# Joule: Sous Vide by ChefSteps

> Joule is the smallest, most powerful sous vide tool on the market.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.chefsteps.circulator](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.chefsteps.circulator)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.chefsteps.circulator`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Breville Pty Ltd
- **Category:** FOOD\_AND\_DRINK
- **Downloads:** 441,173
- **Rating:** 1.64 / 5 (1,383 ratings)
- **Version:** 2.77.5
- **Last updated:** 2026-04-16
- **First published:** 2016-08-25
- **Publisher country:** AU
- **Size:** 42 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-20
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chefsteps.circulator)
- **Website:** [https://www.chefsteps.com](https://www.chefsteps.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://www.chefsteps.com/privacy](https://www.chefsteps.com/privacy)

## Description

Joule: Sous Vide by ChefSteps is the smallest and most powerful sous vide tool on the market, paired seamlessly with the Joule app. Designed for first-generation Joule devices, the app offers precise temperature control, exclusive cooking guides, and step-by-step instructions to simplify sous vide cooking.

With features like Visual Doneness, the app lets you select exactly how you want your food cooked, eliminating guesswork. Receive real-time notifications about water temperature and cooking progress, plus guidance on how much longer your food can remain without overcooking. Whether you're making steak, salmon, or fried chicken, Joule ensures restaurant-quality results every time, all controllable via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi from anywhere.

## Rankings

- #107,094 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_SCAN`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `com.anddoes.launcher.permission.UPDATE_COUNT`
- `com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE`
- `com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS`
- `com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT`
- `com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.CHANGE_BADGE`
- `com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS`
- `com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS`
- `com.majeur.launcher.permission.UPDATE_BADGE`
- `com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ`
- `com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE`
- `com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE`
- `com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER_INSERT_BADGE`

## Review summary

Users praise the Joule device's cooking capabilities and appreciate the instructional recipes and videos. However, the app is widely criticized for persistent connectivity problems with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, instability including crashes and freezes, mandatory account creation and login, poor user interface design with excessive steps, and annoying repeated notifications. These issues significantly hinder usability and frustrate users, undermining the overall cooking experience.

### Pros

- The device itself works well for sous vide cooking when it connects.
- The app includes good cooking instructions, including short videos and recipes.
- The app provides precise temperature control for cooking.

### Cons

- The app has frequent connectivity issues with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, often failing to connect or disconnecting mid-cook.
- The app requires mandatory account creation and login, which is inconvenient and problematic.
- The app is unstable and prone to crashing or freezing during use.
- The app interface is poorly designed, with too many unnecessary steps and confusing features.
- The app notifications are repetitive and annoying, including multiple repeated pop-ups and persistent error messages.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.chefsteps.circulator)