NOTES: First, the "locking handles for easy transport": the locks are on the body of the slow cooker, so you can't take out the porcelain insert and lock the lid onto it; if you want it locked, you have to take the whole device.Second, I guess mostly because of the rubber gasket on the lid, the cooker creates a tightly sealed cooking compartment, and things cook differently as a result.Liquids don't cook off anywhere near as fast, and the flavors don't cook together quite the same.PROS: The shape of the oval cooker is perfect. I've gotten a four-pound roast in the little thing.The temperature goes from just-warm to boiling, very versatile.It can go longer without attention because it retains moisture so well.
CONS: Some slow-cooker recipes may need tweaking; the cooking compartment is sealed pretty tightly whether or not the handles are locked (you're not supposed to cook with it sealed, but I do occasionally to concentrate flavors). More seriously, like most removable-insert crockpots, it wastes a lot of heat on the outside - it gets quite hot to the touch and is not efficient for summer use by any means.
Overall, for a small, not-too-expensive crockpot, it's really quite nice!I've now had it for quite a while, and cooked a lot of meals in it. Still works, still cleans up easily, dinner's routinely ready when I get home.
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Product Description:
Easily prepare soups, casseroles, pot roasts, curries, and more with this 4-quart oval-shaped slow cooker. The unit's rotary control dial offers three heat settings--low, high, and a convenient keep-warm setting that maintains a perfect serving temperature without overcooking. Designed for at home or on-the-go, the slow cooker includes full-grip metal handles and a locking glass lid with a gasket to keep food secure and ensure spill-resistant travel. The removable stoneware pot doubles as a serving dish, plus it can go in the refrigerator to store leftovers. Both the pot and the lid clean easily by hand or in the dishwasher. The slow cooker measures approximately 19 by 10 by 13 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.
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