Sous vide is one of the most popular ways of cooking. While it usually doesn’t require much except for sealed plastic bags or the ingredients themselves, having the best containers for sous vide can be pretty useful.
If you already own one, yours probably isn’t really serving the purpose of having a container in the first place. So, we’re assuming you’re looking for an upgrade. There are a number of reasons why we think our top picks are the best in the market.
Easy to clean and convenient to use, our top 10 choices would surely appeal to you. So, if you are interested in finding the perfect container for cooking in the sous vide method, stick around till the end!
Recommended Best Pick!
If you’re in a hurry and want to just glance over our best choice for these containers, we have you covered.
Coming with the exceptionally sturdy build quality and heat retention, the LIPAVI C15 Container in 18 Quarts, in our opinion, is the best choice for a sous vide container.
It has a heat retention limit of 210°F, which is a lot and can let you cook a bunch of food items at once. This product is durable and would last you a long time. For a more detailed review, check below.
Why Buy Containers for Sous Vide?
A lot of people ask us why we would even need containers for sous vide? We ask them why not?
Sous vide is a very special type of cooking method which requires you to be extremely careful and pretty precise. You can’t just throw the ingredients in a zip lock bag and toss it in absolutely any container.
Well, you could, but we can’t vouch for the outcome. What we can vouch for are the specialized containers that are meant for sous vide.
There are a number of reasons you want to buy good containers that are specifically made for sous vide. These containers are usually made of polycarbonate and BPA-free materials, easy to clean, have enough space for vacuum bags to fit, etc.
You want something that was tailored for this specific purpose, as opposed to something completely random that isn’t necessarily the best for this.
If you want your food to be perfectly cooked, we highly suggest that you invest in containers that are made specifically for sous vide.
There are actually different types of containers made of different materials to choose from, and they all serve more or less the same purpose – to provide you with well-cooked food.
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10 Best Containers for Sous Vide
Alright, so now that we have the informative parts out of the way, let us dive into the main product review and check out which sous vide container is the best for your kitchen!
1. LIPAVI C15 Container in 18 Quarts
- Matching Lids Available for a Vide Array of Immersion Circulators
- Perfect match for L15 Sous Vide Rack - gives extended capacity and...
- Made from Crystal Clear and Strong Polycarbonate
- High Temperature Tolerance From -40 to 210 F - Dishwasher Safe
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our first product for this review is the famous Lipavi sous vide container, made of polycarbonate material. This construction type has made the product very lightweight, therefore coming up at only 2.2 pounds.
Ideal for large families, the product can be found in 4 different sizes that range from C5 to C20. You can now cook up delicious meals in large quantity at once, thanks to the different sous vide container size the manufacturer equipped in this baby!
Did we mention that this 8-inch-tall item can also be compatible with a customizable lid and rack system? Yup, you can now tailor-make the product according to your kitchen requirements, therefore utilizing your kitchen space in the right way.
However, the only downside to this is that the lid and rack do not actually come with the package and are required to be purchased separately. What a bummer!
On top of that, this clear-bodied container is also safe for dishwashing, so you can give those delicate hands a rest and let the machine work for you instead. The maximum temp tolerance of this container is 210°F.
With total dimensions of 17.6 x 11.5 x 7.8 inches at most, this sleek and transparent container can easily slide under any kitchen counter smoothly. You can expect any model immersion circulator to also be compatible with this container.
2. Rubbermaid Commercial-Products Storage Container for Sous Vide
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Available in 7 different sizes to choose from, this baby can easily be deemed as one of the best sous vide containers on this list! The product is made of strong plastic, so you can expect it to be very lightweight as well.
We think giving this product a square shape was really clever, as it can now easily accommodate around 3-4 packets at once. The shape also makes the container versatile, as it is not only limited to cooking meat but can also be used as a general storage box.
You can throw this container (not literally) in the dishwasher as well, thanks to its FDA-approved construction. The product can withstand heat up to 212°F.
The accurate gradations on the container will give you the right measurements, therefore making your cooking much quicker and hassle-free (especially if you’re a beginner).
Just to make it easier for you to understand, know that the red marks are for quarts, and the blue ones depict liters. Portioning has never been easier!
Apparently, these sous vide insulated container allows 25 percent more shelf space in your kitchen or refrigerator. On top of that, the transparency of the product adds up to its cleaner visuals and overall handling.
3. EVERIE Sous-vide Container in 12 Quarts
- Everie Sous Vide Container Bundle - 12 Quart container and lid with...
- Minimum Water Evaporation - Cook long time even over night without...
- Collapsible Lid - The hinge is close to the machine giving enough...
- No Clamps Required - The lid fits to the container snugly to clamp the...
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Up ahead, we have this polycarbonate-transparent sous vide container by the brand EVERIE. This product of theirs packs a mighty punch with its features and specifications.
For starters, the container introduces a “minimal water evaporation” feature, which basically means what it says – it saves up water. This means you do not have to keep refilling the container every 2 hours. Heck, you can even keep it operating throughout the night without going dry!
Other than that, the product also comes with a collapsible lid that allows easier closure over the box when it is being used. Keep all the steam and water inside the container with the lid on.
The best thing here is that no clamps or other tools are required to install the lid, as it comes pre-installed with hinges anyway. Also, the lid combo in this container is ideal specifically for Anova sous vide cooking. However, note that the product cannot be paired with the Anova Nano model.
You can also contact customer service in case your purchased product comes with a broken lid or hinges during shipment.
With dimensions of 13 x 11.81 x 7.5 inches, know that this container will accommodate at least a handful of meat packs at once. You can even use it for cooking veggies and other greens. How versatile is that?
4. Anova Culinary Sous Vide Container
- PURPOSE BUILT FOR SOUS VIDE: Combining a curved body shape that...
- USE WITH ANY SOUS VIDE: The flexible silicon lid collar allows for the...
- PUT A LID ON IT: Constructed of food-grade polycarbonate and utilizing...
- EASY TO USE: Simply fill your Anova Precision Cooker Container with...
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With a total weight of 10 pounds (yikes!), this 16L Anova sous vide container with lid allows incredible water flow and circulation once the lid is down and secured. The clear plastic body will let you peek into the process easier as well.
We know, this product does seem comparatively heavier than our previously reviewed products, but we assure you that the features are just amazing as the rest! The curved shape of the box also makes it rather classy and modernized to have in the kitchen.
The best thing here is that, unlike the rest of the products on this list, the lid on this baby is made of flexible silicone (Yay, finally, something soft and easy to grip!).
You can rest assured that no amount of steam or water will be allowed to escape from this container, therefore guaranteeing the perfect slow-cooked meal for you and your loved ones.
On the other hand, we have the risen base of this product, which elevates the container approximately 3mm off of the surface it is placed on. You do not have to worry about burnt countertops anymore!
Did we mention that you can find this product in size 12L as well? It is slightly smaller than this model, so we actually recommend these 16 liters one for medium to large households. Also, the temp tolerance seems to go past 185°F.
5. Sous Vide Container with Lid & Rack by Bocianelli
For the fifth product of the day, we will be taking a look at a sous vide container from Bocianelli. Similar to some other containers for sous vide that we mentioned in this list a while ago, this one also comes with a removable lid.
Moreover, the stainless steel racks that this container is integrated with can be removed and is not susceptible to rusting.
You do not have to worry about harmful plastic fumes getting incorporated into your steak while it cooks, either. The reason behind this is the high-grade food-safe PC plastic that is used to build this container.
Also, you can rest assured that the meat being cooked will not be scorched. The aforementioned steel racks prohibit the steak bag from floating so that the heat is evenly distributed throughout. Furthermore, the tight lids of the container make sure that no moisture leaves the inside of the box while the food is cooking.
Yet another advantage of the body being made out of plastic is that it is completely transparent. In other words, you will easily be able to check up on the meat that is cooking without having to remove the lid and letting the water vapor escape every now and then.
This feature also contributes to making sure that the steak is properly cooked, and no nook or cranny goes unnoticed in your sous vide container with lid and rack.
6. Cambro 12-Quart Camwear Square Food Storage Container
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here on our list of the best containers for sous vide, we present to you the 12-quart square container from the brand Cambro. While this product is not specifically made for sous vide cooking, its high versatility will still enable you to do so.
With a total capacity of twelve liters, you will be able to keep almost any form of foodstuff in this beauty, regardless of whether you will be keeping it in the fridge or outside. That’s right! This amazing food storage box is refrigerator and freezer safe, and the best part is that you will also be able to clean it in the dishwasher!
From this piece of information alone, we can guess just how durable and trustworthy this container is, and so it does not come as a wonder that NFS has approved of it.
With the body being made out of see-through polycarbonate, you will face absolutely no trouble when trying to check-up on the contents of the box. Moreover, it has a stain-free feature and will also eliminate bad smells coming from the food you store in this box.
Thanks to the product not getting stained as easily, gone are the days when you would have had to worry about the container on your kitchen counter ruining the way your room looks.
Moving the box from one place to another is also made super easy with the addition of the molded handles found on the side of the box. The only downside to this item is that it is not BPA-free and will therefore be harmful to use in situations where high temperature is required.
7. HOMENOTE Sous Vide Container 12 Quart with Lid & Rack and Sleeve
- [Complete sous vide essential accessories] 12 Qt container and lid...
- [The most suitable container for sous vide] This container/lid is made...
- [Sturdy and adjustable sous vide rack] The wavy design of our rack is...
- [Heat-resistant and insulated sous vide sleeve] This sous vide sleeve...
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We have yet another 12-quart sous vide container on our list, and this one is from HOMENOTE.
When making this product in the factory, the manufacturers made sure to use polycarbonate, which is BPA-free for the body and lid so that consumers will not face any health issues after having used this beauty to make their sous vide.
It comes with an airtight lid which has several holes cut around the middle of it, along with a rack for your sous vide and high-quality neoprene sleeves to keep the container warm while the meat cooks inside.
With the racks being made of stainless steel, you would expect the product to be on the heavier side of the weight spectrum. But that is absolutely not the case here!
Also, because of the material that the racks are composed of, they will never rust, even if they are doused in water every single day.
They are designed in such a way that they will stop the contents of the box from floating around in the water. This, in turn, will ensure that the food gets cooked more evenly.
A mentionable feature of the food rack of this transparent container is its wavy construction. Due to the shape of it, an added amount of space is created between the underside of the box and the packets of foodstuffs.
This provides the food with more circulation of the air inside the box and further ensures that it gets thoroughly cooked.
However, do remember that while you will be able to use machines from ANOVA or CHEFSTEPS with this sous vide cooking container, machinery from other brands might not be as suitable for this product.
So, we would advise you to check out how perfectly your machine and this container goes before purchasing it.
8. VPCOK Sous Vide Container
The eighth sous vide container that we have on our list for today is from the brand VPCOK. This amazing item is a must-buy if you are looking for something that will be compatible with a wide range of cookers.
Even though it is mainly made to complement ANOVA cookers, you can still expect outstanding performance from this beauty even if you use CHEFSTEPS Joule cookers.
We dare say that this just might be the best sous vide container for Joule as well, and you will understand why we say so in a few minutes.
The box comes with a very heat-resistant rack whose height can easily be changed in accordance with your wish so that the heat gets evenly distributed throughout the inside.
You will be able to use this product with ease at any temperature between –45°C to 135°C. This sous vide container comes with an airtight lid which will help reduce heat loss considerably by preventing any internal heat from escaping through the top of the box.
Side by side, you do not have to remain cautious about accidentally dropping the box and its contents when shifting it from one surface to another, thanks to the handles found on the outside of the box.
This also means that your hand does not have to come in contact with the heat being generated by the cooker.
To us, the best aspect of this product is the addition of sous vide weights and cooking balls in the packaging. The former will help keep the cooking rack and the food packets in place, while the latter works to further reduce inefficient heat loss while cooking.
9. 12L Precision Cooking Container by Anova
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you have become a fan of the brand Anova and liked the previous one that we reviewed, you might also like this one by the same brand. This 12L sous vide container may not be the best of the best, but it sure is up there with the top 10, as you can see.
As we just mentioned, the capacity of this container is 12 liters which makes it spacious enough to cook a bunch of food items altogether. However, compared to most of the sous vide cooking containers on this list, this one falls into the slightly smaller side.
One complaint we always hear from customers is that the container heats up way too much and sometimes even blows up or just gets cracked from this heat. This product solves that problem and features a thick 3 mm raised base that ensures heat protection and prevents cracks.
On top of that, it also comes with a removable rack for preventing floaters. It ensures the plastic bag remains submerged in the water and gets cooked evenly.
Apart from all that, this sous vide container also comes with a lid, which is a rare feat. Getting a lid that is meant for this particular container can be very helpful while cooking when you need to add water.
Besides these, the brand offers a free app with a bunch of sous vide recipes loaded up there, so that’s a bonus, right? Overall, this container would definitely be a good purchase.
10. Silicone Lid Sous Vide Container by EVERIE
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
And last but not least, we have this amazing container by EVERIE. The best part about this product? Well, it comes with a container lid! Talk about being lucky!
This container is one versatile one. The lid has a slit that is compatible with a bunch of models of Joule, Instant Pot, Wancle, Chefman, and Anova sous vide cookers.
The container itself is pretty spacious and allows you to cook a lot of food at once. You get about 1 L of depth from this one as well, which in our opinion, is pretty decent.
EVERIE produces high-quality sous vide containers that ensure minimum evaporation and require no clamps or other accessories for the lids.
One of the most important concerns of customers is whether a container is safe to use or not. Well, all we can say is that this one by EVERIE is NSF approved for being safe for cooking food.
However, the lid isn’t NSF certified, so you might want to keep that in mind. Overall, this product would be a pretty good choice if you ask us.
What to Look for Before You Buy?
Although the above reviews should have been enough to help you buy the best sous vide container, you might want some more pointers to know what you should be searching for in one.
Material
Getting the right material for your sous vide container is key to getting that perfectly cooked food item. So, you want to make sure you get a container with the highest quality material.
Most commonly, the material used for this type of container is polycarbonate. These are the same materials used for food storage boxes, drink bottles, etc.
This is a pretty high-quality material and is perfect for sous vide cooking. Polycarbonate containers are typically BPA-free which makes them far safer to use compared to ones that are not.
Build Quality and Durability
In terms of quality, you want a container that will be lightweight as well as very durable. The walls of the container would seem thin but very sturdy.
Most of the sous vide containers are transparent, so you can pretty much see everything going on in there while your food is cooking. Although they are transparent, the polycarbonate materials make it tough as metal and nearly unbreakable.
Okay, maybe unbreakable would be an exaggeration, but they are usually very high-quality. If you try to bend the walls with your fingers and it doesn’t even budge, you’ve got yourself a pretty durable one.
Temperature Retention
One very important feature of good sous vide container is that it must be able to absorb enough heat. Because it is going to be taking in a lot of heat for cooking, and if the retention limit is low, you can’t expect much from it.
When you add the boiling hot water, the container should be able to retain that heat for a very long period of time in order to let the food cook.
You need a container that would be compatible with the heat from the best immersion cooker to be considered as high quality.
Level of Water
Unless you want to grab a ruler and mark the measurements for water level manually, you want to check for markings on the container itself from the start.
Most good quality sous vide containers would come with these markings anyway in order to make it easy to measure how much water you’re putting into it.
Typically, these measurements are made on a quarts scale, but some may use some other metrics. This makes it easier to determine if you’re adding too much water or too little.
Lid vs. Plastic Cover vs. Floating Balls
There is a pretty big debate about whether lids or plastic wrap covers, or floating balls are better. Here is a quick comparison of the three and both their advantages and disadvantages.
Container Lid
Most of the time, sous vide containers will not come with lids. This is a rather downside of this product and raises the need to invest in a separate lid. Unfortunately for all of us, these lids tend to be misfits and don’t match with the containers properly.
So, putting on these mismatched lids completely destroys the entire purpose of it – to reduce the evaporation caused by the cooking process.
Plastic Wrap Covers
You could easily wrap your container with plastic, and it would totally ensure proper coverage. But this one applies to people who are willing to spend a lot of money on plastic wraps. Because you’re going to be using a lot of it.
While cooking, you might have to add more water, for which you’ll have to cut some parts and rewrap the container. A lot of work, isn’t it?
Floating Balls
Yeah, there are no cons to this one, only pros. Get these for your container, and rest assured it will remain covered enough to prevent the vapor from coming out excessively and retain the ability to add water whenever needed.
Are Sous Vide Containers Safe?
While many polycarbonate boxes and containers contain BPA or Bisphenol-A, which is a harmful synthetic substance, the ones made specifically for sous vide do not. These boxes are made to be safe to use and not cause the food you cook in them to be toxic or anything.
Although it wouldn’t matter all that much because you would not be directly cooking in the container, rather inside a plastic zip-lock bag. Just make sure that the bag is BPA-free.
You don’t want your food to contain these matters as they can cause various health issues. So, as long as your container is free from BPA and other such substances, you’re good to go.
Most sous vide containers are typically built to be safe for cooking anyway, so you don’t have to fret over that too much.
So, the bottom line is, yes, sous vide containers are safe to use.
What Size Sous Vide Container to Buy?
You want to get the right size for your purpose. If you want to cook large meals in one sitting, you want the bigger ones that measure about 8 inches deep.
Most commonly, the containers you would find come with 12 quarts measures which are enough to let you cook like 5 to 6 steaks properly. But if you are someone who needs something smaller, maybe for one person or even a small family, get one with 7 quarts measures.
To give you a much clearer idea of what the sizes are like, here’s a sizing list
- Below 12 quarts or 11 liters is for 2 adults
- 12 quarts is for 2 or 3 adults, which translates to roughly a family with 4 people
- 18 quarts is for about 4 to 6 adults
- 26 quarts is for 10 adults
So yeah, this would depend on your family size and your requirements. Just get what you need.
How Much Water Is Needed for Sous Vide Cooking?
As you know, the most common containers for sous vide are 8 inches deep. For these containers, you would want to cook with water that has a depth of at least 2 and a half inches.
However, that does not mean you can just leave it to cook with that amount of water. You’re going to have to add more water after a while, as it can evaporate quite a lot due to the heat.
So, a rough amount of water needed for cooking in the sous vide method would be about 5 gallons (for the 8-inch-deep containers). But if you own a container that is larger than this standard size, you are going to need to add more water.
In our opinion, a general rule of thumb that you can follow would be to use about half of the portion of the container for water.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a special type of container for cooking in sous vide?
Not necessarily. While there are specialized containers made only for sous vide, pretty much any container that is large enough and has markings for water measurement is safe to use and can be used for sous vide. However, it is nice to have one that is made specifically for the purpose.
2. What is the recommended water capacity of a sous vide container?
For the standard size of the container (8 inches deep), we recommend 2.5 inches of water. But a general rule of thumb, as mentioned above, would be going for about a quarter to a half of the container’s capacity.
3. What to do if a sous vide container doesn’t have a lid?
Then buy one? A lot of times, you’ll have to purchase a separate lid for your container. However, sometimes the sizes don’t match, in which case, you can buy plastic wraps or floating balls to serve the same purpose.
4. Can sous vide water be reused?
Partially yes, you can reuse that water to some extent. If you are going to be cooking in this method a couple of days apart, you can actually use the same water. However, if the gap between your cooking sessions would be far apart, we don’t really recommend using the same water.
5. Can a slow cooker be utilized as sous vide?
No, they cannot actually be used for sous vide cooking. Crockpots or slow cookers are meant for cooking similarly; however, those cannot be used for cooking in the sous vide way.
The reason is that these cookers cannot maintain the temperature required for our cooking method. It’s rather unstable and less controllable.
Final Words
Found the perfect container yet? Assuming from the fact that you’re down here, which means you’ve read the whole article, you now know everything about sous vide containers.
We hope our list of the best containers for sous vide was helpful and informative Well, in case you’re still lost, just go for our recommended top pick, and you won’t have to worry about all this hassle again.
