Brentwood ‎SC-115S Slow Cooker - Review

The Brentwood SC-115S is a 1.5-quart capacity slow cooker that offers basic functionality for making small batches of food. This compact appliance has a simple oval shape with black plastic housing and a clear glass lid. The small footprint takes up minimal counter space but can still cook up to 4 servings of stews, chilis, dips, and more. It's an affordable option for cooking appetizers for get-togethers or making personal portions. The SC-115S includes high and low temperature settings and a dishwasher-safe stoneware crock for easy cleanup. With 1.5 quarts of capacity, this versatile slow cooker is ideal for singles, couples, and small families looking for an uncomplicated way to prepare hot meals at the press of a button.

Design and Appearance

The Brentwood 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker SC-115S has a simple, compact design ideal for small kitchens or minimal counter space. It measures approximately 9.5 x 8.5 x 7.5 inches and weighs just 3 pounds when empty, making it easy to store in a cabinet or lift to transport for potlucks or parties.

The exterior housing is made of durable plastic in a black finish that won't show fingerprints or smudges. The oval ceramic cooking pot has a 1.5 quart capacity and fits neatly into the base. The clear tempered glass lid allows monitoring cooking progress without lifting the lid and releasing heat. The plastic handles stay cool while cooking for safe maneuvering.

Overall, the small slow cooker has a no-frills design focused on portability and functionality in a small package. The lightweight plastic and glass construction coupled with the compact footprint make this an ideal choice for dorm rooms, RVs, apartments and other small spaces.

Capacity

The Brentwood SC-115S slow cooker has a 1.5-quart capacity, making it a great compact size for individuals, couples, and small families. With its smaller size, it's easy to store away or keep on your kitchen counter without taking up much space. The 1.5-quart ceramic stoneware crock pot insert allows you to cook soups, stews, dips, appetizers, and even small roasts or chickens for 2-3 people. You can make delicious full meals or side dishes in the 1.5-quart slow cooker. The smaller capacity also uses less energy and ingredients compared to larger models, saving you money. Just be aware that due to the petite 1.5-quart size, it may not be ideal for cooking larger quantities or for big groups. But for everyday use to make individual portions or meals for a few people, the 1.5-quart capacity is very handy.

Features

The Brentwood SC-115S slow cooker has some nice features that make it easy to use. It has three temperature settings - low, high, and warm. The low setting is great for longer cooking times, while the high setting will get food cooked faster. Having both options allows you to customize the cooking time to suit what you're making.

The glass lid is a great feature, allowing you to check on your food's progress without lifting the lid and losing heat. Glass lids help lock in moisture and heat for more even cooking.

The removable crock pot insert also offers versatility. You can prep ingredients in the crock, pop it in the slow cooker, and then remove the crock for easy serving at the table. The crock is oven safe to 350°F as well, so you could brown meat in the oven then transfer to the slow cooker. Being able to remove the crock makes cleanup much easier too.

Controls

The Brentwood SC-115S slow cooker has simple manual controls consisting of a single knob with 3 temperature settings: low, high, and warm.

The low setting is ideal for slower cooking of tougher cuts of meat over a longer period of time, usually 8-10 hours. It brings the internal temperature to around 190-200°F.

The high setting reaches temperatures of 280-300°F, perfect for faster cooking of vegetables, soups, and stews in 4-6 hours.

Finally, the warm setting holds food at a safe serving temperature of 160-170°F once cooking is complete, so food stays ready to eat without overcooking.

The knob clicks clearly into each temperature setting and is easy to turn and adjust as needed. Having just 3 heat settings keeps operation straightforward. The manual knob provides temperature control without any programming or buttons to deal with.

Ease of Use

The Brentwood 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker SC-115S is very easy to use thanks to its simple, straightforward design.

User-Friendliness

This slow cooker has an intuitive control panel with a single knob to select temperature settings. The three heat settings of low, medium, and high make it effortless to get cooking. The clear markings on the knob indicate which setting you have selected.

