Showing posts with label crock pot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crock pot. Show all posts

2/14/2012

Hamilton Beach 33967 Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Review

Hamilton Beach 33967 Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
We love this product! The features on it are fantastic. We especially like the probe setting. You simply insert the probe into your meat and it will monitor the cooking process until the meat has reached the desired temperature. It then automatically switches to a low setting to keep your meal warm until you are ready to eat. There's no guessing how long it will take to cook. Throw in a few vegetables and have a home-cooked meal with very little fuss!
Another awesome feature is the clip-tight gasket lid. It's perfect for traveling to pot-luck dinners without worrying that you will ruin the upholstery in your car from a spill.
Our family highly recommends this product!
One note of caution. Watch the price when ordering online. Amazon currently has it selling for nearly $200, but it can be found in stores for a fraction of that price--usually $50-$60.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hamilton Beach 33967 Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

Enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals even with a busy schedule thanks to this easy-to-use programmable 6-quart slow cooker. Simply add ingredients to the unit's oval-shaped stoneware pot, insert the pot into the electric base, and select one of three automatic-cooking options--program, manual, or probe--using the flat-panel push-button control panel with digital display. Especially convenient when away from home, program mode cooks for a specified amount of time, then automatically shifts to keep-warm so food doesn't overcook. Manual mode allows for selecting high or low heat settings--great for cooking the traditional way without setting the time or for heating up previously cooked food. When cooking a large cut of meat or using a recipe that requires food to reach a certain temperature, use the probe mode. The included thermometer probe takes the guesswork out of slow cooking. After reaching the desired internal food temperature, the slow cooker automatically shifts to keep-warm. The thoughtfully designed slow cooker also provides attractive stainless-steel housing, power-interrupt protection, a clip-on spoon, a clip-tight gasket lid, and full-grip handles for safe transport. The removable stoneware and tempered-glass lid clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher, and a user manual with recipes comes included. Perfect for soups, casseroles, pot roasts, curries, and more, the slow cooker measures approximately 10-2/5 by 16 by 16 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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9/20/2011

KitchenAid KSC700OB 7-Quart Slow Cooker, Onyx Black Review

KitchenAid KSC700OB 7-Quart Slow Cooker, Onyx Black
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Purchased slow cooker through Amazon.com on November 10.
1st crock was chipped, used it anyway and found it leaked also (crack I couldn't see).
Amazon quickly sent replacement. 2nd crock is warped and lid (1st or 2nd) does not fit properly - major gap.
Ordered a replacement again ... response from Amazon
"As it seems that the problem with this item is more widespread than we originally thought, we are unable to send another replacement.
We will investigate and remedy the situation with the item; however, I cannot guarantee when the error may be fixed."
We are SOOOOO disappointed with KitchenAid. (Amazon has been VERY responsive, as always!)


Click Here to see more reviews about: KitchenAid KSC700OB 7-Quart Slow Cooker, Onyx Black

New KitchenAid Slow Cooker offers unparalled food safety and convenience.Programmable electronic timer with 5 cooking settings provide users with the flexibility to Keep Warm, Simmer or cook on Low, High or Auto settings. Cooker switch automatically to Keep Warm mode after program timer expires. LED lights provide a 3 Digit display with countdown cook timer for easy to program functions. 400 Watts of power and electronic temperature sensor deliver accurate temperature setting and a rapid warm up of food for safety.Ob-round, ergonomic flared rim ceramic insert helps capture condensation while providing an elegant look and solid grip area. Quart markings on interior of cooking insert easily measure food servings. Glass lid with silicone soft seal to maintain moisture during cooking and prevent edge chipping. Ergonomic cool-touch handle assures a confident grip.

