Registrations and account setups required for Anova immersion cooker?
January 11, 2018 4:16 AM Subscribe
I've read through this question. I'd describe myself as an above average home cook. I'm competent in a lot of techniques and have a fair grasp of several cuisines.
I've been curious about sous vide for awhile. The Anova is available in AU and I'm interested in three things.
1) Do you still like your device and use it regularly,
2) Has it been practical using it for family cooking? And importantly,
3) Does using the bluetooth or wifi connected app require an account with Anova and do they pepper you with emails and other notifications?
If so, is the device easy enough to use without the added services. I'm interested in the bluetooth / wifi version as it has that extra kick of power. I read this about the Joule device. It's sexy, but having to have two accounts, and having to operate it from a phone is a no for me.
I generally avoid buying physical appliances that require additional internet registrations or accounts just to operate, imagine a blender needing to call home, and just want to make sure Anova doesn't fall into this category.
1) Do you still like your device and use it regularly,
2) Has it been practical using it for family cooking? And importantly,
3) Does using the bluetooth or wifi connected app require an account with Anova and do they pepper you with emails and other notifications?
If so, is the device easy enough to use without the added services. I'm interested in the bluetooth / wifi version as it has that extra kick of power. I read this about the Joule device. It's sexy, but having to have two accounts, and having to operate it from a phone is a no for me.
I generally avoid buying physical appliances that require additional internet registrations or accounts just to operate, imagine a blender needing to call home, and just want to make sure Anova doesn't fall into this category.
I've had one for about a year and half now and still use it frequently. I got the more basic one since I didn't see a use for the connectivity features, and I've never missed having them, so I can't speak to how those work. Used as a standalone device, it couldn't be simpler.
There are all kinds of complicated things that people sous vide, but we mostly use it for basic cuts of meat. There are only two of us but I would think it would work really well for family cooking as long as your water bath container is large enough for what you plan to cook. I am using a 12-liter plastic container, but for family cooking I would want something larger.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:03 AM on January 11, 2018
There are all kinds of complicated things that people sous vide, but we mostly use it for basic cuts of meat. There are only two of us but I would think it would work really well for family cooking as long as your water bath container is large enough for what you plan to cook. I am using a 12-liter plastic container, but for family cooking I would want something larger.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:03 AM on January 11, 2018
I am not happy with mine, which I received as a gift. I would also describe myself as an above average cook, and I found sous vide too anxiety producing to make food for my family, while worrying if it would make us sick. I also found it to be useful for a type of food I don't cook very often, namely a big slab of meat, and leftovers turn out to be problematic. I am more into braises and stews, so an instant pot is heaven for me.
Here is some safety info they should ship with the thing (PDF link):
Douglas Baldwin guide to sous vide
Also, I dropped the anova in the water bath while setting it up, and it turns out submerging it can break it, and water damage voids the warranty and return policy, so fuck that. I dried it out and haven't bothered to turn it on since.
posted by permiechickie at 6:11 AM on January 11, 2018
Here is some safety info they should ship with the thing (PDF link):
Douglas Baldwin guide to sous vide
Also, I dropped the anova in the water bath while setting it up, and it turns out submerging it can break it, and water damage voids the warranty and return policy, so fuck that. I dried it out and haven't bothered to turn it on since.
posted by permiechickie at 6:11 AM on January 11, 2018
I have had an Anova for a little over a year and it is fantastic for a certain type of cookery. Chicken in particular is so moist and flavorful when you don't over cook it. I often cook the chicken seasoned with aromatics and then shred it and add it to a sauce that I have made (or purchased). Serve all that over rice or quinoa, etc.
It also cooks scallops really well. I've also used it to great effect as the first part of making a Pork Wellington.
posted by mmascolino at 7:09 AM on January 11, 2018
It also cooks scallops really well. I've also used it to great effect as the first part of making a Pork Wellington.
posted by mmascolino at 7:09 AM on January 11, 2018
1) Yes - I got one of the first Anova models about 3 1/2 years ago, and bought the newer bluetooth model 2 years ago, after the first one broke. I'm not particularly loyal to Anova, but it seemed to be the best in its price range at the time.