Setup

Setting up this slow cooker takes just minutes. Simply plug it in, add your ingredients to the removable stoneware crock, and put the lid on. The oval shape makes it easy to fit roasts and larger cuts of meat.

Cleaning

Keeping the Brentwood SC-115S clean is hassle-free. The stoneware crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe, so you can simply pop them in after cooking. The exterior housing wipes clean easily with a damp cloth. There are no cracks or crevices for food to get stuck in.

Performance

The Brentwood SC-115S slow cooker does a decent job with cooking evenness and temperature maintenance. The 1.5 quart capacity is small enough that ingredients tend to cook evenly, with the contents heating through without too much variation from top to bottom.

The low, high, and warm settings provide a good range of temperatures. On low, it maintains a steady simmer that's great for long braises and stews. The high setting brings ingredients up to temperature quickly before lowering to a gentle boil. And the warm setting is perfect for keeping finished dishes ready to serve without overcooking.

The aluminum inner pot conducts heat evenly across the bottom for consistent cooking results. It's not the absolute best at holding an exact temperature, but it will keep contents in the right range throughout the cooking time. As long as you keep the lid closed and don't lift it frequently, the SC-115S delivers reliable and steady heat with minimal temperature fluctuations.

Overall, the performance is quite good for a small budget slow cooker. It excels at cooking small batches of food evenly without scorching or burning. The simple manual controls and heat settings work well for basic slow cooking needs. More expensive cookers may offer superior insulation and tighter temperature control, but the Brentwood SC-115S performs reliably for its price point.

Safety Features

The Brentwood SC-115S slow cooker has a few important safety features to keep in mind.

Auto Shut-Off: This slow cooker has an auto shut-off function that will turn the cooker off automatically after a set period of time. This prevents overcooking and gives peace of mind if you forget that you've left it on. The auto shut-off typically activates after 8-10 hours.

Handles: The handles on the side and lid are made of cool-touch plastic that remains cool even during cooking. This allows you to lift and move the cooker safely without risk of burns. The handles are securely riveted for durability.

Overall, the safety features like auto shut-off and cool-touch handles make this an ideal set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker for busy households. You don't have to worry about overcooking or accidental burns when using the Brentwood SC-115S.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact 1.5 quart capacity is great for singles, couples, small families or side dishes
• Simple manual dial makes it easy to set cooking times from 30 minutes up to 10 hours
• Auto shut-off for safety when cooking is complete
• Tempered glass lid allows monitoring without lifting and releasing heat
• Attractive brushed stainless steel exterior
• Cool-touch black plastic handles stay cool while cooking
• Dishwasher-safe stoneware insert cleans up easily
• Low and high settings for flexibility
• Very affordable price point

Cons

• Small capacity limits cooking larger portions
• Manual knob lacks exact precision for setting times
• No digital display or countdown timer
• Insert is not stovetop-safe
• Only basic on/off functions
• Lowest heat setting may be too high for keeping dips and appetizers warm
• Short power cord may require extension cord
• No locking lid for traveling

Conclusion

The Brentwood SC-115S is a decent 1.5 quart slow cooker for small households or individuals looking for a compact model. It has a simple, no-frills design and gets the job done for basic slow cooking needs.

The oval ceramic pot is easy to clean and holds enough food for 1-2 people. It heats up steadily and cooks food well on low or high settings. The tempered glass lid allows monitoring cooking progress.

However, the manual knob controls are less precise than digital. It lacks more advanced features like a programmable timer or keep warm function. The basic design and small capacity limit versatility compared to larger cookers.

Overall, the Brentwood SC-115S is a fine option for small-scale, everyday slow cooking. But those wanting more flexibility or capacity may prefer spending a little more for a cooker with more features and size. For basic, no-fuss slow cooking for 1-2 people, the SC-115S gets the job done at a reasonable price point.