Looking for a new Sous vide cooker

[bigfurmn]

I am also in the Inkbird camp. Got one for my BIL for Christmas/ his birthday. He loves it. I don't have time for one, wish I did. Inkbird usually has some great deals too.

 

[culpepersmoke]

So we heard from Anova and after a few emails back and forth (more pics, serial number, receipts, our address etc) they came back with basically this isn’t the experience we want our customers to have but your out of warranty.
With that, I figure I’ll give Inkbird a shot. I’m looking the ISV-300W, 1000 Watts the other ISV-100W. My old Anova was 1100 watt but I doubt the 100 watt difference will have any effect on performance.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

 

[chopsaw]

That surprises me . Cheap for them to replace it for you , and gain some customers here as well . Instead they lose that over a couple bucks .

 

[Dustin Dorsey]

The control panel came off on mine. The posts that hold the screws broke so I just hot glued it back and it's still kicking. Admittedly I had mine stored in the garage to I had a lot of thermal expansion and contraction going on out there, but still it shouldn't have happened. That happens when plastic screws are put in too tight. You might try plugging back in that ribbon cable. Make sure your orientation is correct and hot glue, or epoxy the screws if you don't want to buy a new one.

 

[DougE]

With that, I figure I’ll give Inkbird a shot. I’m looking the ISV-300W, 1000 Watts the other ISV-100W.

I have the ISV-200W 1000 watt cooker and it does fine. Takes a little while to heat water that comes out of the tap at 50° or so during winter to cooking temp but I have no complaints.

 

[dr k]

I used the Auber PID WS-1510 ELPM and turned my 6 qt manual not digital slow cooker into a yogurt maker or SV water oven set to high that would hold to the degree with P=4 I=0 D=40 per Auber chart they sent me before I got the stick Inkbird in 2019 for a big SV. No circulation needed and works great. I bought an extra RTD sensor for this as a back up for sous vide and smoker. If you want a small sv try this as well as turning your manual slow cooker digital. I unscrewed the glass lid handle and thread the sensor through it and held into the water bath with a wooden spring clothes line pin on top and one below the glass lid. Brilliant per Auber's chart. The slow cooker light flashes with the PID light. You won't regret it.

 

[Fueling Around]

Thanks for the follow up.

So we heard from Anova and after a few emails back and forth (more pics, serial number, receipts, our address etc) they came back with basically this isn’t the experience we want our customers to have but your out of warranty.
...

Well that sucks on the answer from Anova
Did they offer any ideas on the failure mode?
From the appearance of that ribbon cable, I wouldn't try to use it again.

I have both brands and hands down I grab the Inkbird every time.

Thanks Jerry.
ATK really disses the Inkbird and hypes the Anova.
I'm really suspecting these "unbiased reviews" are the same as other venues where the opinion is swayed by the biggest donor?

 

[dr k]

Thanks for the follow up.

Well that sucks on the answer from Anova
Did they offer any ideas on the failure mode?
From the appearance of that ribbon cable, I wouldn't try to use it again.


Thanks Jerry.
ATK really disses the Inkbird and hypes the Anova.
I'm really suspecting these "unbiased reviews" are the same as other venues where the opinion is swayed by the biggest donor?

This is new and Inkbird is up there. You can check reviews on Amazon as well. I'd get mine again IVS-100W since I've had it since 2019. https://www.foodandwine.com/best-so...MI962o-rLliwMVYUP_AR12AgEkEAAYASAAEgLwuPD_BwE

 

[culpepersmoke]

Well that sucks on the answer from Anova
Did they offer any ideas on the failure mode?
From the appearance of that ribbon cable, I wouldn't try to use it again.

Definitely not going try again When I say it blew up, I meant that the top actually blew off, parts were in the water bath and obviously the breaker blew.
I knew it was out of warranty but it was worth a shot. Hopefully I’ll get more than 3 years from the next one.

 

[chopsaw]

the next one.

One thing that may , or may not be of interest to you is an adjustable clamp . Just something to think about when you make your choice .

 

[culpepersmoke]

One thing that may , or may not be of interest to you is an adjustable clamp . Just something to think about when you make your choice .

