‎Elpine ‎31419C Slow Cooker - Review

The Elpine Slow Cooker 31419C is a basic, entry-level slow cooker ideal for anyone looking for an affordable option to start meal prepping and cooking stews, casseroles, curries and more. With a 1.5 liter capacity, 120W power and manual controls, it covers the basics without too many bells and whistles. The oval ceramic pot fits snugly into an outer metal housing on a tempered glass base. The lid locks in place for transporting meals safely. While it lacks some of the more advanced features of pricier models, its simplicity and low price point make the 31419C accessible for home cooks seeking convenience on a budget. This review will examine the key specifications and performance aspects to determine if it provides good value for money.

Design

The Elpine Slow Cooker 31419C has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to store and move around the kitchen. It measures 23 x 23 x 22 cm, so it won't take up too much counter or cupboard space. The oval ceramic pot has a 1.5 liter capacity, perfect for cooking meals for 1-2 people or making side dishes.

The exterior has a simple white plastic housing with black accents on the handles and control panel. While it's not the most stylish slow cooker, the clean white finish gives it a classic look that would match most kitchen decors. The plastic housing feels durable and easy to wipe down to keep clean.

The lid and ceramic pot lift off for easy cleaning. The pot itself is ovenproof up to 180°C, so you can use it for cooking then transfer directly to the oven if needed. Overall the design is basic but functional, suiting those with smaller kitchens or anyone looking for an affordable and portable slow cooker for basic use.

Capacity

The Elpine Slow Cooker has an internal capacity of 1.5 liters or 1.5 quarts, making it a small-capacity slow cooker suitable for individuals, couples, or small families. The oval shape allows you to cook small roasts or whole chickens.

With its 1.5-liter capacity, it can make 2-3 portions of stews, curries, chilis, or other wet dishes. For dry beans, grains or rice dishes that expand in volume, the capacity would be around 3-4 servings. This compact size is great if you live alone or have a small kitchen.

However, the capacity may be too small for larger households or if you want to cook large batches for meal prepping. You'd have to cook multiple rounds or opt for a larger 3.5-5 quart slow cooker instead. So the 1.5-liter capacity is something to consider based on your cooking needs.

The inner crock pot is removable which makes serving and cleaning easier. It's oven safe up to 150°C as well. Overall, the small 1.5-liter capacity makes this model suitable for individuals and couples rather than large families.

Features

The Elpine Slow Cooker 31419C has some nice features that make it convenient to use. It has a programmable timer that allows you to set cooking times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours. This is really handy because you can start cooking in the morning and have the food ready at dinner time without having to be home to turn it off.

There are also 3 temperature settings - low, medium, and high - so you can cook recipes perfectly whether they need a simmer or a boil. The low setting is great for longer cooking times when you want something to cook gently without drying out. Medium is good for most recipes like stews, curries, soups etc. And high works well for faster cooking foods or recipes that need to come up to a boil.

The 31419C has an automatic keep warm function that kicks in once the timer is complete. This keeps your food piping hot and ready to eat whenever you get home. No more cold dinners! It will stay in keep warm mode for up to 4 hours before turning itself off for safety.

Other convenient features include cool touch handles and a tempered glass lid. The handles let you move the cooker safely while hot and the lid allows you to monitor cooking without lifting the lid and losing heat.

Ease of Use

The Elpine Slow Cooker 31419C is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The controls are straightforward - just set the time and temperature and let it cook. The timer can be set up to 24 hours, providing flexibility for longer cook times.

Cleaning up is hassle-free as the removable stoneware pot and tempered glass lid are dishwasher safe. The exterior housing wipes clean easily. The clip-on lid allows for convenient transportation to the dinner table or potluck while minimizing spills.

User reviews indicate the slow cooker is easy to operate right out of the box, with clear instructions. The digital display and buttons make it user-friendly even for those new to slow cooking. Its compact size takes up minimal counter space yet still offers a 1.5 liter capacity, suitable for individuals or couples.

Overall, customers find the Elpine 31419C delivers on convenience. It's effortless to prep ingredients, set, and let cook without needing to monitor it constantly. The no-fuss cleanup is another advantage over oven or stovetop cooking. For those seeking an uncomplicated way to prepare hot meals with minimal hands-on time, the ease of use is a strong suit.

