Our Favorite Fermentation Tools

When I say this is the best sous vide machine I've ever owned — I mean it with every ounce of everyday use behind it.

The Anova Precision Cooker Pro isn’t a toy.
It’s a workhorse: built like a tank, performing like a world-class chef’s secret weapon, day after day, hour after hour.

Whether I’m cooking delicate yogurts, slow-braising lamb for 24 hours, or prepping crisp, juicy veggies for fermenting or freezing — this thing simply delivers perfect precision every single time.

Why I trust it:

• 1200 watts of serious power — heats up huge volumes of water fast and accurately
• Handles up to 100L of water (with a covered container)
• Can run 10,000 hours straight without flinching
• Drop-tested, waterproof (IPX7 rated), built with real stainless steel
• Manual controls and a WiFi app (you don't have to depend on WiFi to cook)
• Professional-grade results — at home

If you're tired of lightweight devices that feel fragile or need babysitting, and you're ready for a tool that works with you, not against you — this is it.

It's the kind of gear you build a real home kitchen around.

Technical Highlights:

• 1200 Watts
• Temperature Range: 32°F to 197°F
• Capacity: up to 100L water
• Material: Stainless Steel + Heavy-Duty Components
• WiFi App + Manual Controls
• Item Dimensions: 2.4"D x 3.5"W x 13.8"H
• Weight: 3 Pounds
• IPX7 Waterproof Rated

I've used this cooker for long, demanding recipes — sometimes for days straight — and it's still running like new.
If you're serious about food, serious about microbiome health, or just serious about joy in the kitchen — it’s an investment you’ll be grateful you made.

The Gateway Drug to Precision Cooking

At $64, the Nano 2.0 is Anova's most accessible sous vide — and for many fermenters, it's all you'll ever need. This pocket-sized powerhouse maintains temperatures within 0.1°C, making it perfect for yogurt cultures, tempeh incubation, and yes, those Instagram-worthy steaks everyone raves about.

Compact Specs, Full Functionality

• 750W heating element — takes longer to heat but handles 5-gallon (19L) containers fine
• Bluetooth connectivity — control from your couch (within 30 feet)
• 12.8" height — actually fits in kitchen drawers unlike larger models
• Fixed clamp design — works with most pots but not adjustable
• 0.1°C precision — same accuracy as models costing 3x more
• 3,000-hour continuous operation — enough for years of home use

Why Fermenters Love the Nano

This isn't just about perfect eggs and tender chicken (though it excels there too). The Nano shines for fermentation projects: maintaining koji at exactly 30°C for 48 hours, keeping kefir cultures happy at 22°C, or incubating tempeh at a steady 31°C. The compact size means you can dedicate it to fermentation while your main cooker handles dinner. Users report years of reliable service, with one reviewer using theirs for film developing — if it's precise enough for chemistry, it's precise enough for your sourdough starter.

🌡️ Perfect entry point for precision temperature control — whether you're fermenting, cooking, or just curious about sous vide without the investment.

My Favorite Lids for Yogurt-Making (and So Much More)

If you've been dabbling in homemade yogurt, you know the container matters. These lids? They're the unsung heroes of my yogurt setup.

Unlike the metal two-piece lids that rust or warp in the sous vide, these plastic screw-on lids are leak-proof, rust-free, and beautifully boring — in the best way. They just work. Tight seal, no drips, and easy to open even with one hand.

I use them every week for jars of yogurt, but also for chia pudding, salad dressing, nut milks, and anything I want to stash without drama. They survive dishwashers, hot water baths, toddlers, and the occasional fridge avalanche.

Why I Keep Reordering These

• Leak-proof — ideal for yogurt, broth, or anything sloshy
• Rust-free plastic — no weird flavors, no maintenance
• Easy screw-on design — no fiddling with rings or seals
• Works with all regular-mouth jars — versatile and dependable
• Dishwasher and microwave safe — cleaning is a breeze

👩‍🔬 For fermentation, storage, or your daily chia pudding ritual — these lids have earned their spot in the drawer.

The Lids That Never Rust, Stick, or Leak

If you're tired of rust rings and fussy two-piece lids, these wide mouth plastic Ball lids are a gift from the yogurt gods.

They twist on smooth, seal completely, and — most importantly — hold up beautifully in sous vide water baths. For anyone making yogurt or storing fermented goodies in the fridge, these are a no-brainer.

Unlike some off-brand versions, the Ball lids are reliably leak-proof, durable, and easy to clean (dishwasher safe, of course). And they don’t warp over time — even after many batches of bubbling, steaming, gut-happy food.

Why These Live on My Favorite Jars

• Leak-proof + airtight — perfect for yogurts, sauces, ferments, or broth
• Won’t rust or warp — safe for sous vide and other wet adventures
• Wide mouth fit — easy to pour, easy to store, easy to love
• One-piece plastic construction — no fuss, no gaskets, no mold hiding places
• Made by Ball — the OG Mason jar brand

🫙 If you’ve ever wrestled with a sticky ring lid or lost one to rust, you’ll know why these are such a delight.

