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Joule Sous Vide from ChefSteps

FauxPas

By FauxPas
in Kitchen Consumer

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FauxPas

FauxPas

Posted
Posted (edited)

This is the first i have heard of this new piece of equipment, but I still can't find out what makes it better than Anova. It looks very similar. Does anyone else know? It's called Joule. 

 

http://blog.chefsteps.com/tag/joule/

 

ETA  It doesn't look like it needs a clip. Does it attach to the base of the pot? 

Edited by FauxPas (log)
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paulraphael

paulraphael

Posted
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I just got their email about this and checked it out briefly. Its main feature seems to be that it's tiny. Like, really, really small. Even though it's likely among the most powerful circulators people would buy for home.

 

The other big feature is that it's controlled 100% from a smart phone app. I'm not crazy about this, since I'd like to be able to glance at the thing and see the read and set temps, etc.. But if the app is well designed (or better ... if they open the APIs and people write great 3rd party apps ... that could be cool). But in general I like Anova's approach, where the main controls are on the unit and the remote app is optional.

 

The app they show on the site seems designed for beginners (like ... with video on how to prep a steak). I would like something more like SV Dash running the show.

 

Hey Anova, are you listening? Why don't you guys buy S.V. Dash? The developer hasn't done anything with it in years.

 

 

"ETA  It doesn't look like it needs a clip. Does it attach to the base of the pot?"

Yeah, it comes with 2 clips ... one for pots, one for coolers and cambros. Very nice that they went out of their way here here to accommodate both casual and hardcore users.

Edited by paulraphael (log)
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FauxPas

FauxPas

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Posted (edited)

I found a bit more info. It does have a magnetic mount, which won't work for all cookware of course. 

 

Read more here and scroll down to bottom for specs, cut-away diagram, etc. 

 

https://www.chefsteps.com/joule

 

Not sure I'm crazy about the exclusive smartphone control, either. But might be OK, if the app is really good. 

 

Edited to add: Posted same time as stckciv!

Edited by FauxPas (log)
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rotuts

rotuts

Posted
Posted

that's it

 

dis-regarding those who succumbed to the SVS

 

[ed.: CSB is cheaper, better, even Much Better  :raz: ]

 

I can't see SV as an especially expanding market.   Im pleased new circulators are being made, but its going to be very tough

 

to beet the Anova, as the market for these might be a bit static

 

however, Kudos go to those who Try.

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rotuts

rotuts

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well   maybe there should be a new topic here :

 

how to Beet the Anova and put a SV system in every houseHold

 

an Anova in Every Pot !

 

[disclaimer : some, not all , have WiFi and RingTones ]

 

BillSonoma  and SurleTable  do not have cambro pots bubbling way in their windows

 

as far as i can tell   

 

I don't go there often, but it right across of Apple  !

 

:raz:

Edited by rotuts (log)
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Martin Fisher

Martin Fisher

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"Size 11.0 x 1.85 inches
Weight 1.28 lbs (580 g)"

 

Nice!!!  :smile:

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~Martin :)

I just don't want to look back and think "I could have eaten that."

Unsupervised, rebellious, radical agrarian experimenter, minimalist penny-pincher, and adventurous cook. Crotchety, cantankerous, terse curmudgeon, non-conformist, and contrarian who questions everything!

The best thing about a vegetable garden is all the meat you can hunt and trap out of it!

 

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Martin Fisher

Martin Fisher

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I'd be very happy with a circulator that's the size of the Joule, as simple as the Sansaire (I don't need fancy connectivity or other bells and whistles), as reliable as the Anova and a ~$99.00 price point.

I'd buy a few of them!  :cool:  

Edited by DiggingDogFarm (log)
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~Martin :)

I just don't want to look back and think "I could have eaten that."

Unsupervised, rebellious, radical agrarian experimenter, minimalist penny-pincher, and adventurous cook. Crotchety, cantankerous, terse curmudgeon, non-conformist, and contrarian who questions everything!

