Crock-Pot CSC051 Slow Cooker - Review

The Crock-Pot Slow Cooker CSC051 is a programmable electric slow cooker from Crock-Pot, one of the most popular and well-known brands in slow cookers. Crock-Pot first introduced the electric slow cooker in 1971 and has been perfecting the appliance ever since.

The Crock-Pot brand is synonymous with slow cookers and is known for making quality, easy to use appliances. The CSC051 continues that tradition with its simple interface and helpful features like a programmable timer.

This 5.6L oval shaped slow cooker can handle meals for up to 7 people, making it a great option for families or meal prepping. It offers low, high, and keep warm settings to accommodate different recipes. The attached lid straps allow for easy transport to potlucks or parties.

Design & Features

The Crock-Pot CSC051 Slow Cooker has a sleek stainless steel exterior that will look great on any countertop. It has a compact, oval shape that measures 25.4 x 35.6 x 33 cm and weighs 5.2 kg when empty. The sturdy metal housing contains a removable ceramic cooking pot with a 5.6L capacity.

The non-stick interior of the cooking pot makes cleaning easy. The exterior of the cooking pot has convenient side handles for safe removal, and the lid also has a handle on top. There are no sharp edges or corners on the slow cooker, ensuring safe handling. The overall design is focused on portability and convenience, with features like the clip-tight gasket lid that seals in heat and moisture.

Capacity

The Crock-Pot CSC051 slow cooker has a generous 5.6 litre capacity, making it suitable for cooking for larger families or groups. It can hold around 4.5kg of food, which translates to about 8-10 portions. This size is great if you regularly cook stews, curries, chillis, or soups and want to make enough to freeze leftovers. It's also handy for entertaining, as you can cook a large roast joint or whole chicken along with veggies for 6-8 people.

The oval ceramic cooking pot has a width of 33cm and depth of 25cm, giving you a good amount of surface area for browning meat, as well as enough depth for liquids to simmer. It's a good shape and size for cooking roasts or whole chickens, as they can lay flat. The pot can also be removed and used on the stove or oven, adding extra versatility.

Overall, the 5.6L capacity makes this Crock-Pot well-suited for larger households who frequently batch cook or want to make sizeable portions in one go. It's less ideal if you regularly cook for just 1-2 people and want smaller portions.

Controls & Settings

The Crock-Pot CSC051 slow cooker has simple manual controls with 3 temperature settings - low, high and warm.

The low setting runs at around 190-200°F and is best for slow "all-day" cooking of tougher cuts of meat. The high setting gets up to 280-300°F for faster cooking. The warm setting holds food at an ideal serving temperature.

There is no timer, so cooking times are fully manual based on recipe recommendations. The basic controls are easy to use with a simple knob to select the temperature setting. There are no pre-programmed digital settings or advanced features. This model is designed for basic "set and forget" slow cooking.

Cooking Performance

The Crock-Pot CSC051 delivers excellent cooking performance for a slow cooker in this price range. Its stoneware insert evenly distributes heat to ensure food cooks thoroughly without any hot or cold spots. Meats come out very tender after a long cook time, and flavors have a chance to deeply penetrate into soups, stews, and braised dishes. The 5.6L capacity is sufficient to cook meals for a medium-sized family.

The slow cooker can cook on low heat for up to 12 hours or high heat for up to 7 hours before automatically switching to a warm setting, giving ample flexibility for recipes. It brings liquids up to a gentle simmer on high. The stoneware and glass lid seal in moisture extremely well. Some users note that food seems to cook faster than expected on the high setting, so it's best to keep an eye on it and adjust cooking times as needed. But overall, the Crock-Pot cooks food perfectly with minimal attention or monitoring required.

Ease of Use

The Crock-Pot CSC051 slow cooker is very easy to use and clean, making it a great option for beginners or anyone looking for a fuss-free appliance. Its simple interface has a dial with four temperature settings - low, high, warm and off. Just turn the dial to your desired cooking temperature. The digital timer allows you to program cooking times up to 20 hours.

