Sous Vide Anova Precision Cooker Pro

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Personally, I wouldn't touch Anova with a ten-foot pole:

https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/vacuum-sealer-australia-based.45288/#post-669073
I was participating in the Anova forum for a while, and the horror stories there are never-ending. Also, the new Pro version apparently makes so much noise that is not feasible to have the appliance running inside the kitchen. You really have to move it outside or to a separate room. Given that a lot of sous vide cooks can take 24-72 hours, that's a show stopper.
 
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I'm guessing they're lowering the price on this pro model because of the problems you mentioned.
 
I've got a few Anova and just ordered the Pro without hesitation. My experience as a daily user is that they are solid circulators, as good or better than any on the market. They had more problems with wi-fi connectivity than they should have had - but that's not a function I've ever used.

The newer home unit at 150 is a great deal, the Pro at 200 is even better.
 
I've got the AN500, use it at least once a week since Christmas, no issues. I had the original since it came out a few years ago. Perfect every time. Passed it on to my son when I got the new one. Probably no reason to upgrade, but Black Friday deal was pretty good. Didn't see any real advantage to get the Pro model. 1200 vs 1000 watts means that it will bring my water up to temp a minute or two quicker.

On the original one, the skirt wouldn't lock in place after couple of years. Even though it was out of warranty and didn't really affect performance, they stood behind it and sent me a new one.

Now that you got me thinking about it, I think I'll make a batch of creme brulee for Mother's day!
 
My experience as a daily user is that they are solid circulators, as good or better than any on the market.
Good to hear! I didn't buy the wifi model because I couldn't care less about my Anova when I'm at the office. The Bluetooth connectivity is totally broken and utterly useless. (Has been like that forever.) I figured out early on that, if I want my Anova to work reliably, I have to use the manual controls on the unit itself, and not even try to set a timer. If the cook has a time limit, I just set an alarm on my phone. (That works every time whereas, the timer on the Anova does not work.)

The manual controls (on/off and setting the temperature) work well. The unit itself works fine. It keeps the water temperature constant, and it is quiet. (That's for the Anova Precision cooker, not the Nano or the Pro, which are both very noisy.) The main complaint I have about the Anova is that I need to use a special container or otherwise protect it from the water it is heating. Otherwise, I get to enjoy a lot of beeps.
 
Purchased a WiFi Anova about 4 yrs ago, it went back under warranty for a WiFi issue. Anova didn’t send me a replacement and somehow my bugging them resulted in two units showing up. I lend one out of anyone’s wants to try it out. Otherwise, then have been solid and I would buy again.
As far as WiFi goes, I have been known to add my food to an ice bath and head out the door. I can log into the Anova and start my cook remotely.
 
Good to hear! I didn't buy the wifi model because I couldn't care less about my Anova when I'm at the office. The Bluetooth connectivity is totally broken and utterly useless. (Has been like that forever.) I figured out early on that, if I want my Anova to work reliably, I have to use the manual controls on the unit itself, and not even try to set a timer. If the cook has a time limit, I just set an alarm on my phone. (That works every time whereas, the timer on the Anova does not work.)

The manual controls (on/off and setting the temperature) work well. The unit itself works fine. It keeps the water temperature constant, and it is quiet. (That's for the Anova Precision cooker, not the Nano or the Pro, which are both very noisy.) The main complaint I have about the Anova is that I need to use a special container or otherwise protect it from the water it is heating. Otherwise, I get to enjoy a lot of beeps.
I agree with the wifi and bluetooth functionality, just like I don't need my oven, refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc. to be connected to the Cloud! Set it and forget it. One of the great things with sous vide is the flexibility of cooking times. If you go over an hour or more it usually doesn't matter.

As for specialized cooking containers, 90% of the time, I use a metal stock pot, uncovered. I have a plastic container with a lid, but only use it when I need more capacity or very long cooks. Most of the time, I'm cooking under 4 hours at less than 150 degrees, and water evaporation is minimal.
 
not the Nano or the Pro, which are both very noisy.

M, Is any of your assertion based on your experience or is it anecdotal? I have at least one of every model they've made - the BT/WI-FI is probably the noisiest. My Nano just whispers. The newest (suggest retail $200) model is very quiet. I'm not expecting the Pro to be different but don't have it in hand yet. I'm certainly not going to cite "evidence" from Faceybook as experience. They're quicker to repeat rumor there than anyone is here.

I've found setting temp with the wheel on the BT/Wi/Fi a very minor pia. Setting the timer with the wheel sucks and is the only reason I've ever used the app. And after an easy 1000 cooks, the timer has worked just fine. Both times I used it.

