Before reading on about the best sous vide immersion circulators, here’s a small explanation of this cooking technique. Up until recently this approach to cooking was usually only found in restaurants, but with the advances in technology it’s become very commonplace to do this at home.
Sous Vide is a technique for cooking food, utilizing water ovens or immersion circulators. The method goes like this: place the food in a plastic pouch or glass jar, in a vacuum, and then place in the water bath. Cook for a lengthy time at an accurate temperature (usually between 55 degrees and 60 degrees celsius or 130 degrees and 145 degrees fahrenheit).
Here are the best sous vide Immersion Circulators & Water Ovens:
- SousVide Supreme Water Oven SVS10LS
- SousVide Supreme Demi Water Oven
- Tribest Sousvant Circulator SV-101
- ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide Cap & Base
- Gourmia Pod Immersion Cooker GSV138
- Gourmia Vide Pod Circulator GSV140 2nd Generation
- Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker
- Gourmia Self Contained Water Oven GSV900
- Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano Bluetooth
- Kitchen Gizmo Sous Vide Immersion Circulator
The budget that you have will determine whether you’re going to get an immersion circulator, or the water oven style machine. Clear difference in price, and both work perfectly, but one has a convenience factor. Read on, and learn which unit will work best for you.
Scroll on down for the details of the best sous vide immersion circulators & water ovens…
SousVide Supreme Water Oven SVS10LS
This amazing water oven is a simple way to make some of the best meals. This machine can hold 11.2 liters, or nearly 3 gallons of water with 6 ¾” by 9 ¾” by 12 ½” dimensions.
The controls are soft push buttons with an easy to read digital screen. The temperature control is accurate within a single degree – with a range from 86°F to 210°. This temperature difference allows you to cook both meat and vegetables with ease, along with simmering tasty fruits and delicious soups.
The timer can be set from a couple hours to days, allowing you to set the everything up and just walk away. You can expect this sous vide machine to tenderize great cuts while also retaining the nutritional value of your foods. The lid itself can be inverted to become a tray, allowing you to dip your food into the interior – which allows you to cook all sorts of different types of meat, like pork, lamb, poultry, fish, and beef.
Made of a stainless steel inside and out makes this sous vide machine easy to clean. This Supreme water oven is made in such a way to not only be silent, but also by energy efficient. It’s recommended to use only vacuum sealed bags that are intended for this machine.
Customers who use the SVS10LS say that it works perfect for their needs and does everything promised. Others have said that the food is cooked all the way through – resulting in a perfect cook every time. Also notable is the included recipe book giving you all sorts of cooking ideas.
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SousVide Supreme Demi Water Oven SVD-00101
This great SousVide water oven holds nearly 3 gallons, or 11.2 liters of liquid, which allows you to make a lot of gourmet meals with the amazing controls.
The digital LED display is easy to read, and the soft touch buttons that allow you to adjust the temperature increments by a single degree, with a range of 86°F to 210°F.
All you have to do is season your food, vacuum seal it, and then simmer the pouches inside of the machine to get a delectable meal. The sleek exterior is easy to clean, and is matched by an equally as easy to clean interior.
This machine holds approximately a dozen 4 ounce portions of food. Included with this machine is a detachable power cord, allowing you to put it away whenever you need to. The universal pouch rack allows you to separate your food pouches, giving you the ability to maximize the amount you can fit inside this machine.
Reviewers have said that this machine is not only great at cooking food, but also compact enough to put away when you need to. Those who had no experience with sous vide cooking have said that this machine works really intuitively, and that the controls are incredibly simple.
It is recommended to use SousVide brand bags with this machine, but if you do use a different brand to make sure you use bags that are made from food grade plastic. The SousVide company has also included an insulating lid blanket, instructional DVD, and a recipe book.
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Tribest Sousvant Circulator SV-101
This beautifully made machine has stupendous all in one design, giving you a great cook all the time.
The powerful 1000 watt circulation system raises the temperature of water quickly, which works great with the precise temperature control. Getting temperatures within a single tenth of one degree fahrenheit, you never have to worry about undercooking or overcooking your food again.
The control panel is easy to read with the blue light digital display, and comes with buttons that are soft to the touch. The translucent carafe keeps track of your cooking without you have to open the unit up.