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9/04/2011

Deni 9700 Electric 5-Quart Pressure Cooker Review

Deni 9700 Electric 5-Quart Pressure Cooker
Average Reviews:

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After over ten years of service my Farberware electric pressure cooker finaly broke down. The electrical conection to the heating unit (cooking pot) was not well reinforced and (as the cast aluminum pot was heavy) it finally broke.
The Deni fixes this problem with a completely different design with no stress being put on electrical connections lifting the pot out of the unit.
However, I still prefer the Farberware unit and would choose it over the Deni. When using the cooker in pressure cook mode the seal does not always operate correctly. This can cause the food to cook indefinitely without ever reaching pressure. The timer does not shut the unit down after the food has been cooked but turns it to warm. Food can continue to slowly cook for hours. This is aggravated by a timer beep that is hard to hear.
Further, the unit was advertised as stainless steel but it appears to me that the cook pot is aluminum. This is something of a concern as teflon linings wear out and there is a reported link between aluminum and Alzheimers.
I've used a pressure cooker for many years and swear by them. This unit is satisfactory but I wish for the cost they'd put just a little more thought into the design.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Deni 9700 Electric 5-Quart Pressure Cooker

The Deni Pressure Cooker is safe and simple to use.With this multi-function appliance, you can pressure cook using 3 settings, slow cook, steam and brown.Shorten cooking time by up to 70%.Slow cook fork tender stew in 30 minutes, roasts in under an hour, and fruits and vegetables in minutes.Pressurized steam cooks healthy meals in less time than conventional methods.The pressure cooker combines steam, heat, and pressure while retaining the nutrients and flavor of the food.The removable 5 quart non-stick cooking pot provides even heat distribution while the brushed stainless steel housing remains cool to the touch.Pressure cooker is equipped with a fully programmable timer and a delay function of up to 8 hours.Built in thermostat for automatic temperature control and a steam release valve that allows pressure to be released quickly.Comes with 4 built in safety features: The locking pin prevents lid from being opened while under pressure, Automatic shut off valve, pressure regulator knob, and an internal pressure release system.The 5 -quart non stick cooking pot is easy to clean.Instruction book and recipes included.

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9/02/2011

Nesco American Harvest PC-6-25-30TPR 6-Quart Multifunction Digital Pressure Cooker Review

Nesco American Harvest PC-6-25-30TPR 6-Quart Multifunction Digital Pressure Cooker
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
UPDATE AT BOTTOM: Wow, is this a neat appliance. As a pressure cooker, it cooks food as nicely, and as quickly as my old, stainless stove-top model, but with several bonuses. Cleanup is much easier with the Nesco. It browns your meat without any sticking, so you can just toss your other ingredients right in after browning, and switch it to cook. No extra pan to wash. The nonstick pot, also, is much lighter, and washes out instantly vs the heavy ol'stove model that required soaking. Best of all, though, is how quiet it is! No babysitting the constant CH!CH!CH!CH! on the stove anymore. Set it, and it cooks in complete silence without another moment's thought, and no adjustments necessary. You could leave the house (it also has a timer to start cooking later if you wish). The Nesco is a slow cooker, as well. I have been so annoyed with how hot all the new slow cookers are. I've bought several brands trying to fnd a true "slow cooker". They all cook at nuclear heat, and every review of every new slow cooker says the same thing. The Nesco cooks nice and slow just like the old fashioned crock pots did. I love this cooker. The manual blows, though. How strange that the cooker is so well thought, but the quality control for the manual fell flat. It is contradictory, incomplete, and explains the buttons and timer wrong. The recipes are not appealing. Who cares. You'll love the Nesco cooker. It will replace your crock-pot and your stove-top pressure cooker. I've not tried it yet on steaming, but it might just replace the rice cooker and veg. steamer, too. Think of all the room in your cupboards, now.
Jan 2001: OK, my original cooker still works and I still like it, but I'm ticked!!! off!!! at Metal Ware customer service. We got one of these for my brother for Christmas, and it would not even power on. Customer service at Metal Ware Corp requires us to pay to get it shipped for repairs. 15 lbs and a BRAND NEW ITEM and I have to pay this ridiculous shipping fee on top of the very expensive purchase price. I no longer have warm fuzzies for the cooker since customer service is BAD.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nesco American Harvest PC-6-25-30TPR 6-Quart Multifunction Digital Pressure Cooker

