Chefsteps Joule Sous Vide Machine Review

The Best Sous Vide Machine In The Game

Continuing our Sous Vide Series this time we decide to bring you Joule Review. In our opinion, the best sous vide machine on the market so far. We’ve been testing some sous vide equipment and Joule is by far the best we ever tested.

The Joule is the new kid on the block, and it is easily one of the most anticipated pieces of kitchen hardware. Made by ChefSteps, a Seattle-based company that made its name producing high-quality cooking videos with a smart, modernist slant (Chris Young, the founder of ChefSteps, was a lead author of Modernist Cuisine). The philosophy behind building it was simple: re-engineer a sous vide circulator from the ground up, incorporating technologies designed to make it more compact, more efficient, and longer-lasting.

If you’re the type of person who brews beer or kombucha, feeds a sourdough starter, pickles, or just really likes any and all science foodstuff, this is it. This is the sous vide machine you need!

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The Science Behind Joule

Unlike the twisted coil heaters found in other sous vide machines, the Joule uses a device called a thick-film heater. Essentially a cylindrical heating element with a high thermal power density that’s embedded in a polymer. This gives it far more heating power in a much more compact space. It also has fewer odd shapes and crevices, which means easier cleaning and less scale build-up over time. The Joule also efficiently diverts heat generated by internal moving parts (like its motor) back into the water, improving its efficiency.

The power is another impressive achievement by the Chefsteps team. The Joule draws 1,100 watts of power which makes it more powerful than most of its competitors such as the Anova (900 watts). In practical terms, it means it will heat the water faster.

Apart from these unique features, the Joule works just like any other sous vide equipment. It will heat the water to a specified temperature, and cook whatever is submerged, up to the temperature you selected.

Product Information

Technical Specification

Product dimensions: 11 x 1.9 x 1.9 inches / 28 x 4.8 x 4.8 cm
Item Weight: 1.28 pounds / 0.6 Kg;
Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds / 1.1 Kg;
Manufacturer: ChefSteps;
ASIN: B01M8MMLBI;
Item model number: CS10001.
Heating power: 1100 watts;
Temperature accuracy: 0.2 °F / 0.1 °C;
Maximum water temperature: 208 °F / 98 °C;
Maximum bath volume: 10+ gallons / 40+ liters;
Minimum water depth: 1.5 inch / 38mm;
Maximum water depth: 8 inch / 203mm.

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Why We Love Joule?

We’ve used a few sous vide machines before, and none have done it quite like Joule. First the price. You’re not spending more than 180 bucks on this, which is a hell of a deal for a piece of equipment like this one.

And the best part is that Joule is super easy to use, with no buttons or switches. You control it completely through a Bluetooth app on your phone. The Chefsteps app also gives you cooking temperatures and guides for doneness. It’s easy to control, not confusing at all.

Another aspect that makes Joule a superior sous vide machine is the size. Small, like, throw-it-in-your-drawer-and-forget-about-it small. You don’t have to worry about clearing out a new place to store it. The Joule is also totally waterproof (some sous vide machines aren’t) and has a magnetic bottom, so it easily attaches to the bottom of your metal pot. That magnetic attachment is very useful because you can put Joule on the pot and get on with your life. When you come back everything will be in the same place.

So Should You Get It?

In the end, Joule is the smallest, most powerful sous vide tool available. It heats water faster than any other immersion circulator or precision cooker that we have tested. It holds the temperature with absolute accuracy to ensure perfect results every time. Controlled exclusively by a groundbreaking app that empowers sous vide veterans and novices alike. Joule gives you the freedom to cook from anywhere. Basically, a must-have for any sous vide lover!