The energy efficient operation is quiet and allows you to slow cook as long as you need. The vacuum seal bags hold in all the juices and nutrients, and the insulated housing makes this machine much safer than comparable circulators. To push this safety even further there is a built in indicator that can warns you if the power has been interrupted while cooking.
People who have used this machine say that it has changed their lives for the better. Many foods that they didn’t like before, are now delicious with this great sous vide. Even those with limited cooking experience say that this machine is easy to use – the food comes out delectable and extra tender.
This water oven itself is easy to wipe down with the transparent carafe and stainless steel control panel. Tribest has included everything you need to use this machine with no additional containers or circulators.
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ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide Cap & Base
Be sure to click through to Amazon, and read the buyer comments, and you’ll see why this is definitely one of the best sous vide immersion circulators.
This sleek tool is easy to use is really portable with only 11” in length and weighing only 1.3 pounds. Because it is less than half the size of a typical sous vide machine, it can fit into the top drawer of your kitchen cabinets.
The 1100 watts of power heats the water up super fast, all with only needing a 120 V outlet.
Most impressively is that this ChefSteps machines is bluetooth and WIFI ready – working with both Android and iPhone devices to gives you precise digital controls. If this doesn’t work for you, you can also connect this device to your Amazon Alexa for great voice control.
The Joule app gives you step by step recipes to give you a whole bunch of ideas for great gourmet meals. The app itself, ever since the firmware updates, has worked without any unexpected shutdowns with all the different videos and recipes being highly praised.
Expert users of sous vide cooking says that despite how small and streamlined this machine is, it works just as well as full sized versions. Others have said this machine gives consistent cooking result every time and that its great for cooking everything from chicken, steak, and eggs.
The base and cap is made from a hardy stainless steel – which is highly corrosion resistant, along with being easy to clean. This ChefSteps Joule comes in both white, along with white and stainless steel.
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Gourmia Pod Immersion Cooker GSV138
This spectacular Gourmia sous vide pod comes in four colors – like stainless steel, white, bronze, and black. Despite it’s small size, you get considerable compact power with a motor that pulls 1200 watts.
The digital display is easy to read as it is a slanted LCD control panel that gives you accurate temperature and time readings. Located on the top of the device, you can keep track of your cooking while also remaining hands free. The rotating wheel allows you to control your preferred cooking settings.
The clip attaches to the bucket or pot of your choice, and gives 360° of water circulation. This circulation uses a gentle heat, cooking even tender meats all the way through for maximum flavor – this works because of the nano-monitoring and ‘set and forget’ ACT system. Because you have precise temperature control with a single tenth of a degree fahrenheit, you can cook a wide variety of meats and vegetables.
Because it’s Gourmia, you know you’re getting a great and hardy product that is ETL certified. Included with this product is a recipe book – which contains 19 recipes with everything from salmon to brulee.
This GSV138 pod works great with beginners and experts alike, giving you mouth watering food. Even first time users of this machine says this machine works great and with little difficulty, which is why it made our list of best sous vide immersion circulators. Works best in a 3.5 gallon pot with a temperature range of 32°F to 203°F.
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Gourmia GSV140 Immersion Sous Vide Pod 2nd Generation Circulator
This great sous vide product comes in three colors – black, white, and gold. The clip and cook feature allows you to cook in pan, pot, or bucket without using your hands.
To make sure you only have food that is the most tantalizingly tender, this machine maintains 360° of circulation with a gentle heat that is even throughout. This ensures that all of your meats are cooked throughout in the correct way every time.
Which should be able to do quickly too as this Gourmia product has 1200 watts of intense cooking power – impressive for such a small package! You can maintain the precise temperature with the easy to read LCD display, which has the ability to modify the degrees and time as you see fit. The rotating wheel on the side is for quick adjustment to your wanted cooking setting.
Because this is a Gourmia product, it is ETL (Edison Testing Laboratories) certified. This means you are getting a product that is high quality, efficient, and safe to boot., which is another reason that Gourmia products are eligible to be considered in the best sous vide immersion circulators list. Built into this product is the Active Control Thermostat (ACT) system, which monitors water temperature and automatically adjusts the circulation and temperature by itself.
The engine pump can circulate around 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM). People have said that this particular Gourmia product has instantly become one of their favorite cooking implements – with one user mentioning that their steaks have never been better. Others praise it for its abilities to make both proteins and vegetables perfect every single time.
