The benefits of Sous Vide cooking

Chef presenting food

What is sous vide cooking?

Imagine cooking your food to perfection while you sleep. That’s just one of the many benefits that a sous vide can deliver. They take the guesswork out of food preparation, they use less energy, they can easily accommodate special diets like Keto, Paleo, and gluten-free dishes, and they create food that is bursting with flavor without adding oil, fat, or salt. These are just a few of the reasons that sous vide machines have become so popular.   

Types of sous vide machines

There are many sous vide machines on the market, but most fall into four main categories.

Sous vide immersion circulators

Food being put in Sous Vide

Immersion circulators are tall and slender units that clip onto the inside of your container. They are built with a heating element and a water pump. These two features heat and circulate the water at a consistent temperature to cook your food. Immersion circulators have the best temperature accuracy of all the sous vide machines and are now the most affordable at prices below $200. Next time you’re making your favorite recipe try making it with an immersion circulator sous vide. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is.

Sous vide water baths

Water bath Sous Vide machine

Sous vide water baths are less popular, bulkier, and more expensive than immersion circulators costing between $300 and $500. Due to the built-in bath size, you will be limited by the size of the container, and because there is no circulation mechanism, they will be less precise as well. One of the great benefits of these water bath designs is that they are self-contained and simple to use. They can also do things that other sous vide machines can’t, like poaching in oil or butter. If poaching or making stocks is an essential part of your sous vide recipes, water baths will do an excellent job and will be worth the additional cost.  

Stove-top sous vide

Stove-top sous vide machines are one of the cheapest and easiest ways to be introduced to sous vide cooking. They use heat from a stove or range to heat the water to proper cooking temperature and maintain the temperature while the food cooks. Although the cooking temperature can be sporadic, this method works well for cooking times of a few hours or less. Due to the fluctuations in temperature, longer cooking times may be a challenge, but this is an inexpensive method for someone interested in trying a sous vide recipe for the first time.

Sous vide temperature controllers

Sous vide temperature controllers use a crock pot or a rice cooker to heat the water while a separate device maintains the temperature. The temperature controller works by turning the unit on and off at various times to maintain the proper water temperature. They are easy to use and were previously the most inexpensive method of experimenting with sous vide recipes, but lower prices in immersion circulations have recently made them less popular.

Vacuum packed beef

Buying tips

Here are a few factors to consider.

Versatility and ease of use

Will the unit that you are considering work in different containers, is it easy to control or change the temperature, and is it easy to clean and put away? All of these practical questions need to be considered before you buy.

Cost

If you’re not going to use your sous vide every day, you may not need to spend $1,500 on a machine. If you’re only going to use your sous vide occasionally, buying a $200 unit might do the trick. Be sure that you’re buying the machine that best fits your needs. 

Stability of temperature

Vegetable cooking in Sous Vide

How stable will the temperature be on the sous vide that you’re buying? Having a stable temperature when you’re cooking is a very important factor that affects your food. Another factor to consider is recovery speed. In other words, how quickly can the machine bring the water back up to a heated temperature when you add food that might be colder than the water?

Heating speed

Depending on how often you use your sous vide and how demanding you are with its performance, heating speed might be a factor. A commercial kitchen may be very concerned with the amount of time that it takes to get the water up to the proper temperature, while those details may not concern a novice. These are important details that you will need to know before you shell out your hard-earned cash.

Tips and tricks

While sous vide recipes are fully cooked right out of the bag, they could use a finishing touch. Here are a few pro tips and tricks that can add “that special something” to your favorite recipe.

Tip 1

If steaks, chops, and ribs are your thing, try finishing them off with a blast of high heat. Take your cooked meat out of the sous vide bag and use a cast iron frying pan to give it a quick sear. In just a few minutes, you’ll be enjoying a delicious dish that’s crusty on the outside while being tender and juicy on the inside.

Tip 2

If vegetables are on the menu, they can quickly be seasoned and seared using a broiler. Try this with carrots, asparagus, eggplant, and potatoes for a flavor that can’t be beat. If you have a taste for French fries, try this little trick. Take them out of your sous vide bag and pop them in the deep fryer. In just a few minutes, they’ll be bursting with flavor, and you’ll be in French fry heaven.  

We hope this blog makes your sous vide purchase a little easier. When you’re ready to start your search, we have a large selection of sous vide machines for you to choose from. If you need further information, contact our knowledgeable customer service team for details.

a juicy steak cooked in a Sous Vide

About Steve Ubaney

Steve Ubaney is a copywriter and SEO specialist for TundraFMP. His blogs provide tips, tools and techniques that are sure to make you a cooking aficionado.

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