A useful addition to any busy kitchen, this multifunctional electric cooker provides three handy functions in one. Use it to pressure cook, slow cook, or steam cook anything from long-grain rice, pot roast, and vegetable soup to curried chicken, chocolate cheesecake, and more. The versatile appliance provides a removable nonstick cooking chamber with a generous 6-quart capacity--perfect for making healthy homemade meals for the family or to take to a potluck or picnic. Its user-friendly digital control panel offers simple push-button operation and a variety of options. Choose from warm mode, steam mode, browning mode, and slow-cook mode (up to 9-1/2 hours), as well as two pressure settings when pressure cooking. Even more, the programmable digital timer can be set to delay cooking up to eight hours, which makes it possible to come home to dinner ready and waiting after a long day at the office. Other highlights include a stay-cool lid and handles; a locking cover; and safety steam release, which prevents the cover from being opened until pressure has reduced to a safe level. Accessories include a steaming rack for steam mode, a glass cover for browning mode, and an instruction manual/recipe book. Attractively housed in brushed stainless steel, the three-in-one combination cooker measures 12 by 12 by 18 inches.

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8/07/2011

Cuisinart CSC-650 Slow Cooker Review

Cuisinart CSC-650 Slow Cooker
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I did quite a bit of research before purchasing this slow cooker.
America's Test Kitchen recommends West Bend Versatility slow cooker. It is a truly versatile model, but I didn't like its aluminum insert. As you may know, aluminum can be hazardous to health, so this slow cooker was scratched off my list pretty quickly.
The other models I looked at were All-Clad Stainless Steel Slow Cooker (available from William Sonoma only), Farberware Millennium (also recommended by America's Test Kitchen), Cuisinart CSC-650 and various Rival models ("various Rival models" has an interesting ring to it :) ).
All of the latest slow cookers are made in China, so I was somewhat concerned about the construction quality. One of the main reasons I picked Cuisinart model was a 3-year warranty, compared to just 1 year for the rest of the competition.
Another factor was the generally positive feedback from CSC-650 owners. Cooking.com is probably a better place to check for reviews, because they let you post a review only if you actually purchased that particular item from them.
I had this baby delivered to me about a week ago, and I put it to work right away. I must say I am satisfied with my purchase decision. Having said that, here's a list of things that I do and don't like about this machine...
Do Like:
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- 3-year warranty (1 year for every other slow cooker I researched)
- retractable cord (I wish every appliance had it!)
- cooks well (overall), and no, it doesn't burn food as some reviewers have indicated
- construction quality seems to be good, although it is impossible to say for sure until appliance is a couple of years old
Don't Like:
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- stainless steel housing gets stained quite easily, should have been more fingerprint-resistant
- "Made in China": $99 is a premium price to pay for an item that was manufactured using cheap labor; manufacturers who reap huge profits from the North American market should invest into the local labor market
- cooks most things faster than recipies (even the ones included in Cuisinart booklet) indicate, so you have to keep an eye on your food to make sure it doesn't overcook
After purchasing the slow cooker, I headed straight to the local bookstore to pick up a recipe book. I skimmed through about 6-7 titles, and ended up buying Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook by Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann. Most of its recipies are made from scratch and rarely use any canned ingridients. It also seems to have the best overall collection of recipies.
Yesterday, I had a few friends over and we had ourselves a feast. I cooked quite a few things in the slow cooker:
- Lamb Goulash (which was ruined/overcooked - the first thing I ever done in this slow cooker)
- Chicken Casseatore (not sure about spelling, it's from the Cuisinart booklet) came out nicely, it was around the time that I started looking closely after the cooking process.
- Short Ribs In Red Wine were perfect, here, again, the cooking time was 5 hours instead of 7 hours indicated in the recipe.
Overall, I am happy. I didn't experience any of the problems reported by some reviewers. I can safely recommend this appliance.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart CSC-650 Slow Cooker

Cuisinart Slow Cooker has 6 quart Ceramic cooking vessel and brushed stainless steel housing embossed with Cuisinart logo

