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Ziploc^® brand Zip’n Steam^® Microwave Cooking Bags

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For healthy meals in minutes!

Ziploc® brand Zip’n Steam® Microwave Cooking 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 quick, healthy, delicious meals.

Available Sizes:

Medium

Ideal for steaming fresh or frozen vegetables, potatoes, fish, poultry and more.
Each bag holds 2–3 servings.
Microwaveable (use as directed).
No cleanup—simply toss the bag and mess away!
Microwave cooking means quicker, easier meals.
Each bag is printed with useful guidelines for cooking times.

Caution: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep bags away from babies and young children.

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

You can refrigerate ingredients in a Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bag for up to two days before microwaving. For longer storage, place in the freezer for up to two weeks prior to cooking.
Prep individual healthy lunches and snacks in Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bags. Since you can use different seasonings in each bag, every member of your family can simply grab a favorite and pop it into the microwave.
Use Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bags to provide easy meals in minutes for friends and family who may feel under the weather and aren’t up to a bout of stove cooking.
Prep meals for family members who will be eating at different times so each person can enjoy a freshly cooked hot meal.
When planning a party, prep your food ahead of time in a Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bag and cook it as needed. That way, you can spend more time with your guests.
Bring your share of a potluck dinner in Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bags. Your contribution will be ready in just minutes, and your hosts will appreciate the easy cleanup.
For home-cooked meals wherever you travel, pack some pre-prepped Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® meals in a cooler, and then unpack and steam at your destination.
Is your toddler a picky eater? Make him feel at home wherever he is with his favorite foods steamed in a Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bag.
Give your college student a supply of Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bags. You’ll feel better knowing that he can quickly cook a healthy meal in his dorm-room microwave.
Streamline your favorite recipes that use cooked chicken (for example, chicken salad, chicken Caesar salad, chicken quesadillas).Thoroughly cook boneless, skinless chicken breast halves in Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bags. Then slice or cube the chicken as needed.
Simplify your holiday cooking, free up space on the stovetop and ease the washing up. Cook mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or easy, healthful side dishes in Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bags—without creating more dishes to clean!

*Calories are approximate

Cut foods into roughly equal size pieces, especially if mixing food types. After filling bags, pat ingredients into a single layer for microwave cooking.
When cooking meats, leave space between individual pieces rather than crowd them. Check larger pieces of food and food in the center of the bag for doneness. If additional cooking is needed, reseal bag and resume microwaving in 30-second increments as needed.
Fold the top edge of Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bags down and out to create a wide mouth that will stay open, making the bags easier to fill and keeping the zipper area clean to ensure a tight, secure seal.
Occasionally, liquid ingredients may escape through the steam vents in the bag. To facilitate cleanup, place a paper towel under the bag before microwave cooking.

Seasoning Tips

Powdered or concentrated seasonings like garlic powder or dried herbs, should be placed in the bag before cooking.
Liquid ingredients (like lemon juice, lime juice or soy sauce) and fresh herbs are best added after cooking.
Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bags make the most of small quantities of butter and oil. To evenly distribute the flavor, put a teaspoon or so into the bag after cooking vegetables and shake gently.

Cooking Potatoes

Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bags are an excellent solution for make-ahead mashed potatoes. Cook, cool and mash the potatoes right in the bag. Then put the bag in the refrigerator for up to two hours. Reheat before serving, adding milk as needed for the desired consistency. For easy serving, cut the corner off the cooking bag to use it like a pastry bag to pipe individual servings onto plates.
For quick and easy potato salad, simply dice potatoes and cook in a Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bag. Then transfer the cooked potatoes to a large bowl, mix with your favorite potato salad ingredients and serve.

Cooking Fish

When cooking whole pieces of fish, enjoy them plain or add your own personal touch for a mess-free and low-fat meal.
If you'd like to add some additional flavor, prepare a rub of spices and/or herbs and coat the top of the fish before cooking. The rub adheres to the fish during cooking so you can taste the flavors in every bite.

