Anova Culinary, officially known as Anova Applied Electronics, Inc., is a company headquartered in San Francisco that specializes in smart kitchen appliances designed for home cooking. Their product range includes devices such as sous-vide cookers, combination ovens, and vacuum sealers. In 2014, Anova introduced the Anova Precision Cooker, the first sous-vide cooking device with Bluetooth connectivity, followed by a Wi-Fi-enabled version in 2015.
On February 6, 2017, Anova was acquired by Electrolux, a home appliance company, for a total of US$250 million. This acquisition marked the first instance of a multimillion-dollar purchase of a smart kitchen brand.[1]
Anova sous-vide cooker
History
Anova Culinary was established in 2013 by Stephen Svajian, Jeff Wu, and Natalie Vaughn. The company originated as a manufacturer of temperature control products for scientific laboratories across the globe.
In 2010, Wu developed an initial proof of concept for an affordable sous vide device[2] for home use. He subsequently joined forces with Stephen Svajian, the founder and CEO of the marketing agency Get Fresh Inc., which ultimately led to the creation of Anova Culinary. Their inaugural product, the Anova One, was shipped in 2013.
In 2013, Anova Culinary unveiled the Anova One,[3] the initial sous-vide cooker designed for home use. This device was an immersion circulator[2][4] that could be attached to an existing pot, circulating and heating water for cooking.[5]
The introduction of the Anova Precision Cooker followed in 2014, marking the first connected sous-vide device.[6][7] It featured a wand-like immersion circulator that could be attached to a pot or container, ensuring precise temperature control for cooking food at specific times and temperatures. With Bluetooth capability, users could control the device through the company's app on their mobile devices.[8][9][10][11]
The Anova Precision Cooker Nano enables Bluetooth-enabled communication across multiple devices through the Anova Culinary App. This allowed users to synchronize cooking cycles for multiple dishes using Anova products. It offered the same temperature control as other models,[12] with basic controls accessible directly on the device for those who preferred not to use the app.[12]
The Anova Precision Oven, a countertopcombi oven, was designed to function independently as sous vide solution or in conjunction with existing Precision Cooker products. It combined steam and convection cooking methods.[6][13][14][15][16]
The Anova Culinary App serves as the companion app for the Precision Cooker and is available for Android and iOS devices. It provides access to recipes and allows users to control temperature settings.[17]
Acquisitions
Get Fresh, Inc.
In 2015, Anova Culinary purchased marketing agency Get Fresh, Inc. for a total of US$9.2 million.[18]
Electrolux
On February 6, 2017, Electrolux announced its acquisition of Anova Culinary for a total of US$250 million. The acquisition involved an initial cash payment of $115 million, with an additional $135 million allocated for adjustments and the fulfillment of specific financial targets.[1][19]
Under the agreement, the Anova brand remains intact and retains its own distinct identity, with Stephan Svajian continuing as CEO. Anova Culinary operates as a subsidiary within the broader Electrolux organization.[20] Electrolux is said to be establishing a "smart home solutions center" in San Francisco to focus on developing connected products in various categories, as reported by Business Insider.[21]
Partnerships
During the 2017 International Home and Housewares Show, Anova revealed a collaboration with Stasher, a manufacturer of silicone bags, to offer reusable and resealable bags specifically designed for sous vide cooking.[22][23][24] Additionally, on July 25, 2017, Anova announced a partnership with Field Company, which involved a special release of a limited batch of the Field cast iron skillet before its wider availability to the general public.[25][26]
