West Bend 84294 The Crockery II 4-Quart Slow Cooker
by West Bend
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: West BendBrand: West Bend
Release Date: 2003-08-01
Platform: Windows
Model: 84294
Color: White and Blue
Product features:
- 4-quart oval slow cooker, with dark-blue stoneware insert
- 230 watts with three temperature settings
- Stay-cool plastic handles and skid-resistant rubber feet
- Removable, dishwasher-safe stoneware crock and glass cover
- 15-1/2 by 11 by 9 inches; 90-day warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of West Bend 84294 The Crockery II 4-Quart Slow Cooker
Customer Review: Perfect fit, perfect size, perfect cook
Summary: 5 Stars
I have used this crock pot for three meals so far without problems. It show great promise of the being the (almost) perfect slow cooker.
I purchased this model because it is as close to the perfect crock pot as you can get. Our other crock pot is a 6 quart round model and too large for normal cooking and "burns" or over-cooks normal meals. This four quart crock pot is the perfect size for our family of four. We can fill it half-way with fixings for a half-gallon of stew (gives leftovers) or make a full pot of spaghetti sauce that will provide for a couple of meals. The three settings (High / Low / Keep Warm) work as you would think. I did note that the `Keep Warm' setting may be a bit too hot for delicate sauces but was just right for the stew and spaghetti. Four quarts (1 gallon) is a lot of food!
Any crock you get should have a dishwasher safe removable crock and lid like this one. An oval crock pot allows you to fit larger cuts of meat in the crock than a round pot. I can not fit my 6-quart crock in the dishwasher but can and do put this one in the dishwasher.
This crock pot does not `loose steam' as some of the others are described but the lid is not sealed like a pressure cooker. As the food is cooked, steam is emitted. It gathers and cools at the (inside) top of the glass lid and drips down to the side of the lid, collecting on the lip of the crock where the lid sits. The lid sits on the lip of the crock easily with a few small dimples to prevent it from sealing (this is good - keep reading). As the steam condenses on the side of the crock the water collecting on the side seals the cooker. It works. Steam is kept in the crock pot but the pot will not become a pressure cooker. The glass lid will not `bubble' or rock on the stone crock as it cooks so it is safer than some older models. It works and works well.
The oval shape of the crock allows for a larger cuts of meat than a round crock pot the same size. The stone crock and glass lid is dishwasher safe and actually fits in the dishwasher. Clean-up is easy. The pot does not take up too much space in the cupboard.
This crock pot has a great price for what you get. A higher price may not get you a better crock pot. Until I see a crock pot with intelligent sensors (senses the temperature of what you are cooking) and digital controls for temperature and time with pre-sets for different types of sauces and meals, this is the one.
March 2006 add-on. I still think this is a great crock pot. Over the years I have perfected a few wonderful recipes. A couple years ago I purchased a Rival Smart-Part device that tunes the temp & time. I set the Rival to "A" for a lower temperature cook. (I think the Rival instructions tell you to use the "C" setting but "A" seems to produce what I think is the perfect low temperature. With the Rival temperature controller separate, you have more control over how it should cook).
October 2007 add-on. Still a great crock pot.
October 2008 add-on. Still a great crock pot. Big enough (whole 6lb chicken / large roast) for our family (the twin boys are now 7). Everything is still in good shape. I still use the rival temperature controller to correct the temperature.
September 2010. Still a great crock pot. Seared country style (pork shoulder) (season heavily with b-sugar and seasoned salt) ribs and threw them in the crock pot with a heavy dash of Worcestershire for 6 hours. :-)
Description of West Bend 84294 The Crockery II 4-Quart Slow Cooker
Oval 4 Qt. White exterior with floral design. Removable cobalt blue crock. Lo, Hi and Keep Warm settings with operating light. Dishwasher safe crock and glass cover.West Bend's Oval 4-Quart Crockery Cooker has a country-kitchen look, with clean white curves accented in gold, maroon, and navy blue, with a freehand-style floral motif. Its casual design is well suited to everyday kitchen use, but it's also decorative enough to take its place in a buffet line-up. (During fall and winter, it's great for keeping hot cider or mulled wine warm.) The stoneware insert--also a deep blue--can be used as a serving or baking dish.
There are three temperature settings--Hi, Lo, and Keep Warm, and an indicator light underneath the control dial verifies that the heating element is engaged. The domed glass lid helps keep an eye on whatever's cooking. The body of the slow cooker is metal, so exercise caution, as it does heat up along with the contents as they cook. The lid and handles, however, are made of a stay-cool plastic and can be safely touched during the cooking process.
Clean-up is very easy; warm soapy water will do the trick. (The base unit is not immersible; just use a soapy rag or cloth.) Do not use scratchy, abrasive cleaners on any part of the slow cooker. The glass lid and stoneware insert are both dishwasher-safe. The slow cooker measures 15-1/2 by 11 by 9 inches (including lid and handles). West Bend products include a 90-day warranty against defects and come with a detailed booklet of instructions, recipes, and tips. --Garland Withers
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