‎Cookworks ‎9O-WAO0-C956-TR Slow Cooker - Review

The Cookworks 1.5L Compact Slow Cooker is an affordable and compact slow cooking appliance perfect for small households or couples. This entry-level slow cooker has a simple oval shape design with basic manual controls to prepare stews, casseroles, curries and more.

With a 1.5 liter capacity, this small slow cooker is ideal for 1-2 person portions. It's powered by 200 watts and features Low, High and Warm settings to cook food slowly for a long period or keep it warm before serving. The tempered glass lid allows monitoring cooking progress.

This budget slow cooker delivers satisfactory cooking performance for the price. It's easy to use with dishwasher safe removable crock and tempered glass lid. The compact size takes up minimal counter space. Overall, it's a decent option for anyone seeking an inexpensive slow cooker for basic needs.

Design

The Cookworks 1.5L Compact Slow Cooker has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any countertop. It has a rounded rectangular shape that measures 20 x 24 x 15 cm, making it compact enough to easily store away when not in use.

The outer housing is made of durable plastic with a matte black finish. There is a clear glass lid that allows you to monitor the cooking process without having to lift it and release heat. The lid has stainless steel trim along the rim which gives it a nice accent.

There is a single knob on the front that clicks between Off, Low, and High settings. The knob has clear indicator marks so you can easily see which mode you have selected. Underneath the knob is a power indicator light that illuminates when the cooker is turned on.

The inner pot is made of non-stick coated aluminum with a 1.5 liter capacity. There are silicone grip handles on either side for safely lifting and moving the pot. Overall the materials seem durable and designed for everyday cooking use.

In addition to the Cookworks model, the ‎Greenpan ‎CC007845-004 offers a unique ceramic non-stick coating that provides excellent food release and easy cleaning. Its 3.5-quart capacity makes it suitable for larger meals while maintaining a compact design. The elegant look combined with advanced technology makes it a great kitchen companion for health-conscious cooks. For more information, visit ‎Greenpan ‎CC007845-004.

Capacity

The Cookworks 1.5L Compact Slow Cooker has an internal capacity of 1.5 liters or 1.58 quarts, making it a small-sized slow cooker. The compact design allows it to fit easily on countertops without taking up much space. With its 1.5 liter capacity, it can hold approximately 4 servings of food, making it well-suited for individuals, couples, and smaller families. It's not ideal for preparing large batches of food for big groups, but the smaller capacity makes it convenient for everyday use or taking to potlucks. The insert and exterior housing are proportionate to the 1.5 liter capacity, giving the cooker a cute, streamlined look. While not huge, the 1.5 liter capacity offers enough room to cook modest portions of stews, chilies, roasts, and more. Those seeking a larger capacity would need to size up, but overall the 1.5 liter capacity hits a nice sweet spot between being too small yet still compact.

In comparison, the ‎Crock-Pot ‎CSC026 model offers greater versatility with a larger capacity that can accommodate families and gatherings more comfortably. This slow cooker features multiple cooking settings that allow for a variety of meal preparations. Its programmable timer and easy-to-use interface ensure meals are ready when you are. For those looking for a reliable and larger option, the ‎Crock-Pot ‎CSC026 is a great choice.

Power and Settings

The Cookworks 1.5L Compact Slow Cooker has a power rating of 150 watts. This lower wattage is typical for small 1.5-2 litre slow cookers, as they don't need as much power to heat up the smaller inner pot.

It has 3 temperature settings - Low, High, and Auto. The Low setting keeps food simmering gently for slower cooking, while the High setting allows food to reach a hotter temperature for faster cooking if you're short on time. Auto switches between Low and High automatically during the cook time.

You can program the cook time up to 20 hours, allowing flexibility for longer recipes. There's no timer function though, so you have to manually set the hours you want it to cook. The cooker then automatically switches to keep warm when the cook time is up.

Ease of Use

The Cookworks 1.5L Compact Slow Cooker is very easy to use thanks to its simple manual controls. It has three temperature settings - low, high, and warm - that are selected using a manual dial on the front of the cooker. The settings are clearly marked and easy to turn to the desired temperature.

The inner stoneware pot lifts out for easy transfer to the table, and the glass lid allows you to monitor cooking progress without lifting the lid and losing heat. The pot and lid are also dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

There is no digital display or programming on this model, so the controls remain straightforward. Just plug it in, add your ingredients to the pot, and turn the dial to the desired setting. The compact size takes up minimal counter space, and the oval shape fits well in corners.

