The Best Sous Vide Container
1. Rubbermaid Commercial Products Plastic Square Food Storage Container
Key Features
Made from premium quality polycarbonate material
Smooth surface and easy to clean
Dishwasher safe for convenience
Transparent for a clear view of the food
Measurement gradations for precision
Easy to store
Carefully engineered from premium quality polycarbonate material offering durability and ease of cleaning, the Rubbermaid Plastic Food Storage Container is ideal for a range of culinary uses including sous vide. These space-saving sous vide containers are supplied without a lid but snugly fitting lids are available and can be purchased separately.
The water bath container is made from material approved for food contact by the FDA and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. It is completely transparent to give a clear view of the food and is marked with precise measurement gradations. The material is also able to withstand any temperature between -40 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
Space saving design takes up less space in the kitchen
Lids are available
Accurate volume gradations
Can be cleaned in the dishwasher
Withstands hot and cold temperatures
Cons
Plastic container is quite heavy
No lids are included
2. Anova Culinary Sous Vide Cooking Container
Key Features
Curved design container for sous vide
Accommodates wand immersion circulator
Silicon collar to retain heat and steam
3mm raised base to protect surfaces
Integrated wire rack for submersion
Easy to clean
Purpose-built for sous vide and featuring a curved profile that facilitates more efficient water circulation, this water bath comes with a special lid that accommodates a wand-style immersion circulator in a flexible silicone collar to retain heat and to stop steam from escaping.
These food-grade polycarbonate containers also come with a raised base to protect your countertops from heat damage and can hold 16 liters of water. The Anova Culinary Sous Vide Cooking Container comes with a metal integrated wire rack which ensures that your food remains submerged in the water bath.
Pros
Silicon collar prevents heat loss
Maintains accurate temperatures
Food grade materials
Curved shape promotes water circulation
Wire rack included
Cons
Sides can move out of place
Large capacity and therefore takes some time to fill
3. EVERIE Sous Vide Container With Hinged Lid
Key Features
Durable construction
Compatible with some circulators
Available in two sizes
Hinged lid for easy access
Stainless steel rack included
Dividers are held firmly in place by clips
Durability and ease of use are guaranteed with this sous vide container. It’s compatible with Anova Nano and AN500-US00 and Instant Pot, SET-12-NANO-PP circulators for sous vide preparation. It is available in a 7 quarts or 12 quarts size and has been approved by the NSF. The EVERIE Sous Vide Container is supplied with a lid included.
The lid has a patented hinged design that makes it possible to add or remove water or food without having to take the entire lid off and has been tested for over 100,000 uses. It comes with a stainless steel rack that features built-in clips to hold the dividers securely to the base. Five of the dividers are removable to accommodate different types of food.
Pros
Compatible with some immersion circulators
Strong container for a large volume of water
Easy to put food in and out
Food held securely in place by the rack
Some dividers can be removed
Cons
Not compatible with all circulators
The fill line is very near the top
4. LIPAVI Polycarbonate Sous Vide Container
Key Features
Four sizes to choose from
Strong and clear material
Provides effective heat insulation
Will withstand a wide range of temperatures
Volume scale provided on the side
Several types of lid available
Available in four sizes up to 26 quarts and at a height of eight inches these crystal clear polycarbonate containers are designed to enhance your cuisine. The construction offers superior insulation for accurate temperature control and is strong enough to hold water and food. Volume markings are etched on the side for accurate measurements when cooking. The water bath can withstand temperatures of between -40 and 210 degrees F and is dishwasher safe.
The LIPAVI Polycarbonate Sous Vide Container does not come with a lid but they are sold separately and are individually designed to suit different immersion circulators including the Anova Precision and the Anova One as well as the Nomiku, ChefSteps and Joule and many more. A matching rack is also available and is sold separately.
Pros
Strong enough to hold a large volume of sous vide water
Anova precision and many other lids available
Keeps water warm for a long time
Withstands a wide range of temperatures
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Does not come with a lid
Racks have to be purchased separately
5. EVERIE EVC-12 Collapsible Lid Sous Vide Cotainer
Key Features
Available in two sizes
Made from heat retentive plastic
Approved for food contact by NSF
Sleeve can be purchased separately
Lids are purchased separately
Lids are compatible with Anova circulator only
The EVERIE EVC-12 Collapsible Lid Sous Vide Container is available as a 7 quart or 12 quart version. Both are made from a strong plastic material that has been approved as food safe by the NSF. It has excellent heat retention properties, however, an additional insulation sleeve can be purchased separately.
It comes with a lid that is exclusively compatible with the Anova Bluetooth 800w or Wi-Fi 900w or AN500-US00 1000w. Each lid features a hinge so that you can add water or food and check on the contents without having to remove the circulator. The lids fit snugly without the need for clamps.