The Budget-Friendly Container That Doesn't Cut Corners

At nearly $20 less than premium options, the COSPARX 12-quart (11.4 liter) container proves you don't need to overspend for a functional sous vide setup. What impressed me most: they included everything you actually need — silicone lid, neoprene sleeve, rack, AND clips — without the premium price tag.

Complete Kit Includes

• 12-quart/11.4-liter polycarbonate container — clear construction for easy monitoring
• Collapsible silicone lid — smart space-saving design that prevents evaporation
• Neoprene insulation sleeve — maintains temperature while protecting surfaces
• Removable stainless steel rack — keeps bags organized and submerged
• 5 stainless steel clips — no more chasing floating bags around the container

Why It Works for Fermenters

The silicone lid is genius for fermentation projects — it collapses for storage but creates a tight seal during those 48-hour koji incubations. Users report the insulation sleeve genuinely reduces heat loss (no more wrapping towels around containers), and the included clips are sturdy enough to hold heavy bags in place. Compatible with all major circulators including Anova, Joule, and Instant Pot models. One reviewer mentioned fitting an entire rack of lamb — plenty of capacity for most home projects.

🎯 Smart choice for fermenters who want the complete setup without the boutique pricing — especially if you're running multiple temperature-controlled projects.`

The Workhorse Strainer That Changed My Fermentation Game

This 12"x12" (30cm x 30cm) nylon mesh bag isn't just for nut milk — it's become my go-to strainer for everything from kefir to kombucha SCOBYs. After five years of daily use (yes, the same bag), it's still going strong, which explains why it has over 16,000 reviews and juice bars swear by it.

Built for Real Kitchen Use

• Commercial-grade nylon mesh — 90-micron weave catches pulp while allowing liquid through
• Triple-stitched seams — handles aggressive squeezing without tearing
• Rounded corners design — no more trapped pulp in square corners
• 12"x12" size (30cm x 30cm) — large enough for big batches, small enough to handle easily
• Nylon drawstring closure — keeps contents secure during straining

Beyond Nut Milk: A Fermenter's Swiss Army Knife

Sure, it makes silky almond milk in minutes. But this bag truly shines in fermentation applications. Strain yogurt into Greek-style thickness overnight. Filter kombucha without losing carbonation. Squeeze excess whey from cheese curds. Even use it as a sprouting bag for grains. The nylon construction means it dries quickly (no mold issues like cotton cheesecloth) and cleans easily under running water. One reviewer used theirs over 50 times — mine's well past 200 uses. At this price, it pays for itself in saved cheesecloth within weeks.

🥛 If you only buy one straining tool for your fermentation kitchen, make it this one — versatile enough to replace multiple specialized tools.

The Container That Makes Sous Vide Actually Practical

After years of using stockpots and covering them with plastic wrap (we've all been there), a dedicated sous vide container is a game-changer. The Greater Goods 12-quart (11.4 liter) setup isn't just a plastic box — it's a thoughtfully designed system that solves the real annoyances of long-duration cooking and fermentation projects.

What's in the Complete Kit

• 12-quart/11.4-liter polycarbonate container — clear sides for monitoring, NSF-approved for food safety
• Custom-fit lid with cutout — eliminates water evaporation during 48-hour cooks
• Neoprene insulation sleeve — maintains temperature efficiently, saves energy
• Stainless steel rack — keeps bags submerged and organized, no more floating food
• Universal compatibility — works with Anova, Joule, and most immersion circulators

Why This Beats Your Stockpot

The insulated sleeve is the unsung hero here — it reduces heat loss significantly, meaning your circulator works less and uses less energy during those marathon tempeh incubations or 24-hour short ribs. The rack system keeps multiple bags separated for even circulation, crucial when you're batch-cooking proteins or maintaining different fermentation vessels at precise temps. At 12 quarts (11.4L), it handles family-sized portions but stores vertically without dominating your cabinet space.

🔲 Essential for serious sous vide users who've graduated from the "pot-on-the-counter" phase and want professional results with minimal babysitting.

This 4-pack of 32oz wide-mouth mason jars from Paksh Novelty is crafted from thick, food-grade, lead-free soda-lime glass.
Perfect for fermenting, canning, food storage, or even home decor, they offer a clear, textured finish and self-sealing airtight lids with a plastisol liner for leakproof storage.
An affordable and versatile option for any fermenter or home food preserver.

These durable, BPA-free 32oz wide-mouth mason jars from Miuyhji are perfect for small-batch fermentations, canning, pickling, preserving, and even meal prep.
Made with clear, heat-tempered glass, they’re freezer, microwave (without lids), and dishwasher safe — and they come with airtight, leakproof metal lids and bands.
A reliable and simple favorite for beginner and experienced fermenters alike.