When I first started out, Polyscience had just come out with the Creative Series, which, at $400, was the cheapest circulator around. That seemed too expensive for a piece of equipment I was basically experimenting with, so I ended up with the DorkFood DSV -- kind of SV controller with a temperature probe that you can plug a rice cooker or crock pot into. After using it twice, I was convinced that I should have spent money on a real circulator. I was sold on the technique of SV, but wanted something that could maintain an even temperature throughout the bath and also handle larger cuts of meat. Fast forward a few months, and I picked up a factory refurbished Polyscience Chef Series. It has been my workhorse for several years... it looks and feels like it belongs in a commercial kitchen (I mean that in a good way). I purchased it before the Anova, Sansaire, Nomiku, and everything else hit the market, though a couple of those had already Kickstarted. While I'm sure those are all nice units, I'm glad that I've been using the Polyscience. I have never had an issue with it. Ever. It's nice to do long cooks worry free. I've heard so many stories about people's circulators turning off in the night or while they're at work... I just don't get it. The only thing that really bothers me about it, apart from how big it is (it's almost too big to use in a stock pot -- a Cambro is a must), is how loud it is. It's not super loud, but I can hear it whirring all throughout my (small) house, and that can be irksome if I'm doing short ribs for three days.
Since I've had this circulator, the market has become saturated with inexpensive circulators and SV is now accessible to the masses. That's awesome. But fundamentally, all of these circulators work in the same way, with the same coiled heater and the same basic style of pump. Even though some have integrated wi-fi, all the new designs have been evolutionary rather than revolutionary. But I sincerely think this is about to change when ChefSteps introduces Joule. Everything about it is different, and everything about it is better. It's smaller, lighter, faster, quieter, and more powerful than damn near every other circulator on the market. The hardware is as beautiful as it is innovative. Just look at it! (Photos from Chefsteps.com/joule)
And look how huge it makes my Polyscience seem by comparison:
From the inside out, it's a game-changer. It used to freak me out that there were no physical controls on the unit apart from the on/off switch. But I -- very slowly -- came to realize that my iPhone can function as a much better display and controller than any other possible alternative. And I always have it on me anyway. Omitting the display means a sleeker design with fewer parts to break. Anyway, it's not out yet so I can't recommend it from personal experience. But I've preordered one, and have the feeling that my Polyscience Chef Series may end up on eBay after Joule arrives. When people ask me what circulator they should get, my reply is now "Pre-order Joule. It's not on the market yet. There are no real-world user reports yet. But trust me. That's what you want."
But when Anovas go on sale for $120, it's hard not to buy one. Or two... or three...
