249 of 249 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect fit, perfect size, perfect cook, December 16, 2003
This review is from: West Bend 84294 The Crockery II 4-Quart Slow Cooker (Kitchen)
I have used this crock pot for three meals so far without problems. It show great promise of the being the (almost) perfect slow cooker.
I purchased this model because it is as close to the perfect crock pot as you can get. Our other crock pot is a 6 quart round model and too large for normal cooking and "burns" or over-cooks normal meals. This four quart crock pot is the perfect size for our family of four. We can fill it half-way with fixings for a half-gallon of stew (gives leftovers) or make a full pot of spaghetti sauce that will provide for a couple of meals. The three settings (High / Low / Keep Warm) work as you would think. I did note that the `Keep Warm' setting may be a bit too hot for delicate sauces but was just right for the stew and spaghetti. Four quarts (1 gallon) is a lot of food!
Any crock you get should have a dishwasher safe removable crock and lid like this one. An oval crock pot allows you to fit larger cuts of meat in the crock than a round pot. I can not fit my 6-quart crock in the dishwasher but can and do put this one in the dishwasher.
This crock pot does not `loose steam' as some of the others are described but the lid is not sealed like a pressure cooker. As the food is cooked, steam is emitted. It gathers and cools at the (inside) top of the glass lid and drips down to the side of the lid, collecting on the lip of the crock where the lid sits. The lid sits on the lip of the crock easily with a few small dimples to prevent it from sealing (this is good - keep reading). As the steam condenses on the side of the crock the water collecting on the side seals the cooker. It works. Steam is kept in the crock pot but the pot will not become a pressure cooker. The glass lid will not `bubble' or rock on the stone crock as it cooks so it is safer than some older models. It works and works well.
The oval shape of the crock allows for a larger cuts of meat than a round crock pot the same size. The stone crock and glass lid is dishwasher safe and actually fits in the dishwasher. Clean-up is easy. The pot does not take up too much space in the cupboard.
This crock pot has a great price for what you get. A higher price may not get you a better crock pot. Until I see a crock pot with intelligent sensors (senses the temperature of what you are cooking) and digital controls for temperature and time with pre-sets for different types of sauces and meals, this is the one.
March 2006 add-on. I still think this is a great crock pot. Over the years I have perfected a few wonderful recipes. A couple years ago I purchased a Rival Smart-Part device that tunes the temp & time. I set the Rival to "A" for a lower temperature cook. (I think the Rival instructions tell you to use the "C" setting but "A" seems to produce what I think is the perfect low temperature. With the Rival temperature controller separate, you have more control over how it should cook).
October 2007 add-on. Still a great crock pot.
October 2008 add-on. Still a great crock pot. Big enough (whole 6lb chicken / large roast) for our family (the twin boys are now 7). Everything is still in good shape. I still use the rival temperature controller to correct the temperature.
September 2010. Still a great crock pot. Seared country style (pork shoulder) (season heavily with b-sugar and seasoned salt) ribs and threw them in the crock pot with a heavy dash of Worcestershire for 6 hours. :-)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Platonic Ideal of Crockpottery, December 29, 2005
This review is from: West Bend 84294 The Crockery II 4-Quart Slow Cooker (Kitchen)
What can you say about a crockpot? They're supposed to be no-brainers -- you dump your ingredients into it and let it cook 'em. If you're a lazy cook like me, you want simple, effective, and easy to use. This crockpot is nearly the Platonic ideal of crockpottery. It comes with exactly three pieces: the metal cooker (with a short but adequate electrical cord and plastic dial), the ceramic pot (fits snugly in the cooker), and the metal-rimmed glass lid (fits on the pot).
It's big enough to handle family-sized meals, but not so big that you'll have trouble carrying it, fitting it on your counter or in your sink, or even in your refrigerator. (You can take the pot out of the cooker and put it in your fridge with the lid on, it will fit on most shelves.) It is a simple, pleasing shape. The pot is smooth, round and easy to handle and clean (no awkward corners or crevices that are hard to scrub out), making it ideal for both cooking and placing on the table to serve from. The projections at either end of the pot make it easy to lift and carry. Once removed from the cooker, the pot cools quickly enough that you can carry it bare-handed within minutes, though the contents will stay hot with the lid on.
The cooker works. It has a dial with three settings (besides "Off"): "Low," "High," and "Keep Warm." What else do you need? A child could use it; what kind of crockpot recipe needs more precise controls?
This is an essential, no-frills basic crockpot that just does what a crockpot should, at a great price (I can't imagine what additional value you'd get out of those fancier more expensive models). It's a workhorse in my kitchen. It's given me no problems at all. IF YOU'RE A BACHELOR, you need a crockpot! Buy this one.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect for smaller family, November 4, 2005
This review is from: West Bend 84294 The Crockery II 4-Quart Slow Cooker (Kitchen)
This is a very nice little crock pot. I've used it several times and have been very happy with it. The removable crock itself is a little thinner than my old crockpot and I feel I may have to be more careful with it but it's a great size for a family of 2 to 4 people and works very well.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No