I spent $300 on a fancy sous vide machine and barely use it

I bought it last year thinking it would change my whole kitchen. Everyone online said it was a must for perfect steaks and chicken. Honestly, it just takes too long and ties up a whole pot for hours. I used it maybe four times, and the results weren't that much better than a good pan sear. For the price, I wish I had just upgraded my knives instead. Has anyone else found a good use for theirs that makes it worth the counter space?

3 comments

3 Comments

terryr462mo ago

My own sous vide machine is currently holding up a stack of cookbooks in the pantry. I got it as a gift and the only thing I've cooked perfectly in it is a single pork chop, which felt like a huge event for something I could have just pan fried. It does make great yogurt, but that's a lot of money for a fancy yogurt maker.

david_henderson62mo ago

You're missing the point, terryr46. It's about perfect, repeatable results you can't get from a pan.

victorcoleman2mo ago

My brother bought a fancy bread maker that's now just a big paperweight in his garage. It feels like half the kitchen gadgets these days are built for a lifestyle nobody actually lives. They sell you on this idea of perfect results, but they forget about the time and mess involved. I see it with air fryers and instant pots too, people use them twice then go back to their old pans. We're all chasing some ideal meal instead of just cooking dinner.