For years, the sous vide technique has been a popular cooking method where food is sealed in an airtight bag and cooked at a very precise temperature. This cooking method leaves the inside of the meat juicy, tender, and flavorful while creating a crisp outer crust on things like steak or chicken thighs. The popularity of this technique started with famous chefs like Thomas Keller who touts it as the best way to cook his famous steak. Nowadays, many home cooks are ditching traditional methods for sous vide because of its convenience and ability to make delicious meals that taste as they came from a restaurant kitchen. If you’re interested in using this cooking method but don’t know where to start, here are the necessary accessories every sous vide cook should have!
Immersion Calculator
To cook sous vide, you need a precise temperature. This can be measured using a thermometer or immersion calculator. These calculators are used to measure the exact water temperature needed to bring food up to its desired internal cooking temperature and keep it there until it is done. For example, if you want your chicken thighs at 143 degrees Fahrenheit, you would set your immersion calculator to 143 degrees Fahrenheit and place it in the water. The resulting temperature of that water will be what is needed for cooking all food items in this same container.
This type of thermometer/immersion calculator can also be used when roasting or grilling inside ovens or on outdoor grills by adjusting the desired cooking temperature to the inside of your oven or grill.
Vacuum Sealer
Sous vide cooking means that your food needs to be sealed inside an airtight bag. This will prevent any flavor loss and ensure that the juices remain inside as it cooks. Some sous vide machines come with attachments that allow you to vacuum seal bags while others don’t. If your machine doesn’t, purchase a stand-alone vacuum food sealer for maximum flavor retention and easy cleanup!
Vacuum sealers come in two different types. The first is the chamber vacuum sealer which removes all of the air from your food bag while cooking in its container. This type has a specific heat setting corresponding to sous vide machines, which means you don’t have to manually adjust anything on your machine when switching between normal boiling water and cooking.
The second type is the external vacuum sealer that seals your food in a separate bag. This means you have to manually adjust cooking times for sous vide meals but can also be used with other types of machines like slow cookers or microwaves if needed.
Silicone Gloves
This accessory is handy if you like to do dishes by hand. When cooking sous vide, oils and fats from your food will coat everything in your container, which can make it difficult to scrub off after it’s cooked. Food-grade silicone gloves prevent this issue and allow you to move around heavy or hot items without burning yourself!
Using nitrile gloves for allergy instead of Silicone Gloves has certain advantages. For starters, nitrile gloves are about three times more puncture-resistant than rubber gloves, and they don’t generate nearly as much friction.
Temperature Probe Thermometer
Temperature probe thermometers are a must-have for sous vide cooking. This tool attaches to your food and monitors the internal temperature of what you’re cooking without ever coming into contact with it. Some models even have alarms that go off when the desired internal temperature is reached. This type of thermometer can be used for measuring water temperatures as well!
They come in two different types: wireless and wired. Wireless models have a long-lasting battery that allows you to safely take your temperature probe anywhere around the kitchen without running out of juice!
Wired versions work in the same way but require an electrical cord for power instead of batteries. This can make them less flexible as they need to stay near outlets throughout the cooking process. They’re less expensive than wireless models though, which is a nice benefit.
Plastic Containers, Preferably Freezer-Safe
Sometimes, vacuum-sealing your food in airtight bags isn’t enough to prevent flavor loss or juices from seeping out into the container. This is especially true when cooking fatty meats like chicken wings, where large amounts of oil are released.
Plastic containers work well for these types of foods and can be found in various sizes and shapes. Most sous vide machines come with their own containers, but they’re usually small enough only to fit one or two servings at a time.
Additionally, freezer-safe containers are a great alternative as they can be used to store your food in the freezer for later. This allows you to cook larger amounts of food at once, which is ideal if you’re planning a dinner party!
Sous vide cooking has become a popular way to cook because it’s so easy and delicious. We’ve talked about the different accessories you can buy to make your sous vide cooking process even more efficient. These accessories can be purchased at most grocery stores or online from popular retailers. Utilizing these will ensure that your food is cooked perfectly every time without wasting any flavor or juices.
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