Are Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags really O.K. to use in the microwave?
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.)
What food can I cook in a Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bag?
Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags are great for fresh or frozen vegetables, potatoes, seafood and poultry. They are great for cooking fruits for desserts. You can add your own seasonings right in the bag, for dishes tailored to your taste. Recipe ideas are included with the bags and on the www.ziploc.com/steamerbags website.

Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags are NOT recommended for liquids or foods that require a lot of liquid (i.e., rice, soup or pasta). To prevent overheating, do not use bags with food high in fat (like bacon) or sugar (like barbecue sauce) and do not exceed cook times of 15 minutes.
Do I need to add water when cooking in Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags?
No. There is no need to add water. The moisture in the food provides sufficient steam.
Can I use Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags to cook on the stove?
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.
Why do I need to lay the Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bag flat in my microwave?
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.
How do I use Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags?
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.
Can I cook with more than one bag in the microwave at a time?
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.
How do I find the wattage of my microwave?
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.
Can Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags be used for storing and freezing?
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.
Is this product similar to the packaging used for frozen vegetables that can be cooked in the bag in the microwave?
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.
Will I still need my regular Ziploc® brand Freezer and Storage Bags in addition to Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags?
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.
What sizes are available?
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.
Where can I buy Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags?
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.
What if I don't see a cook time listed for a food I want to make in a Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bag?
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.
Will the bag still steam properly if I open it to check the food and then reseal?
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.
Are Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Bags kosher?
Yes.
I recently heard media reports that plastic products contain a chemical that can encourage prostate cancer. Do SC Johnson's plastic products contain BPA (bisphenol A)?
A recent study conducted and published by the University of Cincinnati found that the estrogen-like chemical BPA (bisphenol A) has been shown to encourage the growth of a specific category of prostate cancer cells. BPA is commonly used in the manufacture of certain plastic products, such as food-can coatings, milk-container liners, food containers, and water-supply pipes. As a result, media have been reporting on this study and the fact that this chemical is commonly found in plastic food storage containers.

SC Johnson does not use BPA in its plastic products, Ziploc® brand Bags and Containers.

SC Johnson is a leader in providing high-quality products. All of its products are extensively evaluated for toxicity and safety and comply with—and often even exceed—applicable quality and safety regulations.

For more information, please visit www.scjohnson.com
I have read an email that warned consumers about the alleged dangers of using Ziploc® brand products in the microwave. Is this information true?
In 2002, we became aware of an email that was being widely circulated, which warned consumers about the alleged dangers of using plastics in the microwave. This email claimed that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body, thereby increasing the risk of producing cancerous cells. We researched these claims and it is clear that the information is misleading, and unnecessarily alarms consumers.

Ziploc® brand products are 100% dioxin free. You also should be aware that dioxins can be formed only when chlorine is combined with extremely high temperatures, such as 1,500°F, which even the most powerful consumer microwave ovens are unable to produce.

Our Ziploc® brand products can be used with confidence when label directions are followed. All Ziploc® brand Containers and microwaveable Ziploc® brand Bags meet the safety requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temperatures associated with defrosting and reheating food in microwave ovens, as well as room, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures.

Like all Ziploc® brand products, Zip’n Steam® Bags are dioxin free. Additionally, they are specially designed for microwave use and meet the safety requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temperatures associated with cooking food in the microwave when label directions are followed.

Please help us alleviate consumers' concerns and share these facts with those who forwarded this misleading e-mail to you, and to whom you may have sent it. Thank you for giving us a chance to set the record straight.

Handy Tips

Prepare a work lunch in a Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bag and when lunchtime rolls around, pull the bag from the fridge and quickly steam a healthy meal.
For healthier side dishes with hardly any cleanup, cook fresh vegetables in a Ziploc® Zip'n Steam® Bag.
Bringing home leftovers from restaurants is now very easy. Placing the leftovers into the Zip'n Steam bags makes for secure transport, compact storage, and easy to microwave when home.