Sous vide is a cooking method in which food is placed in a vacuum-sealed bag, immersed in water, and cooked using circulating heated water.
The popularity of this technique has increased in part because of restaurant chefs. It cooks foods to the perfect temperature with predictable results.
However, you don’t have to be a professional chef to take advantage of sous vide cooking. There are several immersion circulators on the market that allow you to easily use the sous vide method at home.
To find an immersion circulator that fits your specific needs, it’s important to do your research before buying.
Keep reading for our picks of the 4 best sous vide immersion circulators.
The French term “sous vide” translates to “under vacuum.” In culinary terms, the phrase refers to a method in which food is placed in a vacuum-sealed (or similar) bag and cooked evenly in water that is heated and circulated.
Home cooks can simulate sous vide cooking in their kitchens by using an immersion circulator. Immersion circulators are stick-shaped units that look similar to stick blenders. They typically clip onto the side of a pot.
The cook adds water to the pot, and with the push of a few buttons, the circulator begins to heat and move the water, creating a whirlpool-like effect. The movement of heated water around the food cooks it evenly and precisely.
One benefit of sous vide is that it cooks food more evenly and precisely than other methods, such as baking and grilling.
It helps prevent lean proteins, such as chicken breast and fish, from overcooking and becoming dry. It also works well for tough cuts of beef and other proteins that require long cooking times and low temperatures to tenderize.
Additionally, an immersion circulator makes it easy to cook eggs. It takes the guesswork out of knowing when soft-boiled and poached eggs are done. It can also be used to make light and airy sous vide egg bites.
Because the food is tightly sealed in a plastic bag, sous vide can be helpful for meal prep and for reducing food waste.