Used Sous Vide?

[J-Melt]

I am considering getting a sous vide machine, but I don’t have much budget margin to work with. Is this something y’all would trust buying off of Facebook market place or Craigslist for.

[STEbbq]

Yes. I’d want confirmation it turns on and maybe a 5 minute demo to show it can reach x temperature with no issues. But, since it doesn’t touch food, it is really
like buying any other electronic device (see exceptions). Hope you find a good deal.

Well, except computers and networking gear. That I’d never touch used.

[J-Melt]

Believe it or not, my wife bought her first mac off ebay in 2012 and the thing went strong until about 2020 (at least as strong a a geriatric computer can)!

[STEbbq]

That’s a lucky outcome! I couldn’t do it even if the savings were nuts.

[J-Melt]

I'm in the same boat. I'm really glad that one worked out so well, but I couldn't get myself to do it.

[Oak Smoke]

I bought mine off of eBay. It works just fine and I saved a bundle. eBay is a changed place it seems to me. Now that everyone has a seller rating they are all trying to see that their customers get truthful descriptions and good service. They even want your feed back after you receive your item. I’ve bought a lot of stuff from them, used rifle scopes, fishing reels, cast iron cookware, and grill accessories. It’s worth a look.

[WayneT]

I got my brand new Joule from eBay for $75 less than retail and it works great.

[hoovarmin]

I can't be happy unless I pay full retail

[klflowers]

hoovarmin are we related?

[MBMorgan]

I recommend that you try to stick with reputable brands (even on eBay). A SV circulator has got to be accurate (it's going to be spending a LOT of time down at 131ºF where, if it's off by even one degree, you'll be running the risk of food poisoning) and it's got to be precise (it should be able to hold any temperature within its total range within a fraction of a degree).

You should be prepared to verify that it's doing exactly what you've set it to do (I double check my Anova periodically by comparing displayed water temp with one or more of my trusted ThermoWorks thermometers (and so far, so good)).

[J-Melt]

Definitely makes sense to me. That’s why I won’t trust our Instapot that this forum has said is unreliable.

[J-Melt]

Welp, my first try was a flop. for Father’s Day my wife bought me an Anova pro from Ebay that was probably first generation that made grinding noises when it turned on. The fan blade is grinding against the casing.

I tried bending it back and could not. Thankfully the seller gave us a refund without even having us send it back.

Last night I finally moved on an Anova nano from eBay that is still sealed in the box. Hopefully this one works!

[Draznnl]

Good luck!

[klflowers]

My Anova does that too. I had had it for a few years before that started. I can get it to stop but it always starts up again. I also have a Joule (because why not) that I use now

[rmeugene]

Glad the seller worked with you on it. Good luck with the second one!