Slow Cookers Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best Slow Cookers. See our ratings criteria

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Slow Cookers Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Slow Cookers Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Cook’s Illustrated >> Details/Subscribe	Expensive Slow Cookers Editors of Cook's Illustrated Aug. 2007		The most up-to-date slow cooker review we read focuses on advanced models. Editors put seven slow cookers through their paces, cooking up pot roast on both "high" and "low" settings and chili and beans on "high." Using remote temperature probes, testers check the internal temperature of the roasts and evaluate total water loss after 3 hours of covered cooking on high. All the slow cookers did a good job, but editors deem certain features even more important that performance. These include a timer that automatically shifts to a "keep warm" setting at the end of timed cooking, a clear lid, an "on" indicator light and an insert with handles for easier removal. The top-rated slow cookers are the All-Clad Stainless Steel with Ceramic Insert, the KitchenAid Stainless Steel, Cuisinart Slow Cooker and Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker with Temperature Probe. The West Bend Ovalslow cooker is downgraded for an ill-fitting lid and other design problems.

Slow Cookers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Slow Cookers Ratings Comments on Reviews

2. Cook's Country >> Details/Subscribe	Slow Cookers Editors of Cook's Country Aug. 2004		Cook's Country is the sister magazine of Cook's Illustrated. After preparing pot roast and chili in eight budget slow cookers in this older review, editors conclude that the size and shape of the slow cooker is more important than other factors. They recommend slow cookers with capacities of 6 quarts or larger. The discontinued Farberware Millennium FSC600 is rated the best budget slow cooker. Editors also recommend the West Bend Versatility Cooker 84716 and Proctor Silex 33627. The Toastmaster 1320, Hamilton Beach 33575 Meal Maker and West Bend 84346 are not recommended.
3. Slate Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	What a Crock -- Which Slow Cooker Is Best? Jill Hunter Pellettieri Feb. 9, 2005		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 earns her top rating, followed by the discontinued Rival 3040TCC and Rival 38651-C. She disliked the West Bend 6-quart Crockery Cooker, which frequently boiled over.

Slow Cookers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Slow Cookers Ratings Comments on Reviews

4. Amazon.com	Slow Cookers Contributors to Amazon.com As of Oct. 2007		We read dozens of owner-written slow cooker reviews at Amazon.com. Although overcooking plagues several models, some get more complaints than others. A few say that the Rival 38651 Smart Pot is a fire hazard. We also read complaints that the Rival 37351-C's lid may shatter. Two other models by Rival, the SC7600 VersaWare and the Rival 64451 LD-C, earn relatively high overall scores.
5. Epinions	Slow Cookers Contributors to Epinions As of Oct. 2007		Owners are invited to rate their slow cookers at Epinions. Many discontinued models are included, which makes this site less helpful than Amazon.com. Among slow cookers currently on the market, the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go slow cookers receive high marks from owners. The Farberware FSC600 gets low scores from six owners, who complain of burned and melted wires and cracked liners. We also found negative comments here about the Rival 38501 5-quart and Rival 38601 6-quart crock pots. Owners complain that the exterior heats up excessively.
6. Cooking.com	Slow Cooker Reviews Contributors to Cooking.com As of Oct. 2007		Owner-written reviews at Cooking.com are not as critical as those at Amazon.com, and most write-ups are brief. However, the site is easy to navigate. Top-rated slow cookers here include the All-Clad Stainless, KitchenAid and Hamilton Beach Stay or Go.
7. Target.com	Slow Cookers Contributors to Target.com As of Oct.2007		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. There are several complaints that the ceramic handles on the Rival VersaWare can break. As a result of such complaints, thousands of Rival slow cookers manufactured between 1999 and 2004 have been recalled.

Slow Cookers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Slow Cookers Ratings Comments on Reviews

8. Redbook >> Details/Subscribe	Three Top Slow-Cookers Editors of Redbook Mar. 2006		Although Redbook editors apparently tested eight models, they discuss only three, without describing their methodology or criteria. The All-Clad AC-65EM, Rival SCE600 Smart Pot, and Hamilton Beach 33162/33163 Stay or Go earn top marks.
9. Good Housekeeping.com	Slow-Cooker Supremes Editors of Good Housekeeping Mar. 2005		Good Housekeeping recommends three slow cookers, but they don't tell us if any other models were evaluated, and editors don't elaborate on how these models were chosen. The highest rating goes to the discontinued Rival Crock-Pot SCE600. The Rival VersaWare Crock-Pot SCE7500, which can go from freezer to stove to oven, is rated the most versatile. The Hamilton Beach 9" by 13" slow cooker is easy to transport.
10. Southern Living	What's New in Slow Cookers Editors of Southern Living Feb. 2005		In this article, which also includes recipes, editors highlight the new Rival Crock-Pots. The Rival VersaWare Slow Cooker's insert can be used on the stovetop before being placed in the crock pot. The Rival Smart-Pot automatically switches to "keep warm" mode after cooking food for four, six, eight or ten hours. The Rival Recipe Smart-Pot can be programmed in 30-minute increments and comes with 200 recipes. None of these models appears to have been tested.

Slow Cookers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Slow Cookers Ratings Comments on Reviews

11. Consumer Guide.com	Slow Cookers/Crock Pots Editors of ConsumerGuide.com As of Oct. 2007		ConsumerGuide.com gives slow cookers a rating for performance, but there is no evidence that any of these models were actually tested.