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8/04/2011

Crock-Pot 3735-WN 3.5-Quart Slow Cooker Review

Crock-Pot 3735-WN 3.5-Quart Slow Cooker
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I'm single and live by myself, and I have found that this Crock Pot is an excellent way to have a really nice meal waiting for me when I get home from work. I can make enough to last a few meals, but the Crock Pot works great even with a smaller amount of food -- you just want to make sure you've got plenty of liquid in there. I use my Crock Pot all the time, and it has worked perfectly from the moment I took it out of the box. It is also quite easy to clean; even if you forget to clean it right away, a bit of a soak with hot soapy water does the trick.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Crock-Pot 3735-WN 3.5-Quart Slow Cooker

This slow cooker is ideal for smaller families and singles, after all even if you're dining solo you still deserve a hearty healthy meal, don't you? Operation and clean up are easy. Coming home to a hot and tasty dinner will make it seem as though some kind of cooking fairy visited your home while you were out to work. 3-1/2-quart oval-shaped slow cooker from the original Crock Pot makers. Removable stoneware crock features rinse-clean lifetime stick resistant coating. 3 knob settings: off, low, and high. Wraparound heat cooks evenly; no stirring or supervision needed.

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8/03/2011

All-Clad 99009 Stainless-Steel 6-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker Review

All-Clad 99009 Stainless-Steel 6-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker
Average Reviews:

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I work almost everyday (including Sundays) so this pot has been my life saver (or the dinner saver). My older one was 5qt. cool touch Rival. This All-Clad cooker cooks so much faster than my older one (the inside temperature of All-clad gets 230F in high setting). Ribs and 5 pound chicken done in 4 hours in high. If you want crispy chicken skin, let it cook for 6 hours. I highly recommend this product.
By the way I put small roasting rack when I roast chicken or ribs so that they don't stew in the dripping. Save the dripping broth. Put it in the fridge overnight, and get rid of the fat. And use it in your soup or stew, of course, this cooker can do that job just fine as well.
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Updated Review: 4/17/2008
I've been using this slow cooker at least twice a week. Time to time I would hear "pop" sound either in the middle or toward the end of the cooking time. I couldn't figure out what was making this sound. One day my husband found cracks on the ceramic insert. They were fine cracks, but the cracks were in inside and outside. I contacted All-Clad. The service rep. told me to send a picture of the cracks. So I did. For several weeks I didn't hear anything from them. So I contacted them again. Apparently they didn't get my email with the pictures. So I sent them again. The next day I got a phone call from All-Clad that they would send me a new insert. It arrived a couple of days ago. I made a most wonderful chicken soup with leftover rottisserie chicken yesterday. I'm starting my love affair with this slow cooker again.
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Update Review: 11/9/2009
I wish I could say that my slow cooker insert is still going strong. Unfortunately it isn't. I really tried to use them (I have gone through 3 inserts) as much as I could - until I could see the leak. I thought of getting a metal insert. However, it costs $200 NOT including shipping and handling. So I got the most modest Rival Slow Cooker: a 7-qt. with a turn dial. I've had it for 7 months. So far no cracks. It boils water quicker than All-Clad even in the low setting, but still no cracks. I had talked to an All-Clad rep about a possible defect in the ceramic insert, but she didn't seem to believe that theory. I wish I could change the rating to 2-star. It could have been 1-star, but I liked All-Clad's customer services.
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Additional Comment: FYI the 2nd insert cracked within 2 hours in the high setting and the 3rd insert cracked in the low setting. After that I began to think maybe the inserts were defective. I did not abuse them. I only used as directed: high or low and went through the dishwasher. I'm using my humble and simple Rival cooker in the same way, and so far no cracks. I thought of getting the metal insert for the All-Clad Slow Cooker, but it was too expensive: $200 for the insert, over $50 for the metal lid (required for the metal insert) and $70 shipping and handling. Besides the reviews were not good for their non-stick metal insert. I'm very happy with my humble Rival 7 qt. Slow Cooker.
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Update: 6/10/2010
My humble 7-qt Rival slow cooker is still going strong. I've been using it every week, and still no cracks so far. I have made roasts, soups, stews, and casseroles. I haven't made dessert yet. I've seen Sandra Lee "baking" dessert in her white slow cooker. I can't remember if it was Rival or not. But I'll try someday.

