This “sous vide” immersion circulator is very recognizable by its shape and popular on the internet. It can be found under different brands: Buffalo, VacMaster, Steba, Stalgast, Lacor, Allpax…Sweep this doubt from your mind, these immersion circulators are all identical and all come from the same Chinese factory. The companies listed above are only wholesalers or resellers. This immersion circulator first appeared on the market in 2012 (and I bought it for my personnal use).
It is often presented as an immersion circulator for professionals, but its affordable price makes it accessible to individuals. The price of this machine varies greatly from one dealer to another. By surfing on european sites (in 2023) you can find it from 180 € including VAT and up to 363 € including VAT at METRO shop! From single to double…
Before making your decision to buy a “sous vide” immersion circulator, and to better understand the comments below, I recommend that you read the 2 posts I wrote whose theme is “criteria for choosing an immersion circulator”:

How to choose a sous vide immersion circulator 1/2
How to choose a sous vide immersion circularor 2/2

I. Technical Specifications of the Buffalo DM868 Immersion Circulator

The technical data found on various internet sites are globally consistent but sometimes differs from one retailer to another.

  • Capacity: some shop indicate 20L max., others 30L and some even dare 40L (Nisbets)…
  • Power: 1,500W, 6.5A.
  • Adjustable Temperature Range: 5° to 99°C
  • Display: LCD, displays temperature and cooking time
  • Timer: 0-99hr
  • Temperature accuracy: probe type and technical specifications not disclosed
  • Temperature stability: ± 0.5°C (see comments in section below)
  • Low water level alarm: safety float switch and circuit breaker in case of overheating of the heater element
  • Minimum container depth required: 200 mm
  • Pump flow: 5L/min. advertised (unverified)
  • Dimensions: 320(H) x 145(W) x 130(D) mm
  • Apperance: ABS casing, stainless steel’s immersed parts except for the safety float switch (plastic and foam) and circulation pump (ABS).
  • Weight: 1.8kg
  • Warranty: 2 years for individuals, 1 year for professionals.

 II. Remarks on Buffalo’s technical data

  1. This immersion circulator seems rather suitable for use in small to medium-sized container (GN 1/1 – 28L max.).
  2. Due to its lack of power (1,500W) it would not be reasonable to use it in a large 58L container (GN 2/1).
  3. On all the pages of the websites consulted it is indicated “Temperature control: ± 0.5°C”. This term is ambiguous. Are we talking about “temperature control in the water bath” (stability) or “temperature control of the thermal probe” (temperature accuracy)? Not making the difference shows a lack of rigor and professionalism in the description.
  4. For having tested it myself, the accuracy of the temperature of the Buffalo was good up to 80°C. Beyond 80°C the temperature accuracy deteriorated but remained nevertheless acceptable for sous vide cooking applications. However, since we can’t obtain information on the type of probe used by the manufacturer, it will be necessary to check whether the temperature accuracy is still correct every 2 years. For this purpose a perfectly well calibrated external thermometer will be necessary.
  5. Regarding the temperature stability of the water bath: it is good but a little disconcerting. Indeed, the temperature stability of the water bath (verified with thermometer) is correct, but the temperature of the display of the Buffalo immersion circulator constantly fluctuates by ± 0.2 ° C. Which, in the end, is not such a big deal.
  6. Nowhere is it indicated whether it is possible to calibrate the immersion circulator in the event of a significant temperature deviation. I have sent several emails to resellers asking for their opinion. None answered me on this subject, except one who told me that “it was not necessary”.
  7. Some retailers indicate that the Buffalo immersion circulator is IPX7. It’s wrong! Whatever the brand, this immersion circulator can’t be immersed for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter (IPX7 standard)! As proof, there is a fan on the back to circulate air and cool the internal components of the immersion circulator. Of course water can pass through this ventilation!

III. Known failures of the Buffalo DM686, STEBA, Lacor and Allpax immersion circulator

1. The pump is the major concern of this immersion circulator

It is not uncommon to see people on forums complaining of recurring issues due to a blocked pump. A French blog, which tested this product, had the “bad luck” to have to replace their Buffalo immersion circulator 4 times in 4 years…then giving up with this device.
To my knowledge, it is the only sous vide immersion circulator on the market that uses a “brushless” DC pump. This technical choice is a design mistake which makes this machine an unreliable product over time.
In 2011 I was one of the first to buy the Buffalo immersion circulator and I quickly encountered a pump problem. Engineer friends had confirmed to me that the type of pump used was a DC (Brushless) water pump often used in the closed circuits of solar panels. They are good pumps, quiet, but with weaknesses. Low and mid-range DC pumps should not be exposed to excessively high temperatures. If you use your Buffalo immersion circulator at temperatures above 80°C then you will greatly reduce the life of the pump.
But the main problem comes mainly from the fact that the pump can quickly be damaged if blocked because of scale or fat. When you start the immersion circulator in the water bath, if the pump does not run, then you must IMMEDIATELY check the pump to perhaps still have the chance to save it by descaling and cleaning it.

