Place food and seasonings in bag and seal firmly. Moisture in food provides sufficient steam. Spread items into an even layer. Do not overlap meats. For best results with vegetables, add one tablespoon of water.

2. Lay bag in microwave with indicated side up and cook using guidelines on bag. Bag will inflate during cooking and a whistling sound may be heard.

3. Let bag stand for one minute, then open bag carefully holding top of bag where indicated. Serve and enjoy!

Safety Tips

• Bag and contents will become hot during microwaving. Wait at least one minute after cooking to handle the bag.
• Handle with care after cooking as hot steam may escape.
• When opening the bag, hold the top of the bag and open away from your body.
• To prevent overheating, do not use bags with foods high in fat (like bacon) or sugar (like barbecue sauce) or exceed cook times of 15 minutes. Do not use in conventional oven, under browning elements, or on stovetop.

For best results, cooking with more than one Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bag is not recommended because it will affect the suggested cooking times printed on the bags and the cooking quality between the different bags.

The wattage of your microwave is usually located on the inside of the microwave, the door of the microwave or in the owner's manual. Definitely check your microwave's wattage because it greatly affects the cook times printed on the bags. All cook times were developed for an 1100-watt microwave but will vary according to individual microwave wattage and personal taste. If unsure of the wattage of your microwave, we recommend beginning with a short cook time; then check for doneness before adding cook times in 30-second increments to avoid overcooking.

Yes. Food can be placed in the Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bag and then stored in the refrigerator up to two days prior to cooking. For longer storage, place in the freezer for up to two weeks prior to cooking.

Some prepackaged frozen vegetables are sold in bags that require the consumer to poke holes in the packaging for cooking. Others have a venting technology, so the cooking process is similar to Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags. However, the frozen-vegetable bags are not resealable. Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags allow you to customize the types of vegetables you want to cook and adjust the quantity and seasonings to your tastes. You can even reseal and refrigerate your leftovers right in the bag for 2 to 3 days and then simply place the bag in the microwave to reheat.

Yes. You will still want to use Ziploc® Brand Freezer and Storage Bags for most of your food and nonfood storage needs. The steam vents in the Zip’n Steam® Bags do not offer any benefit to regular freezer and storage occasions. The Zip’n Steam® Bags are specially designed for the higher temperatures required for steaming food in the microwave, rather than for just briefly defrosting or reheating food in regular freezer and storage bags.

Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags are available in two sizes: Medium (10 bags per package) and Large (7 bags per package).

• Medium bags measure 7 1/4 in. x 8 in. (18.4 cm x 20.3 cm) and will hold approximately 5 1/2 cups or 2 to 3 servings.
• Large bags measure 9 1/4 in. x 8 in. (23.5 cm x 20.3 cm) and will hold approximately 8 cups or 4 to 5 servings.

Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags can be found in your local supermarket or mass-merchandise store in the home storage aisle next to your favorite Ziploc® Brand products.

Yes. These bags are specially designed for microwave use. They are made of two laminated films that are formulated to stand up to the high temperatures of cooking in the microwave, so they will not get soft and flimsy. The blue area above the zipper remains fairly cool to the touch for opening, when following printed directions. When pressure builds up in the bags, specially designed vents allow it to escape. Always allow the bag to stand for 1 minute before handling and carefully open the bag away from your body to allow the hot steam to escape.

All S. C. Johnson's Ziploc® Brand Plastic Bags comply with the applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and applicable Food Additive Regulations, as administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Additionally, like all Ziploc® Brand products, the Zip'n Steam® Bags are dioxin free.

(For Canada: The above products also meet the applicable provisions of the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations as administered by Division 23 of Health Canada.)