Click Here to see more reviews about: All-Clad 99009 Stainless-Steel 6-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker

Even with a busy schedule, you can still enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals thanks to this easy-to-use oval-shaped slow cooker. Simply add ingredients to the unit's black ceramic pot, insert the pot into the cooker, and set the 26-hour programmable timer. After a long day at work or a busy day of weekend errands, dinner will be ready and waiting. Perfect for soups, casseroles, pot roasts, curries, and more, its large 6-1/2-quart capacity works great for single-person meals with leftovers or for dinner with the family. Thoughtfully designed, the slow cooker also provides attractive stainless-steel housing; an integrated control panel with an LCD display; three temperature settings--high, low, and keep warm; a glass lid for keeping an eye on the cooking process; and riveted stainless-steel handles for safe transport. The ceramic insert and glass lid clean up easily by hand with hot soapy water or safely in the dishwasher. A recipe booklet comes included for getting started. The slow cooker measures 19-7/8 by 14 by 11-3/8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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8/02/2011

33147 Cooker & Steamer Review

33147 Cooker and Steamer
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This slow cooker is a nice size, and the oval shape allows me to cook a whole chicken. Digital timer counts down the time and has an automatic shut-off after 4 hours. Removable crock can be put in the dishwasher.I had not used a slow cooker for a long time, but decided it would come in handy for drier foods (such as chicken breast) and for when my husband has to eat later than I do. I made a mistake once, putting food directly into the holder. I could have damaged it, but luckily I didn't.

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Hamilton Beach 33147 Cooker & Steamer 33147 944

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7/18/2011

KitchenAid Slow Cookers Review

KitchenAid Slow Cookers
Average Reviews:

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After my experience, I looked up KitchenAid's website. There they have a forum and a special thread for those who have had their crocks crack. Some people are on their 3rd replacement and the crocks are cracking in the same place every time.
MY REVIEW:
I bought this KitchenAid slow cooker in black and I really had to talk myself into buying it because it was so expensive. I kept telling myself you get what you pay for. Well, tonight I want to cry because I had just started a pork roast to cook overnight. After leaving the kitchen, my husband and I both heard a loud pop. I went back and found my slow cooker leaking liquid all over the place. I took out the crock, turned it upside-down and found a winding crack all along the bottom.
I've only owned my KitchenAid slow cooker for about 2 weeks and the crack occurred during the third time I used it. At this point I don't know if I want a replacement slow cooker directly from KitchenAid or whether I want to return the slow cooker to Amazon for a refund. If I got a replacement, I would be nervous to leave it on overnight or when I leave home, which is the whole benefit of having a slow cooker. Worrying about your slow cooker that has a retail price of $150 doesn't seem like a very good value to me.


Click Here to see more reviews about: KitchenAid Slow Cookers

New KitchenAid Slow Cooker offers unparalled food safety and convenience.Programmable electronic timer with 5 cooking settings provide users with the flexibility to Keep Warm, Simmer or cook on Low, High or Auto settings. Cooker switch automatically to Keep Warm mode after program timer expires. LED lights provide a 3 Digit display with countdown cook timer for easy to program functions. 400 Watts of power and electronic temperature sensor deliver accurate temperature setting and a rapid warm up of food for safety.Ob-round, ergonomic flared rim ceramic insert helps capture condensation while providing an elegant look and solid grip area. Quart markings on interior of cooking insert easily measure food servings. Glass lid with silicone soft seal to maintain moisture during cooking and prevent edge chipping. Ergonomic cool-touch handle assures a confident grip.