Cambro containers FTW. I use 3 sizes and they fit all of the circulators. Wish Anova would stop changing OD of the things but that's pretty minor. Don't know of Cambro availability down under but surely you have an equivalent.
 
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M, Is any of your assertion based on your experience or is it anecdotal?
I've seen a bunch of videos of noisy units. I'm not sure whether that makes it anecdotal.

My Nano just whispers. That's good to hear. Maybe Anova still has QA issues in manufacturing. (It wouldn't be the first time.) There were quite a lot of complaints on the Anova forum about it being noisy.
Cambro containers FTW. I use 3 sizes and they fit all of the circulators. Wish Anova would stop changing OD of the things but that's pretty minor. Don't know of Cambro availability down under but surely you have an equivalent.
Sadly, Cambro is pretty much impossible to get here. But there are alternatives. I use a BPA-free storage box with a hole cut into the lid for the Anova.
 
I've seen a bunch of videos of noisy units. I'm not sure whether that makes it anecdotal.

Getting laid is experience. Watching porn is anecdotal. :cool:

Way too much "I read (saw) it on the internet, it must be true".

Did you have any QA problems with your unit?
 
Glad they got it sorted with you.

Gotta say I've never heard of your particular problem - from the description I would have sought warranty relief as well.
 
Non-WiFi owner here and I've got nothing but praise for my Anova. No that loud either.
 
Non-WiFi owner here and I've got nothing but praise for my Anova. No that loud either.
I stopped using the Bluetooth functionality and the app ages ago. I select the temperature and turn it on by hand (which is quick and easy), and don't bother with the timer on the thing. If I need an alarm, I set it on my phone instead. That works even if I move out of Bluetooth range.

The impeller on mine is quiet and it doesn't change pitch, so I'm fine with the Anova running in the kitchen for long cooks. (We have an open-plan house.) The noise is no more intrusive than the range hood on low, or the fridge motor.
 
I've got a few Anova and just ordered the Pro without hesitation. My experience as a daily user is that they are solid circulators, as good or better than any on the market. They had more problems with wi-fi connectivity than they should have had - but that's not a function I've ever used.

The newer home unit at 150 is a great deal, the Pro at 200 is even better.


Dave, where did you see the the price for the Anova home unit at $150 and Pro at $200. I looked all over and could not find any prices close to those? Thanks. Rob
 
Was a promo Anova ran around Mother's day. Only thing certain about Anova is if they've done it once they'll do it again. If you can wait, hand on till July and all the Amazon/Everybody else sales.
 
I'm in no hurry, I can wait. Father's day is around the corner, maybe they will do it for that. Thanks for the reply.
 
Wi-fi unit here. Has always worked exactly as i expected, with no Wi-Fi issues. I almost never use the bluetooth functionality, but had a dinner once that i was preparing for and needed to start the timer from work. It was nice to have that one time.

I even got my mom and brother one, after they had their first few sous vide meals. TBH, i have never even given the sound a single thought. As far as I'm concerned after it has been set, i barely notice its there unless its taking up room on the counter.

Aside from cooking, I've also used it on the cold temps to speed defrost.

+1 for Cambro as well.
 
I've had my unit for probably 4 years now. It gets used a few times per month. Haven't had an issue, but mine is the Bluetooth only version, not WiFi. Can't saying anything bad about it, but would definitely do additional research on other brands if this one broke.
 
Anova fathers day sale on now $200 for the Pro, I have the Pro and a Joule, never had any problems with either one. The Joule gets used more only because its in my smaller water bath, I use the Pro for larger items and longer cooks.
 
Anova fathers day sale on now $200 for the Pro, I have the Pro and a Joule, never had any problems with either one. The Joule gets used more only because its in my smaller water bath, I use the Pro for larger items and longer cooks.

@Bear thanks for the notice. This is my first unit. When I started looking at the Anova I was looking to purchase the Precision Cooker. Looking at the sale the Pro is half its regular price and only $50 more than the Precision Cooker. Now I am leaning towards the Pro. For those who own the Pro, is it worth the extra money? Thanks.
 
I have one (the precision cooker; not the pro) and only use it by manually setting everything. I had encountered numerous annoying issues in working over wifi or BT. I like it.
 
I have the Nano Precision Cooker from Anova, had zero issues really, but if your water drops down too low and it turns off (that’s fine) it resets the timer and temperature, doesn’t even pause the time?
but good bang for buck if your only cooking for a average sized family
 
I have the original and picked the Precision WiFi/BT model 2 years ago. The original still runs like a tank. The I've used the BT functionality 3-4 times. I use the WiFi most of the time and had no problems. I expected it to be buggier. It's helpful on long cooks to keep an eye on things especially when I'm out
 
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