Best Circulators for Perfect French Cooking

Given the incredible benefits and possibilities that an immersion circulation machine (sous vide) provides, everyone would love to get their hands on such equipment. There are a lot of these machines available out there for you to purchase; however, there are several variations, options, and features that you can additionally opt for. Due to that, it might get slightly confusing for buyers to understand which product suits their needs and requirements. Luckily, we’ve come up with a comprehensive guide that covers everything that you need to know about the best circulators in 2021.

Why is it important to have an immersion circulator?

An immersion circulation machine is used for the sous vide cooking technique which has many advantages over typical cooking techniques.

To begin with, temperature is an extremely important aspect of cooking. When you’re preparing a dish and want it to turn out perfect, controlling the temperature is key. Cooking at the right temperature allows you to achieve the optimal level of taste, tenderness, and texture, all of which are required for a perfectly cooked meal. A sous vide machine allows you to keep the temperature controlled and keep it at the exact temperature you need.

Moreover, sous vide cooking brings the best and the strongest flavor out of your ingredients. The flavor loss is minimal due to the plastic bag keeping the food away from the water, with most of the flavor being retained, meaning that you can enjoy the tastiest meals using this incredible machine.

Another benefit is that you can minimize the risk of overcooking your food. You know when your food is ready and cooked to the optimal level and because the temperature is controlled, there is no deviation from the temperature.

Is it important to consider the power and speed while buying an immersion circulator?

Speed and power are among the most important factors that you should be considering while buying a sous vide machine. These machines come with different speed and power options. Since there is a wide application of these machines, some machines are more powerful, while others are slower. The choice ultimately comes down to your needs and budget.

The power for circulators is measured in watts, with a higher number of watts meaning that it's more powerful. A more powerful machine will be faster and will have a lower overall cooking time. While the faster machines sound more appealing, it should also be considered that they tend to be more expensive to purchase, which is why it is recommended that you go for the machine that suits your needs. Ideally, if you're using one for commercial purposes, you should get one with higher wattage. On the other hand, if you need a sous vide machine for household usage, the less powerful one would be fine.

Which safety features should be considered when buying a sous vide machine?

Safety is arguably the first and the foremost thing that you should consider, given the fact that you’ll be dealing with hot water and electricity, which can be a recipe for disaster if proper precautions are not taken beforehand.

First, the machine should be properly insulated so that water does not wreak havoc. Second, it would be a good idea to have a low-water warning feature. If the water gets too low and you’re unaware, the unit can overheat and breakdown. Last, the machine that you select should ideally feature a power-outage warning. If there’s a power outage and you’ve received a timely alert/warning, you can save the meal from getting ruined.

Other things to consider before purchasing a circulator

Temperature Precision

Since one of the core purposes of using a sous vide machine is to cook with precision, you need to consider the temperature precision that the product is offering. Ideally, a good immersion circulation machine should be able to keep the temperature accuracy within 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow you to ensure that you can cook at the right temperature with precision.

Clamps/Clips

A built-in clamp/clip is certainly among the most useful features that you should look out for. A clamp will allow you to attach the sous vide machine to any pot and hold it in place firmly. An adjustable clamp will let you position the machine perfectly along the cooking pot, making it easy to use and operate.

Connectivity

Connectivity is one of the coolest options that you can get with your sous vide machine. Some products come with built-in bluetooth/wifi connectivity, allowing you to set and adjust the timer, controlling it remotely using an app on your phone. This is a highly convenient feature which will make your experience with sous vide cooking easier and more fun.

Compatibility

Compatibility is another factor that you should consider while buying an immersion circulator. You need to see if the product that you’re buying is compatible with your cooking pots, or else you might need to buy new ones or a different circulator. Of course, the one that is compatible with your existing pots is the right answer.

Circulator FAQ

Q: What is the maximum temperature that an immersion circulator is able to achieve?

A: Most immersion circulation units can reach up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which should be enough for any type of cooking since the usual cooking temperatures range from 130-180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q: Do immersion circulation devices help you cook faster?

A: No, the purpose of a circulator is to cook slowly and steadily while maintaining a constant temperature. If you’re looking for something to get away with cooking quickly, the sous vide cooking technique is not for you.

Q: Are immersion circulation units portable?

A: These units can be of different sizes and weights but if you’re not looking for anything heavy-duty, you can certainly find a lot of models that are compact and portable.