Cuisinart Slow Cooker Review

Comment posted Cuisinart PSC650 6.5 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Brushed by Dr. Girlfriend.

Works just fine. Maybe others bought from a terrible production run?
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
My fiance and I have had in mind for awhile to buy a slow cooker. We received a $100 gift certificate for a retailer – known more for their smarminess than their affordable pricing — and thought this would be the perfect thing to spend it on. This retailer in particular only had two models of slow cookers to choose from, this one and a 5 quart DeLonghi. I like the DeLonghi brand well enough — but we thought the cooker was kind of hideous looking. So is the Cuisinart, truth be told.

There were only a handful of features that helped guide our choice. First was the extra quart-and-a-half capacity. The programmable heating settings also seemed like they could be useful. This slow cooker also comes with a cooking rack for when you’re doing a roast. Ultimately what convinced us to go with this model was the fact that it’s huge enough TO do a roast — you have room enough to do a whole chicken.

When we got home we immediately checked amazon to see how terribly we’d been ripped off. Oddly enough — it was the same price. But — the reviews shocked us. How can a slow cooker get such horrible reviews when all it has to do is get hot and stay hot? We freaked out a bit and nearly ran back to return it.

Like most people who bother to read reviews on amazon — you’re probably aware that typically some of the terrible reviews are people just mouthing off, or rating the product based some other terrible experience they’ve had, or they haven’t read the user manual for their device and are in the process of breaking it themselves. There might be a terrible review or two like this here, for the Cuisinart. But otherwise — people are saying some frightening things — namely, that the Cuisinart doesn’t cook the food.

As for this slow cooker being terribly engineered or made cheaply — I’m not sure where that comes from. Look at it this way; this cooker holds a huge, thick, 6.5 quart ceramic bowl. The bowl itself can not be confused for cheap. The brushed stainless steel unit that it fits into likewise has to be huge. So, you have this huge steel unit and it’s only function is to get hot. Do heating coils take up a lot of room? No, they don’t. Are they heavy? No, they’re not. If if the opinion of cheap is coming from the fact that the base is huge and feels hollow — then in my opinion they are not being very honest.

The only complaint I can make is that the programmable buttons are keypad type buttons. I would have preferred actual push-in surface buttons, but when you reckon about it — the keypad style is much simpler to clean up AND prevents moisture from any spilled liquids from getting inside.

Regarding the “permanent” fingerprints — I’m not sure how that phenomenon can really take place. I just wiped the unit down and it looks completely new again. Just because it’s brushed stainless steel doesn’t mean it won’t get fingerprints.

Anyway, we chose to keep the cooker and we’re glad we did. I threw together some chicken soup last night and we each had a tasty bowl of it this morning. Everything was cooked perfectly — the carrots were soft and flavorful and the chicken melted away from the bone. I have no complaints or regrets. I would have given it five stars if it were just a tad prettier..

Dr. Girlfriend also commented

• You’ve got to be kidding me!
  Rating:1 out of 5 stars
  I chose to spend more money to buy a Cuisinart slow cooker because it is a name brand known for its’ quality. I was very dissapointed when I went to make a meal and the slow cooker did not work. It would not even come on. I will reckon twice before buying a Cuisinart product in the future.
• A excellent slow-cooker
  Rating:4 out of 5 stars
  This is a excellent product. It’s certainly huge and takes counter space, but if you have a huge family or like having leftovers, this is the right size. I haven’t had any problems with the slow-cooker itself, no food burning on the high setting or steam coming out through the lid, for example. It’s right that the unit itself gets hot, but I just go it away from any other kitchen utensils or appliances. It’s heavy, but manageable. I’m not giving it 5 stars because the knob on the lid as well as the handles on the sides are made of cheap plastic, and for that price, I really reckon Cuisinart could have done better.
• DON’T BUY THIS ITEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Rating:1 out of 5 stars
  This was bought as a wedding gift for us. We attempted to use it for just the third time today. When we came home from work, the show had E1 on it. What does E1 mean? Don’t know. It isn’t in the manual. Call customer service and they have no thought either. Want a supervisor? Grab a snack, take a seat, and use your speakerphone – it’s gonna be awhile. Why would you need to speak to a supervisor? Customer service will tell you the item needs to be sent back for a replacement – on top of the $10 fee for sending a replacement, you also have to pay to ship the item back. This isn’t a featherweight item – shipping is gonna cost you. (I tried to give this zero stars but Amazon wouldn’t let me.)
• I like it alot
  Rating:5 out of 5 stars
  We bought this because every item we own that has the Cuisinart brand name attached to it has been wonderful. This product did not dissapoint.

