How to Choose the Best Sous Vide Cooker

Your Guide to buying the best Sous vide cookers

Overview

This buying guide provides an overview of sous vide cookers, which are becoming increasingly popular for home chefs who want to enjoy restaurant-quality dishes. This guide covers the different types of sous vide cookers available, as well as the features and benefits of each. It includes advice on how to choose the best sous vide cooker for your needs and budget, as well as information on how to use one correctly. Finally, it offers tips on how to get the most out of your sous vide cooker. Read on to learn more about sous vide cookers and find the best one for you.

Key features

  1. Size: Sous vide cookers come in a variety of sizes. It's important to determine how much food you plan to cook and what size of cooker is best for your needs.
  2. Power: Look for a model that has a high wattage output for faster heating. Some models also have adjustable power settings.
  3. Temperature Control: Check to see how precise the temperature control is and whether the cooker has an adjustable temperature range.
  4. Timer: Some models have an adjustable timer so you can set the cooker to start and finish at specific times.
  5. Safety Features: Look for a cooker with an automatic shut-off feature in case the temperature gets too high.
  6. Ease of Use: Make sure the controls are easy to operate and understand.
  7. Durability: Look for a cooker that is built to last. Check customer reviews to make sure any model you’re considering is reliable.
  8. Price: Sous vide cookers can range from inexpensive models to more expensive ones with more features. Find the model that fits your budget.

See the most popular Sous vide cookers on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Precision Temperature Control: Sous vide cookers provide precise temperature control, allowing you to consistently produce perfectly cooked meals.
  • Hands-off Cooking: Sous vide cookers require little to no attention, allowing you to focus on other tasks while your meal cooks.
  • Infused Flavors: With a sous vide cooker, you can cook ingredients in their own juices, allowing them to infuse with their own flavors and nutrients.
  • Versatility: Sous vide cookers can cook a variety of foods, from vegetables to meats, to desserts.
  • Consistent Results: Sous vide cookers provide consistent results, allowing you to cook the same dish over and over with perfect results.

Cons

  • Cost: Sous vide cookers can be an expensive purchase, with some retailing for more than $500.
  • Space: Sous vide cookers are typically large and bulky, and require a lot of counter space.
  • Time: Sous vide cooking generally takes much longer than regular cooking methods.
  • Safety: There is a risk of foodborne illness associated with sous vide cooking if the food is not cooked to a safe temperature.
  • Equipment: Sous vide cooking requires additional kitchen equipment, such as a vacuum sealer, in order to properly prepare food for sous vide cooking.

Best alternatives

  1. Instant Pot - This pressure cooker combines the convenience of a slow cooker and rice cooker with the speed of a pressure cooker.
  2. Air Fryer - This is an appliance that fries food using hot air circulation, with less added fat than a conventional deep fryer.
  3. Slow Cooker - This device cooks food at a low temperature over a long period of time, allowing for easy meal preparation.
  4. Grill - This is an outdoor cooking appliance that uses direct heat from charcoal, gas or propane to cook food.
  5. Smoker - This is an outdoor cooking appliance that uses indirect heat from wood or charcoal to cook food.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Immersion Circulator - An immersion circulator is a small device that can be attached to the side of a pot, container, or other vessel to circulate and heat water to a specific temperature. It’s one of the most popular ways to sous vide.
  • Vacuum Sealer - A vacuum sealer is used to package food in plastic bags and then remove the air. This helps to retain flavor and preserve texture.
  • Vacuum Sealing Bags - These are specially designed bags for use with a vacuum sealer. They are made with a special material that stands up to the process of sealing and then cooking in the sous vide.
  • Timer - A timer is a device used to set and keep track of the time it takes to cook in a sous vide. It helps to ensure that food is cooked correctly and that it is not left in the water for too long.
  • Thermometer - A thermometer is used to keep track of the temperature of the water in the sous vide. This is critical to ensure that the food is cooked to the proper temperature.
  • Container - A container is any large vessel that can hold water. It should be deep enough to cover the food being cooked and large enough for the immersion circulator to comfortably fit.

Common questions

  1. What is a Sous Vide Cooker?
    A sous vide cooker is a device that circulates heated water around a sealed food item, such as a steak, in order to cook it. This method of cooking is becoming increasingly popular and allows for more even cooking and more precise temperatures.
  2. What are the benefits of using a Sous Vide Cooker?
    The main benefit of using a sous vide cooker is that it’s a more consistent and precise way of cooking your food. It also allows you to control the exact temperature and water level surrounding your food, ensuring that it’s cooked to a perfect degree of doneness. Other benefits include being able to cook food in bulk and being able to keep it at a steady temperature for a longer period of time.
  3. What types of Sous Vide Cookers are available?
    There are two main types of sous vide cookers: immersion circulators and water ovens. Immersion circulators are more compact and can be easily placed in a pot of water to cook your food, whereas water ovens are larger and have a set temperature that food is cooked at. Some models also offer multiple temperature settings.
  4. Are there any drawbacks to using a Sous Vide Cooker?
    The main drawback of using a sous vide cooker is the amount of time it takes to cook your food. As the food has to be cooked in a water bath, it can take up to several hours to cook a meal - although this cooking time can be reduced depending on the type of food and the temperature you are cooking it at.
  5. What accessories do I need to use a Sous Vide Cooker?
    You will need a container to hold the water and your food, such as a pot, and a vacuum sealer to ensure that your food is sealed in order to prepare it for the cooking process. You may also want to invest in a sous vide rod or clip to hold your immersion circulator in place.

Trivia

A funny fact about sous vide cookers is that they were first used in professional kitchens in the 1970s, but the concept of sous vide cooking actually dates back to the mid-1800s. The technique was developed by a French inventor named Sir Benjamin Thompson, also known as Count Rumford. He created a water bath in which food was placed and cooked at a constant temperature, much like the modern sous vide cooker. The invention didn't catch on until the 1970s when modern sous vide cookers were developed. Sources: The Spruce Eats.

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.