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Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker – WI-FI + Bluetooth
This 900 watt machine makes delicious meals with startling consistency! Able to cook restaurant quality meals because of the precise controls, this Anova sous vide is simply attached to any pot or bucket and circulates the water with a gentle heat.
Note: The Anova Precision Cooker is the #1 Seller, in it’s category on Amazon (at the time of writing). Along with the numerous Amazon reviews, is why the Anova is considered to be one of the best sous vide immersion circulators.
With no additional equipment needed, you can just set the temperature and the timer and leave it alone.
The most impressive part about this machine is the built in Wifi and Bluetooth controls. Able to connect with any of your smart devices – all you have to do is download the Anova app and you can monitor, control, and adjust this machine from a distance.
Built into the app is over a thousand different recipes giving you all sorts of ideas and suggestions on making the best meals. You can also connect this device to your Alexa device, giving you voice activated control.
The temperature range for this units is from as low as 77°F and upwards to 210°F, with a 360° directional pump able to move round 1.2 GPM. The timer can be set for as long as 99 hours, and the heating power is at around 900 watts.
One person in particular has said that after many weeks of research they finally decided to purchase this Anova product and they couldn’t be happier! Each meal they’ve made – and they’ve made plenty – all come out incredibly delicious and juicy. All you have to do is simply clip it on the side, hit the settings you want, and walk away.
For detailed specs, reviews & pricing, click here…
Gourmia Self Contained Water Oven GSV900
Create amazing gourmet meals from a wide variety of meats and vegetables with this great sous vide. Using a gentle circulation and heating method, your able to cook even delicate foods tenderly.
The LED digital display is easy to read, and the soft push buttons allow you minute control of the temperature and timer. The inside has a 10 Qt capacity, which equates to a dozen vacuum sealed packages being cooked at once, or 24 cups of water.
Being a Gourmia appliance means it is ETL certified, and therefore offers peace of mind and high quality operation. Despite the impressive interior size this machine is actually pretty small, with the ability to be placed on a counter without taking too much space. With the exclusive set and forget ACT system, you can be sure that you’ll get a great cook.
What this system does is recalibrate the water to the proper temperature by adjusting the speed of rotation and the temperature of the heating element. This water oven has a completely silent operation, meaning you can leave it going over night without disturbing anyone.
Made from stainless steel this machine is easy to clean inside and out. People who have used this have said that this Gourmia product is impeccably made and warms up the water incredibly fast. Beginners have said that overcooking is a thing of a past and helps it to qualify to be in our best sous vide immersion circulators and water ovens review.
Others have estimated that this unit can make anywhere from 6 to 8 people at any given time. Included with the Water Oven GSV900 is a recipe book with 19 easy to follow recipes with accompanying photos – allowing you to make everything from chuck steak to glazed tenderloin.
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Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano Bluetooth
This great Anova Culinary sous vide allows you to cook like an expert with brand new nano technology, enabling it to be a part of the best sous vide immersion circulators list. This circulator gently heats and stirs the water, and conveniently attaches to the side of your choice of pot, bucket, and pan.
The temperature can be easily controlled with the digital LED screen and buttons, with a temperature range: 32 degree Fahrenheit – 197 degree Fahrenheit. The entire machine only needs a simple 120 V outlet. What sets this sous vide a tier apart from the competition is its Bluetooth capabilities.
Using the approved app from any of your smart devices, you can control this machine wirelessly from the comfort of your bed if you so wanted to. Control the Precision Cooker Nano for up to 30 feet, utilizing your smartphone. The Built into each app is 1,000+ recipe cookbook and guides that mean you’ll never run out of things to cook with this machine.
Some recent customers have said that while a vacuum sealed bag is ideal, you can actually use a ziploc bag to cook your food with if you so choose.
Current pricing, more info and current buyer reviews….
Kitchen Gizmo Sous Vide Immersion Circulator
Coming in blue, grey, and red, Kitchen Gizmo has provided a sous vide for any kitchen style! This inexpensive machine is incredibly easy to use and makes delicious food every time.
This small device is able to stay in the top drawer of your kitchen, and can be put into the bucket, pan, or pot of your choice. The controls are intuitive to use and allows temperature of up to 194°F with a margin of error less than a single degree, all of which is controllable with the smooth scrolling wheel.
Surrounding the top of this device is a ergonomically designed rubber sleeve. This sleeve is removable, allowing for easier cleaning. Being ETL certified you know you are only getting the highest quality and efficient sous vide.
