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262 of 263 found the following review helpful:
Best Slo-Cooker I've ever owned.Jun 05, 2003
By Richard S.
What I love about this product:- Cooking times are accurate. If a recipe specifies 8 hours to cook a pot roast, that's how long it will take. I've never owned a slo-cooker that came close to this degree of accuracy, and I've owned many over the years! - Ridiculously easy to clean (non-stick). - The removeable cooking pot is very light-weight, and can be used in the oven, on the stove, or in the refrigerator, hence the term "versatility". - 6 quart capacity and oval design accomodates most recipes and cuts of meat...it is ideal for me. - I've cooked 15-20 meals of all types with this cooker and have NEVER had a problem with the results. Why I could not give this product 5 stars: - It does not have an on/off indicator (light), nor does it have an "off" setting - once you plug it in, it goes into a "warm" mode, even though the heat switch is turned all the way to the left. - Speaking of switches, the one on this model appears (to me) to be a bit flimsy with no positive feedback as to whether it is on high or low or somewhere in between. No big deal, and for all I know it might last through a nuclear war, but if it ever breaks, the appliance will probably be rendered useless. All in all, based on ease of cleaning, light-weight design, and of course consistency of results, this is the best slo-cooker I've ever owned and would, despite its price, strongly recommend this appliance to any and all interested in purchasing a slo-cooker.
236 of 243 found the following review helpful:
 Really nice!Nov 04, 2003
By J. Hawthorne
This is a much better product than a Rival crock pot. For one thing, it will do so much more ("Versatility" is a good name for it). You can, for example, brown your pot roast in it on your stove before setting the pot on its heating base to slow cook. Hence, fewer pans to clean up. I consider the variety of settings a plus. More choices means more control. Also, the "keep warm" settings come in really handy. I haven't used the heating base as a griddle but it's nice to know I have that option. The only thing I don't like about it is the chord length- it's a bit on the short side. Other than that I love it! Everything comes out tasty. It's easy and convenient to use. It's easy and convenient to clean. It's even light weight! Oh, well, in all fairness I guess I should mention some things the Rival is equiped to do that the West Bend is not: 1) the Rival pot can break if you drop it or subject it to sudden significant temperature change. 2) The Rival handles on the heating base can crack and eventually crumble into small pieces. (Mine did.) 3) Since it weighs so much, the Rival can probably get you into pretty good shape if you lift it enough times. (I use hand weights myself.) I mention these things just in case someone is looking to pay money for this sort of thing. (Well, you never know!) However, in my opinion these are not desireable features in a slow cooker so it's just as well the West Bend doesn't have them. : ) I hope this information helps you make a good decision!
81 of 81 found the following review helpful:
I love this thing!Jul 28, 2004
By AnneMarie Sapko
I bought this slow cooker for two reasons. First, it was nonstick, which is a BIG plus in my house. Second, I liked the idea that it wasn't a heavy crock.
Well, I have been so happy with my decision! I have used this slow cooker more times over the last month and a half than I ever used the three or four crockpots that went before it.
Yes, as someone pointed out, it does seem flimsy when you first look at it. The key word here is 'seem'. You're so used to a crockpot being a big, heavy crock that this thinner nonstick version seems less substantial in comparison. But it's not. I have no fear of it bending or giving. It's as tough as a crock, if not tougher, but loads lighter and therefore easier to handle.
And, yes, as someone also pointed out, the cover can slip, but only when you're putting it on -- it's not like it spontaneously decides to slip off while cooking. The reason the cover needs precision when it's put on is, I think, due to the fact that there isn't a sunken ring around the edge of the pot as there is with a crock. But, if you're worried about this being an issue due to the other reviews, let me just say: don't be. It's only happened to me once and that's because my head was turned away when I tried to put the cover back on.
Now that I've dealt with the supposedly negative aspects of this slow cooker (none of which bothered me in the least), let me tell you all the good things.
Number one -- clean up is a breeze. I just made ribs in the pot and I was able to basically rinse the pot out and it was clean. (Well, I used soap but you know what I mean.)
Number two -- you can brown meat in this on top of the stove. You know all those newer cookbooks that call for browning meat, and all those people who complain because they don't like having to dirty another pot? Non-issue with the Westbend Slow Cooker. And, just as an aside, it's absolutely true that stew meat tastes better in the pot when browned first. It also keeps its consistency. But even for chili, all you have to do is throw the meat in the slow cooker pot, put it on top of the stove, brown it and then put the pot onto the slow cooker base, add the rest of your stuff and you're good to go. Wonderful!
Number three -- there is a wide range of heat settings. From warm to high and everything in between. It makes it easy to find the right temp for everything.
Number four - the oblong shape makes it easy to fit anything you want, from ribs to a chicken.
In summary - buy this slow cooker! You won't be disappointed.
64 of 64 found the following review helpful:
Changed my mind- zero starsFeb 20, 2004
By G. Jurczyk
"gail@gabrielinc.com"
Two years ago I wrote a glowing review about this product and gave it 5 stars (the editing feature here won't let me change the stars, only the text).
I threw it away a couple of months ago and I want to let you know why:
It says it is dishwasher safe, but after a few months I noticed that the nonstick coating was wearing off in the inside! Eww... that's not supposed to be safe, is it?
I grew pretty nervous about cooking with it, if the coating came off so easily. I tried using those new plastic crockpot liners with it, but then decided that defeated the purpose of wanting to cook economical meals, if I always had to buy those bags!
The nonstick coating is not robust if you want to use it 1-2 times a week and clean it in the dishwasher, as I did.
59 of 60 found the following review helpful:
A great little applianceJan 28, 2004
Like a few other reviewers, I was disappointed when I received this cooker. It did look flimsy and light-- not at all "substantial" as I envisioned a crockpot should be, and the lid didn't seem to fit in a way that would keep a good seal. But given the good reviews I read, I decided to keep it and try it out. And I'm very glad I did. The cooker works flawlessly. My mother had a Rival, and complained that it always got too hot and scorched and overcooked her food. Not a problem here, the Versatility cooks with a slow, even heat, and meals are ready exactly when I expect them to be. The ability to take the pot from base to stove is a great plus-- you can brown meats and vegetables without dirtying another pan, and the unit is very easy to clean. Nice non-stick coating.
Yes, the cord is very short. I wish it were longer. Although the base is also billed as a griddle, I wouldn't use it as such. It is small. If you want a griddle, buy a griddle. I haven't had any problems with the shape of the lid.
I am a pretty serious cook, and before this purchase I was pretty much of a snob about crockpots and slow cookers. I thought they were better-forgotten remnants of another era, but this cooker has changed my mind. The Versatiliy has allowed me to prepare hearty and delicious meals in my own time frame, and I highly recommend it.
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