****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
It is a very attractive small appliance that can be kept on the counter and since I use slow cookers a lot that is the best place for me to keep it. I actually like the automatic slow and high settings that others say is not programmable. Most slow cooker recipes call for these settings and if any extra time is needed, it can be reset. That is good for me because I generally like to check my food after those times. So it's just a matter of preference I guess. My older programmable crock pot finally gave out during cooking corned beef, which takes a long time for tenderness. I actually had to cook it twice as long, so it went to the curb after that experience and I ordered this one. I actually haven't used it yet, but am looking forward to it. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles which I like very much. The easier the better! If I experience anything (good or bad), I will update my review. It appears to be a quality product for the price. Not many recipes come with this crock, but I really don't need them and usually google anything I am not sure about.UPDATE: FEB 2, 2014I cooked beef flanken with vegetables for 10 hours in it yesterday and because I am kind of nit picky, I put it on in the morning and watched it off and on during the day. It takes quite a bit of time to heat up on the low setting, but the cooking time was absolutely correct. I usually use my meat tenderizer to break up the meat fibers for cheaper cuts of meat, but didn't do it this time just as a test and clearly that wasn't needed. I didn't trim the fat because I like some fat for flavor in my food and just let it cool off enough to put in the refrigerator over night and skimmed the hardened fat off the top of the dish in the morning. When pushed for time, I use slow cooker seasoning packets and they work very well. I am not going to change the 4 star rating only because it is as good as my other crock pot that gave out and lasted a very long time. So if I get as much use out of this one, it will be worth it. The only thing I like better is the color black, since all my small appliances are black and my older one was white. I will recommend this cooker.JUST ONE MORE THING!This might sound silly to most people, but here goes! I am a true germaphobe and always manage to find places to clean that most people don't think about. When cleaning, I periodically remove the lid handles by removing the screw to clean in that area. This lid has 2 holes in it. One for keeping the handle on and the other to release steam. Although the steam doesn't seem to go anywhere except under the handle, for me it is germ land. I unscrew the lid handle, clean all under that area and replace it. That's it!I looked all over to replace my old crock pot which, was this model. I read all the reviews. Looked at all the jazzy expensive upggraded newer models. In the end , I came back to this one.It is well priced, easy to use, big enough to make large crocks of soup, stews, whatever. What is most invauluable to me though, is the automatic warming feature.I can not tell you how many times I have gone to bed with chicken or a pot roast in the pot only to wake up to a dried up mess I have to throw out.In my opinion I not not feel the warming feature is too hot. It has been a life saver for me and my food has always turned out well. I do tend to use alot of vegatbale or chicken stock when cooking meats so, maybe that is why the warming feature is not too hot for me. My meats stay tender even as I sleep through the night. The next day I just drain excess liquid off. I love this Crockpot and this is my second one. I also have bought this model as gifts. They ate well received.This was a bit smaller than I anticipated. I didn't know what size my 2 older slow cookers were, so I had a hard time deciding which size to buy. I will probably buy another Crock-Pot soon that is larger, but I like having 2 Crock-Pots, so that isn't a problem. I like the programmable feature, but I wish there was a shorter time on the low setting; you have 8 or 10 hours, and I'd love to see a 6 hour. My only other complaint is the rubber tabs on the bottom make it hard to move the cooker around. I'm sure that's the purpose, but it makes it hard to push the cooker into the cabinet. It doesn't slide at all.Excellent product. I use it at least once a week, and I enjoy the fact it goes to warm, rather than off.The heat settings seem to be lower than the Hamilton Beach slow cooker that I replaced. Usually when I would cook for 8 hrs. on low everything would be cooked through. Not so with this cooker.It's just what I wanted. Actually I only wanted the lid but it seemed easier to just order another crockpot.WARNING: The plastic lid handle may come off! I lifted the glass cover off the crockpot and plastic had fallen apart and left screw in lid after 30 months of use. They should include extra handles in packaging with original purchase. I find the handles to be the worst part of crockpots.So far, (I have only used it 2 times) the crockpot has been working perfectly.
