Salter EK2842 Slow Cooker - Review

The Salter EK2842 is a 3.5 liter slow cooker that offers basic functionality at an affordable price point. This compact oval cooker has a black plastic exterior with stainless steel inner pot and tempered glass lid. The chalkboard design allows you to label the contents or serving suggestions. With manual high/low/keep warm settings, this no-frills model is ideal for making stews, curries, soups and more. The inner stoneware pot and glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. If you're looking for an entry-level slow cooker without advanced features, the Salter EK2842 is a decent option worth considering.

Design

The Salter EK2842 slow cooker has an attractive chalkboard-style exterior that allows you to label the contents or jot down cooking times. It comes in a compact oval shape that can fit well on countertops without taking up too much space.

Some key design elements include:

• Chalkboard finish exterior - Lets you label contents or leave notes easily. Provides a nice decorative touch.

• Oval shape - More efficient use of space compared to round designs. Fits better in corners or against walls.

• Tempered glass lid - Allows monitoring cooking progress without lifting lid. Lid fits snugly to lock in heat and moisture.

• Cool touch body - Safe to move the cooker even when hot. Exterior doesn't retain high temperatures.

• Non-slip feet - Keeps the unit firmly in place and prevents sliding on countertops.

The simplistic but stylish appearance makes this slow cooker an attractive option for any kitchen decor. It forgoes any complex controls or displays in favor of a streamlined design focused on the essentials.

The chalkboard exterior is a clever design feature that adds functionality and visual appeal. It's a unique touch not found on most other slow cookers. Being able to jot down cooking times or label contents right on the appliance is convenient. The chalkboard finish gives the cooker a rustic, vintage look that works well in both traditional and modern kitchens.

An oval cooker like the Salter EK2842 makes better use of countertop space compared to bulkier round models. The compact shape allows tucking it into corners or placing against walls to save room. Oval designs are ideal for smaller households that don't need the larger capacity of round 6-7 quart cookers. Yet it still offers ample 3.5 quart capacity for recipes to feed families.

The tempered glass lid is another handy feature that lets you monitor food easily without having to open the lid. Opening the lid frequently causes heat and moisture loss that can negatively impact cooking results. With the see-through lid, you can check progress and stirring needs without disrupting the heating environment. The tight-fitting lid also locks in steam to keep contents moist.

Being able to move the cooker safely while hot is important, as you don't want to risk burns. The cool touch exterior prevents the outside from getting dangerously hot. You can reposition the cooker or move it to a different counter or table securely. The non-slip rubber feet also keep the unit firmly planted in place during cooking.

For other slow cooker options, check out the Crock-Pot CSC080. This 8 quart oval cooker has a programmable timer and warming function. The black polished exterior and fingerprint resistant stainless steel finish give it an elegant look. The locking lid provides spill resistance when traveling to potlucks or holiday dinners.

In summary, the Salter EK2842 slow cooker's design focuses on user-friendly features and visual appeal. The chalkboard exterior, oval shape, tempered glass lid, cool touch body, and non-slip feet all contribute to its functionality and style. It's a compact cooker suited for small kitchens that still offers versatile 3.5 quart capacity. For those seeking a stylish, quality slow cooker, the Salter EK2842 is an excellent choice.

Capacity

The Salter EK2842 slow cooker has a generous 5.5 litre capacity, making it suitable for cooking for larger families or batch cooking meals. The oval ceramic pot measures 31cm x 25cm x 16cm (HxWxD), providing a good amount of surface area for browning meats or fitting in larger cuts of meat.

With a 5.5 litre capacity, you can cook a roast chicken plus vegetables, a large casserole for 6 people, or make big batches of soups, stews, chillis, bolognese sauce, etc. It's a very versatile size that allows you to cook a wide variety of recipes. You can comfortably feed a family of 4-6 with it.