I saved the adjustable clap from my old, if I need to have one I’m hoping the barrel size will be close enough.

 

[culpepersmoke]

Got the Inkbird in today and immediately set it up for a steak tonight. My first impression are that the interface was easy to figure out. But the biggest thing is how quiet this thing is. When I first stared it I had to open the lid and make sure the water was moving around. My old Anova always had a whine to it.
The barrel is considerably larger than the Anova and the overall weight is slightly more as well. The temp was spot on when checking with my Thermopen.
Overall my first impression is very good.

 

[fxsales1959]

I've had our sponsor's Inkbird original wi-fi 1,000 watt ISV-100W for several years since it came out. They came out with two newer versions ISV-200W and ISV-300W since then without the lower air vents and the square upper design and went to a round ventless shape. I'd get it again. Search them on Amazon I believe they are all 1,000 watts and each have a 20-30% coupon. I do mostly 48 hour soaks so I have no problems and use the wifi at my parents home and manually at mine. I got my moneys worth. I put it clipped to a quart heavy glass big beer mug with 50/50 distilled vinegar and water at 140* for 15 minute to clean the SS inside and out yearly depending on your hard water build up.

ditto whar Dr. said. bought it and used it once put it away. it worked great and was on my Inkbirdbbq app. can't vouch for durability with limited use.

 

[Dustin Dorsey]

I should have looked closer at the picture. I didn't see the burn marks on the ribbon cable!

 

[DougE]

Got the Inkbird in today and immediately set it up for a steak tonight. My first impression are that the interface was easy to figure out.

Setting them up on WIFI is sort of a pain. My router in the barn got fried in a recent storm. I had to get my ISV-200W manual out to get it connected to the new router.

Other than that, I have had zero issues with my Inkbird SV unit.

 

[dr k]

ditto whar Dr. said. bought it and used it once put it away. it worked great and was on my Inkbirdbbq app. can't vouch for durability with limited use.

Try chopsaw a pkg of lipton beefy onion soup pwdr pkg and vac seal for a 131/48 hr chuck roast poor man's medium rare prime rib. Or what ever your steak temp is that you like. That's my SV favorite. I set the Inkbird at 90hrs. vs 99.99 max to easily track so it never shuts off if not using wifi but I use my ph timer/alarm after the Inkbird beeps, going from preparing (heating to set temp) and then showing (cooking) on the app.

 

[Fueling Around]

Got the Inkbird in today ...
Overall my first impression is very good.

Which one did you purchase?

 

[culpepersmoke]

Which one did you purchase?

I got the ISV-300W

 

[sandyut]

So we heard from Anova and after a few emails back and forth (more pics, serial number, receipts, our address etc) they came back with basically this isn’t the experience we want our customers to have but your out of warranty.

that BS! Sorry to hear.

Companies that pull this are so shortsighted it hurts. they could make a customer for life, or piss a guy off who will everyone he knows not to buy their s**t and they choose the latter???

I have many positive experiences where a company say basically "dont sweat it we will send you a replacement" and I am a customer for life and brag on the experience. The reputation is worth the minimal cost. I mean what is the out of pocket for manufacturer to replace a SV? Pennies on the dollar!

stepping off soapbox, rant over.

 

[Cattoon]

that BS! Sorry to hear.

Companies that pull this are so shortsighted it hurts. they could make a customer for life, or piss a guy off who will everyone he knows not to buy their s**t and they choose the latter???

I have many positive experiences where a company say basically "dont sweat it we will send you a replacement" and I am a customer for life and brag on the experience. The reputation is worth the minimal cost. I mean what is the out of pocket for manufacturer to replace a SV? Pennies on the dollar!

stepping off soapbox, rant over.

Speaking of. I have a Primeweld plasma cutter and the adjustment valve for air pressure broke. I emailed them to ask about buying a replacement knob. Customer service called me back and I explained what happened and ask about buying a knob. Customer service said we’ll warranty that and then asked if the address they had on file was current. They sent the whole valve assembly. It had a 3 year warranty and I bought it July of 2021. I will likely be buying another machine from them.