Pseudo sous vide

Z_Eggineer · December 2012

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33967-6-Quart-Programmable/dp/B001AO2PXK/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&qid=1354729970&s=merchant&sr=1-13

Would this unit work better for converting to a sous vide? SWMBO says I can't get a machine that costs > $100, but can if it is under that and she can use it as a slow cooker.

Thoughts?

The Cen-Tex Smoker · December 2012

how do you intend to convert it to a sousvide? The water bath needs to hold precise temp so anything with "low, med, high" is not going to get it done. You will still need a precise way to hold water temp

Z_Eggineer · December 2012

Yeah I guess I would have to install a temperature controller on the heating element. I realize it wouldn't cook quite as gently/evenly as sous vide. (worse control, no circulation, not as good insulation)

nolaegghead · December 2012

That thing has a digital thermostat. Where the actual temp isn't that important, like in the 170s range, it probably would work fine on it's own. I'd be weary about using it when at steak temps - like 131F, you might be ok, monitor with a thermapen and see what it's doing. I'm not sure an external controller would work with it unless you could get it to automatically go on when you plug it in (that's how they work - 120V outlet on for heat, off for no heat).

Hillbilly-Hightech · December 2012

Z_Eggineer said:

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33967-6-Quart-Programmable/dp/B001AO2PXK/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&qid=1354729970&s=merchant&sr=1-13
Would this unit work better for converting to a sous vide? SWMBO says I can't get a machine that costs > $100, but can if it is under that and she can use it as a slow cooker.

Thoughts?

Well, the temp probe is supposed to be used *inside* of the food, but, depending on the sensitivity of it, I don't see why you couldn't put it in the water to monitor the temp of the water (anyone have thoughts on this)?

Also, there are a few "convert-a-crock-to-sous-vide" units out there:

http://freshmealssolutions.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=100086

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=44

And then here's some articles giving some info:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R1Y4V2R3A8HBPQ

http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2011/02/turned-my-crock-pot-into-a-sous-vide-cooker-for-25.html

Just type in "crock pot sous vide" into ye ole googler machine & you'll find plenty of info.

Good luck (I've just started thinking about getting into this myself)...

Z_Eggineer · December 2012

This one looks great but 24 gallons!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermo-Scientific-Precision-270-Circulating-Water-Bath-/230890360106?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c2234d2a

Lit · December 2012

A buddy of mine uses the auber instruments hooked up to a rice cooker for his sous vide and it works fine. It basically cycles whatever it is hooked up to on and off to maintain the desired temp.

nolaegghead · December 2012

Z_Eggineer said:

This one looks great but 24 gallons!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermo-Scientific-Precision-270-Circulating-Water-Bath-/230890360106?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c2234d2a

If you could get that for under $1000, it would be a steal. Those run $3000+ new.

Z_Eggineer · December 2012

Agreed but where would I put it?

I trust Auber, but want to stay under 100

nolaegghead · December 2012

You'd have to add an addition to your house. That thang is a monster.

Little Steven · December 2012

But you could sous vide a steer, well assuming you could get a really really big foodsaver bag I mean

nolaegghead · December 2012

You just use some of those packing vacuum bags - to squash comforters, clothes, etc. for storage. Probably loaded with BPA - yum.

Pseudo sous vide

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