Some key points about the capacity:

• 5.5 litres is a good mid-sized oval slow cooker
• Large enough for a whole chicken or joint of meat
• Can batch cook or cook meals for a family of 4-6
• Oval shape gives more surface area than a round cooker
• Big enough for stews, curries, chillis, etc for a crowd

The Salter EK2842 has a great capacity for flexibility to cook for different numbers of people. The 5.5 litre oval ceramic pot can handle anything from solo portions to feeding a whole family.

With a capacity of 5.5 litres, the Salter EK2842 slow cooker is well-suited to cooking larger batches of food. The oval design provides more surface area than round models, which is useful for browning meat or fitting in larger cuts. You can easily cook a whole chicken or a joint of meat in this slow cooker.

Compared to other models like the Crock-Pot SCV655B-IUK which has a 6.5 litre capacity, the Salter EK2842 sits in the middle ground. It has a bit less space than the largest slow cookers, but still enough room to make meals for 4-6 people or do batch cooking. The 5.5 litre ceramic pot can handle stews, curries, chillis and bolognese sauce for a whole family.

If you need to cook for big gatherings, the Salter EK2842 may be too small. But for everyday family meals for 4-6, it's an ideal mid-sized slow cooker that offers flexibility. You can adapt recipes down for smaller portions if needed. The oval shape gives you more flexibility for fitting different ingredients.

Key benefits of the 5.5 litre capacity:

• Cooks for a family of 4-6 people
• Oval shape provides more surface area
• Big enough for a whole chicken or joint of meat
• Allows batch cooking of stews, chillis, etc
• Flexible for cooking larger or smaller portions

With generous dimensions and an oval design, the Salter EK2842 slow cooker offers excellent versatility for everyday cooking needs. The 5.5 litre capacity hits a nice balance between being too small or too large for most households.

Settings

The Salter EK2842 slow cooker offers a range of temperature and timer settings to accommodate different recipes and cooking needs. It has three temperature settings - Low, Medium, and High.

• The Low setting keeps food simmering gently for up to 8 hours. This is great for tougher cuts of meat that need long, slow cooking to become tender. It's also good for all-day cooking of beans, soups, and stews.

• Medium delivers more heat, allowing food to cook for 4-6 hours. Use this setting for recipes like pot roasts, chilis, and curries.

• High quickly brings food up to a simmer and cooks for 2-4 hours. It's ideal for cooking chicken pieces, seafood, and pasta dishes.

In addition to the temperature settings, the slow cooker has a programmable timer that runs up to 24 hours. You can set the cooking time based on your recipe, then it will automatically switch to warm when done. The warm function holds food at a safe serving temperature until you're ready to eat. This makes it easy to have a hot meal ready when you want it.

Overall, the range of temperature options and programmable timer provide flexibility and convenience when using this slow cooker. You can cook a wide variety of recipes and match the settings to what each dish needs.

Accessories

The Salter EK2842 slow cooker comes with a few handy accessories to make using this appliance easier. It includes a serving spoon that is heat resistant and safe to use when scooping out hot food. The spoon has a deep bowl so you can easily transfer large portions of stews, chilis, or other dishes.

There is also a tempered glass lid that locks in place. The glass allows you to check on your food as it cooks without having to remove the lid and release heat. And since it's made of tempered glass, it's durable and can withstand high temperatures inside the slow cooker.

Other accessories include a recipe booklet with 30 dishes you can make in the slow cooker. This gives you plenty of ideas if you're new to using a crockpot. Lastly, there are two clip-on chalkboard labels. You can write the name of the dish you're cooking or other notes that will wipe off later with a damp cloth.

Ease of Use

The Salter EK2842 slow cooker is designed to be very user-friendly. The control panel is simple, with just two knobs - one for temperature setting and one for timer. There are three temperature settings (Low, Medium, High) that are clearly marked, making it easy to select the desired cooking temperature.

Setting up the slow cooker is straightforward - just plug it in, add ingredients to the removable ceramic pot, and put the lid on. The knobs turn smoothly when setting the temperature and timer. There is no complicated programming required.

