‎Crock-Pot ‎CSC05201 Slow Cooker - Review

The Crock-Pot CSC052 is a popular programmable slow cooker that aims to make meal preparation easy and convenient. With its digital controls and countdown timer, this Crock-Pot model provides flexibility and hands-off cooking. This review provides an in-depth look at the features, performance, and overall usefulness of the Crock-Pot CSC052 to help you determine if it's the right slow cooker for your needs. We'll examine the design, settings, ease of use, cooking results, accessories, and price point. By the end, you'll have a good understanding of the pros and cons of the Crock-Pot CSC052 so you can decide if it's worth purchasing. The goal is to provide an objective and helpful review so you can feel confident about your buying decision.

Overview

The Crock-Pot CSC052 Slow Cooker has a 6.5L capacity and offers a variety of convenient features for home cooks. This oval-shaped slow cooker has a black stainless steel finish and a digital interface with a countdown timer that allows you to program cook times up to 20 hours.

The CSC052 has 3 temperature settings - low, high and keep warm. Low cooks at approx 90°C and high cooks at approx 150°C. The keep warm function automatically kicks in when the cook time is up.

This Crock-Pot model has a hinged lid with a clear glass top so you can view your food while it's cooking without having to lift the lid and release heat. The removable oval stoneware crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

With 1000W of power, the CSC052 can cook stews, casseroles, roasts and more for up to 7 people. The digital display clearly shows the cook time remaining so you always know where you're at with your meal. Slow cookers like the CSC052 are a convenient way to prepare tasty homecooked meals with minimal effort. Simply prep your ingredients, set the cook time and temperature, and let the slow cooker do the work.

Compared to other brands, Crock-Pot is known for making quality slow cookers that consistently deliver delicious results. They offer a good range of sizes and features to suit different budgets and cooking needs. Models like the 6.5L CSC052 are a popular mid-sized option, providing enough capacity to feed a family while still being compact enough for easy storage.

If you're looking for an alternative, the Morphy Richards 460012 Slow Cooker is another great choice in a similar price range. It has a 6L oval ceramic pot and 3 heat settings. One handy feature is the integrated timer which allows you to set cooking times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours.

When choosing a slow cooker, it's worth considering the capacity you need, any extra features that would be useful, and the overall quality and durability. Crock-Pot and Morphy Richards are two reliable brands that provide good options to suit different requirements and budgets.

Design

The Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker has an attractive oval shape with a black plastic exterior housing and stainless steel insert. The control panel is located on the front with an easy-to-read LCD display showing the cook time, temperature, and program settings.

There are two buttons below the display to adjust the cooking time and temperature. The time button allows you to set the cook time from 30 minutes up to 20 hours. The temp button lets you select low, high or warm temperatures.

The 6-quart removable oval stoneware crock pot is made of durable porcelain-coated steel that transfers heat evenly. It's sturdy enough to move from the cooker to the table for serving. The lid and handles stay cool while cooking.

Overall, the design is functional yet stylish enough to leave out on the countertop. The digital interface makes it simple to program and monitor cooking. The oval shape and black/stainless steel color scheme give it a modern look that fits with most kitchen decors.

For a similar digital slow cooker, check out the Daewoo SDA1364. This model has a 6.5 quart round stoneware crock with black plastic housing and stainless steel trim. There is an LCD control panel with push buttons to set cook time, temperature, and warming mode.

The Daewoo slow cooker can cook on low for up to 24 hours or high for 12 hours. It has an automatically activated "keep warm" function once the timer expires. The stoneware crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe.

One advantage of the Daewoo SDA1364 is the 24-hour low setting compared to 20 hours for the Crock-Pot model. It also comes in a rounded shape rather than oval. But both have similar digital interfaces and programmable cooking.

When shopping for a programmable slow cooker, consider the shape and size that will work best for your needs. Oval pots may fit better on countertops, while round ones allow more flexibility in ingredients and servings. Look for a model with an easy-to-read display and intuitive programming options.

The Crock-Pot and Daewoo models provide modern convenience with digital settings and countdown timers. This allows more freedom compared to manual slow cookers. You don't have to be home to turn it on or off at a certain time.

With programmable cook times from 30 minutes to 24 hours, you can cook anything from appetizers to large roasts. Both models would make great additions to your kitchen if you want the latest features in a slow cooker.

Settings & Programs

The Crock-Pot CSC052 offers a variety of cooking settings and programs that provide flexibility based on your needs. This slow cooker has a digital timer with a countdown display, allowing you to program cook times up to 20 hours.

There are 4 main cooking settings to choose from: Low, High, Warm and Stew/Chili. The Low setting is ideal for slower cooking of tougher cuts of meat and veggies over a longer period of time. High gets ingredients cooking faster when you're pressed for time. Warm keeps finished dishes at an ideal serving temperature. Stew/Chili is a newer setting that automatically switches to simmer after long cooking to prevent overcooking.

In addition to the manual settings, there are 3 automated cooking programs: Meat/Stew, Beans/Chili and Rice/Risotto. The meat and beans/chili programs automatically switch to Warm once the cooking time is done. The rice program brings the contents to a boil then reduces to low to finish cooking. These preset programs take the guesswork out of timing, making meal prep easier.

Overall, the variety of options allow you to customize cooking based on your schedule and the particular dish you're making. The flexibility of manual settings plus automated programs expands what you can make in this Crock-Pot.

Performance

The Crock-Pot CSC052 delivers excellent performance for a slow cooker in its price range. Its heating element provides very consistent heat distribution, ensuring food cooks evenly no matter where it's placed in the cooker. This makes it great for dishes like stews, chilis, roasts, and casseroles.

