As far as actual use the cooker does a fantastic job with the insert offering reliable heating and cooking. The overall capacity is perfect for nearly any and every sized need. More importantly Cuisinart is a brand that you certainly can trust and rely on.

This slow cooker is very simple to use. Just plug in, turn on, set the cooking time (+- by 30 min)and choose the heat setting. I made beef goulash and the meat was cooked so tender. The 3.5qt oval size pot is perfect for 2-4 people. You can easily cook large meat or a small part of food. My only concern is that the surface gets very hot while cooking. You don’t want to place anything flammable around it.

Overall, I like this slow cooker!!

On the other hand, the Simmer setting is what’s missing from some other slow cookers, and perhaps that’s why foods get burned. This cooker heats to 185°F on Simmer, 200°F on Low, 212°F on High, and 165°F on Warm. Some cook books, including Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook, assume that Low is 180°. 180°F is the oven temperature I’ve always used for slow cooking a leg of lamb, London broil, and other roasts, so the lower Simmer setting is something I appreciate.

The stainless steel housing, glass lid, control panel, and ceramic pot are all nicely constructed and finished – nothing’s cheap-looking or flimsy – and looks like they’ll last for years. The 3-1/2qt oval pot holds a 2-1/2lb chuck roast without the meat touching the sides, and there’s enough room for a layer of vegetables (a couple of cups chopped) a layer a meat a couple inches thick, and new potatoes on top. You could cook a complete meal in this for three or four people. Mine is a one-person household and this is the ideal size for me; anything smaller wouldn’t make enough leftovers.

The included cookbook has nutritional information – number of servings, calories, carbs, stout, protein, sodium, and more – for all 50 recipes. I gave it four stars instead of five because it’s not what I consider programmable, but I’m very pleased with it for the price.