Russell Hobbs ‎24180 Slow Cooker - Review

Russell Hobbs is one of the most well-known brands in the UK for kitchen appliances. Founded in 1952, Russell Hobbs has grown to become a household name thanks to their wide range of innovative, stylish, and affordable products. The company designs small kitchen appliances, cookware, and home appliances like irons with the goal of making life easier in the kitchen.

With 70 years of experience developing appliances, Russell Hobbs has built a reputation for dependable, user-friendly products offered at a reasonable price point. Their extensive product line includes kettles, toasters, coffee makers, blenders, food processors, slow cookers and more. Headquartered in the UK, Russell Hobbs now distributes their appliances in over 30 countries worldwide.

Known for their classic retro-inspired appliance designs, Russell Hobbs aims to bring personality and visual appeal to everyday kitchen tools. They frequently update their collections to reflect current home decor trends. However, functionality remains at the forefront - Russell Hobbs products are engineered for convenience, reliability and practicality.

Russell Hobbs slow cookers promise hassle-free, low-maintenance cooking. Like all Russell Hobbs appliances, they focus on simplicity and ease of use for busy home cooks. Let's take a closer look at how the Russell Hobbs 24180 Chalkboard Slow Cooker performs.

Overview

The Russell Hobbs Chalkboard 24180 Slow Cooker is a 3.5L capacity appliance priced at £34.99. Some of the key features include:

• Chalkboard exterior allows you to label contents or leave notes
• Removable ceramic pot for serving at table
• Three temperature settings - low, high and keep warm
• 24 hour programmable timer
• Glass lid with steam vent
• Non-slip feet for stability
• Dishwasher safe pot and lid

This electric slow cooker has a retro chalkboard design that makes it stand out from standard models. The exterior doubles as a chalkboard so you can label contents or leave notes. The inner removable ceramic pot has a 3.5L capacity suitable for cooking stews, curries, chillis and more for 3-4 people. It features low, high and keep warm temperature settings selected via a manual dial on the front. There is also a 24 hour programmable timer allowing you to preset exactly when you want cooking to start and finish. The tempered glass lid has a steam vent for monitoring cooking progress. Non-slip feet on the base provide stability. Both the inner pot and lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Overall, the Russell Hobbs 24180 Chalkboard Slow Cooker combines practical cooking features with a stylish chalkboard design.

If you're looking for an alternative slow cooker option, the Crock-Pot SCV655B-IUK is also worth considering. This 6.5L model has a polished stainless steel exterior and black accents for a sleek modern look. It provides low, high and warm settings controlled simply via a manual knob. The inner stoneware pot can be removed for convenient serving and cleaning. A tempered glass lid allows you to monitor cooking. Other highlights include an integrated digital timer with countdown function, cool touch handles, and dishwasher safe components. This Crock-Pot model lacks the unique chalkboard exterior but provides comparable specs and reliability.

When choosing a slow cooker, it's worth comparing capacity, settings, timers, safety features, ease of cleaning and overall design. Models like the Russell Hobbs Chalkboard and Crock-Pot SCV655B-IUK both offer programmable timers and dishwasher safe parts. However, the chalkboard exterior and retro styling of the Russell Hobbs make it stand out. Consider which features are must-haves for you and choose the slow cooker that best fits your cooking needs and personal tastes.

Slow cookers are ideal for making stews, curries, chillis, soups, porridge and even desserts. They allow you to prep ingredients in the morning, then leave food to cook slowly throughout the day. The low gentle heat tenderises meats and brings out flavours. It's an easy way to prepare delicious home cooked meals with minimal effort. Slow cookers are energy efficient too. Look for models with insulated housings to retain heat efficiently. Programmable timers let you closely control cooking times. Other useful features include digital displays, clear glass lids to monitor progress, and dishwasher safe removable pots.

Design

The Russell Hobbs 24180 Slow Cooker has a simple yet elegant design that will look great on any kitchen counter. It has a 3.5 liter capacity with an oval ceramic pot that is removable for easy cleaning. The exterior has a stylish chalkboard finish which allows you to label the cooker or leave notes. The black color and smooth finish give it a sleek, modern look.

