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Sous vide refers to a way of cooking food that’s sealed in plastic bags for a long time while submerged in a water bath. The food is often cooked to perfection at an accurate temperature.
Ultimately, the main goal is to keep the food’s taste and moisture. But, what pot to use for sous vide?
The best pot for cooking sous vide should have robust material that can withstand the high temperatures used for cooking.
It should be safe even when in direct contact with food. Moreover, the best sous vide pot will retain enough water to cook your entire food. It should also be easy to clean.
And suitable for use with different sous vide machines.
This article will help you know what pots are best for the job. It’ll also provide some pot options you can try out.
Best Pots for Cooking Sous Vide
| Pot To Use For Sous Vide | Product Information | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
Top | Simax Glassware Glass Pot | Check Price |
Top | IVYX Scientific Digital Water Bath, 20-100°C (68-212°F), 200W, 660mL | Check Price |
Top | Dalebouti Nest Lock Stackable Food Grade Plastic Food Storage Container Set | Check Price |
Top | NutriChef Soup Pot with See Through Lid | Check Price |
Top | AmazonCommercial 12 Qt. Stainless Steel Aluminum-Clad Stock Pot with Cover | Check Price |
Top | GOTHAM STEEL 5 Quart Multipurpose Pasta Pot | Check Price |
Top | IMUSA USA Stainless Steel Stock Pot 20-Quart, Silver | Check Price |
Top | Bialetti Oval 5 Quart Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid, Nonstick, 1, Black | Check Price |
Top | Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Red | Check Price |
Top | Staub Cast Iron Petite French Oven, 1.5-quart, Matte Black | Check Price |
Top | Clay Cooking Pot with Lid, Clay Pots for Cooking | Check Price |
Top | Cuisinart 719-14 Chef's Classic Stainless 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover,Silver | Check Price |
Glass Pots
- Glass cookware is 100% safe, toxin-free, and environmentally friendly.
- Easily observe the cooking process without needing to remove the lid. Simply glance over at the pot to see exactly where your meal is up to.
- Designed with your safety in mind, the handles of this pot are designed to stay cool to the touch, even when the pot is hot. (Note: Handles will heat up in the oven.)
Glass pots are among the easiest to clean. It won’t usually stain even after cooking for a long time. You can also choose from different sizes depending on how much food you want to cook at a time.
More importantly, glass pots are BPA-free. It also doesn’t retain flavors and odors after washing. It is scratch-resistant and less likely to react with food.
However, your food might react with the material of the pot and change color or flavor. And if you are using acidic food, it can erode the pot’s potential.
Water Baths
- TEMPERATURE RANGE: 20 to 100°C (68-212°F)
- ACCURATE: Temperature fluctuation: +/- 0.5°C
- FAST RAMP UP: 20°C to 37°C in 10 minutes. The water bath can run continuously as long as water is inside the vessel.
Water baths provide some of the best pots for cooking sous vide foods. They might also be a bit expensive since they require specific setups to work as intended.
But, these water baths and very suitable, especially where you want to cook a lot of food at once.
Food Grade Plastic
- amazing nesting stackable food storage containers with lockable snap-together lids are ultra-compact saving over 60% of space in your kitchen.
- Snap lock lids with airtight and leakproof silicone seals are used on our nesting stackable food storage containers to ensure your meal prep food lasts.
- Our nesting stackable food container set includes 5 containers and 5 matching lids perfect for a week meal prep and variety of occasions and events.
Food grade plastic is best suited for use with sous vide cooking machines. Moreover, this material is known to be solid and durable. And they are relatively easy to clean.
However, you might have some trouble using them if you need to cook acidic food since it might interact with the material.
Stainless Steel Pot
- The NutriChef Stainless Steel Large Cooking Pot features 8-quart capacity weighing 5.18 lbs w/ lid which is the perfect size for boiling.
- Features ergonomic stainless steel handles for comfortable handling & cooking.
- Made of 18/8 non-reactive stainless steel interior, non-toxic, non-allergic & safe for cooking.
Stainless steel pots are among the most acknowledged material for cooking sous vide foods.
They have different coatings made from aluminum and titanium to provide superior durability, strength, and corrosion resistance.
These food-grade stainless steel pots are also dishwasher safe and very easy to clean and maintain. They are also safe for use with acidic foods.
Moreover, stainless steel pots can also withstand the high temperatures required to cook sous vide food. They are also effortless to find in stores and online.
And they don’t usually react with your food’s flavor or color changes over time.
Aluminum Pots
- 12-quart covered stock pot for making stocks, soups, stews, chili, and more; designed for residential and commercial use
- Made of sturdy, 21-gauge, food-grade 18/8 stainless steel with an aluminum-clad base for fast, evenly distributed heat
- Reinforced stainless-steel side handles for easy lifting and a secure hold; flat stainless-steel lid helps trap in heat and moisture
Aluminum pots are also lightweight and very durable. They have different coatings to provide superior strength as well as a good level of durability.