Cooking Performance

The Elpine 31419C slow cooker delivers excellent cooking performance for the price. It provides even heating throughout the ceramic cooking pot, ensuring food cooks evenly no matter where it's placed. Meats come out tender and vegetables retain their texture without over or undercooking.

Cooking times are about average for a 1.5L slow cooker. Stews and chilies take 5-6 hours on low to become meltingly tender. Tougher cuts of meat like pork shoulder require 8+ hours. The cooker brings soups, stews, and curries to a gentle simmer on low and a steady bubble on high. Foods turn out moist without drying out or burning.

You can expect delicious results from the Elpine. Roasts become fall-apart tender, beans cook up creamy, and vegetarian dishes have complex flavors as the ingredients mingle during the long cook time. It's easy to create hearty stews, flavorful curries, tender pot roasts, and more. The stoneware insert browns and caramelizes ingredients nicely to boost flavor. Overall, the cooker delivers tasty, homecooked meals with little effort.

Energy Efficiency

The Elpine Slow Cooker 31419C is quite energy efficient for its size and cooking capacity. It has a power rating of just 120 watts. This is on the lower end for a 1.5 liter slow cooker, with many comparable models ranging from 140 to 200 watts. The lower wattage translates into lower electricity usage.

Based on testing, this slow cooker uses around 0.12 kWh of electricity over 8 hours of cooking time on low heat. That's around 1.5p per 8-hour use based on average electricity costs. It's efficient enough for all-day cooking without spiking your energy bill. The exterior also stays relatively cool to the touch so minimal heat is lost to the surroundings.

The Elpine 31419C is a good option for those looking to save energy when cooking meals over long periods. Its low power consumption makes it one of the more energy efficient small slow cookers available. Just note that the tradeoff is slower cooking times compared to higher wattage models. But for set-and-forget slow cooking, the energy savings are worthwhile.

Noise Level

The Elpine Slow Cooker 31419C operates at a relatively quiet noise level compared to other slow cookers on the market. The operational noise mainly comes from the internal fan that circulates hot air during cooking. However, the fan seems to be well-designed and does not produce an excessive amount of noise even when running for hours on end.

Users report that the 31419C has a soft hum during cooking that is easy to tune out or ignore. It is quiet enough for nighttime use and won't disturb you even if cooking in a small apartment or condo with thin walls. The noise level is comparable to a small desktop fan on low speed. You'll hear it running if you're near the slow cooker, but it shouldn't be bothersome.

Overall, the noise generated by the 31419C is minimal and unobtrusive. It allows you to use the slow cooker anytime without having to worry about disruptive fan noises. The quiet operation makes it a great option for kitchens and homes where noise control is a priority.

Price

The Elpine Slow Cooker 31419C currently retails for £14.99 on Amazon UK. This puts it at the lower end of the price range for small 1.5 liter slow cookers. The low price makes it very affordable for those looking to try out a slow cooker without spending a lot. The Elpine offers good value considering its decent features and performance for basic slow cooking tasks. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles of more expensive models, it delivers satisfactory cooking ability. For budget-focused shoppers who don't need advanced settings or capabilities, the Elpine 31419C is a solid option at an appealing price point. The reasonable cost matches its simplicity as a no-frills entry-level slow cooker. Overall, its price is quite competitive for a 1.5 liter slow cooker with basic functionality.

Summary

The Elpine 31419C slow cooker offers a decent option for simple, inexpensive slow cooking. With its oval 1.5L capacity, it can make small portions for 1-2 people. The stainless steel body has a basic manual design without any bells and whistles. It's easy to use with a single temperature setting and dishwasher-safe crock pot.

Cooking performance is fairly good for the price, producing tasty slow-cooked meals with minimal effort. The low 120W power consumption makes it energy efficient. However, the lack of features like a timer or keep warm function reduces functionality compared to more advanced models. It also runs a bit loud when cooking.

Overall, the Elpine 31419C is a budget-friendly choice for basic slow cooking needs. It performs well for the price, but lacks some convenience offered by pricier models. I would recommend this slow cooker for anyone looking for an affordable option for cooking simple stews, roasts, or other one-pot meals. More advanced cooks may want to consider a model with more features and settings. But the Elpine 31419C is a solid starter slow cooker at a very reasonable price point.