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6/11/2011

Fagor 670040230 Stainless-Steel 3-in-1 6-Quart Multi-Cooker Review

Fagor 670040230 Stainless-Steel 3-in-1 6-Quart Multi-Cooker
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've been using my Fagor 3-in-1 multi-cooker for a few months now and have really enjoyed it. I've tried all 3 functions. For the rice cooker function, I like it but the rice comes out a little stickier than we're used to. I've tried cutting back on the amount of water and that seems to help. But I typically just use my old rice cooker because the multi-cooker is already in use making the main dish. For the slow cooker function, it seems to cook at a slightly lower temperature than even the low setting on regular slow cookers. The food gets done, but meats aren't as "falling apart" as they are in my old slow cooker. But maybe that's a good thing since they're not overcooked. Depending on what I'm making, sometimes I use the multi-cooker and sometimes I use my old one. The multi-cooker is 6 qts, but is taller and has a smaller diameter than most slow cookers. So it wouldn't work well for a big flat piece of meat like a brisket. Also, the multi-cooker is teflon coated, so if I'm making something that I will need to use my immersion blender on, I use my old slow cooker with the corning-ware insert. Another small problem with the multi-cooker is that even though the insert is removable, it's not very good for putting the ingredients in the night before and putting in the fridge until you're ready to cook. There's no handles to grab it by and there's no lid just for the insert. Because there are no handles, it's also very difficult, and dangerous, to lift it out after cooking to pour the food into a serving dish. The function I was most nervous about was the pressure cooker. I had never had a pressure cooker before and had visions of horror remembering my mother's and grandmother's disasters. But honestly, once I learned to trust the multi-cooker, it's been great. I didn't know how long it would take to reach pressure, so I would get nervous that it wasn't closed right. But it was fine. You just need to add about 20 minutes to your estimated prep time for it to get up to pressure and start cooking. I was concerned about the 9 psi pressure after reading the other reviews here. I sent an e-mail to Fagor customer service and they actually sent me a page from Miss Vickie's web site that said you need to increase the cooking time by 40% and that you shouldn't use anything less than a 15 psi cooker. I couldn't believe they would send me something that says not to use their product! But it was all the customer service people could offer. Well, it turns out Miss Vickie's web site is wrong. You don't need to increase the cooking time at all, or just a minute or two if it's a long-cooking recipe. The problem is that Miss Vickie based her calculation on the ratio of the pressures (9 being 40% less than 15). But pressure isn't doing the cooking, temperature is. And the ratio of the temperatures is less than 10%. And if you use absolute temperature (according to my engineer husband) the ratio is even less, about 1%. So for a recipe that cooks 10 minutes you would increase it by a few seconds. So now I just use the recommended times in recipes and everything has come out perfectly cooked. I should add that this multi-cooker does not come with a steamer insert, and many pressure cooker recipes, especially for vegetables, require one. It doesn't even seem that Fagor offers one separately. I really like the browning function. It gets very hot and is useful not only for browning ingredients at the beginning but also for getting things boiling at the end of slow cooking so that you can add thickeners like cornstarch or roux. The warming function is nice, too. I've used the cook delay once or twice, but only for an hour or two. Longer would be risky for bacterial growth. So I really like this appliance. I don't think I'll be getting rid of my rice cooker or slow cookers, but they've moved to the basement and the Fagor 3-in-1 multi-cooker has the prize spot on the kitchen counter.
Note: Since writing this comment over a year ago, I have found this silicone vegetable steamer and it works perfectly as a trivet for this pressure cooker. It has firm legs which hold it above the liquid. They were strong enough to hold 4 pounds of brisket. It worked beautifully and cleaned up very nicely.
Chef'n Sleekstor VeggiSteam 8-1/2-Inch Silicone Steamer, Arugula
And I should add that I still love my Fagor 3-in-1 and use it several times a week. I still mainly use it for the pressure cooker function, though. I've found that I really don't need a slow cooker anymore.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Fagor 670040230 Stainless-Steel 3-in-1 6-Quart Multi-Cooker