Overall, the manual knob controls and oval stoneware make this an uncomplicated and user-friendly slow cooker for basic "set and forget" cooking needs. The simplicity allows anyone to start using it right out of the box without needing to decipher complex electronics.

Cooking Performance

The Cookworks 1.5L Slow Cooker delivers excellent cooking performance for its compact size. The inner pot heats up quickly and maintains an even temperature for simmering, stewing, and braising. Meats come out very tender after a long cook time, with vegetables cooked through but not overly mushy. The flavors really come together and meld nicely during slow cooking. Soups and stews have a richness and depth of flavor.

Even with the lid on, the contents don't boil but maintain a gentle simmer which is perfect for slow cooking. The temperature seems to stay consistent over long cook times. Meats retain moisture and become fall-off-the-bone tender. Dense root vegetables like potatoes and carrots cook through fully. Delicate ingredients like fish can be poached gently without overcooking. Overall, the cooking performance exceeds expectations for a small 1.5L slow cooker. Dishes have complex developed flavors as if they simmered on the stovetop for hours.

Safety Features

The Cookworks 1.5L Compact Slow Cooker has several useful safety features that give you peace of mind while using this appliance.

• It has an auto shutoff function that turns the slow cooker off automatically after 8 hours of cooking time. This prevents overcooking and provides an extra layer of safety if you forget that a meal is cooking.

• The exterior of the slow cooker remains cool to the touch while cooking. It has cool touch sides and a handle on the lid and ceramic pot that stay cool enough to handle safely even after many hours of use.

• The glass lid fits securely onto the ceramic pot with a plastic rim and handle. This creates a tight seal to lock in heat, moisture, and flavors. The lid and pot fit snugly together with a lip around the edge to prevent spills or lid slipping.

• A locking system on the lid adds stability. Two plastic arms extend from the lid and clip onto the pot's rim. This keeps the lid tightly in place when lifting or moving the appliance to prevent any messy accidents.

• Non-slip rubber feet on the base allow you to use the slow cooker safely on countertops without worry that it will slide around. The feet grip the surface securely.

Overall, the thoughtful design provides necessary safety precautions during extended unattended cooking times. Key features like cool touch exteriors, lid restraints, and auto shutoff give assurance when using the slow cooker.

Cleaning

The Cookworks 1.5L compact slow cooker is very easy to clean. The ceramic cooking pot and tempered glass lid are both dishwasher safe, so you can simply pop them in the dishwasher after use.

The exterior housing is made of plastic with a matte finish, which makes it easy to wipe down with a damp cloth if any food splatters or condensation accumulates. You'll want to take care not to submerge or soak the base when cleaning.

One handy design feature is that the inner pot lifts out, allowing you to quickly empty any leftover food or liquid without struggling to pour it out of the fixed crock.

Overall, the simplicity of being able to toss the main components in the dishwasher makes cleanup a breeze. Just give the housing a quick wipe down periodically to keep it looking its best. With no tricky angles, buttons or knobs, cleaning this Cookworks slow cooker is about as easy as it gets.

Price

The Cookworks 1.5L Compact Slow Cooker currently retails for £24.99 on Amazon UK. This puts it at the lower end of the price range for small slow cookers, making it quite affordable.

For the price, this slow cooker offers good value. It's a compact size but can still cook up to 1.5 liters, suitable for 1-2 people. The ceramic inner pot and tempered glass lid add durability. There are also 3 temperature settings, allowing you to cook different recipes.

While it doesn't have any fancy bells and whistles, the Cookworks Compact Slow Cooker provides the core functionality of a slow cooker at an attractive price point. The simplicity also makes it beginner-friendly. For those looking for an inexpensive way to start slow cooking for one or two, it's a solid option that delivers good value.

Pros and Cons

The Cookworks 1.5L Compact Slow Cooker has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Compact size takes up minimal counter space
• Low price point around £20 makes it very affordable
• Simple manual controls with Low, High, and Warm settings
• Tempered glass lid allows monitoring cooking progress
• Dishwasher safe stoneware pot for easy cleanup
• Auto keep-warm function once cooking time completes

Cons

• Small 1.5L capacity limits cooking larger portions
• Basic features without programmable timer or digital controls
• Low wattage of just 90W may cook slower than some models
• Exterior may get hot during prolonged cooking
• Short 12-month warranty period

Overall, this budget slow cooker is ideal for singles or couples looking for a compact, no-frills model for basic slow cooking needs. The small capacity and lack of extras like timers may be limiting for some. But if your needs are simple, it provides good value given the low price tag.