  Simple set up. Simple to use. Simple to clean. Tons of space (especially for those who like to generate leftovers). I also like how the outside does not get as hot as some crockpots. It makes it simpler to transport.

  Extra props for the cord storage system.

• SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK!!!
  Rating:2 out of 5 stars
  The lid does not fit, most often the steam goes out which kills the whole purpose of a slow cooker. Only the first two times, the meat was really tender and cooked slowly. After that, it started cooking up the whole thing in an hour, very hard and dry. Same meat, same sauce, and the lowest setting, still doesn’t work. Such a huge waste of money and counter space.

Recent comments by Dr. Girlfriend

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  Brilliant quality heavy gauge stainless steel set
  Rating:5 out of 5 stars
  I bought this set because I did not know if I wanted a 4 quart or 6 quart pressure cooker, this set solved my problem. When I got this set I was impressed with the quality as it was heavy SS inside and out. My pressure cooker set had only two settings, one for 15 psi and another for 8.5 psi, not three that this listing said. I also ordered the steam basket and trivet ($20), extra gasket ($12), and a SS top ($20) for either base from Magefesausa.com who told me that their pressure cookers only have the two pressure settings and that description of 3 settings was in error.
• WMF Perfect Plus 41/2Quart Pressure Cooker
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  The only complaint [other than cost!] is the way you have to take the handle off to clean after each use. You’ve got to have quite stong hands to work it.

• Cuisinart PSC400 4 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Brushed
  Gorgeous and works well
  Rating:5 out of 5 stars
  This is a perfect slow cooker. Perfect size when following slow cooker recipes for “medium round.” Very stylish…matches my Cuisinart rice cooker. I like the fact that I can set the timer for whatever time I want. When the time is up, the cooker sets to “keep” mode. Very simple to clean and takes up small space compared to my larger slow cooker. The lid fits perfectly with no escape of liquid.
• Cuisinart PSC400 4 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Brushed
  boiling, not slow cooking
  Rating:2 out of 5 stars
  I was interested in a smaller size slow cooker but I wanted the programming features of the larger cookers. The Cuisinart 650 model has a lot of criticisms and plenty of 1 star ratings, but most of the reviews for both the CSC-400 and PSC-400 were positive. Unfortunately, every negative comment of the larger model is right with the PSC-400 I bought:

  -the low temperature setting is too high
  
  -the high setting boils the food
  
  -escaping steam causes the lid to rattle constantly
  
  -condensation runs down the outside of the pot

  After researching how a slow cooker is “suppose” to work, I find descriptions such as this: “Slow cookers are designed to emit very small steam, so food braises in its own juices, as well as any cooking liquid.”

  The USDA website says: “The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam made within the tightly-covered container combine to ruin bacteria and make the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.”

  The Cuisinart PSC-400 does not slow cook. It boils. It rattles.

  Lastly, yes, it looks fantastic, but it is a space hog.

• WMF Perfect Plus 41/2Quart Pressure Cooker
  WMF 5 star
  Rating:5 out of 5 stars
  I own several products from WMF. They are all long lasting and perfect quality.
  
  I am just wondering whether anyone can tell me if this piece, Perfect Plus 4.5- Quart could be used on an induction stovetop.

  Thanks!
  
  Carmen

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