Customer Reviews

Breville BSC560XL Stainless-Steel 7-Quart Slow Cooker with EasySear Insert

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really wanted to love this item, but my experience with it and with Breville support was disappointing. I was attracted to the non-stick stove top useable insert. When my item arrived, I notice a bare metal defect on the inner rim with adjacent coating peeling off. Returned to Amazon with rapid replacement. The replacement also had a defect in the vessel coating and was returned for a refund. The cooker is manufactured in China, and the machining/finishing of the cooking insert is not good. The coating itself is a Teflon like material, not the newer metallic coatings (viz Scanpan). Although there are some "official" descriptions that say that metal utensils are permissible, the instruction book states clearly that only non-metallic utensils may be used. The lid of the device is thin stainless, "cheap" appearing for a product in this price range. The temperature knob has the feel of a multiposition old radio leaf switch. I measured the temperature in the vessel and did not have the overheating problems described by some. Max temp on high was 205 degrees. My largest concern was an attempt to reach Breville customer support via phone----on hold for 40 minutes before I gave up. There was no response to an email I sent to customer support. Buyer beware.

Would love to this a five star rating but mine cooks too hot. I just cooked my third roast over 3 lbs on low and it cooked in 3 hours. It is supposed to take 6 - 10 hours per the manufacturers instructions. It looks great and being able to sear in the same pan is a big advantage in my galley but the inability to really cook things on a low temperature is disappointing. No response from the manufacturer from their help desk.

I have several Breville products and am always impressed with their high quality.
I love the easy sear insert and the included roasting rack. Seared meat and vegetables have much more flavor. With this slow cooker, you are able to sear a roast in the insert over the stovepot, take the roast out to insert the rack, put the roast back in, add the rest of your ingredients, and then put the insert into the slow cooker until finished. So easy and so tasty! You can also use the insert to make dishes normally not done in a slow cooker. After cooking the dish on the stove, you can put it in the slow cooker and keep it warm. Perfect for potluck dinners. You can't go wrong with this Breville Slow Cooker!

I was exited about the non stick stove top insert and still like the concept but I am very disappointed in two things

- very poor quality non stick coating. I had to return one because it came with a huge scratch. Now after just a using this one a few times it has lots of small defects and scratches in the coating. I only use wood or plastic utensils and gently clean with a sponge.

- The low setting is not low. It boils the chili stew or soup even on low stetting. My old croc pot did not do this is was great for keeping things warm or slowly cooking all day. THIS IS NOT. Breville says you need to fill the pot all the way to disperse the heat....well I don't allways want to fill that large pot up...in fact most times I don't.

With a few improvements this could be great but its not there yet. I probably would not buy it again.

Product broke after less than one year and maybe 12 uses. The switch failed and I hear parts rattling around inside.

OVERALL VERY POOR QUALITY

I don't have this slow-cooker so I can't rate it personally, I have to wait until one of the three I now own quits, but I wanted to share some information from Cooking Light for the folks who think this cooker cooks too fast. Cooking Light rates it the best overall of the 6 they rated and said it produced "great results" The units they tested ranged in price from $35-280. In the best cookers "the meat was more broken down and succulent, and the cooking liquid was rich and harmonious. In other cookers, flavors were less deliciously integrated" Their conclusion was that the more successful pots seemed to cook at slightly higher temps- even on LOW settings, which made stew bubble a bit as it simmered. So for the folks who said this slow-cooker cooked faster and was hotter on LOW, yes it does but according to Cooking Light your results should be better. I hope this is helpful.

I saw a similar stovetop insert used on the Rick Bayliss cooking show and wanted one right away. Although slightly spendy This product browns nicely and cleanup is easy. Very large size works wonderful with all meat cuts. Cooked faster than I expected so that was great. Have recommended to friends.

After reading some of the reviews, I was a bit reticent to purchase this item, although we have a Breville toaster oven, which we love. I have none of the concerns about this slow cooker that others have expressed. The quality and weight seem just fine to me, the searing feature is great and the slow-cooking feature works just as I would have expected. The clean-up is very easy as well. Highly recommend!

I love this slow cooker. It's light and so practical. I can braise my meats right in the liner on the stove top, so everything starts out hot this way. I can finish the gravy off on the stove afterwards, which is great. Since the lid is metal I don't have to worry about breaking it. I was never happy with my old one because it was heavy and it took for ever to thicken sauces at the end. Plus the lids and crocks would inexplicably break for no apparent reason.

I checked the internal temps of this slow cooker using an oven thermometer. I was especially interested in the "low" temp because the newer slower cookers, or "crockpots" as they are oven called, cook at a temp too high for slow cooking at the low setting. The Breville was right on at 200 degrees at the low setting. The applicance insert does very well on a glass top stove for browning and cooked my favorite pot roast recipe as well as when I do it in my Staub. It could use a "keep warm" setting but if that becomes necessary, the insert can be placed in a warm oven to do that (assuming you are home to do that). Great product and easy to clean. Have not put the insert or lid in the dishwasher and do not plan to do so.

I absolutely love this Breville Slow Cooker! I read the reviews on Amazon as well as other culinary sites, and I am very happy with this purchase. The insert is fabulous, and searing on the stove is truly a joy. It does cook a little faster, and if you want the traditional Crock Pot with the ceramic insert, this isn't it. The cleanup is easy, and my pulled pork was amazing. Great size, and the price point can't be beat! If you check out the All Clad on the Williams Sonoma website, it gets terrible reviews and is $250.00! Enjoy your Breville - I am!