2) Yes. In my experience, sous vide is great for two things: lean, easy to overcook meats (eg chicken breasts, pork chops), and tough low-and-slow meats (eg pork shoulder, chuck roast). For the former, it's easy to drop frozen individually wrapped pieces in the pot after lunch and have them ready for dinner in the evening. With the latter, I usually package the meat into family meal size portions, but cook the whole 8-12lb at once and freeze it still sealed.
3) I don't think bluetooth required an account, but if it did I don't get any Anova spam. I never use the bluetooth feature, though.
posted by bradf at 7:49 AM on January 11, 2018
2) Yes. In my experience, sous vide is great for two things: lean, easy to overcook meats (eg chicken breasts, pork chops), and tough low-and-slow meats (eg pork shoulder, chuck roast). For the former, it's easy to drop frozen individually wrapped pieces in the pot after lunch and have them ready for dinner in the evening. With the latter, I usually package the meat into family meal size portions, but cook the whole 8-12lb at once and freeze it still sealed.
3) I don't think bluetooth required an account, but if it did I don't get any Anova spam. I never use the bluetooth feature, though.
posted by bradf at 7:49 AM on January 11, 2018
Best answer: 1. I've love my Anova and do use it regularly. I've had it for almost 2 years now. It's changed the way I plan my cooking because...
2. Both my wife and I work full time and we have three children seven and under. It offers flexibility with cooking protein mains (ie, chicken, pork, beef) as I don't have to babysit food as well as my children at the same time - I can keep the proteins cooking for 45 minutes to 2 hours without loss of quality. My children, even the one who has has sensory processing issues, prefer proteins that have been cooked sous vide.
3. I have the wi-fi and Bluetooth Anova version, but have only used it via Bluetooth. You don't even need to use Bluetooth/external device to control the Anova - you can change the temperature manually on the device itself in conjunction with a regular timer. You do not need an account to use the device via Bluetooth, but am not sure about wi-fi. I thought that using Bluetooth to control the device would be gimmicky, but it's been useful to notify me as to when the water bath is ready as I can do other things while it gets up to temperature. You can also use the Bluetooth to select the duration, but per my #2 answer above, I don't use it that way to be flexible with my cooking.
posted by photovox at 7:59 AM on January 11, 2018
2. Both my wife and I work full time and we have three children seven and under. It offers flexibility with cooking protein mains (ie, chicken, pork, beef) as I don't have to babysit food as well as my children at the same time - I can keep the proteins cooking for 45 minutes to 2 hours without loss of quality. My children, even the one who has has sensory processing issues, prefer proteins that have been cooked sous vide.
3. I have the wi-fi and Bluetooth Anova version, but have only used it via Bluetooth. You don't even need to use Bluetooth/external device to control the Anova - you can change the temperature manually on the device itself in conjunction with a regular timer. You do not need an account to use the device via Bluetooth, but am not sure about wi-fi. I thought that using Bluetooth to control the device would be gimmicky, but it's been useful to notify me as to when the water bath is ready as I can do other things while it gets up to temperature. You can also use the Bluetooth to select the duration, but per my #2 answer above, I don't use it that way to be flexible with my cooking.
posted by photovox at 7:59 AM on January 11, 2018
So I bought one because the gas in my building was turned off by Coned, and I thought it would be a good way to still be able to cook food without having the gas stove/oven. I used it a bunch of times in the beginning to make salmon (excellent!), corn on the cob (delicious cause you butter it while it cooks!), eggs (love that creamy yolk), and once made brisket (22hrs(!), and finished in the toaster oven we also bought, where the brisket *barely* fit. Came out great, tho!).
Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff that I wanted to cook with it turned out to need a "finishing" in a pan or oven, which, with no gas, is difficult for me to do. So right now it's sitting unused for the past couple of months, but I imagine now that the holidays and excess food/no time combo is over with, I'll be using it again to make some more tasty meals.
I guess my point is, as a tool to add to your kitchen, it's great! As a replacement for a stove/oven, I probably would've been better off buying a hotplate.
posted by Grither at 9:27 AM on January 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff that I wanted to cook with it turned out to need a "finishing" in a pan or oven, which, with no gas, is difficult for me to do. So right now it's sitting unused for the past couple of months, but I imagine now that the holidays and excess food/no time combo is over with, I'll be using it again to make some more tasty meals.