The cooking results are superb. Meats come out incredibly tender and moist after a long cook time. Vegetables retain their shape and texture perfectly without becoming mushy. Soups and stews have well-blended flavors and the right consistency. Overall, it excels at bringing out the best in any slow-cooked recipe.

The digital controls and programmable timer make the CSC052 very easy and convenient to use. You simply add your ingredients, select a temperature setting (low, high or warm), choose the cook time, and it handles the rest. The countdown timer is extremely helpful for coordinating meal prep. The keep warm function automatically switches to warm when cooking is done, so food stays ready to serve for hours.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker is relatively easy to clean and maintain. The exterior housing is made of brushed stainless steel, which resists fingerprints and wipes clean easily. The lid and ceramic cooking pot have a nonstick coating, making food release and cleanup simpler.

To clean the interior, allow the cooking pot to cool fully before washing by hand or in the dishwasher. Avoid using abrasive scouring pads or cleaners, as they can damage the nonstick surface over time. Some foods may stain the pot, but these marks are purely cosmetic.

The heating element and control panel require occasional wiping with a damp cloth to keep clean. Take care not to submerge the base in water or use excess moisture near the digital display and buttons.

Overall, the Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker has proven quite durable and long-lasting. The ceramic insert can withstand cracking or chipping with proper care. As long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and avoid banging or dropping the cooker, it should provide many years of service. The nonstick finish may degrade eventually, but replacement pots are available for purchase.

Accessories

The Crock-Pot Slow Cooker comes with a few handy accessories to help you get started. Right in the box is a recipe booklet with over 50 delicious recipes optimized for slow cooking. The recipes cover breakfasts, appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts to give you a wide variety of meal ideas.

Also included is a serving spoon that is heat-resistant and ideal for dishing up meals straight from the cooker. No need to dirty extra utensils! The spoon has a hanging loop so you can store it conveniently on the cooker's handle when not in use.

For easy transport to potlucks or outdoor parties, the slow cooker has clip-tight locking lids. The lids seal securely to prevent spills or leaks while carrying the cooker. This makes taking your dish on-the-go simple and mess-free.

Finally, the digital timer has a standby mode that keeps food warm automatically for up to 4 hours after cooking completes. This means you can have dinner ready right when you need it, without having to coordinate serving at the exact moment that the cooker finishes. The standby mode ensures your food stays piping hot until you're ready.

Price

The Crock-Pot CSC052 6.5L Slow Cooker currently retails for £54.99 on Amazon UK. This puts it in the mid-range for slow cookers in terms of pricing.

When considering value for money, the CSC052 offers a good balance of features and performance for the price. It has a generous 6.5L capacity, digital timer and settings, dishwasher-safe removable inner pot, and lid-mounted locking clips. These useful features help justify the price tag.

The digital controls add convenience over basic manual slow cookers in this price range. You can precisely set cooking times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours. The integrated countdown display lets you monitor remaining time at a glance. This level of programming exceeds what you typically find in cheaper models.

For a multi-functional and easy-to-use slow cooker under £60, the Crock-Pot CSC052 hits a sweet spot. It delivers better-than-basic performance and flexibility. While you can find larger capacity slow cookers for less money, they usually lack the preset functions and digital enhancements. Overall, the CSC052 offers excellent value at this price point.

Pros & Cons

The Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker has many benefits as well as some drawbacks compared to similar models.

Pros:

• Simple to use digital interface with programmable cook times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours
• Automatically switches to warm once cook time is complete
• Locking lid for safe transport
• Oval shape cooks food more evenly than round cookers
• Dishwasher safe stoneware and lid makes cleanup easy
• High and low temperature settings for maximum flexibility
• Compact size good for small kitchens
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• Only a 6-quart capacity which is smaller than some other models
• Lid can be tricky to properly seal for pressure cooking
• Digital display is not backlit so hard to see in low light
• Oval shape takes up more counter space than a round cooker would
• Only high, low, and warm settings - no precise temperature control
• Rubber seal on lid retains smells even after washing
• Some reliability complaints of digital display failing over time

In summary, the Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker provides very simple set-it-and-forget-it operation with flexible cook times and dishwasher safe parts. However, the smaller capacity, lack of precise temperature settings, and potential reliability issues are downsides to consider. It works well for basic slow cooking needs but lacks some of the advanced features and capacity of higher-end models.

Conclusion

Overall, the Crock-Pot Digital Programmable Slow Cooker is a versatile and convenient appliance that makes meal preparation simple. It offers a range of useful features like a programmable timer, digital display, and locking lid, allowing you to cook foods safely and hands-free.

The large 7 quart capacity can accommodate meals for up to 7 people, making it a great option for families, entertaining, or meal prepping. It cooks food evenly and consistently thanks to the wrap-around heating element. The high, low, and warm settings provide flexibility, while the ability to program cook times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours is extremely handy.

Cleaning up is straightforward since the stoneware insert and tempered glass lid are dishwasher safe. The brushed stainless steel exterior gives it an attractive look that complements any kitchen décor. At around £60, it's affordably priced for a slow cooker with digital controls and preset functions.

Overall, the Crock-Pot Digital Programmable Slow Cooker is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and versatile slow cooker with modern convenience features. It produces delicious soups, stews, roasts, and more with minimal effort required. The digital controls, locking lid, and dishwasher-safe parts make it simpler and safer to use than basic manual slow cookers. For home cooks seeking a quality programmable slow cooker at a reasonable price point, the Crock-Pot CSC052 is a recommended option worth considering.