Crock-Pot Cook And Carry 6 Quart Programmable
Quality - 100%
Features - 100%
Price - 100%
Personal Experience - 100%
Value - 100%
100%
#1 Pick
For the price range and size capacity, you can't beat the Crock-Pot Cook And Carry Programmable slow cooker. It meets the needs of basic users, but also has some extra features that make it more convenient (namely the digital timer). The pricing beats out the cost of other similar brands with similar features. Simple, sleek design without being too bulky means it'll fit in and compliment most kitchens easily. No wonder it's my #1 pick for slow cookers here on Food For Net!
Introduction
I'm always happy and willing to try a new Crock-Pot because it's one of my all time favorite brands of slow cookers. I mean, after all, they are pretty much synonymous with this kind of kitchen appliance. Although I tend to personally own more budget items, in the case of slow cookers, I do think that spending a bit more money to upgrade from the most basic model can be worth the cost. The main reason is the added convenience.
For example, in my review of the Crock Pot Cook And Carry 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker I discovered the convenience of having a timer and automatic warming feature.
Let's say you leave for work in the morning and put a stew on to cook all day. A very basic slow cooker on a low setting can make a delicious meal in 6 hours, and it's no big deal if it goes over another 2 or 3 hours. In fact, it might taste better! But when making more complex dishes like desserts or whole chickens, sometimes the cooking time is more precise and over cooking could ruin the dish.
With a timer, you have the ability to still leave the home, have the dish set to automatically warm when done and not worry about coming home to a disaster!
That being said, the programmable version of the Cook And Carry series from Crock-Pot is still very affordable! If you'd like to see what the most advanced versions look like, check out our post on premium slow cookers.
Standard Features
The Crock-Pot Cook ‘N Carry model SCCPVL610-S of course comes with normal slow cooking features like the low/high/warm settings. These are set with the button interface rather than dial. The settings are displayed on a digital timer, with your chosen cooking setting highlighted with a green light. Buttons settings and digital timers are common within this price range, but you won't see those in more budget models.
As part of the Cook And Carry series, this model also comes with a rubber seal around the lid to prevent spills when locked. It comes with a locking mechanism for transporting dishes without spilling, and I prefer this style of locking to the Hamilton Beach version because it takes up less room and looks less bulky. I also prefer the handle style of Crock-Pot, as the look and feel more sturdy/robust.
Extra Features
Using the digital interface, you can set a timer of how long you want your meal to cook. When the time is up, this automatically changes to “keep warm” so you don't overcook your meal.
There is also a sleek looking metallic red option, but this version costs a bit more. The color of your cooker won't affect the final taste of your meals though, so unless your kitchen desperately needs red for a matching color scheme, I'd stick with the standard stainless steel version and save some money!
Cooking Experience
To test the 6-quart programmable Cook and Carry I made a slow cooker cinnamon and maple apple granola dessert. Fall is approaching, so it's time to break out the nutmeg, cinnamon, and fresh apples. I was actually working in the yard when making this dish, and forgot that it was set for just two hours. Lucky for me the timer switched to ‘warm' when it finished cooking and my apples didn't turn into apple sauce while I was outside!
Comparing The Programmable 6-Quart Crock-Pot To Other Slow Cookers
In the six quart arena, there are many styles of slow cookers, both basic and premium. Just talking about the Crock Pot brand, you could opt for a more basic model which does not come with a timer. The manual 6-quart Crock Pot was also my #1 pick for the cheap category.
If you are looking for more cooking options and more advanced capabilities however, then you are looking at a significant price increase, and will pay somewhere around a hundred dollars. It's also worth noting that one reviewer actually said it's better than the $120 versions!
Another of my favorite brands however is Hamilton Beach. In the six quart middle category, one comparable option would be the Set ‘N Forget programmable model which performed very well! However, the device was slightly larger than the Crock-Pot version, and the design was not as sleek/minimalistic. It ranked #2 in my picks, but it was pretty hard to beat out my #1 choice which is the slow cooker review you're reading right now!
Who Is The 6-Quart Programmable Crock Pot Cook And Carry Best For?
It's not a surprise that there are a HUGE number of positive reviews for this model of Crock-Pot slow cooker. The reason is that it is perfect for a lot of different types of people. The programming feature work great for someone that will be away from the kitchen for long period of time, but still wants precision in their cooking. The six quart capacity works well for individuals as well as small families, and I suspect busy moms are the #1 buyer of this appliance.
Less than fifty dollars is not bad for an appliance that you can use every single day and tends to last for several years. Unlike frying pans, the ceramic coating on crocks pretty much never go bad!
So unless you have very specific requirements for you slow cooker, like wifi capabilities, a large capacity, or multi-cooking options (frying, steaming, pressure cooking) then 6-quart programmable Crock Pot would be perfect for you!
==> Get This Slow Cooker!
Conclusion
With almost 3,000 reviews on Amazon, it's clear that this is a very, very popular model of slow cooker. It fits right into the perfect medium category that's best for the average person. It's a fair price for a mid-range model that offers some upgraded features, but nothing excessive. The timer offers flexibility of cooking that basic models are not capable of, and the six quart capacity works well for individual as well as families.
This is one of my favorite slow cookers ever!
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Fairly Priced
- Reliable Brand
- Easy Travel
- Compact Design Compared To Other 6-Quart Models
- Dishwasher Safe Stoneware/Lid
- Easy Clean
- Digital Interface
- Automatic Warming
- Timer Settings
- Tons Of Positive Reviews Online
Cons
- No Feature To Start At Specific Time
Leave a Reply