The Controller

You don't need a powerful microcomputer to drive this setup. We selected the Arduino for this project because of the excellent (and well documented) PID and autotune libraries available for it. The Adafruit RGB/LCD shield with integral pushbuttons was also perfect for hosting the user interface.

To build this controller, you will need:

• Arduino UNO
  
• Proto Shield or Wing Shield
• RGB LCD Shield (Positive or Negative display)
  
• Power Switch Tail
  
• High Temperature DS18B20 Temperature Sensor you can also use the standard Waterproof DS18B20 type if you aren't planning on heating it past 90C, which is very rare for Sous Vide
  
• Food Grade Heat-Shrink Tubing
• Servo Extension Cable
• In-Line JST power wire connector: Male and Female

We have all the above as part of a special discounted pack http://www.adafruit.com/products/1401

You will also need some basic tools and soldering supplies:

• WIre cutters
  
• Wire strippers
  
• Soldering Iron
  
• Solder
  
• Shrink Wrap Tubing
  
• Small Phillips Screwdriver
  

Cooker Selection

Type

Rice Cookers and Slow Cooker appliances have the basic elements we are looking for:

• A cooking vessel that holds water
  
• An electric heating element
  

Capacity

You need a vessel substantially larger than the food you intend to cook in it. It needs to have a large enough volume of water with plenty of room for circulation to maintain an even temperature. Look for a rice cooker with a capacity of at least 10 cups uncooked (20 cups cooked) or a slow cooker with at least a 4 quart (4 liter) capacity.

Controls

Since we are building our own controller, you want the simplest manual control cooker you can find. One with a simple switch or control knob is best. We will just turn it on at the highest setting and plug it into our controller. (Here at Adafruit we picked up a "Black and Decker RC880" - a rice cooker with 24 cup capacity and is a great size)