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Slow Cookers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 15 Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
Dec. 2008
Slow Cookers
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment Editors of ConsumerReports.org test and rank 15 slow cookers, all with 6- to 7-quart capacity. They test the same four recipes in each one to ensure that results reflect the true capabilities of each cooker. Slow cookers priced from $40 to $250 are tested, and editors say price is not necessarily a predictor of performance. The article also offers tips for selecting a slow cooker.
2. Cook's Illustrated Magazine
Aug. 2007
Expensive Slow Cookers
by Editors of Cook's Illustrated
Our Assessment

This review focuses on advanced models. Editors put seven slow cookers through their paces, cooking pot roast on both high and low settings, as well as chili and beans on high. Using remote temperature probes, testers check the internal temperature of the roasts and evaluate total water loss after three hours of covered cooking on high. All the slow cookers did a good job, but editors deem certain features even more important than performance. These include a timer that automatically shifts to a keep-warm setting at the end of timed cooking, a clear lid, an indicator light and an insert with handles for easier removal. Pros and cons are listed for each slow cooker, and several are recommended.

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3. Slate.com
Feb. 9, 2005
What a Crock -- Which Slow Cooker Is Best?
by Jill Hunter Pellettieri
Our Assessment

Jill Pellettieri tests and rates eight slow cookers. She also provides a brief history of slow-cooker technology. She prepares 15 dishes, ranging from pot roast to rice pudding, and awards points for performance, ease of use, design, flavor of the finished dish and value. The Cuisinart CSC-650 (now the PSC-650) earns her top rating, followed by the Rival 3040TCC (now 3040-BC) and Rival 6-Quart Smart-Pot. She dislikes the West Bend 6-Quart Crockery Cooker, which frequently boils over.

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The Best Slow-Cookers
by Editors of Real Simple
Our Assessment The editors at Real Simple test a dozen slow cookers. This article lists the three top performers and some of their features. We wish there were more details regarding the testing process used to rate these slow cookers. Favorites include the now-discontinued Rival Smart-Pot Programmable Crock-Pot SCVC550, Cuisinart's 6.5-quart model and All-Clad's 99009 slow cooker.
5. About.com
Not Dated
Slow Cooker/Crock-Pot Reviews and Recommendations
by Jessica Harlan
Our Assessment

Jessica Harlan, About.com's guide to cooking equipment, reviews three slow cookers, each of which she tests. The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 33133 gets the highest rating of all because of its "ingenious design" which consists of three interchangeable crocks of different sizes. Harlan says that the manual slow cooker doesn't have many bells and whistles but it performs well. Both the Fagor Electric Multi Cooker and Rival Crock-Pot SCVT650-PS get ratings of 3.5 stars out of five. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

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6. About.com
Not Dated
Top 10 Guide Picks -- Slow Cookers and Crock Pots
by Diana Rattray
Our Assessment

As an About.com guide for more than 10 years, Diana Rattray has established herself as an expert on Southern food. Here she lists her favorite 10 slow cookers, including the All-Clad 99009, KitchenAid's 7-quart slow cooker and Cuisinart's 6.5-quart model. There is little indication here that she has actually tested these cookers herself, however. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

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7. About.com
Not Dated
Top 5 Crockpots
by Linda Larsen
Our Assessment

Although it doesn't appear that Linda Larsen, About.com's busy cooks guide, tests most of the slow cookers she recommends, she says that she personally uses the now-discontinued Rival 3040V6. Larsen also calls the KitchenAid KSC700SS "the ultimate crockpot," saying that it is worth every penny of its expensive price tag. Three other models from Rival, Proctor Silex and Hamilton Beach also make her list of recommended slow cookers. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

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The Best Slow Cookers
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
Our Assessment Experts at Good Housekeeping test 13 slow cookers, identifying seven top-rated models. The All-Clad 99009 and the Rival Crock-Pot Smart-Set tie for top pick. We wish there was more information about testing methodologies, but the article is helpful nonetheless. Other favorites include Rival's VersaWare Slow Cooker, the Cuisinart PSC-650 and Hamilton Beach 3-in-1.
9. Woman's Day
Oct. 23, 2008
State-of-the-Art Slow Cookers
by Stephanie Lee
Our Assessment

While the staff-tested slow cookers in this article are not ranked, seven top picks are mentioned. Each slow cooker is given a label, such as "easier than ever" for the Cuisinart Programmable Slow Cooker or "table ready" for the All-Clad 6.5-quart slow cookers. The article also lists the features and price of each cooker. Although this article is helpful, we wish they had included more information regarding the testing process and procedures.

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10. Amazon.com
As of Oct. 2009
Slow Cookers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment Of the hundreds of owner-written slow-cooker reviews at Amazon.com, the West Bend 84716, Crock-Pot SCVI600B-SS, Hamilton Beach 33141, Hamilton Beach 33967 and Crock-Pot 3060-W get the best ratings with the most reviews. Several other models from Rival, however, do poorly.
11. Epinions.com
As of Oct. 2009
Slow Cookers
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment Owners are invited to rate their slow cookers at Epinions.com. Many discontinued models are included, which makes this site less helpful than Amazon.com. Among slow cookers currently on the market, the Hamilton Beach 33675 Meal Maker gets good ratings from dozens of reviewers. On the other hand, the Rival 38510-C does poorly.
12. Cooking.com
As of Oct. 2009
Slow Cookers
by Contributors to Cooking.com
Our Assessment

Owner-written reviews at Cooking.com are not as critical as those at Amazon.com, and most write-ups are brief. Several models reviewed elsewhere are not reviewed on this site, making it less helpful than some other sites. However, the site is easy to navigate. The top-rated slow cooker here is the All-Clad 99009 6.5-quart, while the 6-quart Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go is listed as a bestseller. Both the Rival 64451 LD-C and the KitchenAid KSC700SS are also highly rated.

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13. Target.com
As of Oct. 2009
Slow Cookers
by Contributors to Target.com
Our Assessment

Target is an increasingly good place to find owner-written reviews of kitchen appliances, including slow cookers. It's not easy to compare models, but once you have your choice narrowed, Target.com is worth a visit. The Rival Crock-Pot 4-quart Oval Slow Cooker is the best-reviewed slow cooker on this site, with a high rating from dozens of reviewers. The Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go 33163 and Rival 5.5-quart Smart-Pot get good ratings as well.

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14. Wize.com
As of Oct. 2009
Best Crock Pot and Slow Cookers Overall
by Contributors to Wize.com
Our Assessment

Wize.com is a customer-review site that draws reviews from various websites -- such as Amazon.com, Target.com and Shopping.com -- and compiles the reviews into a single score. Individual reviews are also listed and can be read in detail. Based on consumer reviews, Wize.com makes product recommendations. There is no testing involved, but Wize.com is a good clearinghouse for customer opinion from a variety of sites. Favorite slow cookers include the Hamilton Beach 33162 and 33163 Stay-or-Go and the All-Clad 99009 6.5-quart.

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15. ConsumerGuide.com
As of Oct. 2009
Slow Cookers/Crock Pots
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Our Assessment ConsumerGuide.com lists 136 slow cookers, but only 20 of them have been reviewed by the site's editors. Four slow cookers from Hamilton Beach and Rival are listed as best buys, while three others, from Hamilton Beach and Proctor Silex, are designated Budget Buy models. However, there is no evidence that any of these units were tested.

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