The Anova immersion circulator (sous vide time)

[NetWareHead]

I'm pretty much convinced to get this. But I haven't seen any mention of using 5 gallon paint bucket with this device. Would it not work? Would the plastic melt? I think 5 gallon paint bucket wrapped in insulation foil and lid would make for an excellent container. The paint lid even has a precut hole.

I don't think the bucket would melt. We are talking temps between 100-150 depending on what you are cooking? I've poured boiling water into contractor buckets like this without issue. I might want to use a food safe plastic bucket, but with the food inside plastic bags, I feel there is enough insulation between the food and any chemicals leached from the bucket.

The only negative about using a bucket is the depth of the water. I'm theorizing here but I think a smaller and shallower volume of water would work better. The circulator flows water and perhaps (i'm eyeballing the height of the circulator vs the depth of the bucket) there may be too much water for the circulator to mix properly? Looking at the cooler in the OP vs the larger amount of water and taller shape of a bucket.... maybe someone who owns one can comment?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Costco has the 4880 on sale currently for $129. I've had a v3825 for about 6 years and it has served me well.

Dang it. I'm not so sure about getting one at all. Dave Arnold at Cooking Issues makes a reasonable argument that it's not needed for immediate prep and for hamburgers (per Serious Eats) it's detrimental, so I think I'm going to use the liquid immersion technique from here. I know ziploc bags aren't cheap compared to the sealer, but I haven't done a break even cost analysis.

Decisions decisions.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

The cooler I'm using is 7 gallons and it has to be filled close to the top to get the water level mid-way between the min and max fill marks on the Anova. I think the theory is that more water provides for more stable temps.

My concern with using a paint bucket would be stability. Filled with water it should be fairly stable but I'd prefer having a wider base on the container. Also, when placing the Anova through the hole in the lid you'll need to cut out a place for the clamp tang to slide down into. And what would you tighten the clamp against?

I don't know if chemicals leaching from the bucket, if any, would be an issue. Except when doing eggs, the food is sealed in a bag and doesn't actually come in contact with the water.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I just remembered. I have a couple shipping containers for frozen Zostivax vaccine. The walls are a higher density Styrofoam over 2" thick. They are designed to keep the vaccine from melting while sitting around for 3 days. If that doesn't do it, nothing will.

 

[Imported]

I just ordered one of these. I was going to go for the Sansaire, but it's still not available and there was a new comparison of the Anova, the Sansaire and the Nomiku and the Anova came out on top although it was close.

TLC, how long did it take it to arrive after ordering?

I'm glad I held off on getting a Nomiku. Almost got in with the Kickstarter. I think I'd prefer the Anova over the Sansaire, especially after the comparison. Just seems like it is built to last.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Dang it. I'm not so sure about getting one at all. Dave Arnold at Cooking Issues makes a reasonable argument that it's not needed for immediate prep and for hamburgers (per Serious Eats) it's detrimental, so I think I'm going to use the liquid immersion technique from here. I know ziploc bags aren't cheap compared to the sealer, but I haven't done a break even cost analysis.

Decisions decisions.

You might want to try that first to see if it works for you. If not, you can always get a vacuum sealer later.

 

[ponyo]

The cooler I'm using is 7 gallons and it has to be filled close to the top to get the water level mid-way between the min and max fill marks on the Anova. I think the theory is that more water provides for more stable temps.

My concern with using a paint bucket would be stability. Filled with water it should be fairly stable but I'd prefer having a wider base on the container. Also, when placing the Anova through the hole in the lid you'll need to cut out a place for the clamp tang to slide down into. And what would you tighten the clamp against?

I don't know if chemicals leaching from the bucket, if any, would be an issue. Except when doing eggs, the food is sealed in a bag and doesn't actually come in contact with the water.

I figured the clamp could be attached to the side of the bucket like you would do if you're using a large metal pot. It seems like it would work looking at the picture of the device.

 

[Howard]

I have a vacuum sealer and I really only use it for veggies or multi-day soaks. Everything else gets a bag. Bags end up being cheaper especially since you can wash them.

 

[ponyo]

I just ordered one from Amazon. It's $1 more at Amazon but it should qualify for the 5% cash back.

 

[SagaLore]

Modified a Coleman cooler

Did you wrap the meat in something? I'd be concerned with carcinogens and xenoestrogens being released from the pastics in that cooler since it was not designed to be heated in that way.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Did you wrap the meat in something? I'd be concerned with carcinogens and xenoestrogens being released from the pastics in that cooler since it was not designed to be heated in that way.

Whenever safety is a concern I always wrap my meat. 😉

The meat is vacuum sealed in a thick plastic. I'm not sure that anything would leach out of the plastic anyway since I really don't do anything above 135F in the cooler. If I need higher temps or I'm doing smaller packages like fish or eggs I use a large stainless stockpot.

 

[ponyo]

My paint bucket setup. I did have to cut the lid.

 

[torpid]

Hmmm... we just got a ping pong table. In theory I could get an Anova and a ping pong robot and then use the balls for both purposes. My wife will certainly love the idea of me spending hundreds of dollars on things I will use once then throw in a closet.

 

[zinfamous]

hmm, looks nice there, ponyo. I'm considering either this or the Sansair, and it now seems like the Annova is getting better-reviewed, plus the current availability....


With these circulators, I was considering using them in a large stockpot. Now, is that ill-advised b/c of temperature transference in stainless steel vs the plastic in a bucket or cooler?

 

[Imported]

Is the paint bucket food safe? Why not get something like a Cambro box?

 

[zinfamous]

Is the paint bucket food safe? Why not get something like a Cambro box?

The Top Dog around here sells them for about 2 dollars each. Their relish ships in 5 gallon buckets like that--so I'm assuming there are definitely food safe versions.