‎Quest ‎35260 Slow Cooker - Review

Slow cookers have become a staple appliance in many households, allowing busy families and professionals to come home to a hot, home-cooked meal. The set-it-and-forget-it functionality makes it easy to prepare delicious soups, stews, roasts, and more with minimal hands-on effort. Quest is a well-known brand in the slow cooker market that offers a range of sizes and features to suit different needs and budgets. The Quest 35260 is one of their compact 3.5 liter slow cookers that still packs helpful functions into a smaller footprint. If you're looking for a basic, no-frills slow cooker for smaller households, the Quest 35260 aims to deliver reliable performance and convenience in an affordable package. This review will take a closer look at the key features and real-world performance of the Quest 35260 to help you determine if it's the right fit for your slow cooking needs.

Overview

The Quest 35260 is a compact and stylish slow cooker with a 2.5 liter capacity. It's oval in shape, measuring 20 x 25 x 16 cm, making it a good size for singles, couples, and small families. The stainless steel exterior gives it a sleek, modern look that would complement any kitchen décor.

Despite the small footprint, the Quest 35260 still offers basic slow cooking functionality. It has high and low heat settings, as well as an automatic keep warm function once the cooking time is up. The lid and ceramic pot are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. The pot itself is non-stick and PFOA free.

With its space-saving design and straight-forward controls, the Quest 35260 is ideal for those with limited counter space who want an affordable and convenient slow cooker for everyday use. It lacks some of the more advanced features of pricier models but provides the core functionality needed for simple slow cooking meals.

If you're looking for a bit more versatility in a compact slow cooker, check out the Daewoo SDA1364. This 3 liter oval cooker has low, high, and warm settings plus a 24 hour timer allowing you to program cook times. The tempered glass lid lets you monitor cooking progress without lifting the lid and losing heat. It also has an auto keep warm function when the cooking time is done.

The SDA1364's stay-cool handles and side brackets make it easy to transport the cooker to the table for serving. Its non-stick aluminum cooking pot is removable for easy cleaning and is dishwasher safe. The brushed stainless steel exterior gives it an elegant look. So if you want some more flexibility in timing and settings, the Daewoo SDA1364 is worth considering over the Quest 35260.

Design

The Quest 35260 Slow Cooker has a compact and sleek stainless steel design that looks great in any kitchen. The exterior housing is made from brushed stainless steel that is fingerprint resistant to help keep it looking clean.

The Quest 35260 has a durable and sturdy build quality thanks to its stainless steel construction. The metal housing does not flex or bend under pressure, giving you confidence in its structural integrity. The stainless steel helps distribute heat evenly while also being easy to clean and maintain over time.

The lid and inner pot are also made of stainless steel, providing durability for regular use. The inner pot can be removed for easy cleaning and has an ample 3.5 liter capacity, perfect for cooking for the whole family. Overall, the Quest 35260 Slow Cooker features a robust stainless steel design built to last.

The stainless steel design of the Quest 35260 Slow Cooker allows it to retain heat effectively for slow cooking. The fully enclosed metal housing helps trap heat inside, unlike slow cookers with plastic housings that may lose more heat. This improves cooking performance and efficiency. The stainless steel is also more durable against drops or bangs that can happen in the kitchen. Plastic slow cooker housings can crack or warp more easily with impacts over time.

Another stainless steel slow cooker to consider is the Crock-Pot CSC085. This 7 quart slow cooker also features a brushed stainless steel exterior that fingerprints less. The lid and inner crock pot are also made of stainless steel for maximum durability. One advantage of the larger 7 quart CSC085 is the ability to cook even more food at once, like larger roasts or more servings of soups and stews. The Crock-Pot stainless steel design allows for even heat distribution and retention during the long slow cooking process.

Stainless steel slow cookers are popular options because they have a sleek, modern look that matches well with other stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. The brushed metal finish hides fingerprints and smudges better than glossy finishes. Stainless steel is also very durable against dents or scratches that can happen with regular kitchen use. It provides great thermal conductivity for slow, even cooking. And stainless steel makes cleanup easy because it doesn't corrode or stain like other materials can over time. Both the Quest 35260 and Crock-Pot CSC085 represent quality stainless steel slow cookers designed to last.

Settings & Programs

The Quest 35260 slow cooker has 3 temperature settings (low, medium, high) that allow you to prepare a variety of dishes. The low setting is great for slower cooking recipes like stews, chilis, and roasts over 6-8 hours. Medium is good for simmering soups, curries, or beans for 4-6 hours. High can cook foods more quickly in 2-4 hours and is great for making dips, fondues, and warming up leftovers.

There are also 2 programmable timers - one counts up to 24 hours for longer slow cooking, while the other counts down for more precise cooking times. The programmable timers are really useful for starting meals in the morning or timing dishes to finish cooking right before dinner. You can set the timer and walk away without having to monitor the cooking progress. Overall, the different heat settings and programmable timers provide flexibility and convenience when using this slow cooker.

Performance

The Quest 35260 compact slow cooker delivers excellent and consistent heating performance. The inner pot and heating element work together to evenly distribute heat, ensuring no cold or hot spots. Food cooks thoroughly without any burning or undercooking.

