Recently, I published my very first ho-hum cooker weblog post – '10 reasons to buy a boring cooker'.  This post was amazingly popular, and I promised that I would follow upwardly with this review.  I have already received quite an overwhelming number of emails and messages enquiring about my option of slow cooker.  For those of you considering purchasing a dull cooker, this weblog postal service is a skillful indication of why this model is a fantastic option.

I've owned the Crockpot v-in-i multicooker for a niggling over a year, and used information technology countless times, about three-5 times a week.This particular Crockpot is one of the all-time models by the make, and currently selling on Amazon.co.uk for 99.99 GBP.

Aesthetics & build

I am not one to have appliances on my kitchen counters unless they are pretty, or indispensable.  In this case, the latter wins.  I could not not accept my Crockpot 5-in-1 Multicooker out on my counter, since I do use information technology several times a week.

The Crockpot is made of aluminium and blackness plastic.  It is rectangular and looks modernistic and sleek.  The buttons and digital display are nicely placed on the front side of the Crockpot.  Although it is not the most stylish of appliances, it does not look all that bad out on the kitchen counter.


The inner pan

One of the things I love nearly this Crockpot is that the pan is fabricated of aluminium.  It is lite and easy to send to your fridge (especially when total!) or to dishwasher.  Yes, it is dishwasher safe and also very easy to clean.
The pan has a not-stick surface which has remained intact.  I have read a couple of reviews where users state that the inner pot has peeled or scratched, however, mine has not to engagement.  I e'er use plastic or wooden utensils and if non popped into the dishwasher, I always clean when cooled, gently with a non-annoying sponge, warm water, and soap.
Update: Later over 2 years of use, yes, the pot has started to develop scratches.  I would say that it is to be expected afterward so much use.
Second update:  My slow cooker is now most 3 years erstwhile and is peeling too.  Information technology's time to get an upgrade.  I've certainly got my fair share of utilise from information technology!

inner pot


This Crockpot is large – five.vii litres, perfect for cooking a larger family, but also perfectly fine for cooking smaller portions besides.  Ideally, the Crockpot should be at least half full for irksome cooking.  Practice not less this put you off however.  Most wearisome cooker recipes freeze well, and yous can always choose to swallow leftovers the next twenty-four hours for lunch or dinner.
It is rectangular in shape,  which is the ideal for foods such as roasts or lasagne.  The circular versions are not ideal to cook such recipes.  It also fits perfectly into the refrigerator, taking up no backlog space.

crockpot in fridge


Bits and pieces

The Crockpot comes with a clear lid, and so you can peek in whilst your food is cooking.  A roasting rack is included, and it tin be used in ii positions depending on how close yous would like your nutrient to be to the bottom of the pot.  Also supplied is a measuring cup for steaming.

lid & stand


The Crockpot feels sturdy merely non too heavy.  The unit of measurement is easy to make clean with a damp cloth.

Aesthetics & build rating: 9/10

Ease of employ & functions

If you dislike reading manuals, this machine is for you!  Haha!

Seriously, this Crockpot is super-piece of cake to utilise!  It has a push button for each setting on the forepart side, arrows for increasing temperature and cook time on either side of them, and on/off buttons at the lesser.

All selected options are conspicuously displayed on the digital LCD, so yous cannot go incorrect.

crockpot display

I will briefly go into using each setting of the v-in1.

Slow cooking

The deadening-cooking role is main office I bought the Crockpot 5-in-i Multicooker for, all the others were extras which I thought would be prissy to take.

This is the second Crockpot I have used, my first being i with a stoneware bowl.  One of may main concerns was that foods would non melt likewise in an aluminium pot, only I was proven wrong.  I tried multiple recipes which I had cooked in my previous Crockpot and they turned out exactly the same.   I adopt having an aluminium pot over a stoneware 1.  It is easier to transport from slow cooker to fridge or dishwasher and vice versa.  I was always anxious I would drop it, especially when it was moisture and I was trying to dry information technology!

I've successfully slow-cooked soups, curries, stews, roasts, risottos, and pasta such as lasagne – they all turned out perfectly! I'm not a fan of slow cooking potatoes and veg together with roasts.  The texture turns out to be a little strange and crumbly for my taste.

Slow cooked pork shoulder, straight out of the tedious cooker.


Sautéeing & browning

This is a fantastic characteristic to have!  No more dirtying actress pots and pans to sauté  earlier slow cooking!  In that location are multiple estrus settings to brown to your desire.  I too use this characteristic to melt soups in the dull cooker.  I sauté the ingredients earlier I add together the liquids and deadening-cook the soup abroad.

Steaming

The steaming function is bright in that the steam is just the right high temperature to take your nutrient steamed to perfection; no half-boiled/half-steamed veg!  I've managed to steam vegetables such as beans, broccoli and carrots, potatoes and shrimps.  It is very easy and user-friendly.  Use the measure provided to add together the water to the pot and insert the wire rack.  Switch your Crockpot 5-in-1 Multicooker onto steaming and wait for it to pre-oestrus.  Once done, employ tongs to place the food on the rack.


Blistering

I was slightly perplexed about how in the world my Crockpot 5-in-one Multicooker could broil successfully – until I gave it a endeavor.  With not much information about this online or in the transmission, I decided to have a conventional 'baking' recipe and follow the instructions – all but the temperature and cooking time.

Taking into consideration that the slow cooker pot is much tinier than my oven, I halved the cooking time specified in the recipe, and upped the cooking fourth dimension by 20%.  I as well used blistering paper.  Since the heat is coming from the bottom of the pot, when the cake was ready, I took it out, placed a blistering sheet on top, flipped it over, and gave it an extra v minutes to brown the pinnacle of the cake.

The result was a delicious, very moist cake!
TIP:  The lid has a small-scale hole for steam to escape, I used this to test the doneness of the cake by inserting a skewer without opening the lid!

Piece of cake vanilla cake – slow-cooked, moist goodness.


Roasting

Use the wire rack if you would not like your food to sit in it'southward own juices.  I once made lamb koftas and decided to roast them in my Crockpot (on the wire rack), due to the messiness of the fats splashing all over my oven.  This was a brilliant thought and they turned out delicious!    C hicken, lamb, pork and beef besides roast wonderfully.

Ease of use & functions rating: ix.v/ten

Pros

Perfect for one pot cooking

One gadget with 5 functions

Easy to clean

Dishwasher safe

Safe to leave unattended

The 'continue warm' function which automatically activates when slow cooking ends

Fantabulous value for money

Makes cooking a breeze

Ideal for tenderising cheaper cuts of meat

The slow-cooking gustatory modality is incredible!

Perfect for cooking in larger quantities & freezing

Cons

Takes up some (little, but still) counter space

Does not come in any colour or style options

Overall score: 9/ten

Conclusion

The most wonderful thing near the Crockpot 5-in-1 Multicooker is it's versatility. I frequently start a recipe in the evening by sautéeing all of the ingredients and let them brown on depression, let the pot cool and transfer to the fridge and continue the next day.

The Crockpot 5-in-1 Multicooker is my near used kitchen gadget and I could virtually do without my oven unless I am cooking multiple dishes at in one case.
It is a must accept for all busy mamas!  As you can encounter from my review, I honestly cannot mistake it much!