Kenmore ‎KKSC5QB-AZ 2 Slow Cooker - Review

Kenmore has been manufacturing home appliances since the early 20th century and is known for producing quality and reliable products. They offer a range of slow cookers that are designed to make preparing meals easy and convenient.

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 is one of their more compact slow cooker models, ideal for smaller households or cooking for 1-2 people. It has a 2 quart capacity stainless steel cooking pot which can handle ingredients for appetizers, side dishes, entrees, and desserts.

This Kenmore slow cooker is meant to take the guesswork out of cooking by preparing recipes perfectly on low, high or warm settings. The locking glass lid provides visibility to monitor cooking progress without needing to lift the lid and release heat.

Specifications

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 is a compact, 5 quart slow cooker that is ideal for small families or couples. It measures 14.5 x 11.5 x 10 inches, so it has a small footprint that doesn't take up much counter space. The oval ceramic insert has a 5 quart capacity, which is enough to cook around 4 pounds of food or a meal for 3-4 people. It's a great size for making appetizers, side dishes, dips, or even a small roast or whole chicken. The ceramic insert and glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. This is a basic 120V slow cooker with low, high and warm settings that can cook between 170-280 degrees Fahrenheit. It doesn't have any fancy bells and whistles, just simple manual controls to set the temperature. But it gets the job done for basic slow cooking needs. The compact size coupled with decent 5 quart capacity makes this an ideal option for anyone short on space that still wants to enjoy the hands-off convenience of a crockpot.

Design

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 Compact Countertop Slow Cooker has a simple, no-frills design that fits well in most kitchens. The exterior housing is made of sturdy plastic with a black matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges.

At just 5 quarts capacity, this is a compact and lightweight slow cooker measuring 10.2 x 15.2 x 9.8 inches. The oval ceramic cooking pot lifts out of the base for easy cleaning and food transfer. Controls are located on the front with a large dial to select the temperature setting from Off, Warm, Low and High. An indicator light illuminates when the cooker is powered on.

The lid fits snugly and has a clear tempered glass panel so you can monitor the cooking process without lifting it. The glass also allows heat to circulate and self-bastes the contents. There are no bells and whistles with this basic slow cooker - just simple manual controls to get the job done. The no-frills design focuses on practical functionality rather than fancy features.

Features

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 Slow Cooker has many great features that make it convenient and versatile for home cooking. It has a 5 quart capacity, providing enough space to cook meals for 3-4 people or make dishes for larger gatherings.

Some key features include:

• Programmable Timer: You can program cook times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours. This allows you to start cooking in the morning and have the meal ready at dinnertime.

• 3 Temperature Settings: Choose from high, low, and warm settings. High is best for faster-cooking foods like chicken breasts or chopped veggies. Low cooks slower for tough cuts of meat. Warm keeps food ready to eat.

• Auto Shut-Off: For safety, the slow cooker automatically switches to warm when the timer runs out. This prevents overcooking.

• Glass Lid: The lid is glass, allowing you to monitor food and liquid levels. The lid also seals in heat and moisture.

• Rubber Gasket: The lid has a rubber gasket for an air-tight seal during cooking. This traps steam to help food cook faster.

• Oval Shape: The oval shape fits roasts, whole chickens, or larger cuts of meat that may not fit in round cookers.

• Brushed Stainless Steel: The brushed stainless steel housing has an elegant look and is easy to clean. Fingerprints won't show.

• Cool-Touch Handles: Safety comes first with cool-touch handles on the insert and lid.

Overall, the features allow flexibility and convenience for preparing slow-cooked favorites.

Performance

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 performs well as a compact slow cooker. Its 200W heating element provides sufficient power to cook food thoroughly and evenly. The manual temperature controls allow you to choose low, high or warm settings as needed for different recipes.

On the low setting, the cooker gently simmers ingredients for 6-8 hours which is ideal for tougher cuts of meat to become tender. The high setting cooks food faster at around 4 hours. Both settings reach temperatures up to 200°F which is hot enough to properly cook most dishes.

The non-stick pot does a good job of distributing heat and prevents food from sticking. It's a decent 3.5 quart size that can handle meals for 3-4 people. Overall, the Kenmore cooker delivers solid slow cooking performance despite its small footprint. It heats up efficiently and cooks food properly without any major hot or cold spots.

