Pellet Fan

Here's How I.... => Cook Beef => Topic started by: pz on September 18, 2017, 07:54:54 PM

Title: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 18, 2017, 07:54:54 PM
I did this cook for last Christmas, but thought the technique might be interesting to a few of you folks, especially when planning to entertain. Although this is beef, pork and fish can be prepared with equal success.

I like to use sous vide when I have full roasts or thick steaks that I want cooked uniformly all the way through. Of particular benefit - you can keep your meat to a state of perfect doneness all day long, so if your guests arrive late, or people socialize too long, then no problem - the meat is always ready to eat after a quick sear.  This example uses a small 2-bone prime rib.


The machine keeps the water bath to
within a degree of set temperature. I like
120 degrees. You set the temperature
and come back when you are ready to
roast or fast sear. You can keep the
meat ready all day if you like and it
will absolutely not overcook.
   It was too cold outside to use the
Traeger, so this is a hot oven roast - 450
degrees until the outside looks good.
On the pellet grill I do the same - set
a high temperature for a quick sear,
or simply use the sear burner on the
gas grill.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pUHg3z-g3UsBD_6_g-5ofeIL2J7c2ASN4WkQ3peMRNAWylRtRF01aw3YR-5syd1azX-J8Rz_lWT_WfUaJtOkCJbgFegkx7pXadHjh5qAAsInZ1Uml3iZVe0uMbZrdin8CXsQd2PoWdxrBHVoA_TKRA_trc0_IqfLu8h1PoJDHttNERMXm9PkoUUFnoPlx2i_Z-koOWb0ICby0pK3pUwisAoAGduY7xwfXZ7uaFUmIQO-sJ-FreRHphIjFM70h0OlWP4YitMFvOPxeBwcCMHL_ikCBrF5Z4jmkHHwln05jS1eLiZYpU51vmu0XtozRdttQT889To8J64o7rlp3NBf5wc_m9Wb47By6FpBA4ix1HBwt7sQJTkiZVdwZmE21U85NfLSDFb3MDL9t_VcQ4aCdH40kD_mZcfYlVs1bQu2smEmHYSD6gbxYPvV9RqUZg18GWE6-q3bZB1zWkrKj4vNx_gUAog2dVgDR8O94gqnb1ufyFfDFWYhXe8CLXe5J3aFItqW1pgUstKyoGkP1kzMugB3qhkyXMHVTTPIDqI77Mj8j6GyeL5oYrbpdPb7w4hbw5XKETGDTuUfzW7rXFyk7z6bw2iQcCKG9_WMcUc5FQ=w1951-h1301-no)   (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MR4mXS4K-KIKZTjAN9QPiQ_XcdIKKWgz3yEIUgYev7cYc1dnNFbugX9CMgebXUXbm3gowQZx8HeD0mc6IKkYWwDUHjkjLc9dVhOt2OASerH4PG_tWQfaqXQrS6d6yJwTKj5fYWCZOpanKFmYqptWFDkUE9TQXUt2wo4NKj1vhx7X8BE5V871Q30LbBu-Shg6y2zgVG1wcKkwGn4gaRzgDO8Mp6hRI68uZxsgitFbqgx0UCHs_tptVpAijhGABXeN8uJu-0pzCEHFN8yFPxD4GWNYzNp2xsb5JY2HqtFkVtazhwhwNwpexDHsEJ01A6L5qz2tEDgQ9Tldbiyq9JQW71tjOn38OTt6yw-5OCYw0l707P1I3AgRM6MBSJL1z5AziIKgLZKFxjNFWIYeNiAmjZSneHOYUDlERnfiHExoQ2QiOqUi_-MoFTAwJMLISUiDplYw8AhovM-13WBCMOPwtvam3nO8-jFZmxyGsMyq90pc2wMp8czl7ALPnqckAkpG48do1O-8dIZ7zfEAkvKY3qE6c-IQk_vDJu9Lw2ZLXhse5r1NyhyK-ZbPNPLhcgDU4r92XL7ygQH2YJaDhE_yTmwf0a8XFtYJ0XrfAom4Zw=w1951-h1301-no)

If you are looking for a way to perfectly cook food to a most precise temperature, then sous vide is hard to beat. I have never ruined anything cooked this way (and I have ruined many a meal in my long and distinguished cooking history).
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Quadman750 on September 19, 2017, 04:48:27 AM
I have been very interested in one of these.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 19, 2017, 06:44:54 AM
Looks great, PZ. Do you ever smoke the meat before you bag and sous vide it? That looks like quite a machine. What did that set you back?

