Crock-Pot SCVI600B-SS 6-Quart Premium VersaWare Slow Cooker, Gold
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Crock-Pot SCVI600B-SS 6-Quart Premium VersaWare Slow Cooker, Gold
Customer Review: very happy with this one
Summary: 4 Stars
We've owned this slow-cooker for two months, use it on average 3 times per week, and we're very happy with it. If the cord had been longer, I would have given it 5 stars instead of 4.
This review is written with the following caveat in mind: A slow-cooker should cook quantities of food slowly and evenly for a pre-determined amount of time, and then hold the contents at a safe temperature until ready to serve; it should be easy to operate and instruction manuals should be well-written. Product will turn out reasonably well with a "dump it in and go" approach, but if one takes a little time to brown meats and seasoning veggies, it's all just sooooo much tastier. That said, I'll continue.
While the instructions say one can use the insert for browning ingredients, we prefer to use a 12" skillet for that (more surface area, better carmelization). I've yet to see a slow cooker insert that can do as good a job at browning, regardless of cost - especially those with a capacity of more than 4 quarts. To me, it's like driving a nail with a wrench when you've got a hammer - makes no sense.
This puppy heats and cooks evenly on both the high and low settings. We usually start the cooker on high to get things going, then turn it to low for whatever time the food will take. One could easily just use the low setting for a longer period of time, too. We've never seen any burning or sticking or any indication that this unit cooks too hot on either the high or low settings. The timer works perfectly and automatically brings the cooker to warm when cook time is finished. The WARM setting holds food well at about 150 degrees (we tested with a thermometer).
We've cooked pot roasts, soups, stews, beans and 2 batches of homemade pasta sauce with a minimum of fuss or muss. We smoked two racks of pork ribs then put them in the slow-cooker (sans sauce) to finish. They were fabulously tender and succulent with no burning. I also used the unit on "warm" to hold mashed potatoes for xmas dinner for 2 hours and they were perfectly hot and fluffy without any crusting on top or on the bottom.
Even tho' it's just the two of us home now, we chose the large model so we could have plenty of leftovers to put in the freezer. For us, that is a huge energy-saver (both time and electricity), not to mention the convenience of having a hot lunch ready to go or dinner already made for those evenings when we don't feel like cooking. There's always something scrumptious available.
For my money this unit does everything a slow-cooker should do, and it does it very well. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone.
Customer Review: A disappointment.
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this crock pot after much research, and with high hopes. I've been disappointed by it on several points. I've owned the crock pot for a little over a year and use it approximately once a week.
On the positive side, it is roomy and the oblong shape is friendly to roasts and whole poultry dishes. The controls are easy to use and bright, and the timer works consistently.
On the negative side, the temperature runs much too hot, boiling foods within a hour when on High and within several hours on Low. As a result, crock pot recipe cooking times must be adjusted, and this defeats the purpose of most crock pot cooking. For example, if you use your crock pot to cook your family's meals while you are at work, it won't work for you - recipes that traditionally require 8 hours in the crock pot will be boiling and overdone in 4 hours in this one.
The ceramic crock discolored after several uses, taking on a clouded cast. The top, which is also ceramic, developed spider-web cracks and most recently, a large bubble in the finish. Lastly, the exterior of the crock and handles become dangerously hot to the touch - you must be very careful when touching the handles and take care not to touch the metal trim on them - perhaps not the best design choice.
I have stopped using this crock pot and returned to my very old, but still reliable one. Between the heat issue and the cracking of the top, it is no longer safe to use. Overall, I do not recommend this crock pot, primarily because of the temperature issue.
Customer Review: LOVE this slow cooker
Summary: 5 Stars
I am really surprised to see some of the negative reviews of this slow cooker! I have had it for about 2 to 3 years now, and I average using it about once or twice a week. It has been a life saver for me!
You can do anything with this pot--brown or saute on top of a stove top, throw in the oven, even refrigerate. It is truly one pot cooking, because you can start your meal right in the pot. I have even used the pot as a traditional pot, completely cooking a meal on my gas stove top (and at high heat, even though it says never to go above medium). I have not had any problems at all with the stoneware. No cracks, no pops. And the best part is that after I'm done, I can put it in the dishwasher with no problem. It's also got a nice capacity--I can cook plenty of food for my family of four.
As for the actual slow cooking part of this slow cooker,I will concede that it does run hot. I burned a few meals when I was first starting out too. But I have adjusted my use of this cooker. I will always run it for the shortest suggested cooking time. If I am going to be out of the house, I will always run it on low. Adding a little extra liquid is probably a good idea, but I haven't done it, myself. Adjusting the cooking times has worked fine for me.
I cannot say enough good things about this cooker. I never really used to use a slow cooker before receiving this one as a gift, and now I look forward to slow cooked meals.
Customer Review: Great Crockpot
Summary: 5 Stars
We have owned this crockpot for over 6 months now and use it on average once a week. It is a great quaility item and we haven't had any issues. We like the simple programming and have used it to brown meat in the same pan. We aren't sure why so many people are giving the item low stars. If you drop the lid, why wouldn't you expect it to chip or break? Its STONEWARE, not metal. Don't blame the product for your carelessness. If you dropped a dinnerplate and it cracked, would you blame the produce or the person dropping the product?
We have two crockpots that we bought at the same time and after using each a couple of times, we never use the "other" brand unless cooking for the masses. They both cost around the same yet the this crockpot seems to be made of quality materials and doesn't feel "cheap". I find it odd that people have said in reviews that they "wouldn't brown meat in it" for whatever reason, but never tried. How can you give a produce a bad review when you haven't even tried using it. To me it seems that those people have an axe to grind.
If you want a crockpot where you pour in a Marie Calendar's crock pot meal and call that cooking, go buy a walmart piece of junk special. If you want a crockpot that you can actually do some real cooking in, this pot is for you.
Just to set the record straight, this is a great quality crockpot that works as advertised.
Customer Review: Expensive, but fragile
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this slow cooker because my current one was both too small and ran too hot. I have found the temp settings on this cooker to be perfect. While others love the ability to brown their meat directly in this cooker by using the included diffuser, I didn't find it to work so great. The bottom of the pot is not flat. The middle is higher than the sides, so the oil runs to the corners.
My biggest grip is that the stoneware top is fragile. While I was picking it up to stir the soup I was making, it accidentally slipped and chipped the top. It is still functional and it was my fault for letting the top fall against the pot, but I find this to be a problem. The impact was not very hard. I've never chipped any other covers to my other pots or pans. For the price, I'd hope for a cover made of less delicate material.
Otherwise, the cooker does exactly what it is supposed to. Capacity is just as advertised. The dials are great. I love the timer and WARM setting. The handles are great. I just do not like the cover.
I'm giving it two stars because it is so expensive. For the price, I'd expect a simple slow cooker to have no faults. I'd find a less costly, more rugged model if I could do it all over again.
I may call the company and see if they're willing to give me a replacement cover. If so, I'll update this review.