Equipment Reviews: Sous Vide Machines

Sous vide cooking is easy, if you have the right immersion circulator. We compared the speed, accuracy, ease of use, and cooking results of several new models.

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[AuskaDezjArdamaath]

I have the Anova, my mom has the Joule. Performance is comparable between the two but I prefer my Anova since you don’t need an app to operate it.

[purplegill]

The biggest problem with app-based devices is that you're now entirely reliant on the fact that the company in question is willing to give the resources to keep the app updated because if the app breaks in any way or becomes incompatible with futuer versions of whatever OS you're on then suddenly you'll have a paperweight rather than a useful device. While I think apps are great as an additional component to a device, if it becomes the only way of using it then you're running the huge risk of never being able to use it again the second the app ceases to work.

[testbenchdude]

I bought the Joule for my wife right when they first came out. It either connects right up to the app and works flawlessly, or you're spending tens of minutes rebooting the app, plugging/unplugging the unit, rebooting your phone, cycling WiFi and Bluetooth, etc. Maybe they're better now or maybe they prefer iPhones (we both have Androids), but when it works, it works great and we both enjoy using it. When it refuses to connect, it is BY FAR the most frustrating piece of kit in our entire kitchen.

[jlwarren]

The fact that you HAVE to use the app for the Joule is a deal-breaker

[MMuraseofSandvich]

Top tip: *You do not need a cooking machine that needs an app.*

I got a sub-$100 sous vide machine. Works just fine. Just set the temp, walk away (or watch it if you're as weird as I am), and do what you need to do. You do NOT need a smartphone app, that is a gimmick and major security risk.

[chuckychuck]

I never had any issue with my 90.00 sous vide machine. every meal comes out perfect. Some of these sous videos are over price been a chef for 45 years. And I love cooking.

[peadookie]

I'm watching this now (April '22) as my machine is starting to kick the bucket after many years and tons and tons of use. But for the record, I've owned the Anova literally since it came out. If this video ends without recommending the Anova, I'd be blown away. Very, very happy with my Anova.

[jsully]

We have had 2 Anova ones for years and love them!

[daveclark]

I have that Instant Pot branded wand . I paid $40 at amazon 3 years ago. It's worked great for me. I use an old ice chest to save energy and keep the heat and steam in.

[brucefulton]

I can't fathom your continued choice of the Joule, which _requires_ an app, over the Anova, which has a full featured app, but also lets you turn it on and set it manually without having to bother with a smart phone. Manually setting temp and starting the unit is plain simple. The Anova is a tank, and even though it currently still features a screw mount, it has an adjustable height feature and works with most container sizes. Temp control is spot on, and it comes in different models to fit different budgets. No kitchen device should require a smart phone.

[beezalbub]

Any appliance that mandates the use of an app to work is always a no-go. Atk needs to recognize this and rank them lower. Apps are fine but you must have manual controls too.

[horsenuts]

I bought one of the first batch of Sous Vide Supreme machines to arrive here in England (I think the first batch was just 50 machines). I've been using it regularly for over a decade. When it was about 9 years old, the seal at the top started to leak slightly, so I emailed them to ask where I could get a new gasket. They came back very quickly and said, "Don't worry, send it to our agent in Ireland, and we'll replace the gasket for free".

Now, THAT was impressive customer service for a 9-year-old machine!

And of course, the SVS is silent and does not require an App to make it work. I think it will still be working fine in 25 years.

[jenjayl]

I have a Febote that I have used for over 4 years. It was under $70 it has 1000 watts of power. It heats up fast and maintains a constant accurate temperature. I use polycarbonate bins with lids. I love using it for tough cuts of meat and it's great for getting the perfect temperature with steaks.

[guycoburn]

I have an Instant Pot brand sous vide cooking wand circulator. It is very basic - just set temp and time with the controls on the top of the wand. It has a screw-type anchor to the pot/container. I am quite happy with it since it was only $79.00 and it works great.

I have done short cooks (2 hours) and long cooks (28 hours), using foil to cover the top. it works great.

I don't really see the need for fancy bells and whistles. Mine does the job easily at less than half the price.

[anthonycarter]

Had my Joule for over 4 years. Used it often, sometimes 1-2 hours, sometimes 24 hours cook. Can’t say how many cooks but almost two cooks a week. It finally died this week. Plugged it in and turned it on, tripped the breaker. Tried to clean it out thinking the blades were dirty but the machine just got very hot and quit. Oh well, it was a great 4 years. On to one of the newer less expensive machines. Now I know how to use a sous vide, they all do the same thing.

[jonschmidt]

I have had my Anovo for over 2 years. I noticed you tested it. I bought a dedicated bath with cover. I have never had a problem. It has an app but I do not use it.

[philfree]

I have the Anova and it works wonderfully for me. I don’t know what this is with the 5 minute increments, because mine I can adjust it to the minute on the machine as well as with the app. While the winner you can only use the app for the time and temp, which is why I didn’t like it. Anova worked so well for me I’ve given one several times as a gift and they all loved it.

[jameshedman]

I bought a Jule. It worked for 1 year and then quit. Not willing to invest that much $ again. My Anova, which I purchased a year before Jule, is still humming along.

[nickdaugherty]

Pro tip fill up the water container with warm or hot water and not tap cold water and obviously takes less time to reach desired temperature

[preslove]

I use mine so much that I keep a Rubbermaid container with an anova top and my anova all connected and sitting on my counter. A vacuum sealer is a must, too. Vacuum sealed meat will last in your freezer practically forever. Batch vacuuming gives you a lot of ready to heat food.