Crock-Pot7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR), Versatile Cookware for Large Families or Entertaining

I bought this to keep from heating up my kitchen in our hot Louisiana summers. Well....as it is, it lets of as much heat as a stovetop flame set to low, so no benefit there. However, I worked around that. I simply take a large 100% COTTON towel and wrap around the exterior (sides and lid only), taking care to keep the cord and the bottom free and open to the air. This not only speeds up cooking time, it causes the unit to run intermittently, instead of continuously. Wrapping it in a cotton towel cuts down on the heat released to the kitchen by about 80%, by my rough estimation.That said, I have a smoke alarm directly above the unit, just in case, as well as a big bucket of water nearby. If I'm running it wrapped overnight, I only use the low setting, as the high setting would cause the unit to overheat, and potentially be a fire hazard. Take note, I make sure to keep the power cord, free from contact with the towel, which would overheat it! The exterior of the CrockPot gets boiling hot, and must be kept far away from children and pets.If you wrap the CrockPot in a towel, do NOT leave it unattended. If you have to leave for any reason, unwrap it before you go.The 7 quart size is VERY heavy, about 30 pounds when fully loaded with food. So, if you're frail or otherwise unable to do heavy lifting, I recommend a smaller size.What I do, when cooking beans, is bring it to a boil on high (about an hour for 2 pounds dry of beans with about 13 cups water) and then turn it to low; the beans are done about 4 hours after that.For red kidney beans, and other high-lectin beans, they MUST be boiled separately for a full 15 minutes on a high rolling boil, drained, and then added to the CrockPot, which should have had water heating awaiting the hot beans. It's very important not to thermally shock the cooker, as it can break.As far as versatility, you can cook just about any soup or stew imaginable!I found the flavor of the food to be deeper than stovetop or pressure cooking

After perhaps twenty years or so, I felt I had to replace my old crock pot and get a new one. Not because it stopped working, but because plastic and rubber (or a mixture of both) got down into the heating base unit, inside the holes and crevices. Every time I turned it on, that smell would premeate the house, which wasn't too appetizing.I've had a crock pot for as long as I can recall, and have been around or using them since they came out. So I expected there to be big differences in crock pot designs, and sure a lot of other manufacturers have their versions, with supposedly features that warrant the increased price. However, this original Crock Pot was competitively priced, and appeared to look like the one I was replacing.When it arrived, I couldn't believe it after unboxing the new one, which was identical to the old one in every detail (except the burnt plastic/rubber in the old base). Now I have two crock pot inserts and lids, which works out perfectly if I want to store food in one, and cook another meal in the other one.I felt it was pretty cool that Crock Pot knows the quality of their product and its design stands up well against competitors, not changing a thing in decades, because why mess with perfection? If it works, why fix it?

The **Crock-Pot**, also known as a slow cooker, is a staple in many kitchens due to its ability to cook meals with minimal effort. It’s a versatile appliance that’s perfect for busy people, allowing you to prepare flavorful meals with little hands-on time. Here’s my experience with it, including both its advantages and some of the challenges I’ve encountered.### **Design and Build**The **Crock-Pot** comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from **2-quart to 8-quart** capacities, making it suitable for everything from individual meals to large family dinners. The design is simple, typically featuring a **removable ceramic pot** that fits into the heating base. The ceramic pot is durable and easy to clean, either by hand or in the dishwasher.The **lid** is usually made of glass, which is great because you can see how your meal is progressing without having to lift it and release heat. The design is functional, though some models have **locking lids** for spill-proof portability, which is helpful if you need to transport your dish to a potluck or event.### **Ease of Use**The main selling point of the Crock-Pot is how easy it is to use. Most models feature **low, high, and warm settings**, allowing you to adjust the temperature based on the recipe or how quickly you want your meal to cook.You simply **add your ingredients, set the temperature**, and walk away. The slow cooking process ensures that flavors develop over time, resulting in rich, tender dishes like soups, stews, and roasts. It’s great for people with busy schedules—you can start a meal in the morning and come home to a fully cooked dinner.### **Cooking Performance**The Crock-Pot excels at cooking dishes that require **low and slow heat**. It’s ideal for:- **Stews and soups**: The long cooking time allows flavors to blend beautifully.- **Meats**: Cuts like pork shoulder, beef brisket, and chicken thighs come out incredibly tender after being slow-cooked for several hours.- **One-pot meals**: You can throw in vegetables, protein, and broth for a hearty meal with minimal cleanup.The **low and slow** cooking process also makes it perfect for **meal prep**. You can make large batches of food, divide them into portions, and refrigerate or freeze them for later use.### **Challenges and Considerations**- **Lack of Browning**: One of the main drawbacks of using a Crock-Pot is that it doesn’t **brown meats**. If you want a deep, rich flavor from caramelized meat or vegetables, you’ll need to sear them in a separate pan before adding them to the Crock-Pot. This adds an extra step to the cooking process, which can be a bit inconvenient, especially if you’re looking for a true one-pot solution.- **Long Cooking Times**: While the Crock-Pot is designed for long, slow cooking, the downside is that it’s not ideal for **quick meals**. If you realize at the last minute that you need to make dinner, the Crock-Pot won’t be much help unless you have hours to spare.- **Overcooking**: Though the Crock-Pot is designed to slowly cook your meals over several hours, it’s possible to **overcook** certain foods, particularly vegetables like peas and zucchini that become mushy if left in too long. Meat, on the other hand, tends to fare better, but you still need to watch cooking times to avoid overcooked or dry textures.- **Cleaning the Pot**: While the ceramic insert is dishwasher safe, it can be **heavy and cumbersome** to clean if you’re washing it by hand, especially when there’s food stuck to the bottom. Some models come with **non-stick surfaces**, which are easier to clean but can scratch over time.- **Bulky**: Depending on the size, Crock-Pots can be **bulky** and take up a lot of counter or storage space. If you have a small kitchen, this might be something to consider, especially if you don’t plan on using it frequently.### **Energy Efficiency**One of the benefits of the Crock-Pot is that it’s relatively **energy efficient** compared to using a traditional oven or stovetop for long periods. It uses a lower wattage and heats slowly, which can result in energy savings if you’re cooking meals that take several hours.### **Pros**- **Hands-off cooking**: Once your ingredients are in, you can walk away and come back to a fully cooked meal.- **Versatile**: Perfect for soups, stews, meats, and even desserts.- **Tender, flavorful results**: Slow cooking enhances flavor and makes even tough cuts of meat tender.- **Convenient for meal prep**: Ideal for making large batches of food with minimal effort.### **Cons**- **No browning**: You need to brown meat separately for certain dishes.- **Long cooking time**: Not ideal for last-minute meals.- **Can overcook vegetables**: Some vegetables get too soft if cooked too long.- **Bulky**: Takes up a lot of counter or storage space.### **Final Thoughts**The **Crock-Pot** is a fantastic kitchen tool for anyone who enjoys low-maintenance cooking, especially for meals that benefit from slow, gradual heat. It’s ideal for people with busy schedules who want to come home to a ready-made meal. However, it does have its limitations—like the need for browning meat separately and the potential for overcooking delicate vegetables. Despite these minor drawbacks, I find the convenience and versatility make it a worthwhile investment for any kitchen.