Pros
Compatible with Anova immersion circulators
Two sizes for flexible cooking
Vide water can be added without taking the lid off
No clamps are needed to secure the lid
Retains heat well
Cons
Only compatible with some Anova circulators
No rack included
6. VÄESKE Insulated Sous Vide Container With Lid And Rack
Key Features
Insulated Neoprene sleeve to retain heat and protect the vessel surface
Heats up quickly and prevents heat loss
Will withstand temperatures up to 210 degrees
Stainless steel rack to prevent food floating and clumping
Lid included with the polycarbonate water bath
12 quart capacity – sufficient for five steaks
The feature that makes the VÄESKE Insulated Sous Vide Container stand out is the insulated Neoprene sleeve that serves several purposes. Because it retains heat, the water bath heats up quicker and the temperature is kept more stable leading to superior sous vide results. It also protects the container for sous vide from scratches and protects your home surfaces from heat damage.
The 12-quart container is made from transparent polycarbonate and will withstand temperatures up to 210 degrees F. At 8 inches high, it is the perfect depth for most cookers. It comes with a lid cover that keeps in the evaporation and means that it does not need to be constantly topped up. The lid has a 2.5 inch opening that will fit most cookers including the Anova precision cooker and the Joule sous vide machine. There is also a stainless steel rack with a wide crossbar that you use to keep the food bags in place and prevent it floating or clumping in one place for a long time which reduces the high quality of your sous vide cooking. The only thing left to make complete your sous vide experience with this kit is a good quality vacuum sealer.
Pros
No need to purchase a separate lid
Water bath comes with a rack
Insulating sleeve to make sure surfaces are not damaged
Compatible with most sous vide machines
Can withstand high water temperatures
Cons
Lid is not hinged
Not large enough for large batches of sous vide cooking
7. Wellborn Sous Vide Container Set
Key Features
Lightweight containers which are best for filling at the sink
Polycarbonate containers approved by NSF
8 inches in height
Lid to reduce evaporation
Can be cleaned in the dishwasher
Compatible with many sous vide cookers
These are lightweight containers for sous vide that also offer durability and a clear view of your food. The polycarbonate container holds 12 quarts of water which is just the right size for cooking for the average family. It is also a convenient shape and size for filling at the sink. The water bath stands at 8 inches high to suit most cookers and is NSF approved.
To keep evaporation of the sous vide water to a minimum, a tightly fitting lid is included with the Wellborn Sous Vide Container Set and both the lid and the water bath are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. This container is compatible with the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker, the Anova Nano, the Anova Pro, the ChefStep Breville Joule and the Instant Pot Accu.
Pros
Perfect height for sous vide
Lid to make sure water level stays constant
Compatible with most of the best sous vide cookers
Dishwasher safe
Safe and durable material
Cons
Lid is not hinged
No rack included
8. EVERIE 12 Quart Silicone Lid Sous Vide Container
Key Features
12 quart volume
Compatible with many Anova sous vide machines
Snug mount hole
Striking silicone lid
Allows hardly any evaporation over a long cooking time
Approved by the NSF
The EVERIE 12 Quart Silicone Lid Sous Vide Container features a striking silicone lid that fits snugly to the water bath and has a mounting hole into which an Anova cooker immersion circulator will fit. You can use these for cooking with the Anova 800w, Anova 900w, Anova 1000w, or AN500-USoo but you cannot use them for cooking with the Anova Nano 750w.
Because the seals are so tight, there is very little evaporation and long cooking time (even overnight) is possible without the need to top up the cooking water. This is achieved without the need for clamps or clips. When you need to check on the food or the sous vide water, the lid is easy to fold back. Volume markings are given on the side of these strong plastic containers for sous vide which have been approved by the NSF.
Pros
You can use them for a long cooking time
Sous vide water cannot evaporate when cooking
Strong and durable
Can use with most Anova sous vide machines
No clamps required
Cons
Cannot use it for cooking with all sous vide machines
No rack included
9. Monoprice StarLight Sous Vide Container
Key Features
Transparent design to view the food and water level
Strong and durable
Easy to clean
Lid provided
Allows little evaporation
Notch for immersion cooker
Perfect for cooking for a regular family, the Monoprice StarLight Sous Vide Container suits overnight cooking sessions thanks to the tightly fitting polycarbonate lid that minimizes evaporation – even over a long time. There is no need to use any clamps or clips.
The lid features a notch through which you fit the immersion circulator cooker. The transparent design makes it easy to see what is going on inside and the molded lid handles make it easy to remove.
Pros
Strong and durable
Comes with a lid
Space in the lid to fit a cooker
Smooth and transparent
Prevents steam from escaping when cooking for a long time
Cons
Lid is not hinged
No rack included in the bundle
10. EVERIE 7 Quart Space Saving Sous Vide Container
Key Features
Transparent design for a clear view of the food
8 inches tall for perfect sous vide cooking
Small size for smaller families
Strong and durable
Smooth and easy to clean
Lightweight and easy to move
An inexpensive, non-nonsense container for sous vide cooking, the EVERIE 7 Quart Space Saving Sous Vide Container will not break the bank but provides everything you need for your cooking experience. It comes in a 7 or 12-quart size – the 7 quart is great if you are only cooking for a couple of people.