Pump issue with Buffalo, Vacmaster, Allpax, Stalgast sous vide immersion circulator

2. Security float switch

It is made of plastic and foam! When cooking “Sous Vide” it happens that a bag seam is loose and fat spreads in the water-bath. A foam float switch will be harder to clean than a steel one. A safety float switch made of foam is a bad idea and gives a very “cheap” impression to this immersion circulator.

Low quality foam float switch of Buffalo, Vacmaster and Allpax sous vide immersion circulator

3. Electronic parts

Some electronic issues are also reported but mainly caused by moisture that has entered the immersion circulator’s casing. To avoid these problems, simply unhook the immersion circulator from the container as soon as you turn the device off! This problem is also found on most sous vide immersion circulator on the market.

IV. Buffalo Immersion Circulator’s Repairability

1. Buffalo Immersion Circulator Exploded View & User Manual

It seems that there were 2 versions of this immersion circulator on the market: an IPX7 and non IPX7 version. As explained above, the IPX7 version is a joke! After verification, the IPX7 version was a version where the manufacturer had enclosed certain electronic components in a waterproof box. But the rest of the components were obviously not IPX7…
You can download the 2 complete exploded views (with part numbers) from this link. You will also find here a link to download the user manual of the Buffalo.

2. Availability of Buffalo DM868 (and other brands) immersion circulator spare parts

Frankly, it was very complicated. After more than 3 hours spent on the internet here is the result of my research:

I have also sent emails to most French retailers to ask them how much it would cost to replace the pump and the heater element. Here are the results:

  1. Most retailers answered in a very vague way with no price indications.
  2. Only one company told me they would invoice 45 € including VAT for “fault research” plus 72 €/h including VAT for labour, plus spare parts costs. No information was provided to me regarding spare part prices. It will therefore cost you 117 € including tax (not including parts) to have your Buffalo immersion circulator repaired.

V. Ease to open and replacement of a defective part of the Buffalo’s immersion circulator

Clearly this device was not designed with the idea of making life easier for a professional or DYI repairman. It’s badly done and impractical! The Buffalo is an immersion circulator which is very difficult to reassemble!
As for getting tech support to advise you…you won’t get any.

Dismantled, open Buffalo, Vacmaster, Allpax, Stalgast sous vide immersion circulator

VI. Cleaning of the Buffalo immersion circulator

On my version (2012) you have to take a screwdriver to access the electrical heater and the pump. It’s not convenient and it takes time. The immeresed parts of the immersion circulator are arranged in a compact manner, which makes it difficult to clean. It will be necessary to pay great attention to the inlet and the outlet of the pump, checking frequently that they are not clogged with scale. It is also possible for scale to form into the pump housing. If your pump is blocked it is possible to unscrew 4 screws to access the inside of the pump. Once again, the Buffalo is the only immersion circulator on the market to offer this type of pump system which turns out to be a real weakness.
Regarding the safety float switch, you will have to be very careful that it is not blocked by fat. Being made of plastic and foam, it will be less easy to clean (greasy) than if it were made out of metal.

Vacmaster, Buffalo, Allpax, Stalgast sous vide immersion circulator open with pump, heater element and float switch view

Conclusion

Some people on forums are very found of this type of immersion circulator. They would use it for years without having encountered any problems. Others complain of having thrown away several devices in a few years…It is also possible that as a non-professional, with a non-intensive use, at temperatures below 70°C, and paying close attention to the condition of the pump, allows to use this device without a hitch for several years. But that’s a lot of conditions to fulfill…
In 2023, after verification, it is still possible to find spare parts for the Buffalo immersion circulator, but it will not be easy to get them all…
If you have identified other sites than those listed in this post, I’m interested. Please leave a comment at the bottom of this page and I’ll add it to my list.
Dealers aren’t very forthcoming about out-of-warranty Buffalo immersion circulator repairs. But it seems possible for a minimum estimate of €117 excluding tax (excluding spare parts costs). Which may seem high, especially if you bought it for less than €200 including tax.
Throwing away an immersion circulator after 1 or 2 years of use because, in particular, of a design problem (pump) is heresy. So I would not recommend this immersion circulator for professionals. For individuals and infrequent use…why not.