I tested it
Portable · Precision
Breville Control Freak Home
This is the burner chefs talk about, in a smaller home version. Its sensors and probe let it hold a temperature in a way no other burner here could: my caramel went from pale to perfect amber without the usual frantic stirring, and fried chicken oil barely moved when I added cold chicken.
My verdict
My verdict: Buy it if you fry, make candy or temper chocolate often and want the temperature to stay exactly where you set it. Skip it if you mostly boil and sauté.
My test results
Oil held about 3°F up or down; water about 1°F up or down.
| Steps | 1°F |
|---|---|
| Oil swing at 350°F | about 3°F |
| Water swing at 140°F | about 1°F |
Quick facts
Temperature: 77–482°F in 1°F steps (405 settings) · Sensors: Dual sensors under the glass plus a precision temperature probe · Power: 1,800 watts, 120 volts · Controls: Touchscreen with 4 cooking modes and a control knob · Size: 12.2 × 16.9 × 4.1 inches; about 15.4 pounds · List price: $1,499.95 on Breville's site
Pros and cons
What I liked
- It sets temperatures in 1-degree steps and actually holds them.
- It uses both a probe and sensors under the glass.
- Its touchscreen modes are easy to use.
What I didn't like
- It costs about $1,500.
- It's large and heavy for a single zone.
My notes
This is the burner chefs talk about, in a smaller home version. Its sensors and probe let it hold a temperature in a way no other burner here could: my caramel went from pale to perfect amber without the usual frantic stirring, and fried chicken oil barely moved when I added cold chicken. The touchscreen has modes for ingredients and techniques, plus custom presets.
It’s expensive, big and heavy, and it does one zone. Per The Rational Kitchen’s Control Freak spec comparison, the Home version drops the original’s Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and commercial listing, has a thinner steel housing, and costs a little less. Want the full story? Read my Breville Control Freak vs Control Freak Home comparison.
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