An exceptionally versatile addition to any busy kitchen, this 6-quart multi-cooker offers a variety of functions all in one handy appliance--use it as a rice cooker, a pressure cooker, or a slow cooker. In rice-cooker mode, the unit automatically cooks any type of rice to light, fluffy, restaurant-quality perfection. In pressure-cooker mode, the appliance offers high (9 psi) and low (5 psi) pressure settings for cooking healthy meals in no time. The higher the pressure the faster the results. For peace of mind, the unit's self-locking lid comes with an automatic pressure-release setting, which means the lid won't open until all the pressure inside gets safely released. In slow-cooker mode, the appliance can be used to make delicious pot roasts, soups, and stews. Simply add the ingredients in the morning, set the timer, and dinner will be ready and waiting after a long day at the office. Best of all, the multi-cooker automatically shifts to "keep warm" at the end of any cooking program, keeping food hot and ready to serve without overcooking. Other highlights include a "brown" function for true one-pot cooking, an LED screen with soft-touch control buttons, a programmable eight-hour delay timer, stay-cool handles, overheat protection, and two independent pressure-control valves for added security. When finished, the nonstick cooking pot can be removed for quick cleanup by hand or in the dishwasher. A user manual with 40 delicious recipes comes included. Attractively housed in brushed stainless steel, the ETL-approved multi-cooker measures approximately 12 by 12 by 13 inches.

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4/25/2011

Cuisinart PSC-650 6-1/2-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Review

Cuisinart PSC-650 6-1/2-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My fiance and I have had in mind for awhile to buy a slow cooker. We received a $100 gift certificate for a retailer - known more for their smarminess than their affordable pricing -- and thought this would be the perfect thing to spend it on. This retailer in particular only had two models of slow cookers to choose from, this one and a 5 quart DeLonghi. I like the DeLonghi brand well enough -- but we thought the cooker was kind of ugly looking. So is the Cuisinart, truth be told.
There were only a handful of features that helped guide our choice. First was the extra quart-and-a-half capacity. The programmable heating settings also seemed like they could be useful. This slow cooker also comes with a cooking rack for when you're doing a roast. Ultimately what convinced us to go with this model was the fact that it's big enough TO do a roast -- you have room enough to do a whole chicken.
When we got home we immediately checked amazon to see how badly we'd been ripped off. Oddly enough -- it was the same price. However -- the reviews shocked us. How can a slow cooker get such horrible reviews when all it has to do is get hot and stay hot? We freaked out a bit and almost ran back to return it.
Like most people who bother to read reviews on amazon -- you're probably aware that typically some of the bad reviews are people just mouthing off, or rating the product based some other bad experience they've had, or they haven't read the user manual for their device and are in the process of breaking it themselves. There might be a bad review or two like this here, for the Cuisinart. But otherwise -- people are saying some frightening things -- namely, that the Cuisinart doesn't cook the food.
As for this slow cooker being badly engineered or made cheaply -- I'm not sure where that comes from. Look at it this way; this cooker holds a huge, thick, 6.5 quart ceramic bowl. The bowl itself can not be confused for cheap. The brushed stainless steel unit that it fits into likewise has to be huge. So, you have this huge steel unit and it's only function is to get hot. Do heating coils take up a lot of room? No, they don't. Are they heavy? No, they're not. If if the opinion of cheap is coming from the fact that the base is big and feels hollow -- then in my opinion they are not being very fair.
The only complaint I can make is that the programmable buttons are keypad type buttons. I would have preferred actual push-in surface buttons, but when you think about it -- the keypad style is much easier to clean up AND prevents moisture from any spilled liquids from getting inside.
Regarding the "permanent" fingerprints -- I'm not sure how that phenomenon can actually take place. I just wiped the unit down and it looks completely new again. Just because it's brushed stainless steel doesn't mean it won't get fingerprints.
Anyway, we decided to keep the cooker and we're glad we did. I threw together some chicken soup last night and we each had a delicious bowl of it this morning. Everything was cooked perfectly -- the carrots were soft and flavorful and the chicken melted away from the bone. I have no complaints or regrets. I would have given it five stars if it were just a tad prettier..


Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart PSC-650 6-1/2-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

Beautifully housed in brushed stainless steel with cool-touch chrome-plated handles and black accents, this programmable slow cooker offers more than just good looks. The exceptionally convenient countertop appliance makes it easier than ever to cook healthy homemade meals, delicious side dishes, and mouthwatering desserts for the family at home or to bring to a potluck or picnic. Simply add ingredients to the removable 6-1/2-quart oval-shaped ceramic cooking pot, set it in the base, and cover with the glass lid, which comes with a stainless-steel rim and chrome-plated knob. Then press "on" from the user-friendly touchpad control panel and choose from three cooking modes--simmer, low, or high. The cooker offers a 24-hour programmable cook time, an LCD countdown timer, and a keep-warm mode that the unit automatically shifts over to once the cooking time has ended. Other highlights include wrap-around heating elements for thorough heat distribution, nonslip rubber feet, retractable cord storage, and dishwasher-safe parts (lid and ceramic pot) for quick cleanup. Accessories include a cooking rack for use with ramekins or other bakeware, a spiral-bound recipe book with 70 basic to gourmet dishes, and an instruction book for getting started. The slow cooker measures approximately 18-4/5 by 15-2/3 by 10-8/9 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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4/04/2011

Cuisinart PSC-400 Stainless-Steel 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Review

Cuisinart PSC-400 Stainless-Steel 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
We have had this slow cooker for three months, using it twice a week. So far we are very satisfied.
In researching our purchase and reading numerous reviews, we found that the Cuisinart generally received positive evaluations. There were a few negative ones, but obviously we discounted them and went ahead with the Cuisinart anyway. Some reviewers criticized it for overheating food, but overheating in a slow cooker is usually a sign that the pot was underfilled. A good slow cooker should have the power to heat a full pot to over 200 F, so it should come as no surprise that the heater can boil a low pot. The Cuisinart instructions specifically warn against underfilled pots, and we have had no overheating problems with even half-full pots.
We have not had this cooker long enough to comment on durability. Contrary to some opinions, our impression is that the Cuisinart is a solidly constructed, well-designed appliance, made with high quality materials. No sign of a lemon here.
We use our 4 qt cooker to make meals for a family of four. We debated whether to get a larger size, but in retrospect we realize that a one gallon pot holds more than enough for our family.
Programmability was important to us, and we like the userfriendliness of this unit. A few reviewers have lamented the lack of a delayed start program, but a feature that encourages you to leave raw food at room temperature for a prolonged period did not sound that desirable to me. The cooker will automatically switch to a safe warming mode in case you are not around at the end of the cooking cycle.
A cookbook is included, but most of the recipes are one or two steps beyond the convenience of a mix-and-go meal. We have bought cookbooks with simpler recipes, and have been happy with the results.
There are other slow cookers that will perform the basic tasks competently for less money than the Cuisinart. For the extra cost you get programmability, a nice appearance, superior quality, and a few unexpected extras.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart PSC-400 Stainless-Steel 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

Beautifully housed in brushed stainless steel with cool-touch chrome-plated handles and black accents, this programmable slow cooker offers more than just good looks. The exceptionally convenient countertop appliance makes it easier than ever to cook healthy homemade meals, delicious side dishes, and mouthwatering desserts for the family at home or to bring to a potluck or picnic. Simply add ingredients to the removable 4-quart round-shaped ceramic cooking pot, set it in the base, and cover with the glass lid, which comes with a stainless-steel rim and chrome-plated knob. Then press "on" from the user-friendly touchpad control panel and choose from three cooking modes--simmer, low, or high. The cooker offers a 24-hour programmable cook time, an LCD countdown timer, and a keep-warm mode that the unit automatically shifts over to once the cooking time has ended. Other highlights include wrap-around heating elements for thorough heat distribution, nonslip rubber feet, retractable cord storage, and dishwasher-safe parts (lid and ceramic pot) for quick cleanup. Accessories include a cooking rack for use with ramekins or other bakeware, a spiral-bound recipe book with 70 basic to gourmet dishes, and an instruction book for getting started. The slow cooker measures approximately 11-2/3 by 16-3/5 by 14 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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Click here for more information about Cuisinart PSC-400 Stainless-Steel 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker