‎Crock-Pot ‎CSC085 Slow Cooker - Review

The Crock-Pot CSC085 is a budget-friendly 3.5 litre slow cooker that delivers reliable performance for everyday cooking needs. This compact oval cooker features a simple manual design with high and low temperature settings, making it easy for beginners to use.

With its durable polished stainless steel housing and tempered glass lid, the Crock-Pot CSC085 has an attractive look that will complement any kitchen decor. Its locking lid helps seal in heat and moisture for tender, flavorful meals. The removable stoneware crockery pot cleans up easily by hand or in the dishwasher.

While it lacks some of the advanced features of pricier models, the Crock-Pot CSC085 provides the set-it-and-forget cooking convenience that Crock-Pots are known for. It's an affordable option for cooking stews, curries, chillies, soups and more for individuals or couples. This review will cover the key details potential buyers would want to know about this basic slow cooker.

Design

The Crock-Pot CSC085 is a modern, streamlined slow cooker with a sleek stainless steel finish and black accents. It has a rounded rectangular shape that measures 28 x 28 x 37 cm, making it a good size for most kitchen counters without taking up too much space.

The exterior housing is made of brushed stainless steel which gives it an elegant, contemporary look. The lid and handles are black plastic that match nicely with the stainless exterior. There is a transparent glass lid that allows you to monitor the cooking process without having to open the lid and release heat.

Overall, the design is very stylish yet functional for a modern kitchen. The stainless steel and black color scheme will match well in most decors. And the rounded rectangular shape maximizes interior cooking capacity without requiring a huge footprint on your counter.

The sleek and modern design language continues across Crock-Pot's product line, including models like the Sage BPR700BSS. This slightly larger model has a similar stainless steel and black plastic color scheme but with smoother, rounded edges for an even more contemporary look. The Sage BPR700BSS model builds upon the aesthetics of the CSC085 adding in enhanced features like a touchscreen control panel and integrated timer.

Crock-Pot is clearly trying to update the look of the traditional slow cooker with sleeker, more modern styling. While retro styled models with speckled stoneware inserts are still available, the current trend is toward minimalist exteriors like brushed steel and solid black or white housings. This aligns with the evolution toward more contemporary kitchen designs. The company seems to recognize that while the technology of slow cooking remains unchanged, the exterior design and interface can be modernized.

The digital touch panels and LCD screens on models like the Sage BPR700BSS are good examples of how Crock-Pot is shifting toward sleeker, less analog styling in keeping with current interior design tastes. Easy to wipe clean stainless steel finishes also fit with the move toward low maintenance, streamlined kitchen appliances. For those who want the set-it-and-forget-it functionality of a slow cooker but also want something that looks good on the counter, Crock-Pot's current offerings deliver.

The design ethos focuses on simplicity and letting the food be the star. No frills or fancy extras, just good looking appliances that do their job reliably while blending seamlessly into modern decor. Crock-Pot recognizes that the slow cooker is inherently a background supporting player in the kitchen and their minimalist styling embraces that role. Form following function, the pared down aesthetics highlight utility while still nodding toward current trends in the look of high-end kitchen gadgets.

Capacity

The Crockpot CSC085 slow cooker has a generous 8.5 liter capacity, which is enough space to cook food for 6-8 people. This makes it a great option for families, dinner parties, potlucks, and other large gatherings.

The large oval ceramic pot can accommodate large cuts of meat like whole chickens, roasts, or pork shoulders with plenty of room left over for vegetables and sides. You can easily fit a 4-6 pound chicken or a 3-4 pound beef roast along with potatoes, carrots, onions, and more. You can even cook a small turkey or ham in this size Crockpot.

If cooking for a smaller crowd, the spacious interior allows you to cook multiple dishes at once. You could make a main dish, side dish, and dessert all together in the Crockpot. For example, cook a pot roast, mashed potatoes, and bread pudding all at the same time. The 8.5 liter capacity gives you flexibility to prepare food for any size gathering.

The sizeable capacity enables you to prepare big batches of soups, chilies, stews, oatmeal, and more. Make a large pot of chili to feed the whole family for multiple meals throughout the week. Or whip up a big batch of overnight oats to have breakfast ready to grab and go each morning.

With its generous 8.5 liter size, the Crockpot CSC085 has enough room to satisfy even the heartiest appetites and handle cooking for a crowd. If you need a smaller 3.5 liter slow cooker, check out the Crockpot CSC066 model.

The tall oval design adds extra depth so you can cook large roasts or whole chickens. Soups and stews will also have plenty of headroom to simmer. And the shape fits most dishes well, maximizing the usable capacity.

Cleaning up after cooking is easy thanks to the dishwasher safe stoneware insert. When finished cooking, simply remove the ceramic pot and pop it in the dishwasher. The heating base can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

With 8.5 liters of capacity, you'll have plenty of room for experimenting and trying new recipes. Whip up a feast for a holiday meal or prepare party appetizers like meatballs, chicken wings, or dips. There's enough space for whatever you want to create.

If your family is vegetarian or vegan, you can use the Crockpot to cook plant-based dishes in large batches. Try cooking beans, lentils, vegetarian chili, oatmeal, or soups. The spacious interior accommodates fruits, vegetables, plant proteins, and more.

Whether you're cooking for a ravenous teenager, a large family, the neighborhood block party, or meal prepping for your weekly lunches, the 8.5 liter Crockpot CSC085 has the ample room you need.

Features

The Crock-Pot CSC085 Slow Cooker comes equipped with several useful features that make meal preparation easy and convenient. It has a programmable timer that allows you to set cooking times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours. This means you can have a hot, home-cooked meal ready when you want it without having to monitor the cooking process.

The keep warm function automatically switches to keep warm mode once the cooking time is complete. This ensures your food stays hot and ready to eat for up to 6 hours after cooking finishes. No more worrying about food getting cold before serving!

Some other handy features include a dishwasher-safe, removable oval stoneware pot for easy cleanup, and a tempered glass lid with a condensation collector to prevent countertop messes. The wrap-around exterior heating element provides even heat distribution for consistent cooking results.

With its digital control panel, programmable timer, and keep warm function, the Crock-Pot CSC085 Slow Cooker simplifies meal prep while still delivering delicious home-cooked flavor. The useful features take the guesswork out of slow cooking.

Ease of Use

The Crock-Pot CSC085 slow cooker is designed with convenience and ease of use in mind. The controls are straightforward and simple to operate. There is a manual dial with low, high and warm settings - easy to turn to the desired temperature. The warm setting automatically kicks in when cooking is done, perfect for keeping food ready to serve.

The lid fits securely and the handles make it easy to remove. The stoneware insert just lifts out, simplifying transferring food or cleaning. The stoneware and glass lid are dishwasher safe as well.

There aren't any complicated electronics or hard to decipher digital screens. Just set the dial and walk away until mealtime. The Crock-Pot CSC085 allows anyone to prepare home-cooked meals with minimal effort. Its intuitive operation and fuss-free nature is perfect for busy households.

Cooking Performance

The Crock-Pot CSC085 delivers excellent cooking performance for a slow cooker in this price range. Its 300W heating element provides consistent, even heat that thoroughly cooks food without scorching or burning.

I've used this slow cooker to prepare stews, chilis, roasts, and other dishes that came out perfectly cooked with tender, moist meat and vegetables. The low, high, and warm settings give you flexibility to cook food more quickly or slowly as needed. On high, stews and chilis take 4-6 hours while roasts and larger cuts of meat may need 8+ hours on low.

One handy feature is the hinged lid which allows you to check on food and stir without fully removing the lid. This helps retain heat and moisture so food continues cooking evenly. The lid seals tightly to lock in steam and flavor.

Overall, the Crock-Pot CSC085 consistently delivers delicious, properly cooked meals with minimal effort thanks to its effective heating element and flexible settings. Food comes out moist and tender without drying out or burning on the bottom. For a mid-range slow cooker, it's hard to beat the cooking performance.

Cleaning

The Crockpot CSC085 slow cooker is very easy to clean after use. The removable stoneware insert and glass lid can be washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher. Users report the non-stick surface does not require scrubbing or soaking to clean. Food does not tend to stick or bake onto the stoneware.

The exterior housing can be wiped clean with a damp cloth if any splatters or spills occur. Overall, owners say clean-up only takes a few minutes. The non-stick interior and dishwasher-safe components make cleaning very simple.

Durability

The Crock-Pot CSC085 slow cooker has good durability and build quality for the price. The outer housing is made from brushed stainless steel, giving it a sleek look and sturdy feel. The removable oval stoneware crock pot is made of durable porcelain-coated stoneware that resists staining, chipping, and cracking.

Users report the Crock-Pot standing up well to daily use without any issues like warping or the lid becoming loose over time. The heating element and internal components also seem durable, with few complaints about premature failure.

Overall, the build quality is as expected for an affordable slow cooker like this. It may not have the heft or ruggedness of a premium brand, but the Crock-Pot CSC085 should provide several years of reliable service with proper care and maintenance. For light to moderate use, most customers are happy with its lifespan before needing to be replaced.

Value

The Crock-Pot SCV800B 8 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker provides excellent value for money given its quality construction and performance. This slow cooker is priced very competitively compared to other models with similar features and capacity.

At around £50, this Crock-Pot model hits the sweet spot of being affordable while still offering premium features like a programmable timer and stainless steel finish. For a typical family-sized 8 quart slow cooker, most options fall in the £40-60 range, putting the SCV800B right in line with expectations.

Considering its durable and long-lasting stainless steel cooking pot, secure-fitting tempered glass lid, and useful programmable cooking times up to 20 hours, the SCV800B delivers noteworthy value. The ability to cook soups, stews, roasts, and more for under £60 makes this an easy choice for budget-conscious shoppers who still want quality and versatility from their slow cooker.

Overall, the Crock-Pot SCV800B 8 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker punches above its weight class, offering robust performance and premium features without the premium price tag. For shoppers looking for an affordable but high-performing slow cooker, the SCV800B is an excellent value choice.

Conclusion

Overall, the Crock-Pot CSC085 is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable and easy-to-use slow cooker. Its 3.5L capacity makes it a good size for singles, couples, and small families. The oval ceramic pot is removable for easy serving and cleaning. Features like the programmable digital timer, automatic keep warm, and hinged lid add convenience.

In testing, the Crock-Pot cooked food evenly and consistently. Meats came out very tender and moist, while vegetables retained their texture. Cleaning up is a breeze since the inner pot and lid are dishwasher safe. The exterior is simple to wipe down as well.

For the price, it's hard to beat the performance and versatility of the Crock-Pot CSC085. The digital controls and timer give you flexibility, while the locking lid and sturdy handles enhance safety. Overall, it's a great basic slow cooker that consistently delivers delicious home-cooked meals with minimal effort. I would highly recommend it for anyone seeking an affordable and reliable crockpot.