Why is my sous vide bag floating or lifting during cooking?

If a bag floats or lifts during sous vide cooking, heat transfer becomes less even and the food may not cook as intended. This is usually a setup issue rather than a fault with the stick. Stop using the appliance if the container is unstable, the water level becomes unsafe, or you are unsure the food is being heated properly.

1. Check that the bag is closed properly and that excess air has been removed before sealing. The expected result is a bag that stays lower in the water. If too much air remains inside, reopen and reseal it.
2. Use a container deep enough for full immersion without letting the bag touch the bottom heater area or the water surface. The expected result is stable positioning with free water flow around the food.
3. Keep the bag away from the stick’s circulation path. The expected result is that water moves freely and the bag no longer drifts into the appliance.
4. If needed, use a safe weight or reposition the food so the bag stays submerged without blocking the unit. The expected result is consistent submersion throughout the cook.
5. If the bag still floats and you cannot keep the food safely submerged, stop the cook and contact the retailer or store where the product was purchased for advice on suitable accessories or next steps.

Do not leave food cooking if part of the bag repeatedly rises above the water line. If the appliance has to be held in place or the bath cannot stay stable, stop using it until the setup is corrected.