The clear glass lid fits securely on top to lock in heat and moisture. It has stainless steel trim for an accent. The lid allows you to monitor the cooking progress without letting heat escape. There are two sturdy handles - one on each side, which stay cool during use. This makes lifting and moving the cooker safe and easy. The base has non-slip feet to hold it steady on counters. Overall, the cooker is thoughtfully designed for both form and function. It looks attractive and performs reliably.

With its 3.5 liter capacity, the 24180 Slow Cooker can make meals for up to 4 people. The oval ceramic pot is perfect for cooking roasts, stews, soups, and more. Just prepare your ingredients, put them in the cooker, set the time and temperature, and let it do the work. The cooker distributes heat gently and evenly to ensure food is perfectly cooked without drying out or burning.

For easy cleaning, the ceramic pot and glass lid can be removed and washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The exterior just needs a quick wipe down to keep looking new. With a 24-month warranty, you can trust that this slow cooker is built to last. See the Quest 35260 for a similar 3.5 liter slow cooker option.

If you're looking for a larger capacity, try the Russell Hobbs 26060 Slow Cooker which holds up to 6 liters. It has the same oval design and chalkboard exterior but with more interior space to cook for larger gatherings. The 26060 would be great for meal prepping batches of chili, stew, or soup to stock your freezer.

Russell Hobbs also makes mini 1 liter slow cookers like the 24170. These are ideal for making dips, fondues, and sauces. The small size allows for effortless transport to parties or potlucks. With multiple sizes available, you can find the perfect slow cooker for your needs from Russell Hobbs.

This brand is known for their quality kitchen appliances that look great. The Russell Hobbs slow cooker line has won various awards and accolades for their innovative features and reliable performance. Customers love how easy they are to use with dishwasher-safe parts and cool touch handles. These cookers take the stress out of mealtimes.

Capacity

The Russell Hobbs 24180 slow cooker has a generous 3.5 litre capacity, making it suitable for cooking for 3-4 people or preparing large batches for meal prepping. The oval ceramic pot has dimensions of 27 x 22 x 15cm (10.6 x 8.6 x 5.9 inches), giving you a good amount of interior space for roasts, chickens, stews, and more.

Despite the generous capacity, the slow cooker still has a compact footprint at just 26 x 31 x 21cm (10.2 x 12.2 x 8.3 inches), so it doesn't take up too much room on your countertop. The ceramic pot itself is removable and dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy.

With its 3.5L capacity, this Russell Hobbs model provides flexibility whether you're cooking for the family or preparing freezer meals in bulk. The sizeable internal cooking space can accommodate most recipes, cuts of meat, and ingredients with room to spare.

Settings & Functions

The Russell Hobbs 24180 slow cooker has a variety of settings and functions to help you cook meals easily.

Cooking Modes: This model offers 3 cooking modes - low, high, and keep warm. The low setting is ideal for slower, longer cooking times of 8-10 hours. High gets meals cooked faster in 4-6 hours. Keep warm holds your dish at the perfect serving temperature after cooking completes.

Temperature Ranges: On low, temperatures range from 82-93°C. The high setting reaches temperatures between 91-162°C for faster cooking.

Timers: There are integrated digital timers that allow you to program cooking times up to 24 hours in advance. Simply input your desired cook time and the cooker will automatically switch to keep warm when done. There are also audible alerts at the end of the cycle.

Other Functions: This slow cooker has cool touch housing to prevent burns. The lid locks in place for safe transport to potlucks or parties. The ceramic inner pot and glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

Performance

The Russell Hobbs 24180 slow cooker delivers consistent and even heating results across its 3.5 litre capacity. The wrap-around heating element ensures no cold spots, so food cooks evenly no matter where it's placed.

Users report excellent cooking performance for stews, curries, chillis, soups and more. Meats come out very tender after 8+ hours on low. Vegetables retain their texture and flavors beautifully without becoming mushy. Rice and grains like quinoa are perfectly cooked without drying out.

