Crock-Pot SCV700-S-BR Slow Cooker - Review

The Crock-Pot SCV700-S-BR is a 7-quart manual slow cooker that provides a convenient way to prepare home-cooked meals with minimal effort. This stainless steel model has an oval shape that can accommodate large cuts of meat or whole chickens. It features manual high, low, and warm temperature settings so you can customize the cooking time to your recipe.

With its locking lid and durable stoneware insert, the SCV700-S-BR allows you to safely transport your dish to parties or potlucks. The wrap-around heating element cooks food evenly, while the dishwasher-safe components make cleanup easy. If you're looking for a basic slow cooker that will enable you to prepare savory stews, tender roasts, or hearty chilis, the Crock-Pot SCV700-S-BR is a solid option to consider.

Design and Appearance

The Crock-Pot SCV700-S-BR slow cooker has a sleek and modern design made of brushed stainless steel. It has a rounded oblong shape that is wider at the base and tapers towards the top, with a sturdy plastic lid that locks into place. The brushed stainless steel exterior gives it an attractive, upscale look that would complement any kitchen decor. The size is quite compact at just 14.5 x 12.3 x 14.1 inches, making it easy to store away when not in use. Despite the small footprint, it still has a generous 7 quart capacity interior which is oval shaped.

The interior cooking pot is made of polished stainless steel which makes it durable and easy to clean. The exterior housing has cool touch handles and control panel for safety. Overall the design is aesthetically pleasing yet functional for everyday use.

Another popular slow cooker with a sleek design is the SWAN SF17020N. This model has a similar oval shape but with a black exterior and stainless steel finish on the lid. It's slightly more compact at 12.4 x 11.4 x 10.4 inches. The 4 quart removable cooking pot has a non-stick ceramic coating for easy cleaning. There is an attached glass lid that allows you to monitor cooking progress.

The control panel is digital with an LED display and includes settings for high, low, warm, and 24 hour timer functions. It has an attractive minimalist appearance with just a few buttons. The exterior housing is made of fingerprint-resistant matte black material. So it has a modern look that would suit contemporary kitchens.

The cool touch handle and knob make it easy to safely transport the cooker as needed. At just under 7 pounds, it has a lightweight design that's simple to move around and store. With 120 watts of power, it can cook meals efficiently for up to 6 people. Overall, the SWAN SF17020N has a sleek, user-friendly design with helpful features at an affordable price point.

When comparing the aesthetics and visual appeal of the Crock-Pot and SWAN models side-by-side, they have some similarities but also key differences that may appeal to different buyers. The Crock-Pot has a more premium brushed steel finish, while the SWAN has a bold matte black exterior. Both have oval cooking pots, with Crock-Pot being stainless and SWAN having a non-stick ceramic coated pot. If your priority is a modern appearance, the SWAN may be more your style.

However, the Crock-Pot has a larger capacity despite the smaller overall size. And some may prefer the versatility of a stainless steel cooking pot over a non-stick surface. So the choice comes down to weighing your priorities like capacity needs, ease of cleaning, and visual aesthetics. Overall both offer attractive designs with useful features to enhance slow cooking convenience.

Settings and Features

The Crock-Pot SCV700-S 7 Quart Slow Cooker has several useful settings and features that allow you to customize your cooking.

• Temperature Settings - The slow cooker has 3 temperature settings - Low, High and Warm. The Low setting cooks at around 190-200 F, High cooks at around 300 F, and Warm holds food at 165 F after cooking. Having multiple temp settings allows flexibility for recipes.

• Timer - There is a programmable timer that counts up to 20 hours. You can set the desired cooking time and the Crock-Pot will automatically switch to Warm when done. Very convenient for hands-off cooking.

• Locking Lid - The lid locks securely in place for safe transport to potlucks or parties. No spills or leaks.

• Digital Display - An easy-to-read digital display shows the cook time remaining so you can monitor progress. The display is simple with no complex buttons or programming.

The Crock-Pot SCV700-S 7 Quart Slow Cooker is a great option for those looking for a programmable slow cooker with flexible settings. The ability to choose between Low, High and Warm temperatures gives you control over your recipes. You can cook chili on Low all day while you're at work, or prepare a pot roast on High for a quicker dinner. The locking lid also makes this Crock-Pot handy for taking food on the go without spills. If you need a large capacity slow cooker with digital convenience, the SCV700-S is an excellent choice.

Another popular programmable slow cooker is the Tower T16043BLK. With 6.5 quarts of capacity, this mid-sized slow cooker has Low, High and Warm settings. The timer counts down from 24 hours, so you can program your cook times precisely. When cooking is done, the Tower T16043BLK automatically switches to Warm to keep your food ready to eat. The glass lid allows you to monitor food without lifting the lid and releasing heat. And the sleek black and stainless steel exterior looks great on any countertop. The Tower T16043BLK is ideal for families who want a stylish and functional slow cooker.

Cooking Capacity

The Crock-Pot SCV700-S-BR has a generous 7 quart capacity, making it suitable for cooking larger meals. With a 7 quart slow cooker you can typically prepare food for 6-8 people, perfect for family dinners or small gatherings.

A few examples of what you can cook in this 7 quart slow cooker:

• A 4lb chicken or roast
• 2lb of dried beans (makes 6-8 servings)
• A 6lb pork shoulder or beef roast
• A whole cut up chicken or turkey breast
• Chili for up to 12 people
• Vegetable or beef stew for 6-8
• Lasagna for 6-8

The sizable 7 quart ceramic stoneware crock allows you to cook larger portions of food in one batch. This saves you time from having to cook multiple rounds or batches. With the Crock-Pot SCV700 you can make a meal during the day and have ample portions ready for dinner.

Ease of Use

The Crock-Pot SCV700 7 Quart Manual Slow Cooker is very easy to use thanks to its simple interface and clear instructions. The control panel has just two knobs - one to select the cooking temperature (Low, High or Warm) and one timer knob to set the cooking time up to 20 hours.

The knobs have clear markings and click into place at each setting, so you can easily see what you have selected. The low, high and warm settings are standard slow cooker options that make it straightforward to find the right temperature for recipes.

The slow cooker comes with a basic instruction booklet that provides useful guidance on suggested cooking times for different ingredients on each setting. It also includes some sample recipes to get you started. The instructions are written clearly and cover the key information you need to operate the appliance safely.

Overall, the simplicity of the manual controls and clear instructions makes this an easy to use slow cooker that is beginner-friendly. More advanced users may desire more flexibility with cooking temperatures and timers, but the streamlined interface is ideal for basic "set and forget" slow cooking.

Cooking Performance

The Crock-Pot SCV700-S-BR performs very well when it comes to cooking food evenly and efficiently. The stoneware insert does an excellent job of retaining heat and distributing it consistently throughout the entire cooking chamber. This results in food being thoroughly cooked with no hot or cold spots.

Meats like roasts, chickens, and pork chops come out incredibly moist and tender after a slow cook. Vegetables also turn out well-cooked but not mushy. The cooker seems to bring out great flavor in dishes without drying them out. Soups and stews end up rich, savory, and delicious.

Cooking times are about what you would expect from a standard slow cooker. Meals are fully cooked in 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high. These timings match the cooker's presets and recommendations. The Crock-Pot doesn't cook unusually fast or slow compared to similar models. It delivers quality results in reasonable cook times.

Cleaning

The Crock-Pot SCV700-S-BR slow cooker has a removable inner stoneware pot that makes cleanup very convenient. The inner pot can be lifted out and washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher, allowing you to easily access and clean the heating base.

The stoneware is durable and cleans up nicely. Food does not tend to stick too much. A soft sponge and warm soapy water is usually enough to remove any baked on residue. The inner pot is dishwasher safe which provides an easy cleaning option. It's great not having to scrub a fixed inner pot.

Some users find the inner pot is prone to staining over time with certain ingredients like tomatoes or spices. This does not affect performance but can be unsightly. Regular cleaning helps minimize stains building up. Avoid using abrasive scouring pads as they can damage the surface over time.

Overall, the removable dishwasher-safe inner pot makes cleaning the Crock-Pot very simple. Just unload the inner stoneware, give it a quick hand wash or toss it in the dishwasher, wipe out the base, and you're done. Cleaning up after meals is a breeze.

Noise Level

The Crock-Pot SCV700 7 Quart Slow Cooker operates very quietly while cooking and keeping food warm. The appliance has no fans or other moving parts that generate significant noise.

Users report the slow cooker makes a light "click" when switching between cooking modes, but otherwise runs virtually silent. There is no audible simmering, gurgling or bubbling sounds emitted during operation. Even when set on high heat for an extended period, the Crock-Pot remains remarkably quiet.

This makes the SCV700 an excellent option for overnight cooking, when noise could potentially disturb sleep. It can safely cook while you rest in another room without any bothersome racket. The quiet operation also allows for relaxed conversation near the appliance without having to raise your voice over the sounds of cooking.

Overall, the quiet performance sets this Crock-Pot model apart from some competitors. It enables unobtrusive meal prep and serving without disruptive appliance noise in the background. Customers consistently praise the SCV700 for its silent, peaceful operation while cooking and warming meals.

Safety Features

The Crock-Pot SCV700 slow cooker has some great safety features to prevent accidents while cooking.

One key safety feature is the lid locking system. Once the lid is placed on the cooker, it locks securely in place. This prevents the lid from suddenly popping open and prevents spills. The lid also cannot be removed while the cooker is turned on, preventing burns.

The SCV700 also has an automatic overheating protection system. If the internal temperature gets too high, it will automatically switch to a keep warm setting to avoid burning the contents. This gives peace of mind that your food won't be overcooked and dried out if you happen to leave it cooking a little too long.

Overall, the safety features like the locking lid and overheating protection make this a great appliance for worry-free slow cooking. You can walk away while it's cooking without having to constantly check on it.

Pros and Cons

The Crock-Pot SCV700-S-BR slow cooker has many great features but also some downsides to consider.

Pros:

• Generous 7 quart capacity, good for larger families
• Attractive brushed stainless steel exterior
• 3 temperature settings (low, high, warm)
• Secure latching lid
• Oval shape cooks food more evenly
• Dishwasher safe stoneware insert
• Programmable timer up to 20 hours
• Auto keep-warm when cooking time completes

Cons:

• Heavy and bulky, not ideal for transport
• Lid doesn't have rubber gasket, some heat loss
• Stoneware insert can stain
• No digital display or precise temp control
• Base cannot go in the dishwasher
• Timer does not start cooking time automatically

Overall, the SCV700-S-BR is a solid mid-range slow cooker that performs well for most uses. The generous capacity, flexible cooking options, and dishwasher-safe insert make it convenient and versatile. Downsides are minor and wouldn't be dealbreakers for most. For a basic cooker under £100 it's a good value.