There is sous vide and then here at the castle there is "poor vide". ..... A large stock pot full of water,  the "gasser's" outboard burner and my Maverick. Temperature adjusted with ice cubes.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 19, 2017, 11:34:34 AM
They are becoming more affordable with time. I think I paid $169 several years ago, and they are now down to about $120.

I have not smoked before sealing in the bag, but definitely after when it is cooked, and before searing it. It is easiest to do in the pellet cooker where I can do the low temperature smoke, then crank up the temperature to do the finish roast, but I found the results better if I transfer to a hot oven or sear burner to do the final sear so the meat does not over cook.

Another benefit for me is that this unit is so portable I take it on the road RV-ing.

Clever poor vide unit you have there Queball!  Your innovation has me wondering if you can use an old analog hot plate or crock pot and a PID (like an auber) to control water temperature.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 19, 2017, 12:57:23 PM
Clever poor vide unit you have there Queball!  Your innovation has me wondering if you can use an old analog hot plate or crock pot and a PID (like an auber) to control water temperature.

Oh! PZ .... I wish I had your knowledge ..... Thou art way, way above my pay grade! "Old analog with a PID(like an auber) ..... Sounds great .... really?
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: bregent on September 19, 2017, 01:02:36 PM
They are becoming more affordable with time. I think I paid $169 several years ago, and they are now down to about $120.

I have not smoked before sealing in the bag, but definitely after when it is cooked, and before searing it. It is easiest to do in the pellet cooker where I can do the low temperature smoke, then crank up the temperature to do the finish roast, but I found the results better if I transfer to a hot oven or sear burner to do the final sear so the meat does not over cook.

Another benefit for me is that this unit is so portable I take it on the road RV-ing.

Clever poor vide unit you have there Queball!  Your innovation has me wondering if you can use an old analog hot plate or crock pot and a PID (like an auber) to control water temperature.

Before getting an Anova I used a crock pot for a few years to sous vide. Works good on smaller cuts and holds stable temperatures very well. One problem is that there is no circulation so you can end up with thermal barriers resulting in poor heat transfer.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 19, 2017, 01:39:21 PM
there is no circulation so you can end up with thermal barriers resulting in poor heat transfer.[/quote]

Can you explain that more bregent.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 19, 2017, 03:39:25 PM
Clever poor vide unit you have there Queball!  Your innovation has me wondering if you can use an old analog hot plate or crock pot and a PID (like an auber) to control water temperature.

Oh! PZ .... I wish I had your knowledge ..... Thou art way, way above my pay grade! "Old analog with a PID(like an auber) ..... Sounds great .... really?

You are way too kind Queball - the reverse is actually quite true - I wish I had YOUR experience in cooking. I can do a few things alright, but your skills are way above MY pay grade  ;)

By "analog" I mean the old manual dial kind; the cheapest ones without a digital display. The Auber PID is a stand alone unit that does the same thing as the ones built into many good pellet cookers. Mine has two probes, one for general temperature and another for the food. After your post I was thinking that one could dip the temperature probe into the water, which would allow the Auber to control the power to the crock pot (you plug the crock pot into the Auber, crank the pot to full temperature, and the Auber will vary the current delivered to the crock pot.

However, as bregent mentioned, without a water circulator (built into good sous vide machines), you can get hot spots and cold spots in the water bath when the food bag is large, which leads to uneven cooking.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 19, 2017, 03:45:19 PM
So, I guess what you are saying is "Buy an Anova!"
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 19, 2017, 03:56:24 PM
Pretty much  ;D

They are well known, and the price is now in line with other machines of it's kind. Long ago when folks were becoming interested in sous vide, but the price was too high a company called Dorkfood produced a small unit that controlled a crock pot. It worked well and was only about a $100 when sous vide machines were $300 or more. Some folks used an aquarium bubbler to keep the water moving.

Now however, with the Dorkfood controller still $100, and a precision machine like Anova is only $120, the latter unit is much more cost effective, and you can let it run all day, or even for days during  a long cook and have no worries.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: GregW on September 19, 2017, 08:24:31 PM
I've had a SV setup for about 3 years.
A good resource for SV is:
http://www.douglasbaldwin.com/sous-vide.html

SV certainly has it's place, however if it has one shortcoming it is reduced flavor.
It's really hard to duplicate the flavor developed by traditional grilling methods with a hot 30 second sear at the end of the SV cook.

