Reddit mentions: The best pot lid holders

Generally you want good water circulation all around the meat. It looks like your steaks are making contact with the bottom of the pot. It'll still work because the pot also heats up, but it's sub-optimal.

I bought this thing to have a fully configurable rack to place bags in:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TJTWR04/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can install/remove any of the stands, they screw in. No plastic parts, all stainless steel. Pretty cheap compared to other options.

In your case, I would have arranged the steaks 90 degrees rotated in the bag so you get good space between them, and then each steak can sit in it's own part of the rack, with the space between them helping bridge the gap. That would still only use one bag, and you get excellent water flow around each steak.

That BBQ rib rack looks like a perfect size for your container! It costs a little more but I really like the IKEA pot lid organizer that I picked up from Amazon a while back for about $12.50. I don't have any IKEAs nearby but I've heard they are cheaper at the store. It is great because I can change the size depending on what I want to use it for and I only use half of the posts.

Get him this cooler as a cooking vessel. He can cut a hole in the corner of the lid and it will hold heat better, and won't lose water over long cooks. FYI the anova precision cooker works like a charm with this cooler.

Edit: the red one is 22 bucks and fast shipping.

Edit 2: I ought to answer your question: no, there's no real need for a vacuum sealer, although I would like to own one. I'm saving for a Vacamaster chamber sealer. I currently use freezer ziplock bags and they work just fine. The cooler is far more important, imo, because you can fit quite a bit more in it than you can with most containers. Also, yes it is an it larger than the anova's capacity, but because it's a cooler, it will work just fine.

There's also a wire rack that will keep things separated for better circulation between multiple items.

You can get really creative and fit a lot of meat on a 18" WSM. I bought this last summer and used it to get 4 racks of ribs sideways on a single rack.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TJTWR04/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can also buy vertical chicken roasters to fit 2 or 3 chickens on a single rack.

https://www.amazon.com/Fox-Run-5667-Vertical-Non-Stick/dp/B000I1X4RC/

To make a full packer brisket fit on my 18" rack, I will wrap a brick in aluminium foil and put it under the brisket to arch it up in the middle. It doesn't affect the bark or the cooking time and is easy to find.

There are infinite options for setup so I'll simply provide what I use:

I have a cambro food container I cook in. Rubbermaid works well but I needed something bigger. I use an IKEA lid organizer to hold my bags in place (this didn't fit in the rubbermaid). I only put foil or lids on the top for extremely long cooks (18-24 hours), you won't lose much water in a basic dinner cook. I have a rubber mat on my counter for hotter cooks to protect it. I also use a vacuum sealer for my food and found that placing a pyrex dish in the water helps keep them from floating. Here are some links to what I have purchased

https://www.amazon.com/Cambro-12189CW135-Polycarbonate-Storage-Camwear/dp/B002NQB63E/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1492527700&sr=8-8&keywords=cambro+food

https://www.amazon.com/Ikea-VARIERA-701-548-00-Organizer-Stainless/dp/B00TJTWR04/ref=pd_bxgy_79_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00TJTWR04&pd_rd_r=F9YJ15R2DKR95RQBYK3R&pd_rd_w=TH4K1&pd_rd_wg=oNXkw&psc=1&refRID=F9YJ15R2DKR95RQBYK3R

https://www.amazon.com/Countertops-Antibacterial-Dishwasher-Grey-XL/dp/B01MYV1O16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492527763&sr=8-1&keywords=rubber+mat+counter

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R8JOUC/ref=twister_B01FXRJ34I?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

IKEA lid organizers! I love mine so much, and use them for palettes. I keep one for eye palettes and a second one for face palettes. They can be stretched or squished to whatever size your collection needs. You won't need to replace the organizers if you run out of room for palettes, just stretch them so you'll be able to put 2 palettes per "slot". They also are very minimal in the sense that your items won't be blocked by a piece of plastic so you can see them better and reach for them easily.

Good question. What you see in the last picture is a 5lb shoulder roast that I threw in this morning. It was too big for the pinching action you describe so I added a knife to the bag and attached magnets to the rack which is holding the shoulder in place.

But yes, this rack can be used in a variety of ways: the squish method you mentioned, the magnet setup I described, or you can use binder clips to attach the bag to the metal posts. All really depending on what you're cooking.

I usually attach it and then gently lower it into the water until I get my fingers almost to the surface of the water and then drop it in. To remove, I've used tongs and silicone gloves. I've tried barehanding it a few times - certainly not recommended.