Ease of Use

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 is extremely easy to use thanks to its thoughtful design and intuitive controls.

Setting It Up

Setting up this slow cooker is as simple as taking it out of the box and giving it a quick wipe down before use. The ceramic insert comes already in place in the housing, so there's no assembly required.

Using the Controls

The control panel is very straightforward with a dial to select the temperature setting (Off, Warm, Low, High) and an LED display that counts down the cooking time up to 99 hours and 50 minutes. Just turn the dial to the desired temperature, use the arrows to set the cook time, and you're good to go.

Cleaning

Clean-up is a breeze since the ceramic insert and glass lid are dishwasher safe. The housing simply needs to be wiped down. For stubborn messes, Bar Keepers Friend is safe to use on the ceramic.

Price

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 slow cooker is currently priced at £69 on Amazon. This is a very reasonable price point for a compact 3.5 quart slow cooker with digital controls.

For the size and features offered, the Kenmore provides excellent value. It is affordably priced for a small household that wants the convenience of a programmable slow cooker without spending a lot.

The Kenmore is competitively priced against other entry-level digital slow cookers in the 3-4 quart range. Brands like Crockpot and Hamilton Beach sell models for around the same price.

Considering this Kenmore model includes handy presets, a countdown timer, and keep warm function, the price is quite affordable compared to basic manual slow cookers. The digital controls add convenience that helps justify the price tag.

Overall, the Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 hits a sweet spot of being budget-friendly while still offering versatile cooking options and extra features you would expect in a higher priced product. For shoppers looking for an inexpensive weeknight or small batch slow cooker, it delivers excellent value.

Pros

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 has several notable pros that make it a great option for a compact slow cooker:

• Large 5 quart capacity: The 5 quart ceramic insert offers ample room to cook meals for a family. You can easily fit a 4 pound roast or make a meal with sides for 4-6 people.

• 3 temperature settings: Having low, medium, and high heat options allows flexibility to cook different foods properly. The low setting is great for all-day cooking stews and chili, while the high setting can be used to quickly simmer sauces or sides.

• Programmable timer: You can program the cooker for up to 20 hours of cook time. This allows you to start meals in the morning and have them ready when you get home. The auto warm function kicks in once the timer is done.

• Clear glass lid: The lid has a clear glass insert so you can monitor the cooking process without lifting the lid and releasing heat. This helps ensure food cooks evenly.

• Compact size: With a smaller footprint measuring just 8.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 inches, this model works well for kitchens with limited counter space. The oval shape also maximizes interior capacity.

Cons

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2 slow cooker has a few drawbacks worth considering:

• Small capacity at 2 quarts. This compact size limits what you can cook and is best for 1-2 people. It may be too small for larger households.

• No digital display or timer. The manual knob controls are simple but lack the precision and convenience of digital programming. You can't set an exact cook time or see time remaining.

• Potentially too basic. With only high, low, and warm settings, you lack the flexibility of cookers with precise temperature controls or multi-cook modes. Some users may desire more advanced features.

• Lid shape allows evaporation. The glass lid doesn't form a tight seal, so liquids can evaporate over long cook times. This may require adding more liquid during cooking.

• Gets hot on the outside. Due to the small size and lack of insulated housing, the sides can get hot to the touch while cooking. You need potholders to move it.

Conclusion

The Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2.5 Qt Compact Slow Cooker is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable and simple slow cooker. It has a compact design that makes it great for smaller households or dorm rooms, but still has a 2.5 quart capacity that can cook meals for 2-3 people.

The oval ceramic insert is removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. It also has three temperature settings (high, low, warm) so you can cook a variety of recipes. The glass lid allows you to monitor food easily without removing the lid and losing heat.

Overall, this is an excellent basic slow cooker that gets the job done. The low price point makes it very affordable, even for those on a tight budget. While it doesn't have any fancy bells and whistles, it cooks food evenly and can be left unattended for hours.

If you're looking for a no-frills slow cooker that is simple to use, budget-friendly, and compact, the Kenmore KKSC5QB-AZ 2.5 Qt Slow Cooker is a great choice worth considering. It will allow you to start enjoying the convenience of slow cooking without a big investment.