In some cases the reduced flavor is a good trade off for the convenience/precision it offers.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: BigDave83 on September 19, 2017, 08:55:59 PM
there is circulation without the circulator, the changes in the water temp make it circulate, sorry I am a dummy or I would know the name for this. Sous Vide Supreme has no circulation.

There are a lot of Anova types out there look at them all they seem to be different in certain way. The Joule looks to be a nice unit also.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: bregent on September 19, 2017, 09:17:13 PM
there is circulation without the circulator, the changes in the water temp make it circulate, sorry I am a dummy or I would know the name for this. Sous Vide Supreme has no circulation.

There are a lot of Anova types out there look at them all they seem to be different in certain way. The Joule looks to be a nice unit also.

Convection currents. As mentioned, this is fine for small pieces, but you will get uneven temperature if you rely on convection current alone when using bigger bags.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: GregW on September 19, 2017, 09:43:28 PM
The Poly Science that I have has a powerful water pump for circulation.
It really promotes even cooking.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Bentley on September 19, 2017, 10:02:06 PM
So a small fan above the water or 1 egg beater in the water is not going to cut it?
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: GregW on September 20, 2017, 10:56:06 AM
A fan above the water would not work.
If you had a way to stir the water, that would promote even cooking and heat transfer.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Bytor on September 21, 2017, 09:11:07 AM
I've just recently discovered the world Souse Vide.  Have done a couple cooks with it and meet came out pretty xxxx good.  Still seems kinda weird throwing meat in a bag and cooking it water though.   :)
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 21, 2017, 11:10:48 AM
...  Still seems kinda weird throwing meat in a bag and cooking it water though.   :)

I agree, especially knowing you can keep the meat in the water bath all day without over cooking.  Long cooks wil,l for example, turn short ribs into really tender pieces - I like that as well.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: GregW on September 21, 2017, 06:38:48 PM


I agree, especially knowing you can keep the meat in the water bath all day without over cooking.  Long cooks wil,l for example, turn short ribs into really tender pieces - I like that as well.
[/quote]

You can definitely hold meat for a considerable time, however the texture will begin to suffer. At some point the steak or chicken will have an unpleasant texture.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 21, 2017, 06:48:36 PM
You can definitely hold meat for a considerable time, however the texture will begin to suffer. At some point the steak or chicken will have an unpleasant texture.

True - go overboard and the texture will be a bit mushy, especially with the more tender cuts, fish, and chicken
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 10:43:34 AM
Clever poor vide unit you have there Queball!  Your innovation has me wondering if you can use an old analog hot plate or crock pot and a PID (like an auber) to control water temperature.

Oh! PZ .... I wish I had your knowledge ..... Thou art way, way above my pay grade! "Old analog with a PID(like an auber) ..... Sounds great .... really?

There are just two mouths to feed here and I use my Auber PID and my wife's 6-qt Crockpot with no circulator.  I would not attempt pz's prime rib but I have successfully cooked a tritip, part of a brisket flat, large chicken breasts, and steaks.  The other night I cooked (2) 1lb rib eyes at 120* for 90 min., then threw them on a 550* gasser for 2-3 min. flipping every 30 sec. to produce wall to wall medium rare.  I had them vac-sealed with ghee.  I have checked the water temp around the pot while food has cooked and I don't find a significant variation. 
So if you have a PID and a crockpot, all you need is a submersion sensor (approx $15) to do sous vide small scale.  Mine started as an experiment but I doubt that I'll ever have a dedicated setup.  I'm too cheap.

(http://www.deansmiley.com/Files/Sous%20Vide/sous%20vide%20steak.jpg)
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 26, 2017, 10:56:06 AM
Steak looks great! .... I love the 30 second, high temp flip method for steak. Without the sous vide, I do 9/10 minutes with a 1-1/4" steak, continuous 30 second flip. Great technique!
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 26, 2017, 11:13:21 AM
That looks perfect Maineac  :clap:

One of the things I like about sous vide is that you can get a perfect Maillard crust without the somewhat overdone "ring" beneath the crust before you get to the perfect medium rare center.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 12:13:22 PM
That looks perfect Maineac  :clap:

Sitting here looking at that steak makes me think I should have had a couple of over easy eggs in that plate instead of the sliced cukes that I had.  :lick:
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 26, 2017, 04:52:57 PM
Sitting here looking at that steak makes me think I should have had a couple of over easy eggs in that plate instead of the sliced cukes that I had.  :lick:

Steak and eggs is one of our favorite breakfasts - after my eyes were bigger than my stomach the night before  ;D
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: hughver on September 26, 2017, 05:14:42 PM
I have not yet figured out the picture posting scheme here but I sous vide fresh salmon yesterday at 125* for 30 minutes followed by a quick sear (skin side only) and it turned out spectacular.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 26, 2017, 05:16:25 PM
Sounds delicious - sous vide makes it easy to cook perfect fish  :clap:
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 05:18:20 PM
Sitting here looking at that steak makes me think I should have had a couple of over easy eggs in that plate instead of the sliced cukes that I had.  :lick:

Steak and eggs is one of our favorite breakfasts - after my eyes were bigger than my stomach the night before  ;D

I remember that you like runny eggs from another forum which I shall not name; but I was Wingman there.  You always had thoughtful posts and I noticed when you went missing.  When that forum owner allowed politics in, I went missing. 
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 26, 2017, 05:19:12 PM
At that temp, it only takes 30 minutes/ ..... That's amazing.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 26, 2017, 05:22:09 PM
I remember that you like runny eggs from another forum which I shall not name; but I was Wingman there.  You always had thoughtful posts and I noticed when you went missing.  When that forum owner allowed politics in, I went missing.

Ah... I remember you Wingman (now Maineac) - really glad to see you found your way here!
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 26, 2017, 05:35:56 PM
PZ,

Maineac set me an email, and he's going to send us each 2lb lobsters, so be sure to get him your address. ..... What a guy!  :cool:
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 26, 2017, 06:00:06 PM
Dang, that's generous of Mainiac, Queball!

When I was young, one of the places we lived was Vermont, and we went to Portland Maine just about every summer. I developed a great fondness for Maine lobster, and we used to go to the docks where the lobster guys would sell us lobster fresh caught right off the boat, and they would throw it into a pot of boiling water right there.  We'd walk the beach enjoying the freshest lobster I've ever eaten.

It was a good deal too - 75 cents per lobster.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 06:02:52 PM
PZ,

Maineac set me an email, and he's going to send us each 2lb lobsters, so be sure to get him your address. ..... What a guy!  :cool:

 :o :o :o
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 06:16:56 PM
Friends of ours got married a few years back.  This was lunch -


(http://www.deansmiley.com/Files/Lobster/wedding.jpg)
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 06:22:37 PM
Sorry, PZ, we have gotten quite a ways away from Sous vide prime rib. 
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Quadman750 on September 26, 2017, 06:23:33 PM
Wow, expensive lunch.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 26, 2017, 06:23:55 PM
Oh! Man ..... That's not even fair!
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Bobitis on September 26, 2017, 06:44:34 PM
Somehow, I just can't get over cooking something in a galvanized pot.  :puke:
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 06:47:10 PM
Somehow, I just can't get over cooking something in a galvanized pot.  :puke:

Not cooked here; served here.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 26, 2017, 07:05:28 PM
Sorry, PZ, we have gotten quite a ways away from Sous vide prime rib.

No worries Maineac - sometimes when the topic starys a bit, it somehow feels more like we are having a friendly conversation at the local pub.  ;D
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Bobitis on September 26, 2017, 07:11:50 PM
Somehow, I just can't get over cooking something in a galvanized pot.  :puke:

Not cooked here; served here.

Wheeew... Ya had me worried there.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 07:13:38 PM
Sorry, PZ, we have gotten quite a ways away from Sous vide prime rib.

No worries Maineac - sometimes when the topic starys a bit, it somehow feels more like we are having a friendly conversation at the local pub.  ;D

In that case, I'm buying the next round.  ;D
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on September 26, 2017, 07:21:50 PM
 :rotf:

(http://www.openworldgames.org/newowg/Smileys/owg/beer2.gif)
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 07:31:49 PM
Wow, expensive lunch.

This was on the coast and the groom bought them off the dock for way less than normal retail, actually way less than wholesale.  In 1970 I bought (4) 1.5lb hard shell lobsters off the same dock to celebrate my wife's agreement to marry me.  It cost me $6.  There was so much meat in those that we couldn't eat it all.  However, today we could.  ;D
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 26, 2017, 07:38:15 PM
What do you have to pay per pound up your way, Maineac?
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Maineac on September 26, 2017, 07:52:05 PM
What do you have to pay per pound up your way, Maineac?

