Nomiku: Sous Vide Immersion Circulator

I had been quietly stalking following Q and Abe from the first time I heard they were working with haxlr8r to prototype a new sous vide cooker.  Yesterday, to much fanfare, they kickstarted Nomiku, an immersion circulator targeting home/amateur cooks.

They are off to a fantastic start, having already raised 16% of their $200,000 goal.  But less about their successes and more about the product and what I think it means.  As we know, I am of the mindset that the more products out there, the better it is for everyone right now.  At some point there will be consolidation in the sous vide appliance market, but only after it's been proven.  And by proven, I mean, when Salton starts shipping one.

But, if you are reading this, you are probably just a sous vide nerd.  So, nerd, eat some hot spec:

Heater output: 750 Watts.
Circulation rate: 10 L/min.
Temperature accuracy: 0.2° C.
Display: 1.3" full color OLED.
Minimum water height: 4 inches.
Voltage: 120V (US + Canada, shipping in December 2012) and 220V versions (the 220V version will work with 220V-240V, and will ship in March 2013)
Capacity: 5 Gallons
Temperature range: 0ºC - 100ºC
Price: 299$ USD

Some quick commentary from the me:

1. 300$ for an immersion circulator is excellent pricing.  The price point clearly says "we're coming after you, Sous Vide Supreme".  (The SousVide Supreme Demi is priced at 320$). 


2. While it's no match for the Polyscience Sous Vide Professional, at half the price it promises to deliver way more than half the value.  


3. I love the simplicity of the UI.  Pretty brilliant, just turn the dial. 


4. The design looks pretty shnazzy and modern, but I have to say that the form factor does make it look like a garden hose nozzle (or a g-spot stimulator for a water buffalo).  

It's a great project, so you should go to Kickstarter right now and contribute!