The Anova Precision Cooker Pro is an innovative immersion circulator that enables precise temperature control for sous vide cooking. Sous vide, French for “under vacuum,” is a cooking technique that uses precise temperature control to deliver consistent, restaurant-quality results. With the Anova Precision Cooker Pro, home cooks can achieve perfection and discover the full potential of sous vide.
How Sous Vide Cooking Works
Sous vide cooking involves vacuum sealing food in plastic bags and then immersing the bags in a water bath held at a specific temperature. The key is precise temperature control – the water bath is heated to the exact temperature needed to cook the food.
For example, chicken breast should be cooked between 140°F and 145°F. With an immersion circulator like the Anova Precision Cooker Pro, you set the desired temperature and the device heats and circulates the water to reach that temp. The bagged food cooks gently in the water bath until it reaches the set temperature.
This slow, low-temperature cooking tenderizes meats and retains moisture extremely well. It also allows food to cook evenly from edge to edge, eliminating hot or cold spots. Sous vide enables texture and doneness consistency that is nearly impossible to achieve through conventional cooking methods.
Key Features of the Anova Precision Cooker Pro
The Anova Precision Cooker Pro includes several features that enable perfect sous vide cooking:
Precision Temperature Control
With a temperature range of 0.1oC to 95oC (32oF to 203oF), the Anova Pro allows extremely precise temperature control for sous vide cooking. The PID controller regulates temps to within 0.01oC. Such precision is critical for sous vide perfection.
Connectivity and App Integration
The Anova Pro has integrated WiFi and can connect to the Anova app. This allows remote control and monitoring from your smartphone or tablet. The app provides access to thousands of sous vide recipes and guides you through each step.
Durable and Compact Design
Constructed from stainless steel, the Anova Pro is durable enough for constant kitchen use. Despite its power, it has a slim profile that doesn’t take up much space in pots or containers. Suction cup feet provide stability.
Easy-to-Use Interface
A clear LED screen and simple jog wheel make the Anova Pro intuitive to operate. Just scroll to set your temperature and time. There are also preset cooking options for common foods like vegetables, seafood, and eggs.
Benefits of Using the Anova Precision Cooker Pro
With its precise temperature regulation, the Anova Pro provides major benefits for home cooks:
Consistent and Perfectly Cooked Meals
Sous vide equals consistent results. The Anova Pro cooks food perfectly edge-to-edge without over or undercooking. Meats come out tender and juicy. Vegetables retain vibrancy and bite.
Time and Energy Efficiency
Set it and forget it. Walk away while the Anova Pro gently cooks food over longer periods. The water bath requires minimal energy to maintain an exact temperature. You save time watching pots.
Versatility in Cooking Techniques
Beyond basic sous vide, the Anova Pro enables advanced techniques like compression (for fruits and vegetables), slow cooking, poaching, and more. It can even make yogurt, hot sauce, and alcohol infusions.
Improved Food Safety
With precise temperature control, the Anova Pro pasteurizes foods and eliminates bacteria growth risks associated with raw or undercooked foods. Vacuum sealing also inhibits microbial growth.
Enhanced Flavor and Texture
Low, slow sous vide cooking tenderizes meats, intensifies flavor, and improves moisture retention. Food has a restaurant quality texture and taste.
Applications of the Anova Precision Cooker Pro
The Anova Pro is extremely versatile. It can be used for:
Sous Vide Cooking
The core purpose of the Anova Pro is sous vide cooking. Vacuum seal meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and more, then immerse in the temperature controlled water bath.
Slow Cooking
Utilize the Anova Pro as a sous vide slow cooker to braise tough cuts of meat like pork shoulder or short ribs until fork tender.
Poaching
Poach fish, chicken, and fruit at precise temperatures to achieve tender texture. The Anova Pro excels at delicate poaching.
Yogurt Making
By holding milk at 110°F for several hours, the Anova Pro incubates yogurt cultures to produce thick, tangy homemade yogurt.
Infusing Liquids and Oils
Infuse olive oils, liquors, vinegars, syrups, and more by sustaining specific temperatures over time to extract flavors.
Reheating Pre-Cooked Meals
Maintain perfect doneness and moisture when reheating vacuum sealed leftovers or pre-cooked sous vide meals.
How to Use the Anova Precision Cooker Pro for Sous Vide Cooking
Using the Anova Pro for sous vide cooking is simple:
- Vacuum seal food in a pouch, removing excess air.
- Set the Anova Pro to your target temperature and allow the water bath to preheat.
- Place the sealed pouch in the water bath, ensuring it is fully submerged. Clip the pouch to the side if needed.
- Cook for the recommended time according to the food type and thickness. The Anova app provides guidance.
- Remove the pouch when done cooking. For meats like steak, quickly sear to browned exterior.
- Enjoy your perfectly cooked sous vide creation!
How the Anova Pro Compares to Other Immersion Circulators
The Anova Precision Cooker Pro stands out from other sous vide immersion circulators with:
- Its commercial grade stainless steel construction for durability
- Powerful 1000W heating for fast water bath temperature recovery
- Dual temperature sensors for precise calibration
- WiFi connectivity and control through the Anova app
- Access to thousands of recipes through the app
- Larger bath capacity up to 100 liters
More affordable Anova models like the Nano and Precision Cooker lack the power, connectivity, and capacity of the Pro. High-end competitors like the Breville Joule have comparable precision but lower wattage. Only the Anova Pro provides the blend of power, features and app connectivity ideal for most home cooks.
Popular Sous Vide Recipes to Try with the Anova Precision Cooker Pro
The possibilities are endless with sous vide cooking. Try these popular recipes with the Anova Pro:
BBQ Pulled Pork
- Season pork shoulder and cook sous vide at 165°F for 24 hours
- Shred meat and toss with your favorite bbq sauce
Chicken Breast
- Brine chicken breasts and cook at 145°F for 2 hours
- Incredibly tender and juicy chicken perfect for meals
Strip or Ribeye Steak
- Cook 1-inch steaks at 135°F for 1-2 hours for medium rare
- Quick grill or sear to finish
Salmon Fillet
- Cook salmon at 115°F for 20-30 minutes until opaque
- Serve with fresh dill and lemon
Crème Brûlée
- Cook custard in ramekins at 176°F for 1 hour
- Chill overnight and torch to caramelize topping
Poached Pears
- Simmer pears in wine with spices at 183°F for 2 hours
- Delicate, flavorful dessert
The Anova Precision Cooker Pro unlocks the potential of sous vide, allowing anyone to achieve professional-level cooking. With this innovative circulator, you can transform the texture, flavor, safety and consistency of your meals through the power of precision temperature control.
