‎GreenLife ‎CC004773-001 Slow Cooker - Review

The GreenLife CC004773-001 slow cooker is a 3.5 liter capacity cooker that offers simple operation and decent performance for the price. This budget-friendly model has a oval shape ceramic cooking pot and tempered glass lid.

The GreenLife slow cooker features manual controls with Low, High, and Warm settings. The exterior has a sleek matte black finish that will look nice on any countertop. Overall, this is a no-frills slow cooker option well-suited for small households or couples who want an affordable cooker for basic recipes.

Design and Appearance

The GreenLife Slow Cooker has a sleek and modern design with a glossy white exterior and black accents on the control panel and handles. It has an oval shape that is wider than it is tall, measuring approximately 16 x 9 x 11 inches. The body has gently curved sides and a domed tempered glass lid. The black plastic handles on the sides and lid provide a nice accent color and make the cooker easy to carry. The base has non-slip feet to keep it stable on counters. Overall, the design is simple yet elegant and will look nice displayed in most kitchens. The white color gives it a clean, minimalist aesthetic. While not hugely compact, the oval shape means it doesn't take up too much counter space. Those who prefer stainless steel or more colorful appliances may find the white a bit plain. But for those seeking an attractive, fuss-free slow cooker with a contemporary vibe, the GreenLife checks those boxes.

Cooking Capacity

The GreenLife Slow Cooker has a 3.5 liter cooking capacity which is suitable for cooking meals for 3-4 people. The oval shaped crock pot measures 20 x 25 x 15 cm (7.9 x 9.8 x 5.9 inches), giving you a decent amount of space to cook roasts, stews, soups, and other one-pot dishes.

While it's not the largest slow cooker available, the 3.5L capacity is sufficient for most households and occasions. You can easily cook a whole chicken, a pork shoulder roast, or a pot of chili or stew. For larger families or gatherings, you may want to size up to a 5-6 quart cooker. But the GreenLife delivers solid everyday performance for typical slow cooking needs.

The insert and lid are made of glass with a non-stick coating, allowing you to monitor the cooking process without lifting the lid and losing heat or moisture. It's a good mid-sized crock for basic slow cooking tasks like preparing home-cooked comfort food meals.

Control Panel

The GreenLife Slow Cooker has a simple analog control panel that allows you to select low, high, or warm settings. There is no digital timer or advanced programming options, but the three heat settings are all you really need for most slow cooking recipes.

The low setting keeps food simmering along gently, while the high setting allows food to cook a bit faster. The warm setting is perfect for keeping finished dishes ready to serve. The knob rotates smoothly between each setting.

Overall, the control panel is very straightforward and easy to use. The markings are clear and there's no confusion over which setting you have selected. For a basic slow cooker that gets the job done, the simple heat settings are convenient and sufficient. More advanced cooks may desire the ability to program exact cook times and temperatures, but the GreenLife delivers solid slow cooking performance without fancy electronics.

Additional Features

The GreenLife Slow Cooker comes equipped with some useful additional features that enhance the cooking experience.

• Programmable Timer: This slow cooker has a digital timer that allows you to program cook times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours. This is extremely convenient as you can set it and walk away without having to worry about checking on it or turning it off.

• Warm Setting: There is a dedicated warm setting that will automatically switch to keep your food warm once the timer runs out. This ensures your food doesn't overcook and allows flexibility if you aren't able to serve immediately once cooking is finished.

• Tempered Glass Lid: The lid is made of tempered glass which enables you to monitor the cooking process without having to open the lid and release heat/moisture. The glass lid makes it easy to check food doneness.

• Cool Touch Handles: The handles stay cool to the touch even during extended cooking times so you can safely grasp and move the cooker.

• Dishwasher Safe: Both the crock pot insert and glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

Ease of Use

The GreenLife Slow Cooker is very simple and straightforward to use. The control panel has two knobs - one to select the cooking mode (Low, High, Warm) and another to set the timer up to 20 hours. The knobs have clear markings that make choosing settings effortless.

Cleaning up after use is also hassle-free. The ceramic inner pot releases food easily and can be washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher. The outer housing just needs a quick wipe down. There are no awkward crevices or hard to reach areas that collect food residue.

Overall, the user-friendly design and lack of complicated functions make this an ideal slow cooker for beginners. Even those with limited cooking experience will find this model easy to operate and maintain.

Cooking Performance

The GreenLife slow cooker does an excellent job cooking foods thoroughly and evenly. Its stoneware crock pot heats evenly, ensuring meats like chicken or beef come out tender and juicy without any dry or overcooked spots.

I've made everything from simple pot roasts to complex stews and chili in this slow cooker, and it consistently delivers delicious results. The low setting provides a nice gentle simmer for all-day cooking, while the high setting heats up faster for meals you want done in just 4-6 hours.

One nice advantage is the lid seals tightly, trapping steam and moisture. This really infuses flavors into the dish and prevents liquids from evaporating. Soups and stews come out rich, full-bodied, and delicious.

Overall, the cooking performance of this slow cooker is impressive. It's reliable for basic recipes, yet still versatile enough for more advanced dishes. Meats, vegetables, grains - everything I've made has turned out perfectly cooked from edge to edge.

Safety Features

The Slow Cooker GreenLife CC004773-001 has several important safety features to prevent accidents while cooking.

Overheating Protection

This slow cooker has overheating protection to prevent the internal temperature from getting dangerously hot. If the internal temperature rises above a certain threshold, the heating element will automatically shut off to avoid burning food or melting internal components. This is an important safety feature, especially for unattended cooking over many hours.

Cool Touch Handles

The handles on the lid and ceramic cooking pot remain cool to the touch even during extended cooking times. This prevents the risk of accidental burns when lifting the lid to check on food or remove the insert after cooking is finished. The cool touch handles allow safe handling without the need for potholders or oven mitts.

These key safety features provide peace of mind and protection while using the slow cooker. The overheating protection and cool touch handles allow you to use the appliance safely for all-day cooking.

Pros

The GreenLife Slow Cooker has several excellent features that make it a great option:

• Large 6 Quart Capacity: With a 6 quart capacity, this slow cooker can make meals for a family of 4-6 people. You can cook roasts, whole chickens, large batches of soups, chili, and more.

• Programmable Timer: The programmable timer allows you to choose cooking times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours. This makes it easy to start cooking in the morning and have the food ready when you get home.

• Automatic Keep Warm: Once the cooking time is up, the slow cooker automatically switches to a keep warm setting. This prevents food from overcooking and drying out.

• Dishwasher Safe: Both the ceramic cooking pot and tempered glass lid are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze. No need to handwash!

Cons

• Smaller 3.5qt capacity may be limiting for larger households. Only suitable for 1-3 people.
• Basic manual controls with no presets or digital display. May require more monitoring during cooking.
• Lid does not have clear window, so checking food requires removing lid.
• Ceramic insert is not removable, making cleaning more difficult. Insert must be cleaned by hand.
• Short power cord may require extension cord for some kitchen setups.
• Exterior can get very hot during cooking. Caution is needed.
• No locking lid, so not suitable for transporting meals.
• Only low and high settings. Lacks ability to precisely control temperature.