You can use them with acidic foods without having interaction or corrosion issues. And they are easy to clean once you rinse them in warm soapy water after cooking your food in the sous vide machine.
Additionally, aluminum pots are also relatively cheaper than other options. But you cannot always use them with acidic food since it can cause corrosions over time.
Copper Pots
- Twist & lock handles – simply twist the handles and drain out the water!
- Transparent glass lid lets you see progress without removing the lid and allowing heat to escape
- Coated with the Gotham Steel Titanium and Ceramic coating ensures the ultimate food release and effortless cleanup
Copper pots are excellent when you want to cook your sous vide food using the water bath technique. They help spread heat evenly and relatively faster compared to other pots.
Additionally, copper is an excellent conductor of heat and can help with cooking sous vide even in places where there’s high-frequency noise, such as an urban kitchen or regularly used restaurant kitchen.
Thanks to their resistance to corrosion, you may not run into issues using acidic food in these pots. Besides that, copper is easy to maintain and clean.
However, copper pots are usually more expensive than other options on the market. And they might not be available in all stores, especially if you want to buy a small one for home use.
Stock Pot
- Made Completely of Stainless Steel in INDIA
- Versatile and Durable Stock pot for Large-Batch Cooking
- Features Double Sided Metal Handles for Easy Transport
Stockpots are just like water baths but with a deeper and broader design. You can use it for cooking sous vide meat, vegetables, fruits, stews, stocks, etc.
They provide you with enough space to prepare your foods as needed.
Stainless steel stock pots are also safe to use even if they come into contact with acidic food. But the main disadvantage is that they are pretty expensive.
Besides, specific models might not even have a lid to keep heat inside while cooking your sous vide food.
Pasta Pot
- Quick, even heating aluminum construction
- Twist and lock lid for easy straining
- Oval design accommodates noodles without breakage
- Nonstick interior for easy clean-up
These pots are specifically designed to cook pasta. But you can also use them for cooking your sous vide food as long as it fits into the pot’s height and width.
For example, you can use a 16-inch (41 cm) wide pasta pot to cook some of your sous vide meats, vegetables, fruits, stocks, etc.
But not all these pots are suitable for cooking sous vide. More importantly, you will need to use a bigger pot for cooking more food at once.
Therefore, make sure that you check the pot’s capacity before making a purchase.
Otherwise, choose one with the widest diameter possible so it can fit into your sous vide machine’s cooking zone.
Rice Cooker
- Our rice cooker is best suited for white rice and whole grain rice - such as sushi rice, fragrant rice, jasmine rice and basmati rice.
- The rice cooker automatically switches to keep-warm mode once the rice is cooked, providing up to 8 hours of delicious fresh rice
- Cooks rice evenly and quickly for up to 6 people / Holds 5.07 cups / 500W / 220V / Dimensions: 9.64 x 9.64 x 9.84 in. / Weight: 5.07 lbs / Incl. inner pot,.
Rice cookers are also great for cooking your sous vide food. They provide you with a large enough volume capacity to prepare all the foods you want to cook in the sous vide machine at once.
Most rice cookers offer an inner pot made from stainless steel or safe to use with acidic foods.
And the pot is usually removable for easy cleanup, and the stainless steel lid helps keep cooking water warm while you prepare your foods in the sous vide machine.
But, not all rice cookers are compatible with most sous vide machines on the market. Therefore, we recommend buying a cooker designed explicitly for sous vide cooking.
That way, you won’t have to purchase a new machine or stop using your current one just for the sake of cooking rice dishes with your sous vide cooker.
Dutch Oven
- Cast iron covered dutch oven in red with side handles and fitted lid; oven safe to 400 degree Fahrenheit
- Cast iron for even heat distribution and retention; enamel doesnt have non-stick function; hand wash only
- Always use hot-pads, oven mitts, or potholders while moving or removing cast iron cookware on or from the stove or oven
This is a kind of pot with two handles on the sides and a tight-fitting lid. It’s made from ceramic or cast iron material, both of which are safe to use with acidic foods, and you can use it for cooking your sous vide food very well.
But ensure that the Dutch Oven’s base diameter and height are compatible with your sous vides machine’s cooking zone.
Otherwise, the food inside might not be submerged deep enough in it to cook evenly.
You may use this pot as a makeshift water bath container and line some of your food carefully into it before sealing its lid tightly.
French Oven
- Self-basting Chistera spikes continuously keep food moist
- Exceptional heat distribution and retention cast iron is famous for
- Matte black enamel interior heats and enhances caramelization excellent searing
Like Dutch ovens, French Oven is usually made from cast iron or ceramic materials, which can last for years. And they are compatible with almost any sous vide machine out there.
Plus, these pots are pretty easy to clean and maintain even in harsh conditions, such as a busy restaurant kitchen.
But be careful when cooking acidic foods in these pots because you might experience leaching after a long time.
Clay Cooking Pot
- These cooking pots are made of whole natural unglazed terracotta. They are completely natural and safe, 100% eco-friendly, and rustic.
- These ceramic cooking pots do not contain lead or any harmful chemicals. Therefore, clay cookware offers a very healthy cooking method.
