‎Calphalon ‎SCCLD1 Slow Cooker - Review

The Calphalon SCCLD1 is a 6 quart slow cooker designed to make cooking simple and delicious. This stainless steel multi-cooker features an oval ceramic vessel with a glass lid, digital controls, and 3 cooking modes - low, high, and warm. It can accommodate meals for up to 7 people, making it a great option for families, entertaining, or meal prepping. The large capacity and programmable timer allow you to prepare a meal early in the day and have it ready right when you need it. This versatile appliance aims to take the guesswork out of slow cooking with consistent, even heating to ensure your dishes come out perfectly cooked. With its sleek modern design and generous capacity, the Calphalon SCCLD1 is built to be an indispensable tool in any home cook's kitchen.

Design

The Calphalon SCCLD1 slow cooker has a sleek and modern stainless steel construction that will look great on any countertop. It features an oval ceramic vessel with a 6-quart capacity, making it a good size for families and larger meals. The tempered glass lid allows you to monitor your food while cooking without needing to lift the lid and release heat.

One of the standout design features is the digital display and programmable settings. You can choose from high, low, and warm temperatures, and there is also a 24-hour timer so you can prep ingredients in advance and have the slow cooker start on its own. The digital interface makes it easy to select your desired cooking time and temperature.

Overall, the stainless steel exterior and digital display give this slow cooker a very modern look and feel. The oval shape also sets it apart from typical round slow cookers. These design features make it an attractive and user-friendly option for any kitchen.

Capacity

The Calphalon 6 Quart Slow Cooker is a mid-sized slow cooker that offers ample capacity for most households. With a 6 quart interior, it can cook up to 7 pounds of food, enough to feed a family of 4-6. The 6 quart size hits the sweet spot between being too small and too large, making it a versatile option.

It provides enough room to cook a whole chicken, a 4 pound roast, or a large batch of chili or stew. You can make big-batch meals to stock your freezer or prepare a main dish alongside generous sides. A 6 quart cooker won't overwhelm smaller households but still offers generous portions. This size slow cooker is ideal for everyday family meals, entertaining 4-8 people, or bringing a hearty dish to a potluck.

The 6 quart ceramic insert can also be brought to the table for serving after cooking. The insert and glass lid are oven safe up to 400°F, allowing you to brown foods or finish off dishes in the oven. With its spacious but not oversized capacity, the Calphalon 6 Quart Slow Cooker offers flexibility for everyday cooking needs.

Features

The Calphalon SCCLD1 electric slow cooker has several useful features that make it convenient to use. It has high, low, and keep warm temperature settings, allowing you to adjust the cooking temperature based on the recipe requirements. The high setting brings ingredients to a boil rapidly, while the low setting provides gentle, slow simmering.

The keep warm function automatically switches to the warm setting once the cooking time is complete, ensuring your food stays hot and ready to eat for hours. This is perfect for dishes you want ready right at mealtime.

A 24 hour timer allows you to program the exact cook time you need. Just set the timer and the slow cooker will automatically switch to warm once the cooking countdown is complete. No need to be home right at mealtime to turn it off.

The cooking pot and tempered glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. The brushed stainless steel exterior cleans up nicely with just a damp cloth.

Ease of Use

The Calphalon SCCLD1 slow cooker features digital controls that make it easy to set cook times and temperatures. The digital display shows the cooking program, cook time remaining, and temperature setting clearly and accurately. This allows you to set the slow cooker and walk away without worrying about manually adjusting heat or timing.

The ceramic insert and glass lid are dishwasher safe, so clean up after cooking is simple. Just remove the insert and lid and place them right in the dishwasher. The nonstick surface also helps prevent food from sticking while cooking and makes washing up easier. Food slides right out with little effort.

The slow cooker itself has an oval shape that maximizes cooking surface for larger cuts of meat or whole chickens. The 6-quart capacity is roomy enough for cooking for groups or meal prepping several meals at once. The intuitive digital controls coupled with the dishwasher safe, nonstick interior make this slow cooker very easy to use.

Performance

The Calphalon 6 Quart Slow Cooker performs very well when it comes to even heating and cooking food thoroughly without burning or drying out. The aluminum insert does an excellent job conducting heat evenly across the bottom and up the sides. This allows ingredients like roasts, stews, and chili to cook low and slow, developing complex flavors without scorching on the bottom.

Users report that meats like pork shoulder come out incredibly moist and tender after 8-10 hours on low. Soups and stews maintain a consistent simmer, allowing flavors to meld together. The shape and 6 quart capacity make this slow cooker a great choice for cooking larger cuts of meat or batch cooking. It can easily handle a 3-4 lb chuck roast or a couple pounds of boneless chicken thighs. One reviewer even fit a 4 lb pork butt inside.

The consistent gentle heating allows you to "set it and forget it" for hours while at work or overnight. Food comes out cooked through without dry edges or burnt spots on the bottom. For best results, prep ingredients in the morning and let them slow cook to perfection. This Calphalon model reliably delivers satisfying results with minimal effort.

Price

The Calphalon Slow Cooker is priced at around £80, which puts it in the middle range for an electric slow cooker. This isn't the cheapest option on the market, but it's also far from the most expensive. For the features, capacity, and performance the Calphalon offers, the price seems fair.

While £80 may feel a bit high for a single-function appliance, keep in mind that a good slow cooker can last for many years. The Calphalon is made of stainless steel and has a sturdy glass lid, so it should hold up well over time. The three-year warranty also provides some peace of mind on the investment.

Overall, the Calphalon hits a nice sweet spot between budget models and ultra high-end slow cookers. The quality materials and cooking ability make the £80 price tag worthwhile for most households. It's a reasonably priced option that still delivers excellent slow cooking performance.

Pros

The Calphalon SCCLD1 has several key strengths that make it a top choice for a slow cooker.

• Attractive design: The stainless steel exterior gives this slow cooker a sleek, modern look that will complement any kitchen decor. The digital display also adds to the contemporary style.

• Precise digital controls: Unlike many slow cookers that just have basic high/low settings, this model has a digital control panel that allows you to set the exact temperature and cooking time. This gives you more precision and flexibility.

• Durable construction: The stainless steel housing is fingerprint-resistant and easy to clean. The glass lid and cooking pot are also durable and made to last through years of regular use. Overall, the solid build quality makes this a long-lasting appliance.

Cons

The Calphalon Slow Cooker has a few downsides to consider.

• On the pricier side - This slow cooker has an MSRP of £149.99, putting it at the higher end of the price range for comparable 6-quart slow cookers. While the quality materials and features justify the price for some, others may find it more than they want to spend.

• Only one size option - Calphalon only makes this slow cooker in the 6-quart size. Those wanting a smaller or larger slow cooker will need to look at other brands. This won't work for those wanting a smaller cooker for appetizers or a larger one for big families and parties.

Conclusion

The Calphalon Stainless Steel Slow Cooker SCCLD1 is a great option for families looking for a reliable slow cooker. Its 6-quart capacity can cook meals for 4-6 people, making it a versatile size for feeding most families. The performance is solid, with even heating to cook food thoroughly without burning. It has useful features like a tempered glass lid to monitor cooking and cool-touch handles for safety.

Overall, this slow cooker delivers reliably on all fronts. The quality construction means it should provide years of service. While not fancy, it gets the job done for a reasonable price point under £100. For families seeking an affordable and durable slow cooker that consistently cooks tasty meals, the Calphalon SCCLD1 is easy to recommend. It hits all the right notes in terms of capacity, features, performance and value.