The oval ceramic vessel lifts out for serving at the table or transferring food to another dish. Both the crock pot and glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. The exterior simply needs to be wiped down. There are no complicated buttons or multiple pieces to disassemble.

Operation is straightforward - just add your ingredients to the crock, put the lid on, plug it in, set the temperature and timer. The Crock-Pot then cooks unattended while you go about your day. When cooking is finished, the unit automatically shifts to warm to prevent overcooking. With its hassle-free operation and minimal cleanup, this slow cooker simplifies meal preparation.

Safety Features

The Crock-Pot CSC051 slow cooker has several important safety features that give peace of mind while using this appliance.

First, it has overheating protection to prevent the internal temperature from getting dangerously hot. If the inner pot gets too hot, the cooker will automatically switch to a Keep Warm setting to let it cool down. This prevents burning food or presenting a fire hazard.

The electrical base, housing, and other components are all made from durable plastic that is BPA-free and food-safe. It does not contain any hazardous chemicals or materials. The inner cooking pot is stainless steel which does not leach any metals or substances into food.

The lid fits securely and the handles stay cool while cooking. There are no exposed heating elements. Overall the construction and safety features allow this slow cooker to be used safely for long unattended cooking sessions without worry.

Noise Level

The Crock-Pot CSC051 operates at a quiet noise level that makes it suitable for all environments. When cooking on low or high heat settings, it produces a gentle hum that is unlikely to disturb conversations, TV watching, or sleep. Even sensitive sleepers should have no issue with this model's noise output.

Compared to many other slow cookers which can generate bothersome bubbling or gurgling sounds, the Crock-Pot CSC051 keeps things relatively silent. You don't have to worry about it disrupting your household's activities. This quiet performance also makes it a great option for office, dorm room, or other shared space use.

Some buyers do report hearing light simmering or bubbling during the first hour of cooking. But after the contents come up to temperature, the noise diminishes to a very unobtrusive hum. Overall, the quiet operation is a major advantage of this Crock-Pot, making it more versatile than noisier models.

Price

The Crock-Pot CSC051 5.6L Slow Cooker is available on Amazon for £44.99 which is a very reasonable price for a slow cooker of this size and with these features. Many comparable 5-6L slow cookers from reputable brands sell for £60-£80 so the Crock-Pot is priced attractively.

For the features and performance you get, the Crock-Pot CSC051 offers excellent value. The digital timer and automatic keep warm function add convenience, while the dishwasher-safe stoneware and tempered glass lid make cleanup easy. The locking lid provides peace of mind when transporting the cooker. Overall, this Crock-Pot model provides great functionality and usability at an affordable price point.

Most customers agree that the Crock-Pot CSC051 is a bargain for the price. It's an economical option if you're looking for a medium-sized programmable slow cooker with basic features and solid performance. While it may lack some bells and whistles of more expensive models, it delivers on the core functionality of slow cooking at a very reasonable price. For shoppers on a budget, the Crock-Pot CSC051 is a great value purchase.

Pros & Cons

The Crock-Pot CSC051 5.6L Slow Cooker has many notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Generous 5.6L capacity is ideal for cooking larger quantities and feeding groups
• Programmable timer allows you to preset cooking times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours
• Automatically switches to warm setting once cooking time is complete
• 3 temperature settings for maximum flexibility - low, high and keep warm
• Tempered glass lid allows monitoring without lifting and releasing heat
• Oval shape maximizes available cooking space
• Dishwasher safe stoneware insert and lid for easy cleanup
• Attractive brushed stainless steel exterior
• Budget-friendly price point compared to other slow cookers

Cons

• Shape may be awkward for storing smaller kitchens
• Manual does not include many recipes or guidance
• Lid does not have rubber lining to lock in moisture and heat
• Insert is quite heavy when full, difficult to move
• Only high/low cook settings, no precise temperature control
• Exterior and electronics may be less durable than higher-end brands
• Short 1 year warranty period

Overall, the Crock-Pot CSC051 is a solid budget option for a family-sized programmable slow cooker, though it lacks some convenience features and durability of more expensive models. For basic slow cooking needs, it offers good value for money. But cooks wanting more cooking flexibility may prefer spending a bit more.