Incredible Growing Marshmallows The Kitchen Vacuum Packer is an amazing device that vacuum packs food. email to friend
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Not many kids have their own kitchen vacuum packer, so it goes without saying that adult supervision is required. Hey kids you'll have to fight for time with the vacuum packer machine after Mom and Dad figure this one out! Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's direction for using your specific kitchen vacuum packer.

1. Fill the storage container jar a quarter full with marshmallows and replace the lid.
2. Attach the special vacuum hose that came with the unit.
3. Place the hose over the vacuum port on the lid and start the vacuum packer.
4. Don't take your eyes off those marshmallows! Why are they getting so big? When the unit turns off, remove the hose and stare at the marshmallows in amazement.
5. Make sure everyone is watching when you release the vacuum. Watch as the marshmallows shrink when the air comes rushing back into the container.
6. Repeat the experiment using a marshmallow bunny or try filling the container with marshmallow Peeps®. Wake the kids those little chickens are getting huge!

How does it work?

The job of the vacuum packer is to remove the air from inside the storage container. Under normal conditions, molecules of air from the atmosphere (called atmospheric pressure) are pushing on the outside of the marshmallow. When the vacuum packer removes the air that was once pushing on the outside of the marshmallow, the air trapped inside the marshmallow pushes out (expands) causing it to get larger. The marshmallows shrink when the vacuum seal is broken and air rushes back into the container.

READ THIS! Please note that no marshmallow bunnies were actually harmed while conducting this experiment except for the fact that a kid in the audience bit the bunny's ears off after the experiment. On the advice of my wife's husband, be sure to return the Kitchen Vacuum Packer home before someone notices that it's gone.

Additional Info

Now that you understand the concept, try using a small balloon in place of the marshmallows or fill the storage container with soap bubbles. What would happen if you placed a small bag of potato chips into a large storage container and removed the air? Let's say the goal was to shrink the marshmallows - how would you do it? Place the marshmallows into one of the plastic storage bags that came with the vacuum packer. When the air is removed from inside the bag, you get to see how the powerful properties of the air in the atmosphere as it compresses the marshmallows. Also see the Marshmallow Masher experiment.

Thanks to Patti Duncan from High Point High School in Sussex County New Jersey for sharing this idea.