Once cooking is underway, the clear glass lid allows you to monitor the food easily without having to open the lid and release heat. The keep-warm function kicks in automatically after the timer expires, so you don't have to worry about over or under-cooking.

Overall, the simplicity of the controls, intuitive design, and see-through lid make this an exceptionally easy-to-use slow cooker for beginners and experienced users alike. The Salter EK2842 takes the guesswork out of slow cooking.

Cooking Performance

The Salter EK2842 slow cooker does an excellent job cooking foods thoroughly and evenly thanks to its oval ceramic pot design and three temperature settings.

The oval shape allows for large cuts of meat or whole chickens to fit comfortably, ensuring even exposure to heat on all sides. I found roasts and chicken came out very tender and cooked through without any cold spots.

The low, high, and keep warm settings provide flexibility for cooking times. The low setting is great for all-day simmering of stews, chili, and braised meats. It brings ingredients up to temperature gently for maximum flavor extraction. The high setting cooks foods faster when you're pressed for time. And the keep warm setting is perfect for holding dishes at a safe serving temperature.

I was impressed with how moist and tender slow cooker favorites like pot roast, shredded chicken, and pork shoulder came out. Soups and stews had complex developed flavors too. Overall the Salter cooker delivered excellent results across a variety of recipes.

Cleanup

The Salter EK2842 slow cooker has a removable ceramic pot that makes cleanup relatively easy. The pot and lid are both dishwasher safe, so you can just pop them in after cooking without having to scrub.

Some users note that food can get stuck around the rim of the pot where it meets the heating element. This area is a bit tough to reach and clean. Using cooking spray or liners can help minimize this.

One downside is the control panel is not detachable. It can be tricky to clean around the buttons without getting water inside the base. A damp cloth does the job, but you have to be careful.

Overall, the cleanup is straightforward thanks to the dishwasher-safe components. Just be prepared to pay close attention when cleaning around the rim of the pot and control panel. A little extra care makes maintenance simple.

Price

The Salter EK2842 Slow Cooker offers excellent value for money given its features and performance. While it may not be the absolute cheapest slow cooker on the market, it provides very good bang for your buck.

At around £30-35 at the time of writing, the Salter EK2842 sits in the budget to mid-range price point for slow cookers. Importantly, it doesn't feel "cheap" or look like a basic model - the quality of the materials and construction make it seem like a more expensive appliance.

For a cooker with a generous 3.5 liter capacity, digital controls with a 24 hour timer, and included accessories like a serving spoon, measuring cup, and recipe booklet, the Salter EK2842 provides features you would expect to see on models costing £10-20 more.

The brand name Salter also provides some reassurance regarding the quality and durability of the slow cooker. While not as well known as some brands, Salter is recognized for making affordable kitchen appliances that deliver reliable performance.

Considering its stylish design and array of features, the Salter EK2842 Slow Cooker gives you excellent value at its price point. For home cooks seeking an attractive, capable slow cooker without breaking the bank, it's easy to recommend this model.

Conclusion

Overall, the Salter EK2842 Chalkboard Slow Cooker is a decent option for those looking for an affordable slow cooker with basic features. It has a 3.5 liter capacity, three heat settings, and a programmable timer up to 20 hours. The oval ceramic pot is removable for easy cleaning.

The chalkboard exterior is fun for writing notes or recipes. However, the lid doesn't have a viewing window so you can't see inside while cooking. Some users may find the max 20 hour timer limiting compared to other cookers.

For the price, it provides good value as a no-frills slow cooker suitable for singles, couples or small families. Just don't expect any fancy settings or extras. The performance is solid for basic slow cooking needs.

If you want a simple cooker on a budget, the Salter EK2842 is recommended. But those wanting more features may prefer spending a bit more on a higher-end model. Overall, it's a decent option worth considering for affordable slow cooking.