For those who want to improve their cooking skills a sous vide machine can be the perfect addition to your tool kit. Previously, almost only high-end restaurants used these gadgets. But recently, prices have come down to where you can have relatively affordable additions to your kitchen. These appliances make it easy to prepare a perfectly cooked steak, while taking all the guesswork and hassle out of cooking things like pulled pork or brisket. And it’s not just for meat, as a sous vide machine can easily handle soft-boiled eggs, homemade yogurt or fish. While some may say you need a lot of accessories like vacuum sealers or special bags to get the best results, starting with the right device will get you 90 percent of the way there. So to help you figure out which sous vide machine is right for you, we’ve put together a list of our favorite gadgets on sale right now.
What are we looking for?
Although they have a nice name, the main things we look for in a quality sous vide device are quite simple: ease of use, reliability and good design. It should be easy to clean and have clear, no-nonsense controls. It should also have some way of attaching to the tank or pot by means of a magnet or an adjustable clamp so that it does not come loose during use. Most importantly, it should have a powerful heating element and motor to ensure that the water reaches the correct cooking level without overcooking every time.
Anova Culinary
Anova is one of the oldest names in the game. I’ve personally been using one of their older models for almost seven years and it’s still going strong. However, in the latest version Anova Precision Cooker you get a number of useful upgrades, such as intuitive digital touch controls, a longer power cord, a stainless steel and waterproof IPX7 design, and even Wi-Fi connectivity. And with a flow rate of eight liters per minute, it can heat water to any temperature faster than cheaper competitors.
But perhaps the best part is thanks to the collaboration with the chef J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, the Anova app has one of the largest collections of tried and tested sous vide recipes of any manufacturer. So, not only is it easy to use, the Anova Precision Cooker can help you come up with lots of delicious dishes to try.
Alternatively, consider Anova devices if you like them but want something a little more compact Precision Cooker Nano 3.0. At $149, the Anova Nano is slightly more expensive than the standard model, but you still get all the most important features. if you don’t want to, pair your phone with the Nano.
Instant Pot
While Instant is best known for its eponymous dishes (you know, pressure cooker which almost everyone owns), making its first foray into the world of sous vide cooking a great starting point for people on a budget. for $100, Accu Slim it has a large LED display and simple controls for temperature settings, while an easy-to-use clamp allows you to attach it to the cookware of your choice. The device is water-resistant to protect against accidental submersion, and its 800-watt heater isn’t far behind those found in more expensive alternatives.
Breville
The Breville Joule Turbo It’s an updated version of our previous pick in this category, and it has pretty much everything you could want in a home sous vide machine. Launching in fall 2023, it retains the same compact design and magnetic base of its predecessor, while also featuring a more powerful 1,100-watt heater, along with a new Turbo mode that significantly reduces cooking times for many cuts of meat. Breville has also updated a number of recipes to support the new machine’s capabilities. The main downside is that there are no built-in controls, so when you want to use it, you’ll have to pull out your phone and pull up Joule Turbo’s free utility.