You can use either a vacuum sealed bag or a simple ziploc bag. Included with this machine is rechargeable holster.
In order to get the most out of the Gizmo Sous Vide Immersion Circulator, and plenty of recipe ideas, Kitchen Gizmo has included a recipe book.
Users say that when they first used this machine they were blown away by how tender their meat came out – with some even going as far as saying they’ll never cook with anything else. With all that’s going for this Kitchen Gizmo, it had to be a part of our best sous vide immersion circulators review. Others have said that the included instructions and recipe book are easy to read and let you cook great tasting meals the same day that you get it.
Learn more here (Current Pricing/Buyer Reviews/SPECS)…
Watch A Quick Demo On Cooking With Sous Vide
Conclusion: Finding The Best Sous Vide Immersion Circulators & Water Ovens
This one was a bit trickier because there’s really a lot of great machines on the market that deserved to be a part of this best sous vide immersion circulators review. All of the products we mention in the review would be a good choice. If you’re still not sure, head over to Amazon, and see for yourself. The actual buyer reviews are the proof of the pudding! Just click here, and check things out for yourself before making a decision.
Sous Vide FAQ
1. What Can Sous Vide Cook?
When most people think of sous-vide they usually think of standard things like Meat and Fish . however there are a bunch of other food items you can cook sous-vide, which you never thought of.
Yogurt– making yogurt with sous vide is one of the simplest things you can do .
Barbecuing Meat– Of course meat comes to mind, but some people can’t get their head around the idea of putting a nice steak in a bag in hot water. However, the idea is to cook the steak or the pork chops to the desired level of cooking, and afterwards sear the meat at a very high temperature for less than a minute per side.
Corned Beef and Pastrami – With the right recipe you can have amazing corned beef and pastrami right at home, just like Katz’s Deli in New York.
Crème Brûlée – The dessert of champions. Need we say more….just get a good recipe.
Hamburgers – Same deal as steaks. Cook them to the desired level ( which is fully cooked for burgers) then sear them in a sizzling hot frying pan put cheese on them and enjoy!
Cheese Curds– There’s a bit of science involved here, but imagine being able to make your very own cheese curds in the comfort of your home….just you and your little old sous vide machine.
French Fries – Believe it or not. Yes there’s a process involved, but if you follow the recipe you won’t go back to cooking French fries in the regular way ever again.
Mashed Potatoes – What else is there to say…
Beef Stock – Being able to control the temperature so accurately helps to create a very flavorful stock.
Honey Glazed Ham – That’s right….
Egg Nog – How could we not include egg nog…pretty simple actually.
2. Is Sous Vide Cooking Safe?
The short answer is yes. There’s a huge industry around these sous vide immersion circulators and water ovens. If there was a danger, sous vide cooking would be no more.
The issues raised are:
- Is it safe to cook in plastic? Once again, yes it is. This kind of plastic is designed for this purpose, and doesn’t contain the bpa chemicals (and other undesirables) that can be unhealthy for us.
- Is it safe to cook food at a low temperature? It’s not low enough that it is going to be a breeding ground for bacteria. The USDA has set out guidelines, which are perfectly explained in an article on their website, right here: USDA Danger Zone
- Is it safe to cook under a vacuum? Yes it is, provided the temperature is not too low. There is one bacteria, know as botulism that thrives in low oxygen….but again while you’re cooking at a proper temperature, there’s little danger. After the cooking is when you need to be careful. Don’t let your food just sit there on the kitchen counter, cooling down. Force the cool-down by using an ice-water bath or by refrigeration. This ensures the food doesn’t languish in the “Danger Zone” for an extended period of time.
3. How To Calculate Cooking Times With Sous Vide
Well, there’s no easy way to do this. However, here’s the good news…the majority of manufacturers we mentioned in our best sous vide immersion circulators review, have websites that have charts and sections dedicated to guiding you along on what times and temperatures to use for the various foods you will cook.
These companies have test kitchens and teams dedicated to research. They’ve done all the heavy-lifting for us.
As a matter of fact, many of these sous vide circulator manufacturers have apps for your phone, which also ensure you are cooking according to a proven recipe. So, don’t worry. You’ll be in good hands!
We hope you’ve gotten the information you were looking for when you stumbled upon our best sous vide immersion circulators article. Hopefully it will guide you to making the perfect purchase for your kitchen and budget!