The crock pot can bring soups and stews to a gentle simmer on high and keep them there steadily. It excels at long slow braises on low, with tough cuts transforming into fall-apart tender with all day cooking. One can even bake cakes and desserts like cheesecake in it.

Overall the Russell Hobbs 24180 delivers delicious, consistent results expected from a good slow cooker. The cooking performance rivals more expensive brands and shows good attention to detail in the heating element design and construction quality.

Ease of Use

The Russell Hobbs 24180 slow cooker is designed to be very easy to use. The control panel is simple, with a manual knob to select temperature settings from Keep Warm up to High. There are no pre-set timers or digital controls, just the single knob for temperature. This makes the cooker straightforward to operate.

Cleaning the cooker is also simple since the ceramic crock pot lifts out. The lid and crock pot are both dishwasher safe. The exterior just needs a wipe down. Users mention this model is easy to clean with no cracks or crevices where food can get stuck.

Overall, customers find this slow cooker very user-friendly. The controls are basic but effective. It doesn't have any fancy settings, just Low, High and Keep Warm. The simplicity makes it easy for anyone to use. Since there are no timers, you do need to monitor cooking times yourself. But for a straightforward, no-frills slow cooker that's easy to operate and clean, the Russell Hobbs 24180 fits the bill.

Accessories

The Russell Hobbs 24180 slow cooker comes with some useful accessories to help you get cooking.

It includes a serving spoon, perfect for dishing up hearty stews, curries and chillis. The spoon has a long, sturdy handle to keep your hands away from the heat.

You also get a recipe booklet with 30 delicious slow cooker recipes to try. There's a good variety covering breakfasts, main meals, desserts and more. Recipes include Italian meatballs, beef stew, and chocolate brownies.

Having the recipes provided gives you plenty of inspiration and guidance to make the most of your slow cooker. The recipes have been designed specifically for the Russell Hobbs cooker.

Overall the included accessories enhance the versatility of the product and make it easy to start creating tasty slow cooked meals. With the serving spoon and extensive recipe booklet, you have everything you need to get cooking.

Pros & Cons

Overall, the Russell Hobbs 24180 Chalkboard Slow Cooker has more pros than cons for most users.

Pros

• Generous 6L capacity is suitable for families and batch cooking
• Digital timer with 3 heat settings provides flexibility and convenience
• 24-hour programmable delay start is handy for timing meals
• Removable ceramic bowl is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
• Locking lid for safe transport to potlucks or parties
• Chalkboard exterior is fun for labeling contents or recipes
• Affordable price point

Cons

• Shape of ceramic bowl may limit recipes and ingredients
• Display is not backlit, hard to see in dim lighting
• Maximum high heat setting is lower than some other models
• Exterior gets hot during cooking
• No auto keep-warm setting after timer ends
• Short power cord may require extension cord

Overall, the Russell Hobbs 24180 performs very well for the price. The generous 6L capacity, digital timer and delay start function offer lots of versatility. Easy cleanup is a major plus. Drawbacks are relatively minor, mainly stemming from the shape of the bowl. For budget-friendly family meals, it's a great choice.

Conclusion

The Russell Hobbs 24180 Chalkboard Slow Cooker is a decent entry-level model for anyone looking to try out slow cooking. Its 3.5 liter capacity can serve 3-4 people, making it suitable for singles, couples, and small families.

The simplicity of the manual knob controls and high/low settings make it very easy to operate, even for complete beginners. The included recipe book provides guidance for those new to slow cooking. The chalkboard exterior adds a fun touch for jotting down cooking times or making creative drawings.

Overall, this slow cooker delivers satisfactory performance at a budget-friendly price point. It's a fine choice for novice cooks who want to experiment with basic one-pot meals. More advanced users may want a cooker with digital controls and timers for greater precision. But for basic weekday meals or potluck dishes, the Russell Hobbs 24180 gets the job done with minimal fuss.