Sous Vide / PID Temperature Controller Case

This is 95% finished, and usable as-is, but has a few small warts that could be cleaned up

Case for a common PID temperature controller used for immersion cooking (sous vide). Using the parts below, you can create a temperature controlled heating element for maintaining a very tight temperature range on the target system.

This replaces an oxy clean box I'd been using for almost 5 years.

For example, if I have the setup pictured (large pot of water, single immersion heater, aquarium pump), It will keep the temperature within ~0.5F of the target in my experience.

I also frequently use a small slow cooker plugged in to the controller instead of the immersion heater when I don't need a lot of volume (1 or 2 steaks vs. a brisket).

This controller could be used for more than sous-vide. Build a flowerpot smoker and control the electric heat plate. Temperature control an animal habitat. In theory, I think this controller will also properly control a cooling element, but I'm not entirely sure about that.

The nice thing about using a PID controller is it "learns" the characteristics of the system (speed of temperature loss, speed of temperature gain), so that it can maintain a very tight temperature range over long periods of time.

You could use a commercial contained and compact product like the Anova and not spend much more than this product will ultimately cost. The advantage this system provides is it gives you a lot of flexibility as to your heating element(s). It should also appeal to the maker culture. :)