The rack is fine. It's been through probably 30 SV sessions and it's holding up pretty well. It's a cheapo Ikea deal so there's a little bit of rust but the price is definitely right! Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TJTWR04/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This rack would be good for spices and maybe this for organizing lids to pots as they always take up so much space. I would put spices in cute bottles.

Cool looking shelves would be a attractive way to get a little more storage.

You didn't mention needing anything in the bathroom but I have found in small spaces something like this over the toilet is really helpful. You can also get them with cabinets instead of shelves if you want to be able to hide stuff.

On 18, I have a storage device for boxes of wax paper and aluminum foil and such on the back of doors. The downside is it has to be mounted perfectly, and, the boxes have to be shorter than the space between whatever shelves are in the cabinet you're mounting it between.

I have a similar cabinet door rack for pot/pan lids. It had to go on the outside of the cabinet (ala #11). A single curtain rod like 21 is probably a better idea, unless your lids are pretty much flat and your shelves stop short.

this one is very popular here. . It’s great because it accordions in and out to fit different sized containers and food. I have 2, one that put on the bottom to space things out and one to put on top of the bags to stop floaters.

If you have an IKEA near you, they’re way cheaper in the store.

The pot lid separator is a great idea. Here's the Ikea version on Amazon for those of us without an Ikea:

http://amzn.com/B00TJTWR04

If you have Prime you'll save on shipping vs buying it on Ikea's site.

Yeah, it's the Ikea one, but I bought from Amazon for more money and free shipping here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TJTWR04

Snails please

Have you seen these guys

Spill-Proof Lid Lifter for Soup Pot 6 Pack, Kitchen Tools Lid Stand Heat Resistant Holder Keep The Lid Open, Great Cooking Helpers and Decoration https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B075QXXSZ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_tdZACbB0KEC2Z

Another user here of the 3 gallon/ (12 quart) rubbermaid container and lid. I cut a very small hole in the lid for my anova to fit into and it hardly loses any water even on >24 hr cooks. Plus the lid is flexible enough to just lift one or two corners and position bags. you can also use it to keep a zip top bag in place instead of clips or vacuum bags.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000R8JOUC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VAUFD6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00


I also use this ikea pot lid organizer to help separate bags or weigh down food that just keeps wanting to float. It is pretty nice because you can turn it around and remove pegs to customize the shape for what you are cooking.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TJTWR04?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

Something else that is nice to use is a pair of tongs with silicone tips so that they don't rip your bags but still grip your food for removal or changing the placement of food, because you don't want to stick your hands in hot water!

http://smile.amazon.com/Vivree-Kitchen-Tongs-Set-Stainless/dp/B00XGXGP3Y/ref=pd_sim_79_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41nuul3KFhL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0TK46SWSYA8WEN7S6YPR

So to piggy back on this topic, I have a 3 gallon container and was having a hard time finding a good rack. I finally went with the Ikea variera pot lid holder which is adjustable in length. I was a little worried about the plastic feet but they have held up including one 2 hour cook at 176 F.

Here is an amazon link which shoes what it looks like, the Ikea item number, and would allow someone without an Ikea to purchase (I think it is only $6 at Ikea though).

http://www.amazon.com/Ikea-701-548-00-Variera-Organizer-Stainless/dp/B00TJTWR04/ref=zg_bs_13750001_3

Thanks!! It is actually a repurposed pot lid holder from IKEA. I read about it somewhere I think from Serious Eats. I can't take credit for the idea. It's $5.99 if there is an IKEA near you or you can order it online http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70154800/ or on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Ikea-VARIERA-701-548-00-Organizer-Stainless/dp/B00TJTWR04/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469988460&sr=8-1&keywords=ikea+pot+lid+organizer for $12.59

The spacers are removable so you can customize it to what best works for you.

Grab one of these to separate your food, or as a weight on top for larger cuts.

They rust after a while, but for the price they're great.

If you don't have an Ikea near you, they do sell them on amazon but for about twice the price.

Just buy one of these. Holds more, more secure, looks better.

This is what you want. Look at the reviews, they’re all from sous viders. Works great.

It is super simple. Anova even has an app so you can monitor your cooker while you are in another room. They are on sale right now which is why I pulled the trigger.

anova precision $155 w the code SPRING25

12 qt container $24.95

container lid $11.08

apparently you can also just float ping pong balls on the top as well - having a lid insulates and slows the water evaporation

cheap adjustable rack to keep the meat in place $13.21

vacuum sealer $69.99

but for this you can just use freezer bags and water displacement to get a similar outcome

Pot lid holder/spoon rest. I have one of these. Works great.