I guess my point is, as a tool to add to your kitchen, it's great! As a replacement for a stove/oven, I probably would've been better off buying a hotplate.
posted by Grither at 9:27 AM on January 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
And fingers crossed that we'll have gas back soon (it's been since May 2017, kill me), so I can make this!
posted by Grither at 9:30 AM on January 11, 2018
posted by Grither at 9:30 AM on January 11, 2018
I use mine periodically for a) steaks b) fun experiments. It doesn't get the daily hardcore use like the Instant Pot, the greatest appliance I have ever purchased for myself, but I got it on a big sale ($99) and am satisfied with value for money.
I do use the bluetooth, because I wander away and like getting pinged that the water is ready or my timer is done.
I don't remember getting any account for the Bluetooth, don't know about wifi. I don't have any spam from them.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:59 AM on January 11, 2018
I do use the bluetooth, because I wander away and like getting pinged that the water is ready or my timer is done.
I don't remember getting any account for the Bluetooth, don't know about wifi. I don't have any spam from them.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:59 AM on January 11, 2018
I can't speak to the Anova, but we recently were gifted a Joule, so I can comment on your first two questions (as I read them to be about sous vide in general).
1) Yes. We've had ours since September, and we use it two or three times a week, and not just for meat. It results in fewer dishes to do (which is good since we don't have a dishwasher), and it lets us prepare food while we do other things. Veggies. OMG mashed potatoes. Reheating mashed potatoes! Custards, egg bites, etc.
2) Yes. It does take some planning. There are only two of us, but we've prepared meals for up to six. The biggest limiting factor right now is the size of our largest pan to cook in.
We used it for meat and veggies at first, but we've recently expanded to cooking various concoctions in 4oz mason jars. Single-serving, reheatable, mostly delicious (we've had a few failed experiments). When we use it regularly, we eat more meals at home. When we forget to plan, we end up eating out, so we're trying to plan better. We do eat-immediately and freeze-for-later meals.
For the Joule, I know I created an account, but I'm not sure it was absolutely necessary to use, though having a phone/ipad/Alexa to control is necessary. Depending on how well it performs, how long it lasts, and our long term usage patterns, I expect we'll probably upgrade to the Anova in a year or two.
posted by malthusan at 1:50 PM on January 11, 2018
1) Yes. We've had ours since September, and we use it two or three times a week, and not just for meat. It results in fewer dishes to do (which is good since we don't have a dishwasher), and it lets us prepare food while we do other things. Veggies. OMG mashed potatoes. Reheating mashed potatoes! Custards, egg bites, etc.
2) Yes. It does take some planning. There are only two of us, but we've prepared meals for up to six. The biggest limiting factor right now is the size of our largest pan to cook in.
We used it for meat and veggies at first, but we've recently expanded to cooking various concoctions in 4oz mason jars. Single-serving, reheatable, mostly delicious (we've had a few failed experiments). When we use it regularly, we eat more meals at home. When we forget to plan, we end up eating out, so we're trying to plan better. We do eat-immediately and freeze-for-later meals.
For the Joule, I know I created an account, but I'm not sure it was absolutely necessary to use, though having a phone/ipad/Alexa to control is necessary. Depending on how well it performs, how long it lasts, and our long term usage patterns, I expect we'll probably upgrade to the Anova in a year or two.
posted by malthusan at 1:50 PM on January 11, 2018
I use my anova whenever I’m cooking high quality meats. It’s also good for dinner parties, because you can hold the meat at temperature until all the guests arrive.
I can’t imagine any reason to connect it to the interwebs, I got the one without WiFi.
posted by monotreme at 5:28 PM on January 11, 2018
I can’t imagine any reason to connect it to the interwebs, I got the one without WiFi.
posted by monotreme at 5:28 PM on January 11, 2018
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My newer one has bluetooth and you do need to set up a free account to use that model, but I've never gotten spammy emails because of it. Like neustile says though, the non-bluetooth device works just as well and you won't need to register an account or use a phone to operate it.
posted by _Mona_ at 4:55 AM on January 11, 2018