Seal in the Flavor: The 5 Best Sous Vide Cookers
Sous vide cookers are one of the biggest trends in the culinary world right now. You seal your food in a bag and place it in a hot water bath. This cooks your food at the same temperature, the whole way through, while keeping it tender. If you’re just getting into sous vide, the number of sous vide cookers on the market may seem intimidating. Like any device, some sous vide cookers are better than others. We’re listing the best of the best to make your shopping experience stress-free. Oh, and don’t forget! If you’re going to be trying sous vide, you’ll need a vacuum sealer in addition to the cooker itself.
Sous Vide Precision Cooker by CookTech
One of the most affordable ways to get a sous vide cooker is to purchase a pump that turns any pot (or slow cooker) into a sous vide cooker. CookTech’s Sous Vide Precision Cooker circulates water in any pot after heating it to the temperature you want, accurate within a degree. Along with being easy to clean, it also has a lifetime guarantee. Due to the small size, you can store it almost anywhere, including a kitchen drawer. This sous vide cooker lists at $180, but can usually be found on Amazon for under $100.
Anova Culinary Bluetooth Sous Vide Precision Cooker
Anova is a popular brand that makes quality devices found in restaurants around the world. Their sous vide cooker lists for only $149 and includes features that make cooking a breeze. Along with being able to turn any pot into a sous vide cooker, it also has Bluetooth connectivity, which enables you to start, stop, and monitor your sous vide cooker from your mobile device. All you need to do is attach it to a pot and go!
Hamilton Beach Professional Sous Vide Cooker
Hamilton Beach is known for making quality at affordable prices. Their sous vide cooker is well-loved by users, and the list price is just $130. (You can usually find it on Amazon for around $100.) This model is the full sous vide bath, not just a pump. It lets you program the temperature and the cook time, so you can go about your day without being tied to the kitchen. The vessel holds six quarts (5.68 liters) and is made of a nonstick metal for easy cleaning.
Sous Vide Supreme Demi Water Oven
The Sous Vide Supreme Water Oven is one of your best bets for perfectly cooked food every time. This sous vide cooker is built with convenience in mind. A push-button start and incredibly quiet operation allow you to cook long-term without being disturbed. Strict temperature control keeps the water within one degree the setting your choose. Finally, the Sous Vide Supreme Demi Water Oven can hold up to 8.7 liters of water (that’s 9.19 quarts). Sous Vide Supreme has a $329 price tag on this one, but you can usually get it on Amazon for around $300.
Sous Vide Supreme Water Oven, SVS10LS
Few machines are as sophisticated as Sous Vide Supreme Water Oven SVS10LS. The name may be lackluster, but the food won’t be. Like the smaller model, it’s quiet, has push-button convenience, and keeps the water within a degree of its ideal setting. It also holds a massive 11.2 liters (11.83 quarts), which means you can even cook a roast in this thing if you want. The cooker can maintain water temperature for hours or even days depending on the setting, so there are hardly any limits to this device. This model goes for $429 on Sous Vide Supreme’s website, but you can typically get it for $320-$420 on Amazon, depending on the seller you choose and when you look.