1. It's not usually an issue, but some people have said they think it has damaged their device. A common solution is wrapping a dish towel around the device directly above the lid. The towel will get wet from steam, but keep the top of the Anova dry.
   
   
2. It's generally better to re-bag, because you don't know what's in those bags, and you don't know if they're designed for that. Sometimes the seal will break or the bag may have nasty stuff in it. However that was probably not the issue with getting the steak to temp. As has been mentioned, if it gets stuck in a corner and the water isn't circulating well, one of these will help: https://www.amazon.com/Ikea-VARIERA-701-548-00-Organizer-Stainless/dp/B00TJTWR04. Keeps it in place and allows the water to flow around it. Also, do you have a good thermometer? Could be the issue for both things if not.

I use this pot lid rack to stand up and separate steaks. For stuff that tends to float, I flip it upside down, trapping the bags underneath (and the posts can still be used to keep bags separated for good water flow).

With something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Vinyl-Coated-Wire-Plate-White/dp/B000H8WOUY

A lid organizer like this Ikea VARIERA 701.548.00 Pot Lid Organizer, Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00TJTWR04/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ZlqqDb4QVR751 and get glasslock containers instead.

How about something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Stock-Your-Home-Rust-Free-Dinnerware/dp/B00KLH2EY2/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=baking+sheet+stand&qid=1571283410&sr=8-3

How about a wall mounted organizer like this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037040KQ

You could use something like this for the lids:
http://www.amazon.com/Organize-It-All-Cabinet-Door/dp/B001B0PPBC

Back in Eastern Europe you could buy these in every hardware store, but here in Canada I couldn't find them only on Amazon

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001B0PPBC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use a pot/pan lid organizer to keep tupperware lids organized/ in place (this is the one I have https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQC2JJE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_v.WIDbTSF0P9Z ). Then I just stack the other parts together as neatly as possible.

If you are still having trouble after following some of the advice in this thread, you might consider using a heavy object to weigh the bag down in the water.

www.amazon.com/Ikea-VARIERA-701-548-00-Organizer-Stainless/dp/B00TJTWR04

This is a good (cheap) product that will do the job for multiple items at once. Obviously that is not it's intended use, but it seems to work just fine.

I have all of my water bottles/travel mugs stored upside down over the poles on an expandable pot lid rack (like this) that I've set inside my cupboard. The lids are stored part of a drawer with the rest of my lids for things. My water bottles and travel mugs used to fall out all over the place any time I'd try to get them out. This way they're much more stable and organized. I'd get rid of more of them, but I hike and camp a lot so they do actually get used.

Amazon link for anyone interested.

There are other ones available if you prefer wire, plastic, etc. The bamboo one (although I bit lighter in color) goes well with the inside of my drawer I think :)

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Edit: PS - The smudge on Modern Renaissance is bothering me, so I apologize to anyone else who is bothered by it. LOL

They are pot lid organizers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G28JYCW/

I use this for my rack

http://www.amazon.com/Ikea-Stainless-Steel-Organizer-701-548-00/dp/B00TJTWR04/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450295340&sr=8-3&keywords=sous+vide+rack

Plastic lids and napkins https://www.amazon.com/Panacea-Grayline-40200-Plastic-Napkin/dp/B0000YB7IU

https://www.amazon.com/Lipper-International-887-Bamboo-Holder/dp/B000Y50YKW/ref=pd_bxgy_201_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5TXZ8511H38NNZVGQ1C6

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016JZVZ8A/ref=twister_B01DF5M1CQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

For the rack? Here you go

Ikea Stainless Steel Pot Lid Organizer

If you measure the diameter of the pot, you can probably substitute a different type of lid.

Here's a 4.5" lid but it might be a little too small compared to the listed 4.8" diameter on your link:

http://www.amazon.com/Olicamp-Xts-Pot-Lid-Replacement/dp/B007VENQV8/ref=sr_1_57?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1449711207&sr=1-57&keywords=replacement+lid

On a similar note, you might be able to use something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Silikomart-UFO-Collection-Universal-Transparent/dp/B0089YSAEW

If that fails, there are also some youtube tutorials of people using the lid from cookie tins on the GSI minimalist (you'd have to find something bigger for the soloist).

Problem is a towel rack can hold 2 lids max and will set you back $10 or thereabouts, whereas this holds 5 lids and costs $9. This is an issue with a lot of repurposing "tricks".

Amazon link for the lazier - also cheaper if you're just wanting one and don't have an IKEA nearby.