The Quest has 3 temperature settings - low, high, and keep warm. On low, it maintains a steady simmer, perfect for long cooking times to let flavors develop. High provides a rapid boil for faster cooking when you're pressed for time. Keep warm holds food at a safe serving temperature.

I tested the Quest by cooking pot roasts, stews, and chilis. It performed flawlessly each time. Meats came out fall-apart tender after 8+ hours on low. Beans and veggies were never crunchy or raw. Sauces and stews bubbled away nicely without scorching. The keep warm function kept food piping hot for hours without continuing to cook it.

The Quest's heating element and insulated stoneware bowl deliver precision temperature control. It excels at slow cooking recipes to perfection. You'll get properly cooked food without having to constantly check or adjust appliance settings.

Ease of Use

The Quest 35260 slow cooker has very simple and intuitive controls that make it easy for anyone to use. There is a single knob to select between the low, high, and warm settings. Simply turn the knob to the desired setting to get cooking. The knobs have clear labels so you know exactly which setting you are choosing.

Cleaning up after use is also straightforward with the Quest 35260. The inner pot and lid can be removed and are dishwasher safe. The outer housing can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. There are no complicated parts or electronics to deal with. Overall, the simple mechanical design lends itself to easy operation and maintenance. Both novice and experienced cooks will find this slow cooker very simple to use on a daily basis.

Accessories

The Quest 35260 slow cooker comes with a few handy accessories to enhance your cooking experience.

Lid

The lid is made of tempered glass which allows you to monitor the cooking progress without having to lift it and release heat. The lid sits tightly on the ceramic pot to lock in moisture. It has stainless steel rimmed edges for easy lifting.

Cooking Pot

The 3.5 liter ceramic cooking pot has an oval shape which can fit larger cuts of meat. It's removable for easy cleaning and dishwasher safe. The pot has angled sides to promote even cooking.

Serving Spoon

A serving spoon with a soft-grip handle is included for convenient serving.

Recipe Booklet

The slow cooker includes a booklet with over 20 recipes to get you started cooking everything from soups and stews to roasts and desserts.

Safety Features

The Quest 35260 compact slow cooker has several useful safety features that give peace of mind while cooking.

• The lid locks securely in place during cooking to prevent spills or burns. There is a clear lid handle that stays cool to the touch even during lengthy cooking times.

• The slow cooker has an auto shutoff function that turns the unit off automatically after a certain number of hours. This prevents overcooking or potential fire hazards if the cooker is left on unattended. The auto shutoff time can be set to 6 or 8 hours.

• The exterior of the slow cooker remains cool to the touch while cooking. The handles on the side stay cool and there are no hot surfaces that could lead to accidental burns.

• The inner pot can be removed for easy cleaning and is dishwasher safe. The outer housing is also wipeable and easy to keep clean.

• The Quest 35260 has overheating protection that turns the unit off if it reaches unsafe temperatures internally. This prevents potential electrical issues.

• The base has non-slip feet to prevent sliding on counters during use. The compact size and light weight also makes it easy to move around safely.

• It's ETL certified meaning the electrical safety has been independently tested. The power cord has a 3 prong grounded plug for added protection.

Overall the Quest 35260 has good safety features that make this an ideal slow cooker for households with children or for anyone looking for convenience and peace of mind when cooking.

Pros & Cons

The Quest 35260 slow cooker has many positives as well as a few potential downsides to consider:

Pros

• Compact 1.5L capacity is great for singles, couples and small households
• Stylish stainless steel exterior looks modern and matches any decor
• Simple manual dial with 3 heat settings - low, high and keep warm
• Dishwasher safe stoneware pot and tempered glass lid for easy cleanup
• Lid rests on pot rim to prevent mess while stirring or adding ingredients
• Auto shut-off for safety if left on accidentally
• Affordable price point under £20

Cons

• Small capacity limits larger recipes or meal prepping
• Manual dial lacks programmable timer
• Exterior can get very hot during prolonged cooking
• No rubber feet on base to grip counter
• Short power cord may require extension cord

The Quest 35260 is an attractive, no-frills slow cooker well-suited for smaller households. It lacks some of the bells and whistles of pricier models but delivers solid performance and value for money. The compact size is a trade-off for capacity. Overall, it's a great budget-friendly option with helpful safety features.

Conclusion

The Quest 35260 Compact Slow Cooker is a solid option for those looking for an affordable and compact slow cooker. Its small 1.5 liter capacity makes it well-suited for cooking for 1-2 people or making side dishes.

The simplistic manual design allows you to just "set it and forget it" with high, low, and warm settings. It doesn't have any fancy bells and whistles but gets the job done for basic slow cooking needs. The oval ceramic pot and tempered glass lid make it easy to monitor your food and clean up afterwards.

Overall, this is a no-frills mini slow cooker perfect for dorm rooms, offices, RVs, and anywhere space is limited. The price is very budget-friendly, especially for a compact appliance. Just don't expect any extra features or technology. But if you want a basic, inexpensive slow cooker for small batches, the Quest 35260 is a good choice.