- These clay pots have been delicately handcrafted from high-quality terracotta in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Also, four different size options are offered.
Clay pots are made from a soft clay material to be molded into different designs and shapes. And they can also provide you with the best sous vide cooking experience.
That’s because their lightweight design won’t make it harder for you to transport them after sealing your food in.
But, these ceramic pots are not ideal if you want to prepare large quantities of your sous vide foods because they are pretty small.
Furthermore, clay pots made from low-quality ingredients can also absorb some moisture and flavor from the acidic food cooked in them for extended periods.
Regular Saucepan
- 18/10 stainless steel surrounds an aluminum core for efficient heat distribution; interior does not discolor, react with food, or alter flavors
- Cool Grip handles are solid stainless steel riveted stick handles that stay cool on the stove top; provide a safe a solid grip
- Rim is smoothly tapered to eliminate drips and spills while pouring; tight-fitting stainless cover seals in moisture
A regular saucepan can also work well for cooking sous vide. They are usually made from stainless steel and can be used with water baths.
Their handles are usually easy to grip, making them ideal for use on all types of stovetops, including induction cookers.
Cooking Sous Vide in a Regular Saucepan
Are you wondering how to cook your sous vide in a saucepan? Here’s how. But, first, you will need the following items to get started:
Saucepan
Having a saucepan for sous vide cooking is essential. You should find one that is deep enough and has a good quality lid. And it would be best if you find a saucepan with easy-to-grip handles.
Plastic bags/ zip-lock bags
Since we will be cooking sous vide in a saucepan, you won’t need anything too complicated to seal your food. It would be best if you had plastic bags or zip-lock bags that are heat-safe.
Procedure:
1) Fill the saucepan with enough water according to the thickness of your cut of meat and quantity. A gallon of water is usually enough for a one-gallon zip-lock bag.
2) Add salt and anything else you want (e.g., wine or spices) to the water in the saucepan.
3) Put your meat and vacuum seal it if necessary. Make sure that you set your sous vide machine so that the temperature is at least 185°F.
4) Submerge the sealed cut of meat inside the water bath and wait until it’s cooked to your liking. You can use a spoon or tongs to test if it is done, but keep in mind that you should not stir or move it once you’ve placed it inside the water unless your machine has a lid to prevent loss of water.
5) Remove your cut of meat from the saucepan and serve immediately with home fries or rice.
What Pot To Use For Sous Vide: Buying Guide
Figuring out what pot is an ideal option for cooking your sous vide is never easy. That’s because of the many models with different designs available on the market.
The following are some considerations to make when shopping for the best pot for sous vide:
Material and Size
It would help if you chose a pot that is easy to clean, has an ovenproof design, and is made from a material suitable for acidic foods. You should also find one that fits your sous vide machine perfectly.
And in most cases, stainless steel pots are the best because they are compatible with all sous vide machines.
But you can also opt for a Dutch oven or any other type of pot if it fits your sous vide machine.
Price Range
Some pots cost $10, and some go for over $100. If you intend to use the pot for cooking sous vide regularly, it’s best to invest in one made from thick and durable materials.
Handle Design
The pot’s handle should have an ergonomic design so that you can easily grip it when cooking sous vide and move it around effortlessly even if there’s hot water inside.
Also, the material should be heat resistant to prevent burns.
Easy To Clean
You need to have a pot that you can easily clean and maintain. And if it comes with a lid, so much the better because you can use it for storing leftovers or marinating meat overnight.
What Pot To Use For Sous Vide: Pot Options
We used the following pots to cook sous vide:
- Stainless steel saucepan
- Aluminum French oven
- Stainless steel stockpot
- A large clay cooking pot.
And here’s what we found:
Aluminum French oven (Fissler 17205105)
This is a sturdy pan that can withstand the heat of an induction cooker without warping or melting. The handles have protective plastic sleeves for added safety.
But it’s not suitable for cooking sous vide because it’s not compatible with induction cookers.
Stainless steel saucepan (Scanpan CTX)
It’s very light and has riveted handles, but the bottom is too thin that it tends to heat up quickly and cool down immediately when you place it on an induction cooker.
Stainless steel stockpot (All-Clad VC3)
It looks like a Dutch oven, but it’s not. The design and weight of the handles are suitable for cooking sous vide, but since the bottom is made from aluminum, you can’t place it over induction cookers.
Large clay cooking pot (Beijing Chef Ceramics Co., Ltd.)
It’s a versatile pot that you can use to cook, serve, and store your food. The glaze is made from fine clay, and it’s usually available in white or cream color.
The downside of this kind of pot is the weight when full.
We preferred using stainless steel pots because they are light enough to transport easily on an induction cooker, even with water inside. And they are durable and easy to clean.
What Pot To Use For Sous Vide: Final Words
If you need to cook sous vide foods at home, then the above pots can help you with that job. They come in different shapes and sizes to suit your specific need, budget, and preference.
Just make sure to check their compatibility with your sous vide machine.
