Crock Pot Multi Cooker Review 5.6L [CSC024]
I decided to do a crock-pot multi-cooker review because, the crock-pot brand is known for slow cookers, and many people want to know how they fare in the multi-cooker niche. In my opinion, they do very well.
Firstly, What Is a Crock-Pot?
A Crock Pot is a type of Slow cooker; now this may sound confusing because this Cooker has both ‘Crock Pot’ and ‘Slow cooker’ in its name, let me clarify;
Slow Cookers are countertop electrical cooking appliances used to simmer at a lower temperature than other cooking methods, such as baking, boiling, and frying and facilitate unattended cooking for many hours of dishes that would otherwise be boiled like pot roast, soups and stews.
The Crockpot on the other hand has been described by the Huffington Post as ‘The Original Slow Cooker’ (they are still being advertised as such by the manufacturers). They are originally a brand of slow cookers produced by Rival manufacturing and invented by Irving Naxon. This particular crockpot in issue, Crock-Pot 5.6l Digital Slow and Multi Cooker is merely one of the models of Crockpot made in 2015, it is now owned by Sunbeam, a division of Jarden Corporation. Irving Naxon created a type of cooker called the ‘Crockpot’ that cooks food slowly, but because the term Crock-Pot is a registered trademark, most manufacturers had to use a different term “slow cooker.” Other brands of slow cookers include All-Clad, Cuisinart, GE, West Bend, Hamilton Beach, Breville, and others.
So it is safe to say that ‘Slow Cookers’ is the name of the kitchen appliance and Crock Pot is a brand of Slow Cookers, that’s why this particular crockpot’s name includes ‘slow cooker’ in it.
Other Crock-Pot Multicookers
Photo | Title | Buy |
---|---|---|
Crockpot Express Pressure Cooker | 12-in-1 Programmable Multi-Cooker | Slow Cooker | Food Steamer and Saute | 5.6 L | Energy Efficient | Stainless Steel [CSC051] | Check Best Price on Amazon | |
Crockpot Multi-Cooker| Programmable Slow Cooker, Saute, Roaster & Food Steamer | 5.6L (6-7 People) | Removable Bowl | Energy Efficient | Stainless Steel [CSC024] | Check Best Price on Amazon | |
Crockpot DuraCeramic Digital Saute Slow Cooker with Hob-Safe Pot | Digital Timer | Anti-Stick & Easy Clean | 5L (4-5 people) [CSC026] | Check Best Price on Amazon |
Read the Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker Review
What About a Multi Cooker, what is it?
Wikipedia describes a multi-cooker as an electric kitchen appliance for automated cooking using a timer and operated by placing ingredients inside, selecting the corresponding program, and leaving the multi-cooker to cook according to the program, typically without any need for further user intervention. It’s pretty cool.
Finally, in its name, this Crockpot is also called ‘digital’, what makes it digital? The CSC024 Crock-Pot 5.6l Digital Slow and Multi Cooker is digital because it uses computer technology which allows the cook control/set the time intervals for the meals while multi-tasking or simply relaxing.
So, the CSC024 Crock-Pot 5.6l Digital Slow and Multi Cooker is a slow cooker and multi cooker all in one with digital settings for easy use.
Now that we know what the CSC024 Crock-Pot 5.6l Digital Slow and Multi Cooker is let’s move on to the review of its features and functions.
This review would examine the contents of the box the multi-cooker comes in, it’s specifications, it notable features, the pros and cons of owning one and very importantly what other people think about it.
What’s in The Box of the Crock Pot Multi Cooker?
- A glass lid
- A 2-way rack
- A cooking Bowl (removable and dishwasher safe)
- A Rice Measure
- Roasting Rack
- Instruction Booklet
- Recipe Booklet
SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Slow and Multi cooker
- Model Name and Number: CSC024k
- Capacity: 5.6 liters
- Rated Voltage: 220-240V 50/60Hz
- Power Consumption: 230 Watts
- Material: Stainless steel
- Color: Stainless steel and Silver
- Dimensions: H17.4cm x W29cm x D43cm
- Weight: 5.24 kg
- Manufacturer’s Guarantee: 2 years
- Programs/Cooking Functions: Sauté/Browning, Slow cooking, Roasting, Baking and Steaming.
- Functions: Slow Cooking and Multiple cooking functions
Notable Features of the Crock-Pot Multi Cooker
- It has an Easy to ‘Read and Use’ Control Panel consisting of;
- A dial control.
- LED display that makes choosing from an array of five pre-programmed cook functions easy.
- A delay timer; and
- A Keep warm function automated after the cooking process to maintain the temperature of the food until you’re ready to serve it.
- It has an Easy to Clean Removable Cooking Pot.
- It has a glass transparent lid that allows you to view the progress of your food as it cooks.
- It has a cool touch handle that provides safety when handling. (The cool touch handle avoids burns and accidental flinging of pots due to the shock of a burn; it can also be humorously implied that it prevents waste of food.)
This cooker comes with a brand name that has been producing good slow cookers since 1971. This particular model ‘CSC024’ is however not merely a slow cooker but also a multi-cooker with five major cooking functions. This slow cooker will use less power than that needed to run a conventional oven and will prepare the delicious family meals in hours with just the flip of a switch. Crock-Pot slow cookers simplify your day with convenient slow-cooking solutions that fit your lifestyle. It’s good for a busy day and also good for a slow day. But don’t just take my words for it or make a purchasing decision until you’ve gone through the pros and cons and opinions of previous customers that will be discussed below.
PROS – crock-pot multi-cooker
- The Instruction booklet contains comprehensive safety precautions and detailed instructions on how to use the cooker for its five different cooking functions.
- It is portable and can be fit into different places in a kitchen.
- It’s combined features of a multi-cooker and a slow cooker make it ideal for beginners learning to cook and who have plenty time to wait for preparation.
- It has the capacity to cook for a group of 6 people.
- It has a stylish look which gives an air of elegance to your kitchen.
- It is 5 in 1, meaning it has 5 different cooking functions; Sauté/Browning, Slow cooking, Roasting, Baking and Steaming.
- You can manually adjust the time, up to 12 hours in the slow cook mode and the temperature from 65 – 230 degree centigrade – allowing you to have total control.
- L2It has two heat settings which enables you to cook to your own schedule and there is also a useful keep warm function which is automated after the cooking process
- A large and comprehensive variety of 29 different recipes are contained in the Recipe book.
CONS
- The instruction booklet does not contain any information about a warranty, only the guarantee and this could cause a technical problem for customers who may discover too late that they are not covered by warranty where they live.
- At 5.24 kg it is quite heavy and the deceptive small size gives off the impression that it is light. The weight makes it inconveniencing to travel with.
- The inner non-stick pot peels off very quickly and the body of the cooker sometimes scratches easily leaning to a major question of durability.
What Other People Think;
A lot of people love the multi-cooking function because it comes in handy in busy times and occupies little kitchen space even though it has 5 different cooking functions.
People have commended the fact that they can sauté and slow cook all in one pan. They also like that when it is done it automatic goes to warm and keeps it warm, which is great if you have different people eating at different times. A customer once said he/she had just cooked harissa lamb shanks for ten hours and reported that it was really delicious – no burning, no drying out – fell off the bone. Many are happy that the CSC024 heats up very well but doesn’t get too hot as to burn food easily.
Some have commended the fact that it can be used as an oven and that it is easier and quicker and quicker than using a main oven but they don’t like the fact that it is heavy to carry about.
A customer once advised that we should try the potatoes on the rack with the meat as they can burn and need turning frequently.
A major complaint is that the steel coating of the cooker is very poor and scratches very easily, thereby giving off a very unattractive look and chances are that it won’t last very long in the hands of the user. The non-stick lining has also been said to peel off after using it for only a few months.
People also complain that there is no option to set the temperature in this mode so you have to start it up again and cook for another four hours or so.
However, I Think;
The slow cooking feature is ideal for family meals. It is also good for people with busy lifestyles/tight schedules like business people, students and professionals. It can be useful for money saving if you like to cook in smaller quantities and don’t want to use your large oven. It is highly convenient and if you find that it is a perfect fit for you as it is for me then you can purchase it here.
However, the issue of the coating should be addressed by the manufacturers and I would advise that instead of purchasing another brand of slow cookers or multi-cookers, one should just check out the newer models of Crockpot slow and multi-cookers which I also intend to review soon enough.