GE Brings a Restaurant Secret to the Home Chef

The slow cooker is a workhorse for many households. A standing mixer rightfully maintains its real estate on your countertop. What next? Sous vide.

GE’s launch of sous vide, in partnership with FirstBuild, will be the first to integrate with a cooktop. (Photo: GE)

Unless you’re seriously into food, sous vide may be a new concept. Pronouced “soo-vee” this cooking method means “under vacuum” in French, essentially cooking food in a vacuum-sealed bag in a temperature-controlled bath.^1. And it’s working its way into America’s kitchens right now with the help of GE (NYSE: GE).

GE’s Sous Vide Accessory for Me

Sous vide maintains a very accurate temperature for a very long time giving meats such as steaks, chicken and salmon a more velvety texture while preventing overcooking. People have rigged sous vide with a rice cooker and a temperature controller while others have spent up to $1,000 for the appliance. What was once familiar to top-tier chefs is trekking toward Main Street U.S.A.

GE’s take on the sous vide, in partnership with FirstBuild, gives home chefs the tools to easily try a new cooking method using an accessory. GE’s launch of sous vide will be the first one to integrate with a cooktop. “You’ll be able to turn your normal cooktop into a sous vide-capable cooktop,” says Chris Naber, manager of research and development for external technologies at GE Appliances.

The thermometer that gauges the water bath connects to GE’s new Profile™, Café™ and Monogram^® induction cooktops. The cooktop adjusts the water temperature to your setting, resulting in better consistency. GE is working on an app that will allow the entire accessory to be managed using a smartphone or tablet.

“Learning a new cooking method can be intimidating,” says Naber. “GE’s sous vide gives aspiring cooks the comfort of knowing it’s tied to GE’s cooktop, one of the most popular and consistent ranges in the industry. You’re not flying solo with a thermometer and a prayer – you’ve got your cooktop working with you.”

GE’s Next Gen Induction Cooktops: Full Plate of Features

Intuitive to use and easy cleanup – Glide Touch Controls: Raise and lower heat using touch-and-swipe technology, touching around an arc, or using plus and minus signs to navigate. Interact with your range similar to your smartphone or tablet. Messy cook? GE’s new knob-free controls offer another easy surface to wipe down. No crevices for spills and crumbs to hide.

No muscles needed – Stainless steel-clad griddle: Forget hefting a heavy griddle onto a seemingly delicate surface. GE’s integrated griddle is lightweight and seamlessly fits the Café, Profile and Monogram cooktops.

Customize settings – From timers to locks: Adjust the cooktop settings to suit your needs. Switch from a standard countdown timer to a multi-timer that allows each individual burner to be timed separately, or automatically locks the controls when you turn off the burners.

Pricing and availability

The sous vide accessory, with an MSRP of $149, functions with all Monogram, Profile and GE Café induction cooktops that will be available in May 2015:

• Monogram with an MSRP of $2,599 for the 30” (Model # ZHU30R) and $3,099 for the 36” (ZHU36R),
• Profile with an MSRP of $1,599 for the 30” (PHP9030) and $1,899 for the 36” (PHP9036), and
• Café with an MSRP of $1,999 for the 30” (CHP9530) and $2,299 for the 36” (CHP9536).^*

About GE Appliances

GE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information on GE Appliances, visit www.ge.com/appliances.

About FirstBuild

FirstBuild is a new model for designing, building and bringing home appliances to market. A partnership between GE Appliances and Local Motors, FirstBuild brings together an open community of industrial designers, engineers and other innovative minds to collaborate on new product designs that are rapidly brought to life at the FirstBuild Microfactory. For more information on how to get involved, visit FirstBuild.com.

1. Chang, T. Susan. “Sous Vide Makes Its Way to the Home Kitchen.” NPR. Accessed on Nov. 11, 2014. www.npr.org. http://www.npr.org/2014/04/16/303375721/sous-vide-makes-its-way-to-the-home-kitchen
*Manufacturers determine resell price.

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