New Toy: Breville/Polyscience Control Freak!

[CanadianHomeChef]

I've created a "Projects" category in the main menu now. In it you will find "Precision Cooking", underneath the "Cooking Glossary"

[ElsieD]

8 minutes ago, CanadianHomeChef said:

I've created a "Projects" category in the main menu now. In it you will find "Precision Cooking", underneath the "Cooking Glossary"

 

Excellent!  Thank you.

[ElsieD]

On 3/5/2019 at 3:43 PM, ocd said:

 

Ugh. I highly second this sentiment. I also own a Cuisinart CSO steam oven because of this forum.

 

Me too.  Works great, doesn't it?  I don't think a day goes by that I don't use it.

[ocd]

5 hours ago, ElsieD said:

 

Me too.  Works great, doesn't it?  I don't think a day goes by that I don't use it.

It's great for reheating but I think I need to read Modernist Cuisine to understand when I should be using the steam settings.

 

There's some Control Freak recipes on the PolyScience website:

http://www.recipes.polyscienceculinary.com/recipe-category/control-freak/

 

Lo and behold, my kitchen sockets can take Nema 5-20 plugs that the Canadian version of the Control Freak comes with.

 

Edited March 8, 2019 by ocd (log)

[JoNorvelleWalker]

2 hours ago, ocd said:

It's great for reheating but I think I need to read Modernist Cuisine to understand when I should be using the steam settings.

 

With all respect, in this case you would be better off reading eGullet:

https://forums.egullet.org/topic/146617-cuisinart-combo-steamconvection-oven-part-1/

 

(But don't neglect the mention in Modernist Bread.)

 

[Anna N]

4 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

 

With all respect, in this case you would be better off reading eGullet:

https://forums.egullet.org/topic/146617-cuisinart-combo-steamconvection-oven-part-1/

 

(But don't neglect the mention in Modernist Bread.)

 

And this courtesy of @Okanagancook  

[JeremyShel]

I'm having a very difficult time trying to get either Breville or PolyScience to provide me with a firmware update for my unit. I'm on software version 110 54, and their documentation line references firmware version 111 55. A representative told me that firmware 111 55 wound up never actually being released, and that there will not be firmware updates released for this device. What version of the firmware are you guys on? According to https://www.breville.com/content/dam/breville/us/assets/miscellaneous/instruction-manual/commercial/CMC850-instruction-manual.pdf If using software version “110 54”, copying onto another cooker will overwrite the stored items on that cooker. That's really a shame.

[ElsieD]

10 minutes ago, JeremyShel said:

I'm having a very difficult time trying to get either Breville or PolyScience to provide me with a firmware update for my unit. I'm on software version 110 54, and their documentation line references firmware version 111 55. A representative told me that firmware 111 55 wound up never actually being released, and that there will not be firmware updates released for this device. What version of the firmware are you guys on? According to https://www.breville.com/content/dam/breville/us/assets/miscellaneous/instruction-manual/commercial/CMC850-instruction-manual.pdf If using software version “110 54”, copying onto another cooker will overwrite the stored items on that cooker. That's really a shame.

 

Who did you talk to?

[iPat]

I also never gotten my firmware update from e-mailing the YouTube chef guy.

[flippant]

Trying to find the appropriate firmware for my model was like pulling teeth (Polyscience, Breville USA, Breville Australia, etc) until I emailed Dale at Sous Vide Australia (his name at business name dot com), who knew exactly what my model peculiarities were and what version of the firmware I should be using. If I ever decide to get a second one, he's my first call.

 

After revisiting my reverse engineering notes and being annoyed with how incomplete they were, I took a few hours today to finish it off, and ended up writing a simple implementation.

 

If any of you are so inclined, please feel free to build on it; I am unlikely to have the time to take it further. Here is a GitHub gist containing the code.

[JeremyShel]

On 3/8/2019 at 5:04 PM, ElsieD said:

 

Who did you talk to?

I spoke with the customer support agents at Breville, and Polyscience Culinary. I suspect they're trying to get me to go away and stop asking. What version of firmware is your unit running?

[CanadianHomeChef]

I got my update from Breville USA as I have an American model. Used the site chat. Finished in about 5 minutes. 

 

I think the only difference is it does not erase preexisting programs when copying new programs over. Only a concern if you have 2+ units or getting programs from others. 

[CanadianHomeChef]

I can offer the update file to anyone who wants it. But I highly recommend double checking your model number. Not sure what would happen if you tried to install it if you have a different model (there appears to be a few different ones, mostly based on region). 

[ElsieD]

Arrived in my in-box today.

 

http://view.email.breville.com/?qs=6ce99fee2c793cd03cfb0a0b73b67a5d076e2e67b8d5fa9dee9de7e1c46054afef8e839466e16a05347f326016dec6f8be0a9bf003b62333147291707fd8306ea1779f11b9a3938c628145cfadd851d4

[ocd]

Old review but gave me some ideas what to cook with the Control Freak:

https://www.wired.com/2016/04/review-breville-polyscience-control-freak/

[CanadianHomeChef]

So this is the cheapest I've seen a new unit (other than my eBay deals, which I'm pretty sure were brand new too). Buy 1 for $1500CAD or two for $1325 CAD each. That's $1,123.97 USD each when you buy one, or  $992.84 USD each when you buy two. Might be worth buying together with someone. I'm even tempted to get a third one at this price, but don't have the counter space, lol. 

 

Note this is the original Canadian version, that requires a 20amp outlet/circuit.

 

https://www.testek.ca/en/cooking-equipment/induction-cookers/control-freaktm-induction-cooker-from-breville-polyscience.htm

 

 

Edited March 16, 2019 by CanadianHomeChef (log)

[Kerry Beal]

34 minutes ago, CanadianHomeChef said:

So this is the cheapest I've seen a new unit (other than my eBay deals, which I'm pretty sure were brand new too). Buy 1 for $1500CAD or two for $1325 CAD each. That's $1,123.97 USD each when you buy one, or  $992.84 USD each when you buy two. Might be worth buying together with someone. I'm even tempted to get a third one at this price, but don't have the counter space, lol. 

 

Note this is the original Canadian version, that requires a 20amp outlet/circuit.

 

https://www.testek.ca/en/cooking-equipment/induction-cookers/control-freaktm-induction-cooker-from-breville-polyscience.htm

 

 

 

The Canadian one that I saw had an adapter on the wall end of the cord that I suspect steps it down to make it compatible with a regular wall outlet.

 

 

[CanadianHomeChef]

49 minutes ago, Kerry Beal said:

The Canadian one that I saw had an adapter on the wall end of the cord that I suspect steps it down to make it compatible with a regular wall outlet.

 

 

Yes. I think TesTek supplies an adapter. Luckily my kitchen has 20amp outlets. I think it's pretty standard in Alberta kitchens.. at least new builds. 

[CanadianHomeChef]

One thing to note, TesTek recommends that you only run "medium" intensity if you are using the adapter, as the adapter itself pulls some extra wattage and could trip the breaker. The unit it's self won't go over 1800watts which a 15 amp outlet can handle... but the addition of the adapter could cause problems.

 

I believe Canada is getting a standard 15 amp Control Freak hence the reason why they are trying to clear out these units.

[ElsieD]

This is what I was sent.

[ocd]

My condo's kitchen sockets accept both 'normal' and this Nema 5-20 type plug. Looks like:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NEMA_5-20RA_GFCI_Tamper_Resistant_Receptacle.jpg

 

I'm guessing the adapter doesn't do anything electrically except change the electrical plug shape.

[KennethT]

@ocd That's correct. I imagine the company recommends using at a lower setting because plug adapters are notoriously cheap pieces of crap (even the expensive ones) amongst those in the industry and running high amounts of current through them for extended periods of time tend to make them melt.  That, coupled with the liability that a NEMA 5-15 15A outlet should be used with a 15A breaker, which at 1800W for an extended time could cause older breakers to trip.

[CanadianHomeChef]

The American version is 1800 watts and has a 15 amp plug... so I'm thinking it's just overkill Canadian standards. Looks like they got over them though, as Canada is getting a 15 amp plug model according to TesTek, that's why they are clearing out their old stock.

 

My model is currently plugged into a 20amp outlet, but I had it in a 15 amp outlet for a couple months in BC, and had no problem with it tripping the breaker.

[Foodie from Boston]

Made a couple of French omelettes last weekend - thanks so much @CanadianHomeChef for sharing the recipe! Watching this video also helped, especially with the plating technique (covering frying pan with a plate then flipping it).

 

What I've learned:

- the key is not to get too greedy with the fillings or it becomes difficult to wrap it up (I used basil, tomato, ham and cheese for fillings)

- 228F works really well

- it took me a little longer than 2 minutes, more like 3-4 minutes (probably due to difference in frying pan induction characteristics)

[Foodie from Boston]

Made some Hollandaise sauce this weekend - recipe courtesy of @CanadianHomeChef (also found a similar recipe on PolyScience Culinary website along with their YouTube video by one of their chefs, David Pietranczyk). Turned out great (despite the fact that I forgot to switch to probe control at first), maybe a little too lemon'ey for our taste (will try to use less lemon juice in the future). I really liked how simple it was - just throw it all in at the same time, no need for a vinegar reduction or bain marie or anything like that.