It is 8 inches high and can withstand temperatures of ranging from -40 degrees to 210 degrees F. A range of lids can be purchased separately.
Pros
Small and compact size
Easy to keep clean
Compact and portable design
Perfect height
Lids are available
Cons
Lids have to be purchased separately
No rack
Features To Consider With Sous Vide Containers
Sous vide simply means 'under vacuum' and is a way of cooking food sealed in bags at very precise temperatures. It gives consistent results for many different kinds of meat and vegetables and retains both the natural flavor and moisture of food in a way that other cooking methods cannot do.
It has been used by high-end restaurants for decades but is now also a popular method for cooking at home. Of course, you have to have the correct equipment to make a success of it and your choice of sous vide container is critical. Here are the main features that you should look out for.
Materials
Material is one of the most important considerations. There is a lot of concern these days about BPA free plastics and the risks associated with non BPA free materials in food preparation. Polycarbonate is one of the materials that would be classed as risky because when it is heated, it releases the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) into the liquid that it is in contact with. In the case of sous vide cooking, this would be the water. Research has shown that BPA can mimic the structure of the human hormone estrogen when it enters the body and can, therefore, interfere with cell growth and repair, the development of the fetus, and reproduction.
So is polycarbonate the best material for sous vide containers? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. This is because the food is completely protected from the water, and therefore also from the BPA by plastic pouches.
It is very important that you use verified BPA free bags and pouches every time you use sous vide as a method of cooking and that you discard the water after use.
Strength and Durability
The container must be strong enough to contain a large volume of water and must be able to withstand being moved around and filled. If you want to fill it at the sink, you may prefer a lighter container. Most sous vide containers are transparent so that you can see what is going on inside. They should also be smooth and easy to clean and many can be placed in the dishwasher.
Heat Retention
Material that can retain heat is best because it will help you to maintain a consistently accurate temperature in the water tank. If the water is cooler than it should be, the cooked food texture and taste will not be as good. Some tanks are supplied with insulating covers and others are available to purchase separately.
Size
Sous vide cooking requires an immersion circulator and heater that maintains the water at an ideal temperature. Most of these devices work best in containers that are around 8 inches high so this is the best height to choose.
Volume is also important and this will be determined by the quantity of food that you want to cook at one time. If you have a large family or are catering to guests, you will need a larger container. Most containers are 12 quarts and this is large enough to fit at least five steaks. Some are available as 7 quarts which will suit smaller families.
Another important feature to consider when it comes to size is whether a rack is included with the tank. A rack is used to keep the food in place and to prevent it from clumping or floating. Clumping is more likely if the tank is too small and you have put too much food in it.
Water Level
The water level should be marked on the outside of the container so that you can clearly see how much water is in the container. This is usually marked in a quarts scale. Sous vide water can evaporate during the cooking process and will need to be topped up or you run the risk of the food not being covered. Accurate water levels allow you to do this precisely.
Lid
Some containers are supplied with lids and some are not. The purpose of the lid is to fit snugly so that it retains moisture. It will also have a hole cut at one end into which the immersion heater will fit. When purchasing a lid, it is important to check that the hole is the right size for the immersion heater that you are using. You will not be able to tell this from the image alone, you should always carefully read the specification.
Sous Vide Container FAQ
Q: Do you need a special container for sous vide?
Sous vide cooking is all about precision. Therefore, whilst the container does not have to be specific sous vide container, it will need to have certain features to allow it to be used for this type of food preparation. It must be around 8 inches deep and be made from strong material so that it can hold a lot of water. Most are made from polycarbonate which is a type of plastic.
The container should have volume markings and be easy to clean. It should either have a lid supplied with it or you should be able to purchase a special lid separately.
Q: Can you use a slow cooker as a sous vide?
Slow cookers (crock pots) are another way of slowly cooking food to retain flavor and moisture but slow cookers are not suitable for sous vide. They are not able to maintain the contents at a precise temperature because the power output is too low. Precision is very important for sous vide.
It may be possible to adapt a slow cooker to become make-shift sous vide cooker but this is not always successful. If you consider yourself to be a beginner at sous vide cooking, you should have a sneak peek in our beginners' guide to sous vide cooking.
Q: Can I reuse sous vide water?
If you want to cook two sous vide batches only a few days apart, it is probably acceptable to reuse the sous vide water because it should not have come into contact with any food. However, this is a controversial subject amongst home sous vides and opinions differ greatly! Some people advocate adding a few drops of bleach into the water before it is reused and others think that this is a terrible idea.
The best approach is to refresh the water just in case there is a tiny hole in your vacuum bags and the food becomes contaminated with bacteria or toxins that have built up in the water.
Q: How much water do I need to sous vide?
This will depend on the particular immersion circulator that you are using and the quantity of food that you are cooking. The most important thing is that all the packs of food are covered at all times and that the water can circulate around them. As a general rule of thumb, half of the volume of the tank should be taken up by the food.