Cuisinart CSC-400 4-Quart

*Est. $80

Pros

Compact size
Good temperature controls
Retractable cord
Three-year warranty

Cons

Expensive for its size
Not big enough for families

Where to Buy

for $145.00

See All Stores

If you mostly cook for one or two people, experts say a smaller slow cooker like the Cuisinart CSC-400 will be a better choice than a 6- or 7-quart model. Experts say slow cookers work best when at least half-full – otherwise there is increased risk that food will burn. The Cuisinart CSC-400 is not cheap, but reviews say it includes some nice options like high, low and warm settings, an eight-hour timer, a retractable cord and a three-year warranty. Some user reviews say that they'd already tried cheaper slow cookers and the result was burned food, and that the Cuisinart CSC-400 solved that problem. If you need something larger, reviews are best for the KitchenAid KSC700 (*est. $130).

Most professional reviews test the 6.5-quart Cuisinart rather than the 4-quart version, but they are the same product in different sizes. We found the best reviews at Cook's Illustrated magazine. Slate.com also details its testing methods and thus its review rates higher than those from Good Housekeeping and Real Simple magazines as well as from About.com. User reviews at Amazon.com are useful, although overwhelmingly positive.

Where To Buy

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

(35 reviews)
Buy new: $185.00 $90.76 18 Used & new from $59.00

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Our Sources

1. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe

Cook's Illustrated compares seven slow cookers in head-to-head tests. The expensive All-Clad slow cooker is top-rated, while the 6.5-quart version of the Cuisinart CSC-400 is recommended.

Review: Slow Cookers, Editors of Cook's Illustrated, Aug. 2007

2. Slate.com

Pellettieri tests and rates eight slow cookers by preparing a wide variety of dishes. She also provides a brief history of slow-cooker technology. The Cuisinart CSC-400 isn't rated, but the 6.5-quart version wins the contest, with the only drawbacks being price and size.

Review: What a Crock – Which Slow Cooker Is Best?, Jill Hunter Pellettieri

3. Good Housekeeping Details/Subscribe

Good Housekeeping says it tested 16 slow cookers but unfortunately identifies only the four category winners, including the Cuisinart CSC-400 as the "compact champ." The brief review notes that it doesn't cook as much food as larger slow cookers, which is the whole point.

Review: The Best Slow Cookers, Editors of Good Housekeeping

4. Real Simple Details/Subscribe

Real Simple says it tested "more than a dozen" slow cookers but identifies just the three winners, which is less helpful than it could have been. One of the winners is the Cuisinart 6.5-quart model, which is praised for having a retractable cord and good manual controls.

Review: The Best Slow-Cookers, Editors of Real Simple, Jan. 2008

5. Amazon.com

About 30 user reviews give the Cuisinart CSC-400 a very high average score, with only a couple giving it fewer than four or the maximum five stars. Most say it's worth the cost, and that cheaper slow cookers burned food.

Review: Cuisinart CSC-400 4-Quart Slow Cooker Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com

6. About.com

About.com's guide to Southern cooking rates 10 slow cookers but doesn't say how they were tested. The Cuisinart CSC-400 isn't rated, but the 6.5-quart model (*est. $100) places third. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: Top 10 Guide Picks – Slow Cookers and Crock Pots, Diana Rattray

KitchenAid KSC700SS *Est. $130

4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

All-Clad 99009 *Est. $180

4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Cuisinart PSC-650 *Est. $95

4 picks by top review sites.

Breville BSC560XL *Est. $150

2 picks by top review sites.

Cuisinart CSC-400 4-Quart Review

Cuisinart CSC-400 4-Quart