Sous vide cooking has become a popular way to cook food. The process involves vacuum-sealing food in a bag and cooking it in a warm water bath. This method is often used for cooking foods like fish, chicken, and other meat. But did you know that you can also use sous vide weights and magnets to improve your cooking results?
Sous vide weights are small stainless-steel objects, often coated in food safe silicone, that are designed to be used with sous vide bags. They help to keep the food in the bag submerged in the water bath, which ensures even cooking. They are also helpful for preventing the bag from floating away in the bath.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your sous vide cooking results, consider adding some sous vide weights to your toolkit. They are affordable and easy to use and can make a big difference in your cooking results!
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Tips for Preventing Bags from Floating
There are a few things you can do to prevent your bags from floating. First, make sure that you seal the bag tightly. If there are any air leaks, the bag will float. Second, try using a sous vide weight.
This will help to keep the bag submerged. Finally, make sure that the water bath is deep enough. If it’s not, the bag may float to the top. Read on for more detailed tips on preventing your bags from floating.
Get Air Out of the Bag
The first thing you need to do is get all of the air out of the bag. You can do this by using a vacuum sealer or the water displacement method sous vide.
To use the water displacement method, place your food in a zip-top bag and seal it closed. Next, place the bag in a bowl of water. Slowly lower the bowl into the water, allowing the water to push all of the air out of the bag. When all of the air has been displaced, seal the zip-top bag shut.
Open and Reseal Bags
If you feel some air in your bags, try opening them and resealing them again. Sometimes, there can be a small air pocket that you didn’t notice the first time around.
To open the bag, simply cut it open with a knife. Be careful not to cut into the food. Next, use a vacuum sealer or the water displacement method to get all of the air out of the bag. Finally, reseal the bag and place it in the water bath.
Use Internal Weights
If you’re having trouble with your bags floating, try using an internal weight. Internal weights are small, stainless steel discs that you place inside the sous bag. They help to keep the bag submerged, which prevents it from floating.
To use an internal weight, simply place it in the bag before sealing it shut. This will help to keep the bag submerged in the water bath.
Use External Weights
Another option is to use external weights. External weights are placed on top of the bag and help to keep it submerged. One advantage of using external weights is that they are easy to remove if you need to turn the food over halfway through cooking.
You also do not have to wash them as thoroughly since they will not directly touch any food. To use an external weight, simply place it on top of the bag after it has been sealed.
External weights are also helpful for preventing the sous vide bag from floating away in the water bath. If you’re using a large water bath, consider adding a few external weights to keep the bag from floating around.
Use Sous Vide Magnets
Sous vide magnets are a great option to keep bags submerged. Magnets can be kept outside of the bag. Simply pin the bag between magnets, one on the inside container and one on the outside of the container. Use more than one pair of magnets if necessary.
You can adjust the positioning of the bag by pushing the external magnet around.
Magnets obviously work better on flat vs round surfaces. Using the bottom of a round container is an option.
Like external magnets, there’s virtually no cleanup with magnets, assuming you keep them outside the bag.
Choosing Sous Vide Weights & Magnets
When it comes to sous vide weights, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you want to make sure that the weight is made of food-grade stainless steel. This will ensure that it is safe to use and won’t rust over time.
Second, you want to make sure that the weight is small enough to fit inside your sous vide bag. If it’s too big, it won’t be able to seal properly. Finally, you want to make sure that the weight is easy to clean. Look for a weight that has a smooth surface and no sharp edges.
Best Sous Vide Weights & Magnets
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1. KORE Weighted Magnets
- ✓ HIGH QUALITY SILICONE & POWERFUL HEAVY IRON CORE – Premium silicone covered magnets ensures that weights can be used both outside and inside of the sous vide bags. While we recommend using...
- ✓ FOOD SAFE MAGNET – Can be used OUTSIDE of the sous vide bag so that the weights never directly touches the food. Superior to other sous vide weights as you’ll never have to worry about the...
The KORE Sous Vide Weighted Magnets are ideal for making consistently delicious sous vide cooker food every time.
These weights can be used inside or outside of sous vide bags and are made from stainless steel and food-grade silicone.
The magnets are also better than other weights on the market because they don’t have to touch the food directly, eliminating any chance of food contamination or flavor degradation.
You can cook confidently, knowing that your food will be cooked efficiently and evenly every time with the KORE Sous Vide Weighted Magnets.
Pros: They’re compact, heavy, strong, and effective. They are very easy to use and work well in multiple positions. They can help move and place your bag underwater magnetically or be used as a stand-alone weight.
Cons: According to some reviewers, these magnets seem to work better as weights, as the magnetic aspect seems to diminish over time.
2. SO-VIDA Sous Vide Weights
- The biggest cause of FOOD RISK in sous vide cooking is undercooked food and floating bags are the biggest cause of undercooked food. Our weights which go inside your sous vide bags REDUCE FOOD RISK by...
- Better solution than a Sous Vide Rack. Our weights work with ANY container, can be used to fit a lot more food bags into your container, easier to store, easier to clean AND CHEAPER.
SO-VIDA sous vide weights are superior to a conventional sous vide rack since they can be used with any container, take up less space, and are simpler to store and maintain. Additionally, the patent-pending design guarantees consistently even cooking.
Each weight weighs 5 ounces and is composed of a sturdy stainless steel core with a silicone shell that is safe for food. This cylindrical shape ensures the maximum amount of water flow around the weight, resulting in an even cook each time.
Pros: These weights are the ideal size and are food grade, making them safe to use inside the bag. Even cooking is made possible with these weights, which keep the food bags submerged in the water. Additionally, these weights simply require a quick rinse to wash but are also dishwasher safe.
Cons: According to some reviewers, these weights are cylindrical and tend to roll off in the water easily. The silicone also seems to degrade rather quickly, so you may need to replace these often.
3. INKBIRD Sinker Weight
Are you looking for a tool to aid with your sous vide cooking? The INKBIRD Sous Vide Sinker Weight is a great option. By keeping your food submerged in the water, this practical device reduces the chance that it will become undercooked from floating.
The Sous Vide Sinker Weight is strong and secure, handling heat, acid, and alkali without breaking or harming your food. It is made of food-grade stainless steel. The robust design ensures that even the heaviest foods stay submerged and can support up to 0.9 pounds of weight.
Pros: It is very solid and is an excellent value for the price. The food-grade stainless steel mesh makes it easy to wrap bags when needed.
Cons: According to some reviewers, these weights are a bit slippery, so they can be challenging to work with. They also stated that the mesh rings can be easily bent apart. You’re also trapping your food against the bottom of the sous vide container, which isn’t ideal for even cooking.
4. Kenley Weight
- Sous vide weights solve the problem of floating bags and undercooked food
- Food safe silicone shell is non-toxic and has no impact on food taste
Are you trying to perfect your meal preparation? One of the best methods is to use sous vide machines, and Kenley Sous Vide Weights are the ideal product to keep your food submerged and cooked properly.
These weights, which are made of silicone that is safe for food, are non-toxic and won’t alter the flavor of your food. In addition, the stainless steel core guarantees that your sous vide bags stay in place, ensuring consistently delicious food.
For your convenience, the weights are dishwasher safe and simple to store and clean. Unlike racks, magnets, or clips, they may be used with any container and a precision cooker, making them a helpful addition to your cooking equipment.
Pros: They work well at weighing down silicone bags. They are also easy to clean as you can just put them in the silverware rack of your dishwasher.
Cons: According to some reviewers, these weights will only work properly if you have something on the heavy side to sous and don’t work too well for lighter foods like sous vide vegetables.
5. IMPRESA Magnets
- Keep Bags Submerged For Efficient Cooking -- Use our pack of 10 light weight magnets to fully submerge your bags and keep them in place. This helps ensure you don't undercook meat, vegetables, or...
- Discover A French Secret - Ever wonder how French restaurants have perfected sous vide? Magnets! They allow you to easily change the cooking position of your bags. Simply slide the outside magnet up...
Look no further than these IMPRESA Sous Vide Magnets if you’re seeking a French culinary trick to up the ante on your home cooking.
These easy-to-use yet efficient magnets are made to keep your sous bags submerged while cooking, ensuring that your meat, vegetables, and other components are all cooked to the same temperature.
For the best results, you may easily pin your bag to the container wall using this pack of 10 magnets and move it around several times as you cook if needed.
Additionally, they’re more sturdy than weights or racks and won’t add a strange flavor to your meal, making them an excellent substitute.
Pros: These tremendously powerful magnets securely keep the bags away from the Sous inlet and outlet ports. They are also strong enough to keep the bags submerged throughout the entire cooking process.
Cons: According to some reviewers, these weights are well made but can be a bit tricky to use. They found that properly aligning the magnets can be a bit difficult.
DIY Sous Vide Weights
If you do not want to purchase sous vide weights, you can easily make your own. There are quite a few items that you probably already have lying around your house that you can use. Read on for a few great ideas that you may like to try.
Stainless Steel Fishing Weight
You can use stainless steel fishing weights as sous vide weights. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before using them. You may also want to use them on top of the bags rather than inside of them. If you want to use them in the bag, use the disinfecting method cited below for coins.
Glass Beads or Marbles
Glass beads or marbles make great sous vide weights. You can usually find them at your local craft store. Again, just be sure to wash them thoroughly before using them.
Whiskey Stones
Whiskey stones can also be used as sous vide weights. They are small, square, and made of soapstone. Just like with the other options, you will want to make sure that they are clean before using them.
Heavy Butter Knives
If you have any heavy butter knives, they can be used as sous vide weights. Just place them on top of the bag to keep it submerged. Of course, you can put them inside the bags as well.
Pie Weights
If you bake pies, you may already have pie weights. These can be used as sous vide weights. Just make sure to wash them before using them.
Pennies or Nickels
You can also use pennies or nickels as sous vide weights. Just make sure you disinfect coins before using them; you can use a rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide solution to do so. You will also want to place them in a bag and not allow them to come into direct contact with the food.
These are just a few ideas for DIY sous vide weights. If you have any other items around your house that you think would work well, feel free to give them a try!
Summary
Sous vide weights are small, stainless steel discs that are designed to be used with sous bags. They help to keep the food in the bag submerged in the water bath, which ensures even cooking.
They are also helpful for preventing the bag from floating and rising to the water’s surface. Additionally, they can be used to pin your bag to the container wall, keeping it securely in place during cooking.
If you do not want to purchase sous vide weights, you can easily make your own at home using items that you probably already have around your house.
A few great options include stainless steel fishing weights, glass beads or marbles, whiskey stones, heavy butter knives, pie weights, pennies, or nickels. Just be sure to wash or disinfect them thoroughly before using them.
Weights certainly deserve consideration in your sous vide accessories kit. Experiment with different items until you find a combination that works well for you. Happy cooking!
If you’re looking for other sous vide accessories, check out one of these!
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