The best thing about a vegetable garden is all the meat you can hunt and trap out of it!

 

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Shalmanese

Shalmanese

Posted
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At this point, every circulator is good enough that price is pretty much my only determining factor. With SV, once you reach a certain base level of functionality, it's impossible to spend more money to produce better results. 

Edited by Shalmanese (log)
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PS: I am a guy.

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rustwood

rustwood

Posted
Posted

Yesterday Kenji started a thread about this on Reddit SV.  It is a long and growing thread, but it contains some interesting comments.  So far the consensus seems to be that people like the size, design, and 1100 watt heating element, but quite a few are unhappy with the lack of any physical controls/readout and  the price point.  I can''t say I disagree.

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Anna N

Anna N

Posted
Posted

If I was not completely happy with my ANOVAs I would be very tempted. I love the look of it and the size of it but I rather doubt it could do anything more than what I already have. Back up a year or two and I would probably have jumped on it.

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Anna Nielsen aka "Anna N"

...I just let people know about something I made for supper that they might enjoy, too. That's all it is. (Nigel Slater)

"Cooking is about doing the best with what you have . . . and succeeding." John Thorne

Our 2012 (Kerry Beal and me) Blog

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dscheidt

dscheidt

Posted
Posted

well   maybe there should be a new topic here :

 

how to Beet the Anova and put a SV system in every houseHold

 

an Anova in Every Pot !

 

[disclaimer : some, not all , have WiFi and RingTones ]

 

BillSonoma  and SurleTable  do not have cambro pots bubbling way in their windows

 

as far as i can tell   

 

I don't go there often, but it right across of Apple  !

 

:raz:

You'll be able to be an annova from the apple store soon.

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adey73

adey73

Posted
Posted

I own multiple Sansaires and I just wish the footprint was the size of this new Joule. 

 

The Sansaires will look as old as video tapes in comparison to thumb drives.

 

...............still no sign of a whizz-bang chamber vac-pack, homogeniser or rotovap.

 

although Dave Arnold's 500ml 'fuge is on the way.   

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Martin Fisher

Martin Fisher

Posted
Posted

Quickly setting the temperature with Joule....

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~Martin :)

I just don't want to look back and think "I could have eaten that."

Unsupervised, rebellious, radical agrarian experimenter, minimalist penny-pincher, and adventurous cook. Crotchety, cantankerous, terse curmudgeon, non-conformist, and contrarian who questions everything!

The best thing about a vegetable garden is all the meat you can hunt and trap out of it!

 

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FauxPas

FauxPas

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They talk about the heat element in the Joule in this article, their alternative to the usual coil heater. They call it 'thick film'. Not sure that I really get it.  :unsure:

 

 

What’s thick film?

According to Young, they created this new heating technology by taking a stainless steel tube, silk screening on a pottery glaze, firing it in a kiln to create electrical isolation from the inside where water is and the heater, and then silk screening on a circuit board.  The circuit board then becomes a heater circuit.

  

http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelwolf/2015/11/24/chefsteps-creates-joule-in-effort-to-push-sous-vide-cooking-to-the-masses/

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ChrisZ

ChrisZ

Posted
Posted

but I still can't find out what makes it better than Anova.

Size is a big thing. I'm happy with my Anova and it has changed the way I use sous vide, but I only have 1 pot that is big enough to use it with. I keep intending to get a larger cooler just for sous vide, but space (and to a lesser degree cost) is an issue. Currently, size is the reason I don't sous vide more often. The one pot I have big enough for the anova is stored in a separate cupboard out of the kitchen, so there's always that small amount of extra effort required to set it up and then pack it away afterwards.

If the Joule is small enough that I can use it with my existing pots then great. And competition is always a good thing.

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KennethT

KennethT

Posted
Posted

Indeed, thick film heating has been around for several years, at least.  The process sprays an electrically resistive film onto a substrate (typically mica or aluminum).  Then contacts are added; when a voltage is applied, the entire surface heats evenly due to it's even resistance. See http://www.dateccoating.com/

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