Right now in the grocery stores it's about $8/lb.  If you are out and about you can find it for less.  Lobster price is a real yo yo.  Depends on catch, season (vacationers), and commercial circumstances.  A few years ago the price got down to $2 something a pound.  We took full advantage of the huge catch/market glut.  We might have set a consumption record.   ;D
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Quadman750 on September 27, 2017, 04:32:04 AM
Wow, expensive lunch.

This was on the coast and the groom bought them off the dock for way less than normal retail, actually way less than wholesale.  In 1970 I bought (4) 1.5lb hard shell lobsters off the same dock to celebrate my wife's agreement to marry me.  It cost me $6.  There was so much meat in those that we couldn't eat it all.  However, today we could.  ;D

Here is what I have paid.

Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Queball on September 27, 2017, 06:12:45 AM
Just had a sale here on lobster tails ....... $5.99 for a 4oz tail.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: zephyr on October 01, 2017, 12:51:25 AM
I do the same thing PZ, sear it on a pellet grill, cast iron pan or use a Searsall. I have a small cooler and a big cooler I use for my SV. You might consider that for less heat loss and no water evaporation. I cooked a whole brisket for 72 hours with no evaporation of the water.



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                                   ...........................................      ZEP
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on October 01, 2017, 12:54:11 PM
That's an excellent setup ZEP  :clap:

I've seen that mod and have thought about making one of medium size. The reason I have not done so is because I'm kind of lazy, and that I have a pot that is a good size for the Anova and I use the stove to preheat the water to temperature so the initial setup is very quick. It is kind of simplistic, but I use foil on the setup to prevent water loss - like an inverted tent it keeps the water dripping into the pot, and I never need to replenish the water.

However, the problem with my rig is that the size of my cooks are limited, so your solution might work better than mine.

In your first photo, is that a metal collar that is glued into the top of the cooler?  ... and if you don't mind, what cooler brand did you use?
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: zephyr on October 01, 2017, 01:45:52 PM
That's an excellent setup ZEP  :clap:

I've seen that mod and have thought about making one of medium size. The reason I have not done so is because I'm kind of lazy, and that I have a pot that is a good size for the Anova and I use the stove to preheat the water to temperature so the initial setup is very quick. It is kind of simplistic, but I use foil on the setup to prevent water loss - like an inverted tent it keeps the water dripping into the pot, and I never need to replenish the water.

However, the problem with my rig is that the size of my cooks are limited, so your solution might work better than mine.

In your first photo, is that a metal collar that is glued into the top of the cooler?  ... and if you don't mind, what cooler brand did you use?


It's a 33 Qt. Coleman Party Stacker, with a 2-1/2" schedule #40 gray PVC pipe. I used a 2-7/8" hole saw for the hole and liquid nails and white silicone to seal. Anova fits perfect on the PVC pipe and no gaps.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: hughver on October 01, 2017, 01:56:12 PM
Thanks for the info. Zep, just ordered one of the coolers from Amazon. I've been looking for the right cooler ever since I read your post on the other site.
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: pz on October 02, 2017, 11:24:20 AM
Thanks for the info as well, ZEP  :clap:
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Wettle on October 04, 2017, 07:49:47 PM
I got interested in the sous vide method of cooking and after checking around on the web, I settled on the Joule, by ChefStep.........love it!
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: hughver on October 21, 2017, 06:42:16 PM
Finished project, now on to a prime brisket packer (trim, season, smoke, sous vide, sear). Thanks ZEP for the inspiration.  :lick:
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: zephyr on October 24, 2017, 07:11:12 PM
Finished project, now on to a prime brisket packer (trim, season, smoke, sous vide, sear). Thanks ZEP for the inspiration.  :lick:

 :clap:   :cool:  ......................................  ZEP
Title: Re: Sous vide prime rib
Post by: Bobitis on October 24, 2017, 08:01:17 PM
I have a coleman 24 can stacker that's about 3" more shallow (8" vs 11"). A 2-3/8" hole saw fits perfect for the Anova with no other items required.
Perfect fit and perfect depth as the Anova  sits flatly on the bottom. It's simply perfect.

A 9 lb butt takes up about 1/3 of the void. And as stated -  zero moisture loss and excellent heat retention.

I wood recommend either version for all with big ole cuts of meat.  :beer: